Great Dates Orlando

$30 Date Night: Best Mini Putt Spots

Researchers seem to agree that the couple that plays together stays together. It’s true that laughing and letting loose a little seems to revive the playful parts of our relationship. So, next time you’re planning your couple time, consider a mini-putt date night. It’s cheap, easy, and good, clean fun… unless of course you add a naughty wager to the match-up.
 
Here are a few mini-putt options near you:
 
Altamonte Springs Area
Congo River Miniature Golf
531 SR 436, Altamonte Springs
$11.99 (with online $1 off coupon) per person
Nearby sweets and treats: 4Rivers Sweet Shop (869 W State Road 434, Longwood) is about 3 miles away. Here you’ll find ice cream, milkshakes, giant slices of cake and fun cupcakes.
 
I-Drive
Pirate's Cove
8501 International Drive, Orlando
$12.50 + tax per person
Nearby sweets and treats: Friendly’s, Edy’s Ice Cream, Häagen-Dazs, Baskin-Robbins and Cold Stone Creamery are all within a mile away.
 
Disney Area
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Walt Disney World
$14 per person
 
Universal Area
Hollywood Drive-In Golf
CityWalk, Universal Orlando
$13.95 per person (online in advance)
** There is free parking at CityWalk for Florida residents after 6pm

Kissimmee Area
Congo River Miniature Golf
4777 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee
$10.99 (with online $1 off coupon) per person
Nearby sweets and treats: Twistee Treat (4722 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee) has soft serve, milkshakes, ice cream floats, and ice cream cookies!
 
 

3 Orlando Date Night Itineraries on $30 or Less

Don’t let a lack of funds cramp your date night plans. Check out these shoestring itineraries that will only cost you $30, maybe even a little less.
 
Altamonte Springs
Movie at the Altamonte Picture Show
($1.75 x 2 for tickets and $8 for large pop/popcorn to share)
Beer flight at World of Beers ($8 flight of 4 5oz craft beers)
Bucket of French fries from Five Guys ($5)
Walk around Cranes Roost (free)
Total Cost: $24.50
Duration: 4 hours
 

 

 

Downtown
2 glasses of wine and a flat bread at Eola Wine Company or Urban Flats
Live music at Grand Bohemian, Ceviche or aloft's w xyz bar (no cover)
Parking (free on the street after 6pm)
Total Cost: $25 + tip
Duration: 3 hours
 

 

 

 

Winter Park
Brick oven pizza at Prato's bar ($15)
Walk to Dexter’s (free)
2 beers and free live music at Dexter’s ($10)
(evenings, Wednesday through Saturday)
Total Cost: $25 + tip
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
 
 
 
 

NEW: Ember's Wednesday Uncorked

$20 now gets you unlimited sips of 5 varietals (10 brands) of wine and select craft beer at Ember's new Wednesday Uncorked event, EVERY Wednesday from 5pm to 9pm.

In addition to the copious amounts of wine and beer, guests will also enjoy complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres. 

Uncorked kicks off with its inaugural event this Wednesday, so to drum up some buzz Ember is offering a $5 discount, so it's only $15 for unlimited wine by the glass, select craft draft beer and passed hors d'oeuvres. 

Text the word "Cork" to 407-470-9924 to get on the list.

 

Hiking Lake Lotus Park

Marc and I were blown away by a recent visit to Lake Lotus Park, arguably one of Altamonte Springs’ best-kept secrets. We had no idea that such a tranquil and meticulously maintained lakeside hiking trail existed just a few miles from our home.

The 1.7-mile trail, which winds its way past Lake Lotus and under towering cypress trees, is primarily made up of wooden boardwalks and level footpaths.

Along the way you’ll see lots of birdlife, maybe even a gator or two. Be sure to step into the Windows to the Lake pavilion, which showcases the area’s flora and fauna via a permanent wildlife exhibit.

While alcohol is prohibited, you can definitely bring in a cooler or basket with picnic provisions. There are lots of spots along the trail to settle into a bench and enjoy your lunch.

Lake Lotus Park is open Thursday through Sunday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. You can drive right in Thursdays and Fridays, but on weekends you’ll park on the opposite side of SR 414 (Maitland Blvd) and take the trolley into the park. Trolleys come every ten minutes or so.

This 150-acre nature preserve is located at 1153 Lake Lotus Park Road in Altamonte Springs, just a few miles west of Interstate 4 on SR 414 (Maitland Blvd). There are onsite publics restrooms.

Oh, and no dogs.

For more information, check out this very helpful website, Florida Hikes, which will offer lots of tips and details about the Lake Lotus hike as well as many others in the area.

 

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Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Consider surprising your sweetie with the Orlando Date Night Jar, which comes with sixty local date night ideas for you to explore together. Head to the GIFT SHOP for more details. 

 

 

 

 

  

Orlando Magic Launches Friday Night Magic Promo

Hey Magic fans, check out this date night idea:

Throughout the entire regular season, the Orlando Magic is featuring a new promo dubbed “Friday Night Magic,” which gives guests two fun game package options.

