Great Dates Orlando

Hidden Gem Alert: Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

Anyone who has been secretly enjoying lakeside picnics at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is going to be so ticked at me for spreading the news about this little-known date night gem in the heart of Winter Park. But I just can’t keep the lid on such a special little spot any longer. 

Located on beautiful Lake Osceola, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens was once the retirement home of celebrated sculptor Albin Polasek. The residence, galleries, chapel and gardens were opened to the public in 1961 so that his and the works of others could be shared. 

On a gorgeous 75-degree day, like the ones we’re having right now, you’ll be hard pressed to find a prettier or more peaceful place to laze a few hours away. $5 per person will give you access to the three-acre oasis currently in bloom with roses and camellias.

Find a shady spot under a majestic live oak, unpack your picnic, uncork your wine (it’s allowed), and enjoy the ultimate ‘do nothing’ date. 

The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am - 4pm and on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. 

WHAT'S NEW: I added a SEARCH function to the blog. Check it out on the left side of the page. 

ALSO... Voting for the Orlando Date Night Awards closes Thursday, February 23rd at 6pm. If you haven't already done so, cast your ballot today!

And finally... stay tuned for a new calendar page, which will launch in March and be packed with 50+ date night appropriate events happening around Orlando. 

 

QT at the Orlando Farmer’s Market

Sunday is as good a day as any for some QT with your main squeeze and if the weather is fine then I recommend heading to the Orlando Farmer’s Market at Lake Eola. I hadn’t been to this el fresco shindig in a while and rumor had it the market has started to burst at the seams with eclectic and delicious vendors selling their fare. 

For once, the rumor mill was right. There are now about three dozen food, craft and art purveyors tucked into the southeast corner of Lake Eola Park at the corner of Central Boulevard and Eola Drive. 

Want to know how to make this one of your best date days ever? 

Bring $40 and eat everything! 

I’m talking kettle corn, gourmet cheeses, empanadas, roasted pecans, crepes, funnel cakes, sausages, beef jerky, smoothies, corn dogs, freshly baked bread, veggie chips, grilled corn on the cob, Italian ice, freshly-squeezed lemonade, cappuccinos, cupcakes, and hummus.

And when you’re done, wash it all down with an organic beer supplied by Orlando Brewing. Or maybe a mimosa? The wine and beer garden in the center of the market opens at noon.

The acoustic music starts shortly thereafter with live players like Hindu Cowboy’s Joseph Martens strumming tunes under the shade of a giant oak tree. 

The Orlando Farmer’s Market runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  

P.S. For a real treat, head to Hue, located a block away in Thornton Park. Hue serves up a stellar Sunday brunch (plus a DIY Bloody Mary bar) starting at 11 a.m.

P.S.S Are you following me on Twitter? If not, you're missing out on sooooo many more great date night ideas. 

Check Out Disney's Fireworks

Here's an excellent report by Kristin Ford of the Daily Disney regarding great spots to view Disney fireworks without entering the parks. Thanks Kristin!

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/07/celebrating-july-4-see-disney-world-fireworks-without-going-into-magic-kingdom/

Trivia Night at Hamburger Mary's

Head over to Hamburger Mary's (Church Street Station) for a table versus table trivial competition. Win some prizes, partake in 2-4-1 cocktails, and perhaps sample the famous, namesake burgers everyone is talking about (there are 11 different varieties). Every Wednesday from 7:30pm – 10:00pm

Hamburger Mary's Bar & Grille
110 West Church Street
Orlando, FL 32801
321) 319-0600
www.hamburgermarys-orlando.com

5 Places to Just Chill

There's no rule that  you have to always 'do' something on date night/date day. In fact, sometimes just grabbing a coffee and doing NOTHING can be the perfect antidote to a stressful, busy week. So, now that spring has FINALLY sprung, here are five great places to grab a chair or plot of grass and just hang  out for an hour or two.

Celebration Town Square - settle yourself into a rustic rocking chair on the shores of the lake... Starbucks and an ice cream shop are a stone's throw away!

 

Baldwin Park Village Center - find a bench near the lake and enjoy a Barnies latte or fries from Five Guys

Lake Eola Park - my personal favorite, paddling along in a swan boat.

Crane's Roost Park - there's lots of grassy spots in the shade on the north side of the lake. Make sure you bring some bread for the ducks!

Wekiwa Springs State Park - this glorious piece of paradise is only twenty minutes from downtown although you'll feel as though you've traveled hundreds miles outside of city. 

Tea for Two

Set aside less than $10 and lots of time for great conversation when you head out to one of many great little tea and coffee cafés throughout Orlando. Below are a few of my faves:

Dandelion Communitea Café
www.dandelioncommunitea.com
618 N Thornton Ave
Orlando, FL 32803

Aroma Coffee and Wine Bar
712 East Washington Street
Orlando, FL 32801

Infusion Tea College Park
www.infusiontea.us
1600 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, FL 32804

Infusion Tea at Urban Think
www.urbanthinkorlando.com
625 E Central Blvd
Orlando, FL 32801

Austin’s Coffee
www.austinscoffee.com
929 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789

THE SPLURGE: Ritz-Carlton’s Afternoon Tea
A daily swanky affair in the Ritz’s luxe lobby lounge
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$25 Traditional Tea, $35 Royal Tea including glass of champagne
www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Orlando/Information/Calendar/Default.htm

Stumped for conversation? Trust me; I know how easy it is to get into a relationship rut. Dazed and tired, sometimes it feels like all there is to talk about is kids and work. Been there… done that. All it takes to get a good conversation rolling is a couple of intriguing and creative questions and whamo… you’ll be chatting for hours. Here are a couple of resources I use from time to time:
Questions for Couples: This E-Book contains 1000 questions and is ready for download at www.questionsforcouples.com
Table Topics: cute little conversation cards specially for couples www.amazon.com/Chat-Pack-Questions-Spark-Conversations/dp/0975580167/ref=pd_sbs_t_17
Chat Pack: Fun questions to spark great conversations www.amazon.com/Chat-Pack-Questions-Spark-Conversations/dp/0975580167/ref=pd_sbs_t_17
DIY: How hard is it to come up with ten great questions each before heading out for your date? Take five minutes and brainstorm…. You’ll be surprised how creative your brain can be when you dust away the cobwebs.

Strolling at Cranes Roost

Though I’d be the first in line at a luxurious spa or an elegant restaurant, I really do love the simplicity of a cheap date. The other day, hubby and I headed to Cranes Roost Park at Uptown Altamonte and enjoyed an ice cream cone and a stroll around the mile-long walkway encircling the lake. I learned an important lesson that day… Date night can be just as special with a $3 tab as a $300 tab.

It was Saturday night, so the park was filled with families and couples enjoying the same quality connection time we were. The stroll was pleasant and easy with lots of benches and covered seating throughout the path to give us ample opportunity to chill-ax.

There’s a lot more to Cranes Roost than their infamous Red, Hot and Boom July 4th event. There’s a free jazz concert every Friday night at the Eddie Rose Amphitheater. Check out the Couple’s Calendar for more info. They also put on car shows and comedy specials every month as well.

If you’re looking to eat before or after your stroll, you’ll find a solid selection of fast food (Moe’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries), casual (Chili’s) and fine dining restaurants (Seasons 52) all within walking distance of the park. An AMC Theater is right there too at Altamonte Mall. You’ll also find purveyors of coffee, ice cream and smoothies – every treat to suit your fancy.

To find out more about the goings on at Cranes Roost visit www.uptownaltamonte.com.