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There are no reservations required for these date ideas. Most of these are under $10, so skip the cheesy teddy bear and chocolates or the overpriced dinner at a stuffy restaurant and check these ideas out instead.
Orlando Food Truck Bazaar
Sunday, February 12, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Fashion Square Mall, 3505 E. Colonial Dr.; free
If, like most couples, you and your S.O. can never agree on something to eat, this is the perfect date to settle the argument. The Orlando Food Truck Bazaar is the mecca for foodies in Central Florida, offering tacos, mac ‘n cheese and desserts to fill your heart’s (and arteries) every wish.
Photo via potterj22/InstagramTwistee Treat
Open 12 p.m.-12 a.m.; 11933 E Colonial Dr, Orlando; $1-$6
Look out for the stand with the giant ice cream cone and bring your date over for some sprinkled soft serve deliciousness as if you had planned that all along.
Photo via abdullah_np/InstagramBok Tower Gardens Carillion Concert
Tuesday, February 14, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m; 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales; $12
Listen to the synchronized chimes from Bok Tower as you walk through this little hidden gem full of beautiful architecture and hiking trails.
Photo via Bok Tower GardensCocoa Beach Pier
Open daily 7 a.m.- 10 p.m.; 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach; free
Grab some takeout and head to the beach, this date idea is bound to score you points. You would be waiting in line for 45 minutes to get into some stuffy restaurant anyway, so call ahead, grab your meal and use that time to drive out east for a solid change of scenery guaranteed to give you a better view than a dimly lit steakhouse.
Photo via /InstagramHeavenly Love: Love Stories from the Night Sky
Saturday, February 12, 8:30 p.m.; 100 Weldon Blvd., B, Sanford; $6
Stargaze with your Valentine while listening to a series of stories about love, ranging from ancient Chinese myths to the romance between Orion and Artemis and a Native American tale Algon the Hunter and his lost loves.
Photo via Emil Buehler Planetarium/FacebookJullie’s Waterfront
Open 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; 4201 S Orange Ave, Orlando
Enjoy lakefront views in a more casual environment that has that Old Florida feel to it. Julie’s waterfront deck offers stunning views of Lake Jennie Jewel, no reservations required.
Photo via hayheather17/InstagramWatch a UCF Basketball Game
Tuesday, February 14, 7 p.m.; CFE Arena, 12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando; free with student I.D. or $6
If you want to do something fun and different for Valentine’s but are ballin’ on a budget, make like a college student and grab some tickets to a watch the Knights play. Cuddle up on the bleachers and cheer on the Knights as they play Tulsa this V-Day.
Photo via the.chaaad/InstagramLake Eola
512 E. Washington St., Orlando; free
Skip the stuffy (and expensive) restaurant and enjoy the fresh air and a sunset at Lake Eola. Have a little picnic of your own and relax by the water and feed some swans.
Photo via Lake Eola/Instagram27th Food & Wine Fest at Lakeridge Winery
February 10-12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 19239 US-27, Clermont; $2
Sip on some wine and sample some foods with your date at the Lakeridge Winery’s 27th annual Wine Fest. The Wine Fest will extend throughout Valentine’s Day weekend, which will also include live music and crafts from local artists.
Photo via Lakeridge Winery/FacebookTake a walk through Park Avenue
110 N Park Ave, Winter Park; free
Park Avenue is home to a variety of shops, galleries and fine or casual dining perfect for the last minute date planner. Have a picnic in the park or stroll through the shops, this is an easy and fun date no matter who you’re spending this Valentine’s Day with.
Photo via jess.y_lifestyle/InstagramPizzeria Del Dio
Open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; 3210 E Colonial Dr, Orlando; $9.95
Spilt a charming heart-shaped pie from one of the tastiest pizza joints in town. Pizza Del Dio is pretty small, so your best option is to get it to go, head home, and Netflix and chill for the night.
Photo via Pizzeria Del Dio/FacebookIndie Folk Fest at the Mennello
Saturday, February 11, noon to 5 p.m.; 900 E Princeton St, Orlando; Free
Walk through beautiful lakeside Sculpture Garden and enjoy all the local food, music and art your heart desires at the third annual Indie Folk Fest at the Mennello Museum. Take your date, (and your dog) to one of Florida’s most popular festivals, filled with food vendors, artists from around the country and music by Terri Binion and Eugene Snowden & Friends, Beemo, Robin Lewis, Peyote Moon and Chevy Van Gogh.
