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You’ve likely heard of the famous Restaurant Row area of Dr. Phillips – the portion of Sand Lake Road that’s home to a plethora of dining options all within a mere few miles. It’s also one of the best places to go for happy hour, as nearly all of the restaurants on this list feature…
This content is proudly supported by Orange County Library System (OCLS) As the temperature cools down, there are even more things to try in our city. Check out a new dance class, learn a new recipe or make something perfect for the holidays. Here are our top picks for Orlando workshops + classes happening this…
SPONSORED – Support local businesses and enjoy free live music while strolling the streets of Winter Garden’s picturesque downtown during the upcoming Summer Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, June 8, 2019. From 11am-7pm, Downtown Winter Garden will be transformed into a lively market featuring special deals and raffles from dozens of unique local retailers, restaurants, bars…
You and your girls are ready to explore the town, but you don’t want to break the bank. You’ve come to the right place! We’ve rounded up 25 affordable ideas for your Orlando girls’ day out in and around town. From free to $50, take a break from work and enjoy a girls’ day out. You…
For an escape from the norm, Tampa is an ideal destination. A 90-minute drive will transport you to a city where old and new intersect in the best of ways. An array of cultural attractions fill the city, which boasts multiple art and history museums, theaters and performance venues. Creative eateries and bars continue to…
A wine lover’s guide to the best places to sip a glass of vino north of Orlando Orlando isn’t the only place seeing a revitalization in dining and drinking options. Downtown Sanford, Lake Mary and DeLand are quickly becoming entertainment destinations of their own. In addition to local breweries and watering holes, there are plenty of options…
Most of us in committed relationships know that regular date nights are an integral part of a happy, healthy partnership. Despite this, date night often gets lost in the shuffle as we try to balance work, our personal lives, family, and the general demands of life. In my own relationship, date night often gets unintentionally…
Plan the perfect first, second, and third date, anniversary celebration, first getaway, and proposal in Orlando Dinner at the same old restaurant followed by a movie at the closest theater just isn’t going to cut it this time. Whether you’re planning your very first date or are ready to pull out all the stops for…
Get a taste of Orlando’s rich culinary scene this month during Bite30, Orlando Weekly’s 30-Day Restaurant Week. From June 1 – 30, 2017, local restaurants will showcase their cuisine through special prix fixe multi-course $30 dinner menus. This month-long event offers couples the opportunity to have an enjoyable night out while discovering new restaurants at…
Spending quality time with your best girl friends goes way beyond free drinks in crowded bars on a designated night of the week. While bar hopping certainly has its place in your rotation, there are also loads of unique girls’ night out events happening on a regular basis in Orlando. Add these ongoing events to…
Ladies, you asked for it and we’re delivering! Spending time with your favorite girls is just as important as prioritizing time with your partner, so we’re launching a new series dedicated to girls’ night out in Orlando. Check out our list of girls’ night approved activities then hit the town while bonding with your favorite…
UPDATE: As of February 2019, Kona Grill’s Winter Park location has closed. Since opening in late 2016, Kona Grill in Winter Park has been on our radar as a notable date night destination. Each Tuesday is date night, featuring a special menu for two under $50. The extensive happy hour menu is another wallet-friendly option….
