Thought Florida was just for adults? Think again. Beautiful beaches, buzzing cities, all the attractions you can think of – there’s plenty to love in the Sunshine State, whether you’re 4 or 40. And that’s why we’ve sent a pair of romance-seekers on the ultimate first date to the Sunshine State. We’re here to run you through just some of the reasons why couples are flocking to Florida for fun and relaxation in the sun.
Combine romance and rollercoasters
Florida’s theme parks aren’t just set up for kids. Take
Universal Orlando Resort, for example – its CityWalk has fun first (or 500th) date written all over it. Start with cocktails at a waterfront bar, move on to dinner at an authentic Mexican restaurant, and end the night grabbing gelato or dancing to live music. And the hotels aren’t all Mickey and Minnie. Italian-inspired Loews Portofino Bay Hotel feels as if you’ve been whisked away to a traditional seaside village. You can stroll through the piazza, be serenaded by singers and stuff your face with indulgent-as-they-come Italian dishes.
Escape to an idyllic island
Trade theme parks for natural thrills on
Anna Maria Island. This barrier island floats off the radar on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It might be small in size, but it’s big on beaches – with seven miles of sand to its name. There’s no wonder this place is such a honeymoon haunt. Fishing, bird-watching and kayaking are the main pastimes – not forgetting sunbathing, of course. You can even go horseback riding along the beach. Does it get more romantic than that?
Play house in your own villa
Kissimmee, in Florida, is the ‘Vacation Home Capital of the World’, with a whopping 30,000-plus homes to choose from. And you don’t just get a room. You’ll get a house you can make a home, in a gated community. Some line up luxe facilities like swish state-of-the-art kitchens and private pools, so you’ll be saying “Kissimmee, quick”. Plus, the city’s even closer to Disney than Orlando, so it’s the perfect spot to lay down (temporary) roots.
Go wild for each other at Gatorland
Get back to nature at
Gatorland – the Alligator Capital of the World. If you want to see Florida’s wild side without trekking down to the Everglades, this is the place for it. From Orlando, you’re only looking at 20 minutes in the car, rather than four hours. And adrenaline-loving couples are in for a treat. This theme park is home to alligators and crocodiles of all sizes, including the rare white leucistic alligators. You can tour the swamp after dark with an optional Gator Night Shine tour. Or ride the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, voted the Best Zip Line in the USA by AOL Travel.
Dance the night away in Miami
Miami’s known for its glam night scene. Couples can pack on the PDA at fancy-pants clubs like LIV and E11even. Or soak in the views from a rooftop bar – there are some gloriously green spots to choose from. And, in true
Miami style, there are also salsa classes and bars with live Latin music. Speaking of which, the Cuban food scene is huge. And it’ll be a case of love at first bite if you head down to Little Havana. You can’t go wrong with washing down some picadillo with a mojito or two.
Wine, dine and fly through the sky at ICON Park®
ICON Park® dubs itself the ultimate entertainment destination. And they’re not kidding. This 20-acre site is home to more than 50 restaurants, bars and shops, as well as attractions. Admire the views of Orlando – and your loved one – on The Wheel, which stands at 400 feet tall. For an added dose of romance, time your visit for the nightly theme park fireworks, or a rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
Get your heart’s racing with a shopping spree
If you want to treat your loved one to a designer anything, Orlando’s a good place to do it. If your other half is a high-end lover, try The Mall at Millenia and The Florida Mall®. Or, if they like a big name without spending the big bucks, you’re in luck. Orlando is bursting with outlets. International Premium Outlets® is Florida’s biggest outlet centre at over 773 square feet. But you’ve also got quaint little neighbourhoods with cute boutiques, which are perfect for an arm-in-arm wander.
Have dinner with a view
In Florida, anything really is possible. And this is one to suit sports fanatics. Want to wine and dine in sight of a basketball game? Sure. There are plenty of ways you can upgrade your game-watching experience when you
watch the Orlando Magic play. Ultimate Seats get you in the first five to seven rows, plus you’ll get access to the Fields Ultimate Lounge where you can take advantage of all inclusive food and drinks. Or go all out with Courtside Seats, which get you as close as you can get to the action, without shooting hoops.
Have fun together at Westgate River Ranch
Couples that play together, stay together.
And there’s plenty of fun to be had at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Rock climbing, airboats, swamp buggies, mini golf – you name it, they’ve got it. For a slower pace, you can go horseback riding, or cruise along the Kissimmee River. Plus, there’s a rodeo every Saturday night, followed by a street party – basically a good ol’ fashioned hoedown. So, what are you waiting for? Round up your partner and get yourself down.
Feed each other chocolate in Daytona Beach
Nothing says romance quite like a truffle or two.
Daytona Beach has its very own chocolate factory to rival Willy Wonkas. It’s been producing the good stuff since 1925. And if you swing by, you can see them making it all, the old-fashioned away. Plus, there are some delicious samples up for grabs. The range of flavours is huge and you can build your own box to take home. There are some more bizarre offerings, too, like chocolate-covered bacon and crisps.
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