Photo via Shainajoy/InstagramCamellia Walking Tour at Harry P. Leu Gardens
Tuesday, February 14, 1 p.m.- 2 p.m.; 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando; $12
Take an hour out of your day to enjoy the outdoors with your loved one and walk through this 50-acre botanical oasis hidden away in Winter Park. The garden’s director, Robert Bowden, will be leading a private walking tour through the largest collection of Camellias on the East Coast.
Photo via slowlove/InstagramSpoleto BOGO for Love
Tuesday, February 14; multiple locations; $8
Avoid breaking the bank by treating your date to a nice Italian buy-one-get-one meal at Spoleto. Maybe it sounds a little cheap, but that can be masked with the extra strawberry nutella flatbreads they’ll be giving away throughout the night.
Photo via Spoleto/FacebookTin Roof’s 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day Concert
Tuesday, February 14, 6 p.m.; 8371 International Dr, Orlando; $10
Tin Roof’s 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day Concert is featuring Scott Jordan’s Justin Timberlake Tribute band, so get ready to warm up your vocal chords, this is a Valentine’s Day concert you won’t want to miss.
Photo via Tin RoofWekiva Springs
Open everyday from 8 a.m. until sundown; 1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka; $6 admission fee
Show your Valentine your more adventurous side with a date at Wekiva Springs. Take a canoe ride through the springs or relax on Wekiva Island with a cold beer, either way, this is a great place for wildlife, (and people) watching now matter how you do it.
Photo via neasulina/InstagramEnzian Theater Cult Classics: True Romance
Tuesday, February 14, 9:30 p.m.; 1300 S Orlando Ave, Maitland; $8
The cinema cafe is the perfect place to cuddle up to your Valentine and watch some oldies but goodies during Enzian Theater’s Cult Classics movie night, which is featuring the film True Romance this Valentine’s Day. Who doesn’t love a good story about a comic book geek and prostitute falling in love?
Photo via Enzian Theater/InstagramVisit Crane’s Roost Park
Open 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; 274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs; free
Surrounding Crane’s Roost Lake, this 45-acre park is a great place to take a romantic walk with your loved one. Crane’s Roost Park is also found at the heart of uptown Altamonte, so there’s plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from as well.
Photo via stechup_orlando/InstagramLittle Big Econ State Forest
Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1350 Snow Hill Rd, Geneva; free
Little Big Econ State Forest is the place to be for true lovers of adventure. Little beaches made for a two person picnic space and endless trails will keep you occupied enjoying the outdoors for hours this Valentine’s Day. Also, there is a rope swing, but proceed with caution, it hurts to fall before you reach the water.
Photo via d__eek/InstagramClimb the Citrus Tower
Open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; 141 US-27, Clermont; $6
Take your love to new heights on this 226-foot tower in Clermont. The Citrus Tower is the highest observation point in Florida, giving visitors a 360 degree view of eight different Florida counties.
Photo via codrone/InstagramPaws in the Park
Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m.; Lake Eola Park 512 East Washington Street Orlando; free
Raise some money for the shelters this Valentine’s Day weekend at Orlando’s largest dog walk. Who knows, this could be great place to find your Valentine if you haven’t yet.
Photo via Orlando WeeklyLake Eola Swan Boats
Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m.512 E Washington St, Orlando; $15
Make like a tourist for a day and truly impress your date with by showing off your strong calf muscles by hopping on one of Lake Eola’s famous swan boats. When you’re done exploring the lake, World of Beer will be right there waiting for you with a cold brew, so really everyone wins.
Photo via francescafey/InstagramVintage Valentine
Sunday, February 12, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; 2916 Corrine Drive, Audubon Park; free
Park avenue CD’s is making all your Hipster dreams come true with their annual Vintage Valentine event, which will feature food trucks, vinyl, and most of all, cheap (yet thoughtful) Valentine’s Day gifts.
Photo via Vintage Valentine/FacebookOrlando Bike Share
What better way to view The City Beautiful than riding through the streets on a bright orange bike? For a mere $8 an hour, Orlando Bike Share will allow you to do just that. It’s a simple, easy way to do a little something different this Valentine’s Day while also getting out to appreciate the city a little more.
Photo via City of OrlandoCityWalk at Universal Studios
Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando; free after 6 p.m.
CityWalk is good for last minute planners who want to do something special for their date, or for friends who want to get away from the Valentine’s Day madness.
Photo via Universal Orlando/Facebook
