Orlando Things to Do

While many people know Orlando, Florida, for its theme parks and family attractions, the city also showcases an array of romantic attractions. With enchanting theme parks, scenic parks and ambient restaurants, Orlando is the perfect place to make lasting memories with your special someone. Here are a few suggestions on Orlando’s most romantic activities.

For ladies looking to plan a girl’s getaway, Orlando has much to offer. To ensure a mix of indulgence, comfort and fun, stay at a luxury spa property like the Reunion Resort. They offer a “Girlfriends Getaway” package that includes two nights of luxurious accommodations, breakfast each morning, a spa amenity, facial and massage. For something unique, their spa is one of the only in the world to offer an “Ashiatsu” treatment, where masseuses support themselves on wooden bars suspended from the ceiling while stroking the guest’s body with their feet. It is said to relieve symptoms of spinal nerve inflammation.

Looking to plan a golf getaway? Orlando has many world-class courses and experiences. For example, the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge has two championship courses, a 9-hole short course and an array of instructional schools for those who want to improve their game. They also boast having America’s largest driving range and practice facility with 42 acres (17 hectares) and 600 total tee spaces. Interestingly, it was this golf course that Tiger Woods struck a golf ball in mid-air 150 yards down the fairway in one of Nike’s most memorable commercials.

This year marks a special milestone for the state of Florida, as 2013 is the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León’s arrival to the state. Landing near present-day St. Augustine, the Spanish explorer is credited as discovering Florida, or “La Florida” as he called it, in 1513.

As any Disney fan knows, the Mouse is pretty darn good at putting on a good show, and Orlando‘s Walt Disney World is just the place to catch a fantastic one. From fireworks displays, holiday parades, and stage performances to even the musicians you’ll pass as you wander around the park, it’s clear that Disney searches far and wide for its talent and spares no expense in creating the most magical entertainment possible. Here are some of the best shows in the parks; try to catch as many as you can if you’re heading to Disney World this year.

The Orlando Museum of Art, or OMA, is more than your run-of-the-mill art museum; its pieces have been meticulously collected from a wide range of locations and time periods. It has around a dozen different exhibits every year (not including the others that are off-site), as well as lectures and gallery tours. Collections include contemporary paintings, African art, and even stone and silver artifacts from as far back as 2000 B.C.