We love Orlando, but if we’re being honest, when it comes to the weather, it’s a love-hate relationship (different than our hate-hate relationship with the traffic on I-4). But just because it’s 200 degrees out or pouring rain, doesn’t mean your relationship and your date ideas have to suffer.
There are so many great date ideas in Orlando and plenty of them work well as indoor date ideas. Today, we’re going to share our favorite date ideas in Orlando that are perfect for rainy days, really hot summers, or when the humidity is just too much to bear.
1. Head to the East End Orlando Market.
An often overlooked place for a great indoor date in Orlando is the East End Market. It’s a small location that has a coffee shop, a cookie shop, and a few restaurants with some super delicious and unique food (not chains).
There is limited seating unless you’re in one of the restaurants, but there are spots under the awning with shade. You can sit down for a meal or just grab some coffee and cookies to go. Pro tip about the East End Orlando Market is check out the Winter Park Biscuit Company. It’s actually a Vegan spot, but they have the best ‘chicken’ sandwiches on the planet (whether you eat meat or not). Trust us on this one, please.
2. Set up an indoor Pub-Sub picnic “under the rain” date.
When you live in the lightning capital of the world, you have to get creative when it comes to indoor date ideas. One of our favorites is setting up an indoor picnic where you put out a blanket in the living room, pack everything in a basket, and simulate a picnic but indoors.
What makes this a more Orlando-esque date idea, though? Well, instead of making sandwiches, go get yourself a Publix Sub (Pub-Sub). This might sound silly, but it’s actually a lot of fun. Just don’t turn the TV on; enjoy the sound of the rain and each other’s company instead.
A neat (and free) suggestion
If you like the idea of a creative indoor picnic and want to see more fun ideas like this, we’d encourage you to check out the LoveTrack app. It’s a 100% free date night planner and couples app filled with hundreds of amazingly unique date ideas that are fully planned for you.
Not only can you find a ton of great indoor date ideas, but you can see date night events going on in Orlando that you may be interested in. The best part? It’s actually free. You need this.
3. Exercise your cultured muscles at the Orlando Museum of Art.
One of the best ways to escape the heat or the rain in Orlando for a date is at the Orlando Museum of Art. It’s jam-packed with conversation-inspiring exhibits, events, and so much to get excited about.
If you want to pair this date with some food, there are plenty of great nearby restaurants in the Loch Haven area of Orlando. If the Festival of Trees or Art in Bloom fundraisers are going on, they’ll have a little pop-up café you can visit on your date.
This one is definitely a winner.
4. Avoid the heat with a Publix Grocery Grab date.
Since Publix is open rain or shine, we’re going to lean on them again for another creative indoor date idea in Orlando. With this date, you’ll each have a set amount of time to go through Publix and pick out:
- 1 food item
- 1 beverage
- 1 mystery fun item for the other person
Once you have everything, head home (or even to the café area of Publix) and enjoy your spoils. Exchange the fun mystery item that you got for the other person. It can be food related or it can be something fun to play with while on your date.
5. Catch a unique event or conference at the Orange County Convention Center.
Yes, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is typically a place you think about for business, but there are actually a ton of unique events going on there all the time that you can check out (usually for free).
Some of the ideas that could be fun are wedding shows, home and garden shows, unique tradeshows, and more. Check the calendar on the link we shared, and look to see if anything wild is going on. Do keep in mind that while many of the events are free, parking is usually $20.
6. Go people watching at Mall at Millenia.
Mall at Millenia is an interesting place that is packed with luxury stores, endless food options, and some of the most interesting people on the planet (locals and tourists). If people watching sounds like a great indoor date idea to you, this is a spot you’re going to want to add to your list.
For food, there are plenty of restaurants and also a really robust food court that can be fun to check out. If you want something tasty as a treat, check out Fortuna Bakery and Coffee for delicious pastries and Columbian coffee.
7. Have an at-home date out of the Florida sun and rain.
We dabbled with this idea earlier when we talked about the Pub-Sub picnic, but we wanted to really share how important this is, especially in Orlando. Date ideas and date nights don’t necessarily have to be out of the house. With a little creativity, you can have an amazingly fun and connection-inspiring date without ever even having to step outside.
Ideas like The Build a Banana Split Date, The Chocolate Tasting Date, The Candle Making Date, The 90’s Throwback Date, are perfect.
If you want ideas or want to see how to plan these, make sure you check out the free LoveTrack date night planner app we shared! They are all in there.
8. Go to the world’s largest indoor McDonald’s play area.
McDonald’s? For a date night? Yes. We’re serious. While it’s not really the most healthy of food, we’re talking more about the world’s largest indoor play area and entertainment center. Yes, Orlando holds this crown with the Sand Lake Rd. McDonalds. It’s literally multiple floors of entertainment, games, and play place glory.
If you’re not big on fast food, you could always go and grab an ice cream (assuming the machine is working) and then enjoy the fun together on your indoor date.
9. Take your date to an Orlando escape room.
Nothing screams great date night like locking yourself in the same room as your special someone, right? All kidding aside, Orlando escape rooms are an incredibly fun way to connect, test your brainpower, and work as a team to solve a problem.
