Full disclosure, we’re not hating on dinner and drinks for a first date, especially in a city like Orlando that has so many unique options to choose from. But, sometimes you want to be a little more creative and truly bring your ‘A’ game. But (yes, there’s another but), you also probably want to respect the fact it’s a first date, so you don’t want to do anything too involved or too expensive, in case it’s not a good fit.
Deep breath. Thankfully, when it comes to Orlando date ideas, there are so many options to choose from, including options that are ideal for first dates, and we’re going to walk you through it all.
So, without further ado, let’s share our list of the best first date ideas in Orlando.
If you need more Orlando date ideas (or second date ideas)…
I know we’re probably putting the cart before the horse here, but if you want the ultimate list of date ideas (either for this date or if things go well), make sure you get the LoveTrack app. It’s a totally free app that has an interactive date idea planner that is chalked full of amazing ideas to help you plan incredible dates.
It also helps you see date night events coming up, track the fun things you learn about your special someone, and it’s ultimately the single best dating and relationship app you could ever get. And yes, it’s actually free, so get it now!
With that resource shared, let’s dive into our best Orlando first date ideas list and talk about how to plan an amazing first date in Orlando.
1. Grab coffee at a unique and memorable Orlando coffee shop.
There is a temptation to overcomplicate first dates (and we get it). In reality, though, it’s not about impressing the other person, it’s about figuring out if there is chemistry. Sometimes, the simpler the date, the easier that is to do.
One of the best first date ideas in Orlando is grabbing coffee. Yes, you can do this at any coffee shop, but we’d recommend finding somewhere unique to make sure it has some special flare to it.
Some examples of great coffee shops for a first date in Orlando are:
- Stemma Coffee
- Cups and Pups
- Lucid Beans
- Lobos Coffee
- XO Coffee (you can even get a tattoo here if you want, though, we don’t recommend that part for a first date lol)
2. Go to a special event in the area (there are a ton all year-round).
Orlando has SO many unique events year-round that make for incredible first date ideas. Things like concerts, festivals, fairs, parades, fireworks, air shows, and so many more. Keep in mind that some of these events will last longer than others, so opt for shorter events with an easy exit if you don’t know much about the person yet. If you do already know them or know there is chemistry, you can do some of the longer type events.
If you do want to see things going on in your area, make sure you get the LoveTrack app we mentioned (free), as it shows you everything you need to know going on in the Orlando area (or whatever suburb of the city you are in).
3. Go for a walk around Disney Springs.
It’s nearly impossible to create a list of date ideas in Orlando without including the mouse in at least some capacity. Thankfully, you won’t see us suggesting to go to the parks or do Epcot’s food and wine for a first date because those are just a little too involved for the first time you’re getting to know someone.
But, there is a spot that works, and it’s Disney Springs. What’s great about Disney Springs is you can walk around, grab coffee, see the sights, and really control how long the date lasts. If it goes poorly, you can dip out quickly and it’s not that awkward. If it goes well and you want to spend more time together, you have so many options you can tap into on the fly.
Parking is also free, there’s no entry fee, and it isn’t that crowded comparatively. It really makes for one of the best Orlando date night spots, particularly for first dates.
4. Check out a farmers market together.
Orlando has so many great farmers markets including the main one in downtown every week and then also lots of little ones in the smaller suburbs of the city. If you’re looking for a fun first date, don’t count out morning dates in Orlando! Going to a farmers market can be as organized or spontaneous as you want it to be.
Our recommendation? Show up together and let the winds of fun take you where they may. Walk around together, grab a coffee or a lemonade, and just enjoy the uniqueness that is an Orlando farmers market.
5. Tap into a budget-friendly option (there are plenty)
This might be more of an Orlando first date tip than it is an idea, but it basically is both. Realize that first dates don’t have to be expensive to be fun. If the budget is tight, there are plenty of cheap and inexpensive date ideas in Orlando you can take advantage of. Things like outdoor movies, inexpensive museum days, getting active outside, and more. Make sure you check out the list we linked if you’d like to have fun but not break the bank.
6. When in doubt, Lake Eola it out!
Okay, we made up that cheesy rhyme, but it works. Lake Eola in the heart of Orlando is a place most Orlando-ites know and are comfortable going to. You can walk around the park, grab a cup of coffee, and if it’s going really well, there are plenty of spots to grab lunch or dinner around the lake to extend the first date.
7. Chase food trucks together!
Orlando is jam-packed with food trucks, and if you want to share a meal together for your first date, this is a fun way to do it that’s not as locked in as going to a sit-down restaurant. You can check out the food trucks at Disney Springs or use an app like Roaming Hunger to find more unique offerings.
If it’s the weekend, you should be able to find several of them grouped together at different spots throughout the city (in case you want to try multiple things at once)!
8. Go for a walk at Leu Gardens (or catch an event).
This one is a little more ‘involved’ just because even if you rush through the gardens, it will still probably take you 45 minutes to an hour. But! If you know there is some chemistry already, this is such a magical and memorable place for a date in Orlando.
You should also keep an eye out because they do special events all year round, with our favorite being the lights around Christmas time. They do also do monthly (not every month) movie nights, but a movie isn’t the best first dates because it limits how much you can talk and connect.
9. The Sanford Zoo is always a win (if you have some chemistry already).
On that same vein of “this is only a good idea if you already know there is some chemistry”, the Sanford Zoo is a really fun place that could be great for an Orlando first date. It has all the traditional big-animal-staples you’d expect from a zoo, and lots of little fun things you can do like feeding and petting animals (not expensive either, not counting the official packages).
Again, don’t choose this one if you are just getting to know each other for the first time as you can easily spend a few hours at the zoo.
10. Museums can make for great Orlando first dates.
Orlando is jam-packed with museums that make for great first dates. What’s really neat is if you check out the cheap Orlando date guide we shared, a lot of these museums offer free or heavily discounted entry days and times in case you want to save.
Do be aware that the bigger the museum, the longer you’ll want to spend there, which again taps into how comfortable you think you’ll be with each other. Something like the Orlando Science Center could take you hours, whereas some of the smaller boutique museums could be rushed if needed (if things aren’t going that great).
11. Catch a trade show at OCCC.
Our last Orlando first date idea is a quirky one, but a lot of fun. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has tradeshows going on all the time that the general public is welcome to join. Things like garden shows, car shows, trading card shows, superfan shows, etc. A lot of these are actually free to go to and could make for some unique fun!
If you’re interested, check the OCCC schedule to see if there are any Orlando events coming up there you’d want to take someone to.