The Orlando Real - Life in Orlando

Date Night Ideas in Downtown Orlando

By Kismet Kohn

Downtown Orlando is filled with many different date night ideas, including outdoor activities, nighttime entertainment, restaurants, and bars. You could squeeze everything into one day or keep these ideas in the back of your pocket for the weeknights or weekends ahead.

Activities

Downtown Orlando, though smaller than most cities, offers many team-building and romantic activities perfect for a date night! The Great Escape Room is located right off of S Magnolia Ave, where you and your partner can team up to solve a mystery and make your way out of the room using clues. If you enjoy the arts, check out some of the art galleries downtown. This includes the CityArts Factory and Snap! Orlando, where you can take your time and admire…

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The Wellborn

By Yasmene Warren

In search of hot Caribbean flavors with a touch of Florida? Well, this place promises “a taste of vacation,” and it’s called The Wellborn.

All About The Wellborn

The Wellborn is a restaurant and patio bar located in Downtown Orlando on North Lucerne Circle.

In addition to being a popular place to grab a bite to eat, The Wellborn is also a hotel! For those looking to stay near the Lake Cherokee Historic District, consider booking your stay with Sonder Hotel.

Even if you’re not looking for a place to lay your head, The Wellborn has much space in its well-hidden courtyard for you to kick it with friends and family and have a drink. The restaurant and bar is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.,…

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The Porch in Winter Park

By Yasmene Warren

Winter Park has yet another tasty spot to grab some grub from, and it’s got a real “homey” vibe to it — and we’re not just talking about it being a converted garage — it’s The Porch!

What is The Porch?

We know what a porch is, but The Porch is a sports bar that has been converted from a garage into a hot bar and restaurant. It’s located in Winter Park on North Orange Avenue near Hannibal Square.

You can do as the restaurant’s website says and “Eat! Drink! Stay Awhile” between 11:00 AM and 2:00 AM on select days. On select nights, they also have special events alongside a happy hour that lasts for a majority of the day! 

Food and Drinks

You’ll definitely want to come hungry when you’re visiting The…

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Escapology Orlando

By Kismet Kohn

If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity or want to plan a team-building exercise, Escapology is the perfect place to put those thinking skills to the test! 

Escape Rooms

Escapology offers about nine different escape rooms to choose from, each containing a different level of difficulty and theme. The themes Escapology offers currently are Narco, Scooby-Doo, Murder on the Orient Express, Star Trek, 7 Deadly Sins, Lost City, Mansion Murder, Under Pressure, and Antidote. Every couple of months the Escape Room themes will change on a rotating schedule so you can go back if you’ve solved all of the escape rooms they offered!

Events

The escape rooms can hold up to around ten people, making them the perfect size…

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Sampaguita Ice Cream

By Yasmene Warren

The sun is coming back out, and that means the need to feed on something cold and sweet is stronger than ever. Luckily, there are loads of places to get ice cream at in Orlando. However, this one stands out a little more than the others; it’s Sampaguita Ice Cream.

What is Sampaguita Ice Cream?

Sampaguita is an ice cream parlor in Orlando located on East Colonial Drive just outside of downtown. This place makes Filipino-inspired ice creams and explores “the richness of Filipino culture, family traditions, and self-identity.”

Sampaguita has been soft opening with limited hours since January and is currently open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11…

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SmallCakes Cupcakery & Creamery

By Jessica LaVigne

What better way to start your day than with a gourmet cupcake from one of the best bakeries in Orlando? From cupcakes to ice cream, SmallCakes is the best place for fresh baked goodies and treats, and they live by the slogan “maybe a cupcake will help!”

The Cupcakery’s Rise to Fame

SmallCakes was founded by Jeff Martin in 2008, and according to their website their mission is “to use creative flavors, quality ingredients, and friendly service to provide the finest cupcake experience worthy of returning and recommending.”

The cupcakery started gaining nation-wide recognition after being featured on “Cupcake Wars” in seasons one, two, and seven, as well as on a list of one of Whoopi’s Favorite Desserts on “The View”.…

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The BANDBOX - Orlando

By Yasmene Warren

Are you tired anxiously waiting for your 21st birthday so you can order your first cocktail at a bar? Or maybe you love going out for drinks but can’t hold your liquor. Whatever the case may be, once again, Orlando has the perfect place for you: The BANDBOX.

All About The BANDBOX - Orlando

The BANDBOX is located on North Orange Avenue in Orlando and is the city’s first-ever spirit-free speakeasy tasting lounge and bottle shop. This speakeasy is, as its website describes, “an escape to a 1920s Art Deco-inspired speakeasy where you can dodge the Buttons and skip the Hooch with a robust menu of non-alcoholic craft cocktails, beer & wine along with elixirs, tonics, shrubs and CBD beverages for a night you won’t have to forget.”

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The Ravenous Pig

By Yasmene Warren

Sometimes, it can be so hard wanting to eat out for dinner and deciding on a place to go. It’s easy to get tired of the same old, classic food chains. Luckily, downtown Winter Park has a large selection of local restaurants to choose from, and this one might just have you sold. Let’s check out The Ravenous Pig!

What is The Ravenous Pig?

The Ravenous Pig was started in 2007 by James and Julie Petrakis and is a gastropub located in downtown Winter Park on West Fairbanks Avenue. The husband-wife duo also created and own Cask & Larder in the Orlando International Airport, The Polite Pig in Disney Springs and recently created The Ravenous Pig Brewing Company in 2019.

This restaurant serves unique food concepts made with…

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The Muddy Root

By Kismet Kohn

The Muddy Root is a Kava bar in Oviedo, specializing in teas and coffees. It's the perfect place to visit if you want a chill night or want to participate in their weekly activities, such as bingo or trivia. Let's check out all that spot has to offer!

The Menu

The Muddy Root specializes in Kava, a tea made from a plant that is supposed to have relaxing or energizing effects. They offer Kava cocktails that are made by trained baristas based on alcoholic cocktails. For example, the Kava Mule is delicious and contains the same ingredients as a Moscow Mule but the kava tenders replace the vodka with Kava. If Kava isn’t necessarily your thing they also serve normal loose-leaf tea and coffee along with snacks. 

For the…

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St Patricks Day To Do in Orlando 2023

By Holley Long

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner—how will you spend it? Luckily, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Orlando to celebrate the Irish holiday, and we’ve gathered a few ideas to help you plan. 

8th Annual Crooked Can Celtic Fest

Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day all weekend long at the 8th Annual Crooked Can Celtic Fest. Hosted by Crooked Can Brewing Company, a craft brewery in Downtown Winter Garden, the festival will feature live celtic music, Irish dancers, traditional dishes, and more. 

Starting Friday, March 17 and running until Sunday the 19th, the Celtic Fest is free and open to all ages. If this event sounds like your speed, make sure you wear comfortable shoes so you can dance the night(s) away!

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