21 cheap summer date ideas for the broke Orlandoan

The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium
100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, 407-708-2360

Nothing beats stargazing with your significant other, except perhaps seeing the stars with the comforts of air-conditioning. The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium at Seminole State college holds free events all the time that’ll have you and your date spending hours looking at all the wonders the universe has to offer.
Photo via Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College/Facebook

Browse for fresh goodies
Winter Park Farmers Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-3397
Every Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the historic train depot fills up with fresh produce, flowers, plants, baked goods and more. Smells are free!

Photo Winter Park Farmers Market/Facebook

Treasure hunting at Renniger’s Outdoor Antique Mall
20651 US-441, Mt Dora, (352) 383-8393
It’s a guarantee there’ll be something at Renninger’s to catch your eye. And it may be an unorthodox to buy a gift here, but who knows? One man’s trash may end up being your date’s treasure. This place is also one of the best spots for Instagram classics.

Photo via mschrim/Instagram

Catch a free flick at the Enzian's Popcorn Flicks in Park
Central Park, Winter Park, (407) 629-1088
Check out indie flicks and cult favorites for free out on the grass in Central Park!

Photo via Enzian Theater

Develop new tastes at the Quantum Leap winery
1312 Wilfred Drive, Orlando, 407-730-3082
Be connoisseurs on the cheap at Quantum Leap. With a $5 tasting flight that includes three wines, you and your date can’t go wrong.

Photo via tastecooksip/Instagram

Explore a new beach at one of the many hidden beaches near Orlando
Various locations
There’s nothing wrong with Cocoa beach or New Smyrna, but taking your date to a hidden-away beach is something special. Click here to see a variety of locals to choose from. The ocean is free, and nothing beats free.

Photo via adamt_jones/Instagram

Bike around Lake Baldwin Park
2000 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, FL, 407-599-3334
This park is perfect spot for you and your date to relax and enjoy a lazy weekend. Plus, it’s dog-friendly.

Photo via fischapryce_1354/Instagram

Brave the wilderness at the Twin Oaks Conservation Area (or any of these nearby hiking trails)
Various locations
Nothing says devotion like going for a multi-mile hike with your date. Now serving as a 399-acre conservation area in Osceola County, this area consists of trails that are open for both hikers and equestrians. Click the link above to see more places you can hike.

Photo via lorax89/Instagram

Be patrons of the arts at the Baldwin Park First Friday Festival & Art Stroll
Baldwin Park, 407-740-5838
Make a Friday date night to see over 60 artisans and small businesses showing their wares in Baldwin Park. There’s a festival every first Friday.

Photo via Baldwin Park First Friday Festival/Facebook

Get lost in a blueberry field at Tom West Blueberries
324 E. Orlando Ave., Ocoee, 407-656-3223
This farm has four different blueberry varieties ranging in size and taste. Tom West provides the blueberry buckets and packaging, all you and your date have to do is fill ‘em with berries. Picking berries will only run you $4 a pound and they provide the pickin' bucket.

Photo via tomwestblueberries/Instagram

Poke through someone else's stuff
Various locations
Search the link above for estate sales and tag sales, where you can browse through the fascinating detritus of strangers' lives, and even buy the parts you like.

Photo Adobe Stock

Touch the sky at the top of Citrus Tower
V141 US-27, Clermont, 352-394-4061
Get high in the sky at one of Orlando’s original tourist locations. The Citrus Tower was built in 1965 and stands at over 500 feet above sea level. Tickets are only $6.

Photo via orangerocketpost/Instagram

Take a scenic walk along the Tosohatchee Reserve on the Florida Trail
3365 Taylor Creek Road, Christmas
Crossing the 28,000-acre Tosohatchee Reserve, this 10-mile trail allows hikers - and even dogs - to walk through one of Florida’s oldest slash pine forests. The sights you and your date will see can’t be compared.

Photo via davygetbye/Instagram

Walk through the flora at Harry P. Leu gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, 407-246-2620
Every first Monday of the month gets you into the Harry P. Leu Gardens for free. Take a walk around the 50-acre series of gardens with your significant other, but make sure to stop and smell the roses.

Photo via katiealbrycht664/Instagram

Get limber with Lake Eola Yoga
512 E. Washington Street, Orlando

Start your Sunday right by stretching and feeling the burn at Lake Eola with a hour-long $5 yoga session. It’ll be may be tiring, but you and your date will walk away feeling fit, and what’s better than that?
Photo via happyprofessor/Instagram

Expand your desert palate at Jillycakes
125 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 105, Winter Park, 863-797-4233
Jillycakes has almost 50 original flavors, including apple pie, caramel popcorn and chocolate peanut butter banana, so it’s a guarantee that you’ll both find a dessert that’s perfect for you.

Photo via jillycakesbakes/Instagram

Embarrass yourself at the Open Mic Comedy With Craig Norbert
929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-975-3364

Are you funny? Feeling brave? Got no shame? Try out the Open Mic Comedy night with Craig Norbert, every Sunday at Austin’s Coffee. Get up on stage and make em’ laugh. And even if you bomb, your significant other will respect you for trying.
Photo via Austins Coffee/Facebook

Camp out on the beach at one of Florida’s many beachside campgrounds
Various locations
Let’s be real, camping out is one of the best ways to have an adventure with your date without spending a ton of money. Click the link above to find the location best for you.

Photo via pinkkfreckles/Flickr

Split a milkshake at 5 & Diner
13001 Founders Square Drive, Orlando, 407-757-0978
Splitting a milkshake is classic date stuff, and 5 & Diner has some pretty great ones. They’re around $5 each.

Photo via jenntebb/Instagram