The Best of Instagram 2018: Orlando Date Night Guide's 25 Most Popular Photos

Instagram is undoubtedly our favorite social media platform. (Follow us @orlandodatenightguide!) This year, we shared hundreds of photos and date night ideas plus a few epic giveaways for couples. To showcase the best of what we shared this year, we combed through our account to compile this list of our 25 most popular Instagram posts of 2018 based on the number of likes from you–our readers. Scroll through our top posts below, from tasty eats in the city to outdoor activities and holiday happenings.

Note: to compile this list, we excluded reposted content and instead focused on original photos taken by our editors and contributors.

#25: Celery City Craft

Sanford Beer Week 2018 - Celery City Craft
Celery City Craft | Photo by Owner & Founder Kristen Manieri

641 likes; 17 comments

Sanford is one of the best places to do a self-guided brewery crawl thanks to Historic Downtown Sanford's walkability and multiple breweries within close proximity of one another. We love the spacious patio at Celery City Craft, which is complete with picnic tables and twinkling lights. The 50+ craft beers on tap are certainly a nice bonus too! For more boozy fun, check out @drinksanford's guide to the area's best bars and restaurants.

#24: The Greenery Creamery

The Greenery Creamery | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

646 likes; 21 comments

Downtown Orlando got an adorable new ice cream shop this year! The Greenery Creamery opened up earlier this year near Thornton Park and we couldn't resist trying a scoop…or two. We loved the Belgian chocolate paired with a scoop of rosemary pine nut topped with rose crystals. Note: this shop is vegan friendly!

#23: The Heavy WP

Best of Instagram 2018
The Heavy | Photo by contributor @arlenemlaboy

647 likes; 20 comments

Contributor Arlene Laboy checked out The Heavy and compiled this list of everything you need to know for planning a date night in this dreamy space. Our favorite recommendation? Lining up your visit with one of the regular food vendor pop-ups.

#22: The Whole Enchilada

The Whole Enchilada Winter Garden | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

668 likes; 42 comments

Two words for you: rooftop bar. The Whole Enchilada opened earlier this year in the heart of downtown Winter Garden. The multi-story space features a bar and fast-casual style dining space downstairs (select tables are full service) and a show-stopping rooftop bar upstairs. The house made margaritas are a must (the mango is our favorite).

#21: Biking the West Orange Trail

West Orange Trail | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

686 likes; 19 comments

Another Winter Garden favorite, the 22-mile paved West Orange Trail is ideal for an active date. There's so much to do along the trail we wrote an entire post about it. Bring your own bikes or park at West Orange Bikes and Blades and rent wheels for $7/hour. A few of our favorite stops include Plant Street Market and the Oakland Nature Preserve.

#20: Champagne Cocktails at Tartine

Tartine Orlando | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

715 likes; 63 comments

Step up your brunch game with $15 bottomless champagne cocktails. An assortment of flavors are served during brunch at Tartine in College Park. A few of our favorites are the Kir Royal and Mango Mint. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3pm.

#19: Sci-Fi Dine In Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater | Photo by contributor and Columbus Date Night Guide founder @visitexplorerepeat

720 likes; 46 comments

Contributor Hannah Green has since moved from Florida to Ohio and founded the newest website in the Date Night Guide family of websites: Columbus Date Night Guide! But before she left, she crossed dining at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater off her Disney bucket list. Sci-Fi movie clips play throughout your meal and vintage cars serve as dining booths. Her foodie recommendation: don't skip an order of the double fried French fries. Here are a few more dine-in theaters to check out around town.

#18: Kayaking & Hiking Shingle Creek + MidiCi Pizza

Shingle Creek | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

818 likes; 19 comments

Hiding in plain sight along 192 in Kissimmee is a nature lover's paradise. Rent a tandem kayak from The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek for $36 (two hour rental) and explore Shingle Creek, the headwaters of The Everglades. You'll paddle through Cypress groves and spot Florida wildlife (yes, there are gators). After your paddle, walk along the boardwalk before heading to MidiCi (15 minute drive) for a pizza date. Bonus: the Monday deal is $5 margarita pizzas and BOGO beer and wine all day.

#17: Frankenstein Cookie from Gideon's Bakehouse

Gideon's Frankenstein cookie | Photo by contributor @arlenemlaboy

824 likes; 64 comments

Our favorite cookie of the year: the limited-edition Frankenstein cookie from Gideon's Bakehouse at East End Market. Available during October, this tasty treat combines chocolate chips, Oreos and M&Ms into one glorious cookie. We're counting down the days until it returns.

#16: Holiday Decor at Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

832 likes; 15 comments

Bok Tower Gardens is a bit of a trek from Orlando, but the holidays are a wonderful time to visit. The Pinewood Estate home is decked to the nines inside and out and there's a giant living bromeliad tree located on the grounds. Admission is $15 for touring the gardens only and $25 for the gardens and home tour.

#15: Strawberry Picking at Oak Haven Farms

Oak Haven Farms & Winery | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

848 likes; 46 comments

Picking strawberries at Oak Haven Farms & Winery is an annual tradition. After an easy 40-minute drive from Orlando, you'll be rewarded with strawberries galore for around $3/lb. Strawberry season has already begun; here's our full guide to strawberry picking in Orlando.

