As Orange County and Visit Orlando continue to create new programs supporting local businesses, today they launched the “407 Dates” campaign – named after the longtime Orange County area code – with virtual events and dining deals to make weekends in May special. Through “407 Dates,” residents can enjoy virtual events each Friday and Saturday evening such as live-streamed music concerts, interactive Orlando-themed trivia shows and world-class theme park entertainment, as they order takeout/delivery found on the Orlando To Go website with over 500 local restaurants on VisitOrlando.com/togo. Restaurants may begin offering indoor seating at 25 percent capacity beginning today, but takeout and delivery services continue to be important to serve residents and support local businesses.

“During this uncertain time, it is more important than ever to take a moment to relax with your spouse or significant other in your life,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “My wife and I try to order takeout for weekly date nights and I always look forward to spending a special evening with her, just the two of us. We are regulars at Bonefish Grill restaurants, and love their seafood.”

“If you are staying home together, or separated across various locations, you can still make the weekends special, and we’re helping to do that in a way that also supports our local businesses,” said George Aguel, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “Whether it’s with your spouse, child, or friends, we encourage everyone to join in and carve out some quality time for a great meal and fun Orlando entertainment.”

Visit Orlando is creating themed online events for Friday and Saturdays in May, along with date night meals and packages from restaurants, all of which can be found on the VisitOrlando.com blog, and on @Visit Orlando’s Facebook channel. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their virtual date night ideas with the hashtags #407Dates and #OrlandoToGo with @VisitOrlando’s and @OrangeCoFL’s social media channels, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

DATE NIGHT DINING

Around Central Florida, restaurants are featuring a variety of new options for date nights, including special meal and cocktail/wine combos; make-it-together meal kits of restaurant favorites from grilled steaks to rolled sushi; and specialty deliveries from cheese and charcuterie boards to ramen bowls.

DATE NIGHT EVENTS
To pair with Orlando's takeout and delivery options, Visit Orlando has developed a calendar of virtual events on social media for the weekends.

Weekend of May 8-9

Friday, May 8 – Orlando’s Timucua Arts Foundation, known for intimate performances in the founder's home, presents a modern jazz performance from the Philippe Lemm Trio. (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, May 9 – Attention all residents, think you know Orlando? See how your knowledge stacks up with an Orlando-themed Trivia Night with award-winning quiz master Curtis Earth. (8 p.m.)

Weekend of May 15-16

Friday, May 15 – Enjoy lively traditional songs and Irish dancing with Raglan Road’s popular duo, Stephen & Abby, performing live from Ireland. (5 p.m.)

Saturday, May 16 – SAK Comedy Lab – details coming soon!

The full list of dining offers and date night virtual events can be found on VisitOrlando.com/blog with more events to be announced.

To support Orlando's restaurant community through the challenges of COVID-19, and help residents easily find locations offering takeout/delivery, Visit Orlando contacted hundreds of local restaurants and continues to add any interested restaurants to the list at VisitOrlando.com/togo. The robust directory features over 500 open restaurants, sorted by geographic region.

Restaurants who wish to be added to the “Orlando To Go” list can email member.relations@visitorlando.com or tag @VisitOrlando on social media channels.

 

About Orange County Government

Orange County Government strives to serve its citizens and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world famous theme parks, the nation’s second largest convention center, and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners including the Mayor who is elected countywide. For more information please visit www.OCFL.net or go to the Orange County Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

About Visit Orlando

Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States and Theme Park Capital of the World®. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, Visit Orlando represents 1,200 member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.

 

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