Updated by Kate Cohen
June 4, 2026
Hallmark might not make cards for National Girlfriend Day (yet), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a holiday worth celebrating.
August 1 has been designated National Girlfriend Day, and while there’s some debate over whether it’s meant to celebrate romantic or platonic girlfriends, we figure it’s always a good time to treat a special lady to a memorable experience.
After all, we could all use a good excuse to spend more quality time together, right?
With that, we thought we’d help inspire you to put together a few ideas to surprise your girlfriend.
(And, side note, all of these can be fun platonic girlfriend hangouts, too.)
Here are 11 date ideas she’ll love for National Girlfriend Day.
Key Takeaways
- Enjoy a Swan Boat Ride at Lake Eola
- Spend the Day at Wekiva Island
- Pick Her a Pearl at Disney Springs
- Learn to Cook Something New
- Make Custom Art Together
- Swim with Dolphins at Discovery Cove
- Engage in Friendly Competition at Top Golf
- Do a Food Tour at East End Market
- Check Out a Local Farmer’s Market
- Cheer on the Orlando Pride
- Savor a Stay at Rosen Plaza
Enjoy a Swan Boat Ride at Lake Eola
At the heart of The City Beautiful, Lake Eola offers a peaceful oasis amidst towering buildings and the sprawling urban landscape of Downtown Orlando.
It’s home to a multitude of landscaped gardens, beautiful art installations, and the town’s iconic Lake Eola fountain.
On Tuesdays through Sundays, visitors can rent a pedal-powered swan boat to enjoy the peace of the lake and view the magnificent fountain up close.
Enjoy a 30-minute rental for only $15. Pets are welcome, too.
After your boat ride, spend some time walking around the lake and taking in the sights. Then, end with a drink and something to eat at a nearby restaurant like The Stubborn Mule or Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery.
Spend the Day at Wekiva Island
If your girlfriend loves the great outdoors, there’s no better way to spend National Girlfriend’s Day than at Wekiva Island.
This unique destination is located on the lush banks of the Wekiva River, offering a variety of ways to explore and enjoy the surrounding tropical wilderness.
Take to the water with canoe, kayak, or paddleboard rentals and keep your eyes open for local wildlife like alligators, manatees, turtles, and birds.
Toast to your girlfriend(s) with a refreshing cold beer or a glass of wine from the onsite bar, The Tooting Otter. If you’ve paddled up an appetite, the onsite food truck, Without a Paddle Cafe, makes fresh eats like burgers, tacos, and sandwiches.
Pull up a couple of Adirondack chairs on the boardwalk and watch the world float by on the Wekiva River in a beautiful, peaceful setting.
Pick Her a Pearl at Disney Springs
Jewelry is always a great gift, especially on National Girlfriend Day.
Take your gift-giving to the next level and take her to create a custom piece at The Pearl Factory in Disney Springs.
This sweet kiosk offers guests the opportunity to pick their own pearl-bearing saltwater oyster and reveal the special round pearl awaiting them inside.
Once the pearl has been revealed, you can choose to have it set in one of over 135 jewelry settings in 14K white, yellow, or rose gold, or sterling silver.
You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind gift that will forever evoke the memory of making it together.
Complete your date with a special meal at one of Disney Springs’ fabulous restaurants or a sunset ride on the Aerophile, a tethered helium balloon offering panoramic views of Orlando.
Learn to Cook Something New
Learning together is a great way to make meaningful memories – and it’s even better when the result is something delicious.
Truffles and Trifles is an independent cooking school in the Orlando neighborhood of College Park, named one of the top five cooking schools in the United States by the Food Network.
They offer a variety of class themes like Northern Italian, French Pastry Techniques, Tacos and Tequila, and a special Date Night class focusing on cocktails and appetizers.
Don your aprons and get ready to cook, laugh, and make a mess.
Make Custom Art Together
Does your girlfriend love getting creative?
Take her to Abstract Orlando, a fluid art studio where you can create custom pieces that aren’t just fun to make – they also serve as treasured souvenirs long after date night has come and gone.
Start by picking out your “canvas”, whether it’s a statuette, a piece of serving ware, or a piece of wall art.
Then, choose your color palette. A skilled fluid art specialist will put together your supplies and walk you through creating your masterpiece.
Pick up your dried and professionally polished artwork seven days later and display it somewhere you can see it and be reminded of your wonderful date together.
