Temperatures are soaring in Orlando. But there’s still plenty of cool ways to have fun during these sizzling summer months. Yes, you can date night with your hottie without scorching your skin (bye-bye awkward sunburn) or burning your entertainment budget. Here are cheap summer date nights in Orlando compatible with a shoestring budget (or even totally free).
Free & Cheap Summer Date Nights in Orlando
1. Catch an Outdoor Movie.
This summer, enjoy many outdoor movie options, which are almost always free. Click over to our guide:
“Where to Watch Outdoor Movies in Orlando: Year-Round Guide.” Don’t forget to bring chairs, blankets, and snacks for a delightful evening under the stars!
Or, for a nominal fee compared to traditional movie theaters, steer yourselves toward the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre in Lakeland, where you can save even more by bringing in your own refreshments rather than overpaying for concession goods.
2. Plan a Romantic Picnic.
Romantic meals shouldn’t be reserved for high-end restaurants. In fact, there’s nothing quite as dreamy as a romantic picnic surrounded by swaying trees, a picturesque lake, and other natural elements. Be sure to pack picnic essentials that’ll satisfy your cravings for both alfresco cuisine and cuddling with your cutie.
Check out our article “10 Perfect Picnic Spots in Orlando” and, perhaps, opt for a lovely locale that includes shady tree coverage.
3. Make Magical Memories.
Maybe you usually avoid Orlando’s tourist traps, especially during the summer. But what if you were tourists in our own town for just a day… on the cheap without a park ticket? I am not a “Disney person” per se, but a magical date night is a regular thing for me, especially with so many opportunities within the resort hotels. Your best bet for parking at any Disney resort as a non-guest is to have a dining reservation scheduled.
I love starting out with dinner at one of the restaurants along Disney’s BoardWalk, like Trattoria al Forno. After dinner, take a stroll along the boardwalk to catch live entertainment acts and game options. Next, make magical memories via Disney’s free and fun transportation system, like the water taxi, Disney Skyliner, and monorail. Stay for the fireworks too.
RELATED: Disney Monorail Pub Crawl: A Guide to the Best Date Night Spots
4. Beach Bum It!
Beach dates are great and Orlando is just a quick drive from several shore-to-love spots (pun intended)! You can walk in sync to the sound of the ocean, sunbathe side-by-side with a drink in hand, or play beach games.
And don’t forget… while Orlando is inland, we do have a “beach.” Dinky Dock in Winter Park is a 1.5-acre park complete with a swimming area, grills, docks, and picnic tables. Pack your swimsuit and lunch to make a day of it.
Nothing beats a day at the beach, except a night at the beach. Prolong your beach bum status with an affordable beach camping vacation. Check out our how-to guide, “Campgrounds on the Beach in Florida for a Romantic and Rustic Getaway.”
5. Be Outdoorsy…
You probably don’t want to embark on a strenuous outdoor adventure during the heat of the day. But sweet mornings and romantic evenings still make for great outdoor dates this season.
Head to a free or cheap park to bike, hike, walk, or explore together however you wish. Be sure to pack plenty of hydrating beverages and snacks. Mother Nature is sure to impress, whether you’re exploring a site for the first or fiftieth time. Different seasons bring about different viewings of plants, wildlife, etc., plus varied times for sunrise and sunset. Give the article “Secluded Hiking Spots in Orlando and Central Florida To Explore Together” a quick read to plan this summer date. Mead Botanical Garden is a personal favorite.
If you love nature but just can’t tolerate Mother Nature too long during the heat, stay comfortable in your air-conditioned car. Check out the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive or, for a cost, the Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park.
6. Look To The Sky for [Date Night] Answers
The stars aligned to create your luminous love. You can cuddle up together for romantic stargazing on most summer nights. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is the first in Florida to be designated a Dark Sky Park, making it ideal for stargazing.
Other options include the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium at Seminole State College in Sanford, Orlando Science Center beside Loch Haven Park, and UCF’s Robinson Observatory in East Orlando.
7. Spring To It!
Springtime may be coming to an end as summer nears, but Florida springs remain in full effect–and affordable. Orlando Date Night Guide has everything you need to know outlined in our blog “Plan a Date to Explore Springs in Florida Near Orlando.”
8. Go On A Playdate With Your Fav Mate.
Classic pastimes are typically affordable and almost guarantee date night laughs. I mean, how can you keep a straight face during bowling, putt-putt golf, ice skating, or roller skating?! Some companies offer cheaper prices during the day and/or happy-hour specials. Score!
Orlando even has an abundance of adult-themed play places, such as Player1 Video Game Bar, The Pin Ball Lounge, and Crush Yard Orlando.
Also, inject a bit of healthy competition into date night by playing bar trivia. Or, how about bingo at Mellow Mushroom!?
RELATED: Adults Night Out: Grown-Up Fun at Kid-Centric Places
9. Dive into Hotel Pools.
If you don’t want to spend the cash on a staycation, just stay at a local hotel for a day with a day pass. Because sometimes, in the summer, you just want to soak up the best resort amenity — the pool, of course. Give this article a read: “Orlando Resort Pools Locals Can Actually Use with Spa + Day Passes.”
If you’re rule breakers, during the dog days of summer, you may want to be sneaky like a fox and just casually slip into the pool area. But you didn’t get the sneak suggestion from us!
10. Adopt A Dog For The Day!
Well, it’s the dog days of summer, right? Are you and your boo dog lovers, but can't afford to have a furry friend of your own just yet? Local rescue Pet Rescue by Judy has a Dog 4 a Day program in which you can adopt a dog for the day! There is no fee to participate in this program, but the rescue appreciates photos and a report on the dog.
Take your pup out for a hike or visit a dog-friendly establishment around town.
11. Do Good, Feel Good.
Stimulate the “do good, feel good phenomenon” with a volunteerism-themed date night. You see, research suggests that when someone does something good, a happiness high ensues. With so many fantastic non-profit organizations right here in Orlando, you can make a direct impact on our local community by having a volunteering date night. Volunteering is a great way to connect with your partner while also doing good and helping those in need. Best of all, it's one of the best free things to do in Orlando!
Second Harvest Food Bank, for example, really makes this idea easy-peasy, especially on a Friday night. Just sign up via their online calendar.
12. Cheers to Summer.
Many of Orlando’s breweries offer tours at no cost, by donation, or for a nominal fee. Spend time learning about the beverage creation process and, when available, drink up freebie tastings.
Likewise, Florida has some wonderful wineries to sip and savor, with Lakeridge Winery in Clermont among them. This local winery boasts a full lineup of festivals, in addition to free wine tours and tastings seven days a week.
13. Admire Priceless Art (on the Cheap)
A sure way to beat the summer heat is to wander around a beautiful, air-conditioned venue. Many art galleries and museums offer free admission on select days. And Bank of America customers get free museum admission on specified dates at participating locations thanks to the company’s Museums on Us program.
Try the Happy Hour Art Tour at The Alfond Inn, the Rollins Museum of Art, and the 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop.