Option One: Concessions Dinner and Game Package

Starting at $29 per person, this package includes a game ticket on the Promenade level, choice of burger/fries or chicken tenders/fries, and one draft beer or soda.  

Option Two: Magic Grill Dinner and Game Package

Starting at $59 per person, this package includes Terrace or Chase Club seats, choice of entrée from Magic Grill’s Dinner & Game menu, draft beer or soda, and an open-face warm ice cream sandwich.

There is also a “MidWeek Magic” promo priced a few dollars cheaper. 

For more information, visit www.orlandomagic.com/midweek and www.orlandomagic.com/friday.

** The easiest way to book is by calling 1-800-4-NBATIX **

 

7 Perfect Places in Orlando for an Outdoor Drink

At about 5pm everyday, as I sit outside watching my kids play on our cul-de-sac, I think this same thought: this weather is perfect. It’s heaven. These temperatures are why we live here.

What better way to truly salute them than with a libation in your hand and your sweetie by your side? I can’t think of any other way, so here’s a list of my favorite places to enjoy an alfresco cocktail on your next date night:

Eden Bar (at Enzian Theater
1300 S Orlando Avenue
Maitland, FL
(407) 629-1088

 

 

 

  

Hillstone
215 S Orlando Avenue
Winter Park, FL
(407) 740-4005

 

 

 

 

  

Mitchell's Fish Market
460 N Orlando Avenue
Winter Park, FL
(407) 339-3474

 

 

 

 

  

One80 Grey Goose Lounge
400 W Church Street
Orlando, FL
(407) 440-7180

 

 

 

 

Spice Modern Steakhouse
407 E Central Blvd
Orlando, FL
(407) 481-9533

 

 

 

 

Maxine’s on Shine
337 N Shine Avenue
Orlando, FL
(407) 674-6841

 

 

 

Rangetsu
901 S Orlando Avenue
Maitland, FL
(407) 345-0044

 

 

In Bloom Florist's $20 Tuesdays

Psst... guys. Want to wow your boo with flowers DELIVERED for only $20!?

Once a month (sometimes more) In Bloom Florists offers a spectacular deal on a delivered bouquet of flowers. For just $20, you can have a select arrangement delivered on the day of the deal.

Today (Tuesday, October 22) you'll send a dozen assorted roses. Next time it could be lilies or sunflowers. The arrangements constantly change. 

To find out about these sporadic specials, simply subscribe to the email list on the right side of In Bloom's website.   

Finding an Orlando Happy Hour Just Got Easier

It's no secret that I am a BIG fan of happy hour date nights. They're cheap, fun, and sometimes offer the easiest way to snag some QT. 

I've posted several of my favorites over the years (including Brio, Mitchell's, and Seasons 52) but that meager round-up is nothing compared to the spectacular database of Orland-area happy hours that Orlando Weekly created on its website. 

This searchable database allows users to look up happy hours based on area of town, day of the week, cuisine type, and venue type. You can also limit the search with specific criteria such as whether a venue has an outdoor patio or offers live music. 

Another excellent feature of this happy hour database is the user reviews, which allow people to rate each happy hour with either an "I like it" or an "eh" rating. Happy hours are listed based on this review system, which makes it easy to locate the crowd favorites. Currently, Harp & Celt Irish Pub and Restaurant's happy hour is #1 with 226 votes. 

They also offer a mobile app so you can access all of these details on the fly!

I can only imagine how much work went into researching, fact-checking, and compiling such a comprehensive database of local happy hours. The best way to show your gratitiute is to visit often and to click on sidebar ads frequently.

Thank you, Orlando Weekly!

 

Nerd Nights!

In the September issue of Orlando Magazine, I had the opportunity to showcase a handful of Orlando local events designed to engage your inner nerd. I bet you'll find at least a few worth checking out on your next date night.

Get Your Geek On
Orlando’s nerd culture blooms with help from nightly local events.

Thanks to a few cerebral celebrations, Orlando, dubbed “Nerdlando” by some area intellectuals, is gradually becoming a place where being smart is cool. At monthly events around the city, geeks—and non-geeks—are gathering to drink beer and share ideas, all in the name of intellectual stimulation. Check out some of these brainy affairs...

Keep reading...

 

 

Flights & Flatbreads... $15 Date Night at Seasons 52

Here's a great idea for those nights when you want to grab a quick and inexpensive bite before heading to a movie or event.

All of Central Florida's Seasons 52 locations are now featuring a "Flights and Flatbreads" promotion, which invites guests to try a flight of three red or white wines, followed by a full pour, AND a choice of gourmet flatbreads. 

Signature flatbread flavors include Artichoke & Goat Cheese, Ripe Plum Tomato, and  Garlic Pesto Chicken. Check out the full Flights & Flatbreads menu here.

This stellar deal is available every day before 6 pm.