Swim with Dolphins at Discovery Cove
Cross “swimming with dolphins” off your girlfriend’s bucket list with a day at Discovery Cove in Orlando.
This all-inclusive day resort is a true gem, offering incredible experiences alongside some of the planet’s most magnificent marine animals.
Interact with gentle dolphins, snorkel with graceful rays, and hand-feed tropical birds in an aviary that feels like paradise.
When you’re not hanging out with new creature friends, enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach together, or gently floating down the Wind-Away River.
A Discovery Cove day pass also includes unlimited food and select beer and wine, with premium drink packages available as an upgrade.
Wetsuits, animal-safe sunscreen, and lounge chairs are all included in the experience, too.
Engage in Friendly Competition at Top Golf
There’s nothing wrong with getting a little competitive in a relationship.
Put your golf skills to the test with a date at Top Golf, a high-tech driving range designed for fun and entertainment.
Settle into a private covered bay, outdoors but equipped with cooling fans for warmer months and heaters for when temperatures drop.
Treat yourself to a fun drink and some delicious food to enjoy as you play a fun game that challenges golfers of all skill levels in unique and interactive ways.
Great music, big TVs in each bay, and comfortable lounge furniture all make Top Golf the perfect place for a relaxed date night that fosters friendly competition.
Do a Food Tour at East End Market
East End Market is an Orlando foodie paradise.
Not only is it home to DOMU, a Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen restaurant; it’s also the perfect place to conduct your own mini food tour date.
Inside East End Market, you’ll find a variety of vendors peddling culinary specialties and artisan goods.
Start with something savory from Winter Park Biscuit Company or a cheese selection from La Femme du Fromage. Eat fresh poke from Rion’s Ocean Room (owned and operated by DOMU chef Sonny Nguyen), or try Japanese Gyukatsu from Gyukatsu Rose.
When it’s time for something sweet, pop over to Gideon’s Bakehouse, the flagship location of the viral bakery that draws wild crowds at its Disney Springs location.
There’s also WAFU, which serves taiyaki, or Japanese fish-shaped waffles stuffed with sweet or savory fillings.
If this date idea appeals to you and your lady, you may want to arriver on the side of an earlier time frame; some East End vendors are known to sell out before closing at the end of the day.
Check Out a Local Farmer’s Market
For a special morning date, venture out to one of the area’s charming farmers markets.
On Saturdays, the Winter Park Farmers Market is a bustling community event where you can find produce, plants, baked goods, coffee, and plenty of other unique finds.
Afterwards, you can stroll through Central Park’s quaint rose garden or head to Briarpatch for one of the best brunches in Orlando.
Also held on Saturdays is the Winter Garden Farmers Market, an award-winning weekly event with live music, artisan goods, handmade items, and much more.
Your girlfriend will love swinging by Rosallie, a picture-perfect French cafe in Winter Garden with swoon-worthy pastries and irresistible European charm.
The Orlando Farmers Market takes over Lake Eola on Sunday mornings, hosting over 100 vendors every week. It’s known for being dog-friendly, so let the pup be your third wheel on your date!
Cheer on the Orlando Pride
Supporting local Orlando sports is something everyone can get behind.
National Girlfriend Day happens to fall during the thick of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
Orlando’s home team, The Orlando Pride, won the 2024 NWSL Championship, becoming the city’s first professional sports team to bring home a major league trophy.
Put on your purple and head to the beautiful Inter&Co Stadium downtown to watch an exciting match and cheer on some of the baddest women in The City Beautiful.
While you’re there, you can dine on delicious food from local restaurants like 4 Rivers, Black Rooster Taqueria, and Teak Neighborhood Grill, all of whom have counters in the stadium.
Savor a Relaxing Stay at Rosen Plaza
The best way to treat your girlfriend this National Girlfriend Day is with a stay at Rosen Plaza in Orlando.
Enjoy a relaxing day sipping tropical cocktails by the pool or dipping your toes into the tropical whirlpool.
Then, enjoy dinner at Jack’s Place, our signature steakhouse where, on Friday and Saturday evenings, you can have your caricature drawn by a professional artist as a memento of your visit.
Step outside and find yourself in the midst of Orlando’s thriving entertainment district with bustling nightlife, or head back to your beautiful room for a great night’s sleep in our comfortable beds.
Show your girlfriend how much she means to you by sweeping her off her feet this National Girlfriend Day.
