Our weather is glorious, the sun is shining, and being outdoors is an enjoyable activity (except in the peak of summer). With so many parks and gardens in Orlando, packing up a picnic basket with someone special and having your lunch al fresco sounds like the perfect date idea. So, here are our picks for 10 perfect picnic spots in Orlando, in no particular order, to help you start planning your outdoorsy interlude.
PS: Don't feel like packing up your own picnic basket? Several local companies offer full-themed picnic packages that include luxurious setups, snacks, and drinks. Check out our post on Everything You Need to Know to Plan a Romantic Orlando Picnic for more ideas.
Note: This article is updated regularly. Most recent update by Meghan Roth in January 2024.
1. Kraft Azalea Garden
1365 Alabama Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
Dotted with giant cypress trees, Kraft Azalea Garden is a public park open year-round to guests. Located just off the shores of Lake Maitland, the garden offers plenty of open space, benches, and areas where you can put down a blanket and have a nice little picnic. There may be no actual picnic tables, but with such an amazing view of the lake and azalea gardens, you won’t miss them.
It is truly a hidden gem – you might even want to call it the “secret garden” of Winter Park.
Important tip – Parking can get difficult on the weekends, and this is a popular photoshoot spot on the weekends.
2. Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden
633 Osceola Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
This garden has lots of history plus breathtaking views throughout. The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, founded in 1961, is a three-acre outdoor garden bordering Lake Osceola. Many of the plants were planted by Polasek, a famous artist, and his family. There are more than 50 outdoor sculptures, many of them done by Polasek, plus several other twentieth-century sculptors. There are plenty of tables, benches, and shaded spots to enjoy a picnic.
Plan to visit the museum while you're there; admission is $12.
Tue – Sat: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sun: 1 – 4 p.m.
Mon: Closed
3. Lake Lily Park
701 Lake Lily Drive
Maitland, FL 32751
Lake Lily Park offers a serene, natural place to unwind while you dine. The park gets its name from the sparkling lake in the center, which is dotted with lily pads and teeming with turtles, fish, and ducks. A stunning gazebo is located on the premises, along with many picnic tables and benches throughout the park.
Couples can be regularly spotted having picnics at these benches, tables, or atop a blanket on the ground (there are many huge trees everywhere, so most of the area is shaded). There's also a lovely walking path that surrounds the lake, including a portion that is the oldest brick road in Florida.
A wonderful, fenced-in playground provides a spot to entertain the kids if you happen to have them along. And, it is located near a bike and walking trail that winds through most of Maitland.
Impress your date: After arriving at Lake Lily Park, use the crosswalk to cross the street so you can head to Antonio's Italian Restaurant which has a lovely Italian Market and Cafe downstairs. Browse the vast selection of gourmet nibbles, cheeses, veggies, and other accompaniments. The Cafe has a full menu, including fresh sandwiches made to order, which you can take to go. Don't forget dessert.
Then head back to Lake Lily Park and select one of the many tables or lay out a lush picnic blanket and gaze at the views.
Related: 11 Ideas for the Perfect Date Night in Maitland
4. Lake Eola Park
512 E Washington St.
Orlando, FL 32801
Smack dab in the middle of Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park is a go-to destination for Orlandoans for everything and anything – and that includes picnicking. With open grassy patches scattered throughout the park, there are lots of locations to pick from to lay out a blanket, pop open a picnic basket, and enjoy the sunshine with your significant other.
The Orlando Farmers Market takes over on Sundays when you can take a picnic basket and purchase a bunch of fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, snacks, and other local products to enjoy anywhere in the park.
5. Central Park
251 S. Park Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
When it comes to the best picnic spots in Orlando, it doesn't get much better than Central Park. Located just off Winter Park's fabulous and swanky Park Avenue, this park boasts 11 acres of beautifully manicured grounds and fountains. Central Park plays host to a variety of events and activities but anytime is ideal for a visit. The oak tree canopy is one of the natural beauties of this park, along with the Rose Garden on the southern side of the park. The West Meadow is another great option in this park for a picnic.
For a picnic and a movie date, check out the free monthly outdoor movie series, Popcorn Flicks, hosted by Enzian Theater.
Related: Plan an Outdoorsy Date Using the SunRail Schedule and Routes
6. Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
Another beautiful garden to discover is Harry P. Leu Gardens, which is located in the Audubon Park Garden District and houses nearly 50 acres of roses, camellias, palms, cycads, vines, bromeliads, elms, oaks, and more. We especially love the butterfly garden.
You're not permitted to have a picnic during regular hours, but you can bring food and wine with you during certain special events, such as the monthly movie night event when tons of couples bring baskets brimming with gourmet treats and wine.
7. Kissimmee Lakefront Park
201 Lakeview Drive
Kissimmee, FL 34741
In the heart of Downtown Kissimmee on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho), Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a scenic and beautiful sight to behold. The park has many amenities, including BBQ grills, a concession stand that sells food and beverages, and large public lawns.
Want to make a full day out of your date? Combine your picnic with walking or biking the paved path along Lakeshore Blvd and Neptune Rd and exploring Historic Downtown Kissimmee to check out the colorful murals.
Related: Nature Parks Near Orlando’s Theme Parks
8. Rollins College campus
1000 Holt Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
A private, liberal arts college located in Winter Park near Park Avenue, Rollins College was founded in 1885 and is filled with lots of secluded, romantic spots to chill out. You can find Spanish moss dripping from most of the trees on campus and if you walk to the southern border of the campus you will stumble upon placid Lake Virginia.
Because this is a college campus, you'll have no problem finding dozens of grassy expanses to enjoy lunch outside.
9. Gaston Edwards Park
1236 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando, FL 32804
Located in the Ivanhoe Village area, Gaston Edwards Park is a slice of natural beauty and serenity in an otherwise hustle and bustle part of town. Complete with open fields and also picnic tables scattered throughout the park, it is located off the shores of Lake Ivanhoe, making it a great place to have a picnic and then walk around Ivanhoe Village's antique shops.
10. Blue Jacket Park
2501 General Rees Ave.
Orlando, FL 32814
For more than 30 years, this park served as the Orlando Naval Training Center and had service personnel known as “Blue Jackets” on its site. In 2000, the City of Orlando designated a certain area as a public park for people to enjoy – hence the name Blue Jacket Park. Ample tables, benches, and open green space provide multiple spaces to indulge in your DIY feast at this picnic spot in Orlando.
Unpack your basket by one of the fountains. If you're looking for a place where you can picnic and throw a Frisbee or football around, this is definitely the place to go.
More Picnic Spots in Orlando to try:
Dinky Dock Park
Ollie Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Boulevard
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Langford Park
1808 E. Central Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32803
Lake Baldwin Park
2000 S. Lakemont Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Mead Botanical Garden
1500 S. Denning Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
Feature image credit: Serena Lyn @livingbydisney