#14: Á La Cart Orlando

Á La Cart Orlando | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

851 likes; 35 comments

One of the coolest new restaurants in Orlando: the new food truck park in The Milk District. Á La Cart Orlando is an indoor-outdoor venue with a craft beer, cider and wine bar, and rotating food trucks in the courtyard. There are typically 4-5 food trucks on site.

#13: ICE! Featuring A Christmas Story at Gaylord Palms

ICE! Featuring A Christmas Story | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

907 likes; 95 comments

This year one of our all-time favorite Christmas movies, A Christmas Story, came to life at ICE! at Gaylord Palms. Part of the annual Christmas at Gaylord Palms, this year's ICE! event includes snow tubing, ice slides, and dozens of intricate ice sculptures depicting iconic scenes from the classic film. There's still time to partake in the festivities; Christmas at Gaylord Palms continues through January 6, 2019.

#12: Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

919 likes; 66 comments

So good it made our list twice! Bok Tower Gardens is the perfect place for a date day trip when you want to get away from it all.

#11: Imperial Wine Bar

Imperial Wine Bar | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

956 likes; 26 comments

Wine, an intimate outdoor courtyard with twinkling lights, and a convenient location in the romantic Ivanhoe Village district…what more could you ask for on date night? The Orlando location of Imperial Wine Bar is one of our favorite places to sip vino in a cozy setting.

#10: Garlic Knots from Pizza Bruno

Pizza Bruno | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

958 likes; 60 comments

Another exciting piece of Orlando restaurant news this year: Pizza Bruno took over the kitchen at Orange County Brewers! Now you can get your garlic knot fix from Orange County Brewers in Downtown Orlando, or visit the original Pizza Bruno in the Curry Ford West District to sample from the full menu. Stay tuned for news on a third location opening in the Mills 50 District in 2019.

#9: Enzo's on the Lake

Enzo's on the Lake | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

995 likes; 13 comments

There are a handful of restaurants in Orlando with secret gardens and patios, but Enzo's on the Lake tops the list in terms of atmosphere and views. Wander the romantic outdoor space before settling down for your meal at this historic Longwood restaurant which has been in operation for more than 30 years.

#8: Garp & Fuss

Garp & Fuss | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

1,061 likes; 75 comments

Speaking of courtyards, Garp & Fuss offers courtyard dining year round in the heart of the Hidden Garden courtyard just off Park Avenue in Winter Park. The atmosphere is sure to make you want to sit and stay awhile. Check out more of our favorite Winter Park Courtyards here.

#7: Holidays at Walt Disney World

Cinderella Castle during the holidays | Photo by contributor @livingbydisney

1,065 likes; 15 comments

We teamed up with our favorite Disney blogger, @livingbydisney, to bring you this list of the Top 8 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Disney. Her recommendations include activities inside and outside the parks.

#6: Jeater Bend Christmas Lights in Celebration

The Lights on Jeater Bend | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

1,084 likes; 124 comments

There's no better time to make the trek to Celebration than during the holidays when the town is aglow with dazzling Christmas lights. Whatever you do, don't miss The Lights on Jeater Bend. Multiple homes are synchronized to music for an awesome nightly light show from 6-10pm. Other holiday happenings include nightly snowfall on Market Street (hourly from 6-9pm) and the larger-than-life Christmas tree downtown. Check out our post on Where to Find Orlando's Best Holiday Lights for more holiday light displays.

#5: Tubing at Kelly Park

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZVnGunVyX/

1,115 likes; 57 comments

Here's a tip: wait until the late fall months to go tubing at Kelly Park and you'll likely have the tube run all to yourself. We picked a warm sunny day in October and only saw a few people. Make it a complete date by packing a DIY cheese and charcuterie picnic. Tubes are available for rent outside of the park year round. Expect to pay about $7 for tube rental and $3 for park entry. Check out more places to tube in Florida here.

#4: Churro S'mores Dessert at Bulla

Churro S'mores | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

1,120 likes; 85 comments

Here's a mind-blowing dessert for you: a s'more made with churros instead of graham crackers. We feasted on this treat during brunch at Bulla Gastrobar in Winter Park earlier this year, and dessert will never be the same.

#3: Rocco's Italian Grille Courtyard

Rocco's Italian Grille | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

1,180 likes; 35 comments

A romantic Winter Park mainstay, Rocco's Italian Grille is one of our go-to's for authentic Italian eats and date night ambiance. The outdoor patio and courtyard can't be beat.

#2: Sanlando Pumpkin Patch

Sanlando Pumpkin Patch | Photo by Founder and Owner Kristen Manieri

1,219 likes; 35 comments

Make a note for next year: the Sanlando Pumpkin Patch is an awesome place to pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving before Halloween.

#1: Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour | Photo by Editor Stephanie Patterson

2,292 likes; 63 comments

Our most popular photo of 2018 just so happens to be one of our favorite date night activities! The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is a guided pontoon boat tour through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. You'll cruise through stunning Venetian-style canals passing by stunning lakefront homes, Winter Park landmarks, and Rollins College. Tickets are $14/adult and tours depart every hour on the hour from 10am-4pm. Tours depart from the boat dock just off Park Avenue at the end of Morse Boulevard.

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