This is a great indoor Orlando date idea for double dates as well.
Just do a quick search for escape rooms in your area (there are a lot of them, and Orlando is big), and you’ll find a ton to choose from. Make sure you book your time slot ahead of time as sometimes these can get pretty popular, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating.
10. Go on a date at a quirky museum.
With Orlando being a tourist town, there are a lot of great attractions that we as locals can leverage for great date ideas. One option that is great for indoor date ideas in the area are all of the quirky museums! What’s neat about these is that they’re casual, really interesting, and sometimes feel like they were made for couples to enjoy.
Here’s a few options in the area:
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum
- Madame Tussauds Orlando
- The Museum of Illusions Orlando
- WonderWorks Orlando
11. Hit up a brunch together (not one with a patio).
Remember how we said Orlando dates didn’t always have to be out of the house? Well, they also don’t always have to take place at night. If you’re looking for an earlier in the day date idea, brunch has your name all over it.
There are a million and one places to try, so look to see what’s going on in your part of Orlando. Just be aware that these can get pretty crowded, so get there earlier in the morning if at all possible.
Here are a few options to look at if you’re drawing a blank:
12. Set up a tent if it’s a light rain.
Alright, put your creative and adventurous pants on if you’re ready to check out this idea for an “indoor” Orlando date idea. Why did we put indoor in quotes? Well, technically this is going to be an indoor but outdoor date idea, and it only works with the perfect weather conditions.
If it’s not too hot out and there’s just a light rain (no lightning), consider setting up a tent outside to hang out in. The relaxing sound of the rain on the tent can be amazing for conversation, reading together, or just relaxing.
13. Have a unique selfie date together at Selfie World Xtreme.
Want something a little unique that will help you and your special someone add some creative pictures to your photo reels? If you do, then an indoor date at Selfie World Xtreme should be on your list. Think of it like a…actually, we can’t even think of an analogy. It’s a bunch of rooms with wildly unique backgrounds and sets that you can use to take really wild selfies together.
We’re big proponents of phones going away on dates, but this is one where your phones will get plenty of work as cameras capturing the fun.
14. Catch an Orlando Magic basketball game (when in season) at the Kia Center.
Basketball games can make for a great date night because they’re fun and they’re never going to get rained out. In Orlando, this means Orlando Magic games. Playing at the Kia Center, you can usually get some pretty affordable tickets and great seats to enjoy a game.
The season runs from October to April, and then the playoffs start. Playoffs are hit or miss for the Magic, so maybe focus on getting this date in during the regular season.
Want something a little more unique? Well, during the same months, the Orlando Solar Bears who play in the ECHL (think minor league hockey) also play games at the Kia Center that are incredibly fun for an indoor date.
15. Play some indoor mini golf (there are tons of locations around Orlando).
Mini golf spots are a dime a dozen around the Orlando area, especially when you get down into the theme park or I-Drive corridor (we’re not complaining). While many of these are outside (and strangely a lot pirate themed), there are many mini golf locations in Orlando that are inside.
Not much else to say here as we probably don’t have to sell how much fun mini golf is for a date night. Search for locations in your area of Orlando, and go have some fun! As is the case with some of the other ideas we shared, these spots will get busy fast when the weather isn’t great.
16. Get your learning on at the Orlando Science Center.
There are actually two indoor date ideas here that we want to share. First, during the day, check out the Orlando Science Center! It’s tons of fun, they are always bringing in new exhibits, and it’s also educational.
Now, the more exciting and unique indoor date idea in Orlando you might not know about is Orlando Science Center After Dark. It’s an after-hours event just for 21+ with drinks, fun, and special activities. They’re obviously not every night, so make sure to check the schedule to look for an opportunity to get tickets. They also do special ones around certain holidays.
17. Go thrifting for a unique second-chance date night idea out of the rain.
There are quite a few great thrift stores throughout the Orlando area that are filled with unique treasures. Here’s the idea. Head to your closest thrift store, set a budget, and search together to find something you can use for a date night activity. Look for things like old games, costumes, sports equipment, or anything else creative you can find.
Once you find something, head home and use it as a date! Or, if you want, you can push it out for a second date, and make this indoor date all about finding something.
Tips for Indoor Dates In Orlando
Now that we’ve shared our favorite ideas, let’s talk about a few things to consider when you’re planning a rainy date in Orlando or a heat-escaper (we just made that term up).
- Plan for transferring. – If you’re going somewhere, remember that you still have to walk indoors from the parking lot. Pack an umbrella, bring a poncho, or have a plan to drop your date at the door. Don’t forget about this, or you may end up walking in soaked.
- Remember that everyone else probably has the same idea. – When it gets rainy or too hot out, everyone else (locals and tourists) are going to be trying to escape the elements. This means many of the places we recommended will get pretty busy. Call ahead and make reservations, show up early, and be prepared to wait or be flexible when necessary.
- Be careful driving. – If you’re an Orlando local, we probably don’t have to tell you how “great” of drivers we have in our city. And when the roads get wet? Please be careful. Leave with plenty of time to spare and just be patient.