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. 

Disney Fireworks Private Boat Cruise

Need a date night idea for a SUPER DUPER special occasion... one where the price is no object? Well, have I got an idea for you!

Reserve a private sail on your very own luxury yacht for a VIP trip through the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake inside Walt Disney World Resort. For a measly $500/hour, you and your guest(s) can cozy into the Grand 1, a 52-foot Sea Ray yacht which can be staffed with a private-dining staff and a private butler.

While the boat can be reserved for morning, afternoon or evening excursions, the experience is best when coincided with the spectacular fireworks show blasting over Magic Kingdom. Your boat deck offers the best seats in the house, hands down. Learn more here.

Call (407) 824-2682 for reservations. 

 

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/

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. 

Go Orange Picking

Now here's something I bet you've never tried together.... orange picking! Living in Florida, we're surrounded by luscious citrus groves bursting with fruit ripe for the picking. Showcase of Citrus in Clermont is a fabulous day adventure, especially this time of year when the ruby red grapefruit and sweet tangerines are at their peak. (Check out their season chart).

Start your visit with a trip to their sashimi-style tasting bar where you can sample what's in season and map out your picking route for the day. Bags with printed maps of the grove along with lots of helpful directional signs will lead you right to the sweet treasures you seek. About 40 minutes from downtown, Showcase of Citrus is open 7 days a week from dusk 'til dawn. 

MORE INFO:

5010 US Highway 27
Clermont  FL  34714 
www.showcaseofcitrus.com
(352) 394-4377

Bike or Blade

Head outdoors with your honey on bikes or blades courtesy of West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades. This rental and touring facility sits directly on the West Orange Trail, just a few miles from downtown Orlando. The West Orange trail stretches 22 miles along the edge of Lake Apopka and through downtown Winter Garden where there are plenty of excellent places to stop for lunch or snacks.

Rental rates for bikes are $6 per hour, $30 per day, and $99 per week. They also offer private bike tours along the trail which need to be reserved in advance.

MORE INFO: www.orlandobikerental.com or 407-877-0600