We've put together a few ideas for a Saturday SunRail date ideas with your sweetie or family.
NOTE: SunRail operates on select Saturdays only. Please check Sunrail.com for an up-to-date Saturday schedule and timetable.
STATION: CHURCH STREET
You'll be dropped in one of the best areas of downtown Orlando once you hop off SunRail at its station in the Church Street District.
Dining Downtown
There are dozens of restaurants located within a 5-minute walk from Church Street Station. Favorites include The Rusty Spoon, Artisan's Table, Ceviche and Boheme. You can also hop on a downtown pedi-cab and go even further to restaurants like DoveCote, Soco and The Stubborn Mule.
Here are a few activities to enjoy in downtown Orlando:
Downtown Walking Food Tour
Saturday hours: every Saturday from 2pm – 4pm
Walking distance from station: 2 minutes
Thornton Park Food Tour
Saturday hours: every Saturday from 4pm-6pm
Walking distance from station: 10 minutes
Crafty Cocktail Tour
Saturday hours: every Saturday from 6:30-8pm
Walking distance from station: 2 minutes
Courtesy Bar's Cocktail Class
Saturday hours: every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 5:45 pm
Walking distance from station: 8 minutes
Art Orlando Self-Guided Walking Tour
Saturday Hours: any time
Walking distance from station: 7 minutes
Orange County Regional History Center
Saturday hours: 10am – 5pm
Walking distance from station: 7 minutes
The Great Escape Room
Saturday hours: 10am – midnight
Walking distance from station: 7 minutes
The Arts
- Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
- Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts
- Mad Cow Theatre
- SAK Comedy Lab
Juice Bikes
There are Juice Bike stations all over downtown, including one located just a stone's throw from the Church Street SunRail station. Bikes can be rented for $8/hour. More details at orlando.socialbicycles.com.
STATION: FLORIDA HOSPITAL HEALTH VILLAGE
Shop and Lunch in Ivanhoe Village
Filled with eclectic shops and independent eateries, Ivanhoe Village is a quirky and whimsical place to explore on a Saturday. Formerly Orlando's Antique District, this area still houses a few antique shops but you'll also find clothing stores, a record store, and some pretty awesome furniture stores. For lunch, snag a table at The Greek Corner, White Wolf Cafe or Nova. At night, check out Better Than Sex dessert-only restaurant. To get there, walk about 6 minutes south on North Orange Avenue. For more information about Ivanhoe Village, visit ivanhoevillage.org.
Explore Local Museums and Live Theater
Orlando Museum of Art
Saturday hours: noon – 4pm
Walking distance from station: 16 minutes
The Mennello Museum of American Art
Saturday hours: 10:30am – 4:30pm
Walking distance from station: 13 minutes
Orlando Science Center
Saturday hours: 10am – 5pm
Walking distance from station: 9 minutes
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Saturday hours: matinee and evening show times, depending on show
Walking distance from station: 13 minutes
Juice Bikes
Want to travel a littler further? Rent a Juice Bike at the pick-up location at 5705 Camden Road, about a 2-minute walk from the Florida Hospital SunRail station. Bikes can be rented for $8/hour. Get more details at orlando.socialbicycles.com.
STATION: WINTER PARK
The Winter Park SunRail station is centrally located in the heart of Park Avenue, which means all of the area's shops and restaurants are just a stone's throw away. Start by grabbing a morning latte at Barnie's then move on to some other local activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours
Saturday hours: daily from 10am – 4pm
Walking distance from station: 6 minutes
Self Guided Walking Tour of Rollins College
Saturday hours: no set hours
Walking distance from station: 10 minutes
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
Saturday hours: 9:30am – 4pm
Walking distance from station: 2 minutes
Cornell Fine Arts Museum (free admission)
Saturday hours: noon – 5pm
Walking distance from station: 12 minutes
For more ideas, read our previous story about a Perfect Plan for a Park Avenue Date Day.
STATION: LONGWOOD
You'll be surprised to see how this little corner of Seminole County is coming to life, thanks, at least in part, to SunRail. Wander just a short block from the station and you'll find a handful of fun shops to explore, including Barbed Wire Browns, a family-run boutique featuring upcycled art and home décor items created entirely from found, salvaged and repurposed materials. You can also reserve a place in ongoing art lessons, classes and workshops.
Be sure to stop into Zanzibar Coffee House, located next door. This international coffee house with an African aesthetic features lots of comfy seats, a cold case filled with locally sourced nosh plus excellent coffee to boot.
A few storefronts away, you'll also find Nu Natural, a shop dedicated to providing non-toxic skincare products, including hair care, deodorants, face care, baby care and soaps. We love its essential oils mixing bar and blend-your-own bath salts bar.
Also in this area is Connolly’s Irish Pub, Wild Hare Kitchen & Garden Emporium and, if you don't mind a 12-minute walk, The Hourglass Brewery.
Oh, and there's a fabulous spa about five minutes away. Be sure to check out Panacea Spa when you're in need of some expert pampering!
STATION: SANFORD
It's still not 100% certain that Sanford will offer its free shuttle service on Saturdays (it's currently offered from the Sanford AmTrak/SunRail to Sanford’s Downtown Historic Welcome Center on First Street Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm). More details here. In the meantime, you can take advantage of the City Of Sanford's collaboration with Uber, which gives you 25% off any Uber ride to and from the Sanford SunRail station with the city’s limits. More details here.
Things to do while in Sanford:
- Experience the outstanding Sanford Walking Food Tour
- Enjoy Sanford's awesome craft beer scene. There are two breweries currently (Wop's Hops and Sanford Brewing Co.) and one more to open later this year. Also check out Celery City, which features more than 50 draft taps.
- Sanford Farmer's Market: Saturdays from 10am – 3pm
- Celebrate German food and culture at Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe, open Saturdays from 11am.
- Hop on the LimoCycle, a pedal-powered party through Sanford (day and evening tours available)
- Brunch at the Tennessee Truffle
- Shop boutiques and antique stores on First Street
- Eat ice cream and artisinal marshmallows at Wondermade
- Take sailing lessons
- Sanford historic walking Ghost Tours