21 Orlando Date Ideas for 2021
Need A Little Help Planning An Enchanting Date?
- SWAN BOAT ADVENTURE
Lake Eola’s Swan boats top our list of romantic endeavors. Pair a swan boat rental with a progressive meal at the Orlando Farmer’s Market for a local date that has a romantic, spontaneous feel. Or grab an early dinner in Thornton Park followed by a paddle around the lake at sunset. Swan boat rentals are available daily between 11 am - 6 pm for $15/half hour.
https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Directory/Lake-Eola-Park/Rent-a-Swan-Boat-at-Lake-Eola
- ROMANTIC ICON PARK DATE
If you’re looking for an incredible date soaring above the City Beautiful with a delicious drink in hand on The Wheel, or that perfect romantic restaurant, ICON Park has it all. From nightly light shows on The Wheel to multiple date night-worthy restaurants, you won’t find a more ideal location to make lasting memories in 2021.
https://www.iconparkorlando.com/
- SPLURGE AT VICTORIA & ALBERT’S
Often hailed as one of the most romantic restaurants in Orlando, Victoria & Albert’s is a restaurant should be on your date night bucket list. The restaurant recently received the 2018 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award along with the AAA Five Diamond award, the latter of which has been awarded to the restaurant for 18 consecutive years. Pricing begins at $250/person (wine pairings are an additional $150/person), but everyone who has been states that the price is worth it for the incredible service, food, and experience.
https://www.victoria-alberts.com/
- HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE TOURS IN DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN
SOUL Haven Ranch is offering private horse drawn carriage rides in a Cinderella coach in Winter Garden. Cuddle up as you take in Winter Garden’s charming twinkling lights and sights all along Plant Street on the 20-minute tour. Tours depart from the Downtown Pavilion at 104 S. Lakeview Ave. The cost is $95 per tour, with the carriage accommodating up to 4 adults.
https://www.soulhavenranch.com/seasonalevents
- PRIVATE TRAIL RIDE FOR TWO
There’s nothing more romantic than horseback riding at Hidden Palms Ranch. Located amidst the Lake Jessup Conservation Area, owner Beki Herrbach’s ranch provides couples with private trail rides in the area. Saddle up and let Beki guide you through her favorite places, including tree-canopied trails and waterfront expanses. Trail rides are $75/person for non-private rides and $109/person for private rides.
https://www.hiddenpalmsranch.com/
- ALL JAZZED UP
Music-loving couples have no shortage of options for a night out, especially when it comes to live jazz. The V Lounge at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood has a lineup of nightly jazz entertainment. Catch weekly jazz sessions Thursday nights at VINIA Wine & Kitchen in Winter Park.
- SPLATTER DATE AT PINSPIRATION NORTH ORLANDO
Enjoy Pinspiration North Orlando’s Splatter Date night package ($99). Suit up and step into the private splatter room to make your own unique masterpiece together! Then enjoy special treats including two glasses of champagne and a tray of chocolate-dipped strawberries
https://www.pinspiration.com/project/splatter-date-night-package/
- PRIVATE DINING
Make your usual date night extraordinary. Many local restaurants are equipped with private dining spaces to help you set the stage for an intimate night out. A few of our favorites include Bull & Bear and Christner’s.
- MORNING BALLOON FLIGHT
One of the most memorable dates of all time is the sunrise hot air balloon flight with Bob’s Balloons. We’re so lucky to have access to this amazing adventure right here in Central Florida. It’s totally worth the higher price tag. Most local companies, including Bob’s Balloons, will invite you to help set up the balloon before take off. The flight lasts about an hour and is a serene cruise over Central Florida’s diverse landscape. Landing is all part of the adventure, as the wind direction will determine your route. Private flights are available if you’d like to soak up the trip by yourselves.
- CLASSY COCKTAILS
Enter Mathers Social Gathering and you are transported into the past (once you find the secret entrance, that is). Vintage photographs and books line the walls, Frank Sinatra croons in the background, and craft cocktails flow freely. Cozy up together on the swinging armchair. For a low-key date night, visit on a weekday evening before or after happy hour.
