ARTS & CULTURE
Spark romance — and a youthful interest in the arts — with family-friendly art and science museums, performing arts and more throughout Orlando.
MESMERIZING MUSEUMS & HANDS-ON CRAFTS
Many Orlando museums offer hands-on crafts, scavenger hunts, free family admission days and more kid-friendly fun, perfect for keeping little ones engaged as you sip and stroll through the galleries. Try Orange County Regional History Center and Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture in downtown Orlando, Rollins Museum of Art and The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, and Art & History Museums – Maitland, or head to Loch Haven Cultural Park, a 45-acre green space near downtown Orlando, for a full day of cultural discovery.
Located between Ivanhoe Village Main Street and the Mills 50 District, Loch Haven Cultural Park is home to a diverse collection of cultural offerings, including the Orlando Science Center, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Museum of Art, The Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Repertory Theatre, and the Orlando Fire Museum. The park’s lush, walkable design is perfect for parents pushing a stroller or two, with plenty of space for kids to play between stops. It’s also within easy walking distance of acclaimed restaurants, wine bars and even Orlando’s first meadery.
Historic Winter Garden is another highly walkable date night spot, with several engaging museums available during the day and fantastic dining and entertainment options in the evening. Stop by the Central Florida Railroad Museum, the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, or the History Research and Education Center then cool off at the splash pad and snap a colorful mural selfie or two. In the evening, settle in with a beer, grab a bite to eat at Plant Street Market or other nearby eateries, or head to the Garden Theatre for a family-friendly flick or live production.
LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
Kids might not want to sit through a full-length opera, but you can still enjoy a night out on the town with kid-friendly programming from some of Orlando’s most sophisticated venues. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, located in downtown Orlando’s City District, often hosts child-friendly productions, including shortened or sensory-friendly versions of Orlando Ballet shows like The Nutcracker. They even have free booster seats for kids, making art in Orlando accessible for all ages.
Additional spectacular live arts for families include youth company productions at Opera Orlando, free outdoor concerts featuring Orlando Philharmonic, Disney on Ice shows at Amway Center, and more. Check out our event calendar for upcoming arts and culture events that are fun for all ages.
Plus, keep an eye out for live performances, workshops and immersive activities for kids at special events hosted by The Orlando Fringe, including Kids Fringe at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, performances at their new Fringe ArtSpace in downtown Orlando’s Church Street District, free activities in our unique Orlando neighborhoods, and more surprises throughout the year.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING, BREWERIES & MORE
These delicious restaurants and breweries offer a laid-back date night atmosphere, pairing wholesome entertainment and diverse dining options to keep little ones happy during your next date night in Orlando.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DATE NIGHT RESTAURANTS
Small Plates: Play culinary explorers at lively tapas-style eateries like Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Tapa Toro Tapas Bar & Paella Pit, Bulla Gastrobar, or Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, all of which offer a selection of inventive small plates and playful cocktails. Hawkers in the Mills 50 District is another great option if you’re looking for laid-back MICHELIN-recommended dining, with bold small plates and cocktails inspired by authentic Asian street fare.
Dining Halls: Get a taste of Orlando at trendy dining halls like Milkhouse, Boxi Park Lake Nona, À La Cart, The Hall on the Yard, East End Market and Plant Street Market. These creative dining spaces showcase a variety of local flavors and cooking styles, along with live entertainment, outdoor movies, games and more. Kick back with a beer for you and ice cream with the kids.
Fine Dining: Discover new culinary worlds at playful restaurants like Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, a tropical oasis where the food is divine and all ages are welcome to stay awhile. Dance the night away at Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, say bonjour to French-inspired flavors at DoveCote Restaurant, or savor authentic farm-to-table home cooking at Mia’s Italian Kitchen.
If a classic steak dinner is more your style, opt for elevated eats from restaurants that know how to have fun. Try Everglades Restaurant at the Rosen Centre Hotel for a fresh spin on traditional Florida flavors — kids will love the whimsical wildlife-inspired decor, and the prime steak and seafood are not to be missed. Brazilian steakhouses are another fun option, featuring premium fire-grilled meat carved tableside by roaming gauchos. Try BoiBrazil Churrascaria Steakhouse, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse or Rodizio Grill on International Drive, or Adega Gaucha near The Florida Mall ®.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BREWERIES IN ORLANDO
Orlando is home a growing collection of craft breweries, many of which offer live entertainment, games and a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for date night with the kids.
One of Orlando’s newest breweries is New York Beer Project, a family-friendly re-creation of the Atlantic Garden Beer Hall in NYC, circa 1892. The gastropub, located 20 minutes from Walt Disney World ®Resort in Winter Garden, serves up elevated beer and entree pairings, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options that go way beyond your standard pub fare.
Other fantastic options include Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company and Deadwords Brewing near downtown Orlando, Park Pizza & Brewing Co. in Lake Nona, Motorworks Brewing in downtown Orlando, Clermont Brewing Company in Clermont, The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co (part of The Ravenous Pig gastropub) in Winter Park, and so much more. All offer plenty of seating, games and expanded dining options, and are within walking distance to even more restaurants, attractions and outdoor fun.
UPGRADE GAME NIGHT WITH THRILLING INDOOR ATTRACTIONS
Take game night to the next level with thrilling trampoline parks, themed escape rooms, indoor games and more in Orlando. Perfect for date night or family night, there’s something here for all ages to enjoy.
INDOOR GAMES
If your date night includes little ones, try social gaming destinations like Kings Dining & Entertainment, which pair old-school bowling and gaming with creative cocktails and elevated dining options. Kids will have a blast dancing and playing as they dine on finger foods and fun mocktails, and you might even get some time to yourselves when it’s the kids’ turn to bowl.
More fun gaming options for school-aged kids and up include Main Event Entertainment, Altitude Trampoline Park, Dezerland Park and Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, where the young and young at heart can turn up the heat with immersive virtual reality games, go-karts, laser tag, ropes courses and more.
ESCAPE ROOMS
Perfect for tweens to adults, Orlando’s escape rooms feature incredible theming, intricate puzzles and loads of laughs. Put your heads together and race against the clock to find a way out of themed spaces.
Movie and theme park buffs will love Universal’s Great Movie Escape at Universal CityWalk, featuring two elaborate games inspired by the Jurassic World and Back to the Future films. Plus, discover even more fun at The Escape Game Orlando, Escapology or The Escape Effect, all on International Drive.
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