Cuffing season is here.
If you haven't heard of it, the idea is that fall and winter are prime seasons for nestling close to a special someone and enjoying romantic rendezvouses in chilly temps.
So, for those of you you're looking to spend some one-on-one time with a date, these are 11 great ways to capture the last few weeks of fall in Atlanta:
Visit parks and gardens
Atlanta has plenty of beautiful green space whether you're ITP or OTP.
Picnic on a warmer day at a public park like Piedmont in the heart of Atlanta or Little Mulberry in Gwinnett County or pay a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Fall colors may be slow to show themselves this year, but as the weather gets cooler, rich colors begin to emerge. Check the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Leaf Watch to find the best places to visit, including the best state parks for leaf peeping.
Take a bike ride
Whether you want to hit the trails or ride on pavement, Atlanta has plenty of places to bike throughout the metro area. The Beltline and Atlanta Regional PATH Trails are fairly well known, but couples who love to bike have a variety of bike trails in Atlanta's suburbs.
Go horseback riding
Try one of these Atlanta-area locations to take a romantic horseback ride:
Gold City Corral & Carriage Company, Dahlonega.
Adventure Trail Rides, Cherry Log.
Barnsley Resort, Adairsville.
Visit a fall festival
Credit: Jonathan Phillips
Credit: Jonathan Phillips
Walk hand-in-hand through some of metro Atlanta's fall festivals, enjoying the cooler temperatures as well as the art, foods and other highlights.
Nov. 5-6. Chastain Park Arts Festival, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta.
Nov. 5. Suwanee Wine Festival, Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee.
Nov. 5. Atlanta Hot & Spicy Festival, Nov. 5, Brookhaven Park, 2660 Osborne Road, Atlanta.
Go star gazing
Find a respite from the city lights and star gaze with the help of an observatory in the city, or venture farther away and set up camp at an astronomy village:
Georgia Tech Observatory, Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-385-8133.
Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta. 678-874-7102.
Deerlick Astronomy Village, Sharon.
Go tailgating
Pack your tailgating gear and head out to cheer on your favorite team. Whether you're a Falcons supporter, a diehard Dawg fan, are devoted to the Ramblin' Wreck or cheer on Georgia State's Panthers, you can bond over a win or commiserate over a loss. Just don't pick a game where your favorites are playing against each other!
Enjoy a seasonal brew tours
Spend some time savoring seasonal brews, many of which are more stout than the pale ales of summer.
Red Hare Brewing, 1998 Delk Industrial Blvd., Marietta. 678-401-0600. redharebrewing.com.
Red Brick Brewing, 2323 Defoor Hills Road, Atlanta. 404-355-5558. redbrickbrewing.com.
SweetWater Brewing Company, 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta. 404-691-2537. sweetwaterbrew.com.
Navigate a corn maze
Work together to find your way through one of these corn mazes:
Kernel Cob's Corn Maze, 1153 Salem Church Road, Jasper. 706-692-4464. 706-692-4464.
Corn Dawgs, 955 Leone Ave., Loganville. 770-786-9000.
Carlton Farms, 1276 Cartersville Highway, Rockmart. 770-546.-5179.
Take a hike together
Even if you're not ready to pop the question (or accept), AtlantaTrails.com has a good list of Georgia's most romantic places to propose outdoors.
These destinations are ideal for couples:
Minnehaha Falls Trail, on Lake Rabun in North Georgia.
Sweetwater Creek Red Trail, near Atlanta.
East Palisades Trail, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta.
Take a ghost tour
Cuddle up on one of metro Atlanta's many ghost tours, some of which are offered throughout the year.
Whether you prefer straight-up ghost stories or a more theatrical, costumed presentation, there's plenty to choose from. You'll learn more about the area's history and find a good excuse to cuddle as you hear spooky stories.
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