- WINTER PARK SUNSET KAYAKING
Watching a sunset is already quite romantic. Why not take it up a notch with a leisurely kayak tour in a clear kayak? Get Up and Go Kayaking tour guide will lead you through the scenic canals linking Lake Virginia, Lake Osceola, and Lake Maitland, all part of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. This local company sets themselves apart with their fleet of clear tandem. The 2-hour sunset kayak tour costs $50/person.
https://getupandgokayaking.com/
- DINNER + A MOVIE REVISITED
Another must-have Orlando experience: dinner and a movie at Enzian Theater and Eden Bar. This much-loved theater features screenings of the latest indie favorites and cult classic films. Make it a complete date with drinks and dinner at Eden Bar before the show. The stunning oak trees dressed in twinkling lights make this one of Orlando’s best outdoor patio spaces.
- COFFEE IN THE COURTYARD
For a casual and romantic date, head to Park Avenue in Winter Park. Quiet courtyards await around every corner. Grenada Court offers plenty of seating and a picturesque fountain and serves as a dreamy location for a breakfast, coffee, or lunch date at Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen. Step across the street afterward for a stroll through the Winter Park Rose Garden.
https://www.barniescoffee.com/
- LEISURELY BOAT TOUR
The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is a hidden gem. For locals and out-of-towners alike, this is one of those must-have Orlando experiences. Relax on the pontoon boat while gazing longingly at each other and the stunning Venetian-style canals, learn some history, and check out the waterfront mansions. This tour is always $14 very well spent.
https://www.scenicboattours.com/
- SUNSET VIEWS
Hillstone Restaurant offers fantastic food, the outdoor ambiance and coveted seating over the water provide stunning sunset views. Few Orlando restaurants rival this gem when it comes to soaking up the sunset while dining. Another favorite, Enzo’s on the Lake serves Italian cuisine in a waterfront setting, with gardens to explore before or after your meal. Canvas Restaurant & Market in Lake Nona is also situated waterfront, with a menu just as delightful as watching the sun dip below the horizon as you dine.
- BIOLUMINESCENT PADDLING
While bioluminescence does not occur in any Orlando waterways, it’s only a short drive to the space coast to see this wondrous occurrence on a guided nighttime kayak tour. Get Up and Go Kayaking offers excellent tours in CLEAR kayaks to witness this phenomenon. Inquire about the state and intensity of the bioluminescence when booking your trip, as it can vastly vary from day to day due to water quality and other factors. In the summer, tiny bioluminescent organisms called dinoflagellates set the waters of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge aglow with a blue hue. The organisms light up the water as they are disturbed by the wake of passing boats and kayaks. You can dip your hand into the water and remove it to observe the organisms aglow on your hand.
https://getupandgokayaking.com/bioluminescent-kayaking/
- WINE FOR TWO
Sip wine at one of our local wine bars. The Parkview is a Winter Park restaurant that doubles as a wine bar with boutique offerings. The Wine Room on Park Avenue and Imperial Wine Bar are additional recommendations. We also love the European wine list at VINIA Wine + Kitchen in Hannibal Square. If you would prefer to sip locally made wine, Quantum Leap Winery creates sustainable wines crafted with high-quality grapes sourced around the globe.
- ROMANTIC GARDENS
Spend the day wandering a local garden. We are blessed to have Leu Gardens right here in our backyard. Another option that’s totally worth the drive is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Occasional carillon bell concerts originating from the Singing Tower provide the soundtrack for your romantic afternoon stroll.
- DATE NIGHT DESSERT BOOTH
The date night booth at The Glass Knife in Winter Park is one of the most coveted seats in the house. It is the perfect space to sit while you indulge in desserts. As of now, reservations aren’t accepted for the date night booth, but we hope that changes soon!
- BOARDWALK BLISS
Disney’s BoardWalk is one of the more romantic, outside-the-parks experiences to be had. Some of her recommended date night experiences include:
An upscale dinner at Flying Fish
Renting a 2-person surrey bike
Sharing a boozy dessert at Ample Hills Creamery
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/boardwalk/
- HIDDEN COURTYARDS & PATIOS
Dining al fresco is a possibility in Orlando nearly every month of the year. You’ll find patio space at most local dining establishments. Head to Pharmacy Orlando in Dr. Phillips, where a secluded courtyard out back provides seating for a handful of couples. For a casual date, sit outside at Yellow Dog Eats in Gotha where multi-colored lights set the outdoor space aglow.
We hope this list helped you get some ideas for your next romantic outing in Orlando. If you have any suggestions to add to our list comment below!