Wow! You’ll find yourself repeating this word at least a dozen times when you first visit the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. Perched on 26.5 lakeside acres within the magnificent residential community of Golden Oak, the sprawling resort sits just minutes from all of Disney’s theme parks and entertainment districts. Checking into this resort, which will…
*UPDATED FOR 2019* Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 12) is right around the corner. You’ve got a fabulous plan cooked up to let your hot mama know how much you love and appreciate her, right? Oh no! Thank goodness we’re here to help! Here are 10 knock-her-socks-off ideas guaranteed to make her feel like the superhero…
Sprawling across 500 acres only minutes from downtown Orlando, Grande Lakes Orlando resort is a property unlike any other in Central Florida. Home to The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes boasts more than 1,000 guest rooms and suites, a lazy-river, three outdoor heated pools, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, The Ritz-Carlton Spa (featuring 40…
You’ll have the Luck o’ the Irish with all these festivals, boat races and St. Patrick’s Day events happening this weekend in Orlando, March 18-20. Looking for St. Patrick’s Day events? We’ve got load to share! Check them out here! How about cooking classes? We’ve got over 75 classes listed for March and April. Dixie’s…
The Sanctum, a new Orlando vegan restaurant, is now open in the Mills 50 District. I’m not an aficionado when it comes to vegan cuisine, but I know this: I’ve yet to dine at an Orlando vegan restaurant and think, “I can’t wait to come back here. I must eat this food again!.” That was…
For those of us who love wine and even fancy ourselves budding aficionados, the idea of really diving deep into wine education can seem daunting and a little, well, intimidating. There is just SO much to know about wine. In fact, those who take the Introductory Sommelier course will take two full days of lessons before writing a lengthy…
Looking for something to do this weekend in Orlando? Check out these best bets, 12 excellent choices for some date night fun. Gay Days at Disney Now thru June 8 Disney’s Theme Parks Included with park admission Ain’t Misbehavin’ June 5-July 5 (select dates) Mad Cow Theatre $24.25-$46.75 Meditation & Movie Night Friday, June 5,…
Our sister city, Tampa Bay, is an easy two-hour drive away and is packed full with delightful diversions perfect for fun weekend together. Earlier this year, the city launched a brand-new program designed to give out-of-towners the key to the city… sort of. The Tampa Bay CityPASS includes tickets to all of the area’s best…
Somewhere along the lines the phrase “healthy food” became synonomous with “boring food.” I couldn’t disagree more so I’ve asked chef extraordinaire and food coach Chelsie DiPaolo to create what is sure to be a fun, healthy and informative date night for discerning foodies. WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 6:30pm to 9pm You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to attend and…
Orlando couples with a love for getaways packed with gourmet adventure will want to check out the new Epicurean Hotel, a 137-room boutique property that just opened in Tampa’s trendy South Howard (SoHo) district. I recently visited this food-focused spot and fell in love with its culinary aesthetic, rooftop bar, French patisserie, and luxurious spa,…
Christmas is now less than a week away so if you’re still looking for something for your sweetheart, consider a gift certificate that’s perfect for a future date night. Or maybe add these to your wish list… with babysitting included (of course!). Farris and Foster’s Chocolate Date Night Your Farris & Fosters Golden Ticket gives…
I’ve teamed up with Food Fun Adventure to create an unforgettable pop-up chef’s table at the Cottage at Lake Lily on Friday, April 19 at 6:30pm. Overlooking the sparkling waters of Maitland’s Lake Lily, this romantic venue will host 10 couples for a four-course dinner created by Chef Bennett. Designed to be an interactive experience,…
Since this is the time of year for New Year’s resolutions, I thought I would share an idea for those couples aiming to take their healthy eating habits to new heights in 2013. When it comes to food, I’ve seen many friends make the transition from vegetarian to vegan but only a select few have…
Updated November 2017 First dates are tricky. It can be tough to plan the perfect night while still finding a balance between impressive and overzealous. Who should pay? How much should you spend? Movie? Dinner? Bowling? Argh… this is perilous territory. To help you navigate these tumultuous waters, here are a few first date night…
Going out for dinner is my favorite thing to do for date night, so I’m always looking for new places to add to our list of regular dining spots. Somehow, we always seem to come back to a few staples, one of them being Primo at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. Maybe it’s the…
Hey date nighters, I've been busy adding some fabulous new features to the Great Dates Orlando blog lately, all of which are designed to make planning date night even easier. Check ‘em out… 100 Ideas I don’t think I could have titled this section more plainly… it’s a list (with URL links) of 100 date…
Here’s a snapshot of a few fabulous couple’s events coming up this month… Battle of the Parks The Beacon Sunday May 3rd 1-5pm $35 Culinary challenge and tasting featuring chefs from Graze, Ravenous Pig & K Restaurant www.kwinebar.com/home_page_020.htm 407-872-2332 Cinco De Mayo Feasting Cooking Class Julia’s Gourmet Magic Cooking Classes at HADCO Tuesday May 5th…
There are so many fun events happening in the City Beautiful. This week offers lots of springtime fun. Before it gets too hot it’s time to enjoy outdoor places, including Orlando u-pick farms, and gorgeous picnic spots. Attention Parents: Head to Orlando-Parenting.com for things to do with kids in Orlando. Featured Events + Save the…
Enjoy a budget-friendly night out with this list of 75 free things to do in Orlando! Trying to save a little money? You don’t need a huge budget in order to plan a romantic and memorable date night with your partner. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite free things to do in Orlando, from…