10 Things to Do in Winter Haven That You Shouldn't Miss

April 1, 2018 Christa Meece

Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 33,874 at the 2010 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2015 estimates, the city had a population of 37,689, making it the second most populated city in Polk County. It is a principal city of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Winter Haven

1. Captain Fred's Airboat Nature Tours

4700 Crump Rd., Suite C - US 27, Lake Hamilton, FL 33851
Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 654 reviews

Captain Fred's Airboat Nature Tours

Capt Freds world famous airboat tours are the best nature tours in central Florida. Our tour will offer sightings of a wide range of wildlife, from alligators to bald eagles. Great family fun, Hold baby alligators IN OUR OFFICE(we are licensed) Holding baby alligators in the WILD is a Federal offence. This airboat tour offers the best value and fun for your money. Seven days/wk by reservations See true old Florida. Established 1995

Reviewed By Heather B

Captain Fred's is such a lovely day trip.The whole staff was warm and welcoming. Our captain Wayne was frendly and reassuring us ladies that the airboat ride we were about to take was not like the screaming coming in sideways kind of ride you see on TV. Being leary of this put my mind at ease. Our party of four really enjoyed ourselves seeing lots of wifdlife which didnt seem to mind us being there at all. Lots of fun!

2. Auburndale City Park

200 E Park St, Auburndale, FL 33823-3409 +1 863-965-5545
Excellent
79%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Auburndale City Park

Reviewed By bsmathiot68 - Muskegon, Michigan

we went here everyday for a walk and workout and it was wonderful! lots of paved walkways and workout equipment

3. Circle B Bar Reserve

4399 Winter Lake Rd, You link to the web site is broken, Lakeland, FL 33803-7340 +1 863-668-4673
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 694 reviews

Circle B Bar Reserve

Reviewed By J_travelB - Guelph, Canada

Nice visit. The folks at the volunteer centre are friendly and helpful with identifying birds and turtles in the reserve. The walks are not long. One can do a loop in about 2 hours and there are more trails so you could walk probably 5 hours to see every possible trail. Lots of signage on the trails and people photographing wildlife with huge camera lenses. There are many stores and herons and cranes and ducks. Also aligators are easy to see (of all ages and sizes). There are a number of turtles as well. Nice easy walk and lots to see.

4. Theatre Winter Haven

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880-4310 +1 863-294-7469
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 92 reviews

Theatre Winter Haven

THEATRE WINTER HAVEN has been called “one of the best community theatres in America” by the Tampa Tribune, the Lakeland Ledger and the Winter Haven News Chief. Since our founding as a non-profit organization in 1970, TWH has worked to fulfill our Mission Statement: “We inspire, challenge, entertain and educate our community by creating exceptional theatrical experiences” Each year, TWH produces a six-play Mainstage subscription season, a Tribute concert series, two Academy Musical productions, a dance program, a free community choir, a summer musical, two touring productions and a three-play staged reading series called StageRead.

Reviewed By schwartzapn - Kissimmee, Florida

This was my first time at Theatre Winter Haven. I saw The Hunchback of Norte Dame. The building is not fancy, but the production was superb. Excellent acting, singing, dancing, choreography, set design and orchestra. Truly exceptional community theater. I have seen many Broadway productions, and this was as good, plus much more up close and personal, and at a fraction of the price.

5. Central Florida Bucketmouths

1275 N 12th St, Eagle Lake, FL 33839-3029
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Freshwater Guide service specializing in bass and crappie fishing as well as all other freshwater species. We cater to any size party.

Reviewed By Laurainmissions - Rockledge, Florida

My family and I did a 6 hour bass charter with Central Florida Bucketmouths today and had an amazing experience. Our guide, Shea, was excellent. Very informative and helpful. And we caught awesome largemouths! We'll definitely be back for another trip!

6. Lego City Rescue Academy

1318-1340 Helena Rd, Legoland Florida, Cypress Gardens, FL 33884
Excellent
50%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Lego City Rescue Academy

Reviewed By brian0910 - Columbia, South Carolina

Through out the park their are rides and attractions but this area of the park is the most fun for kids. Their are several attractions in Lego City that include Fire Fighter Rescue, 3-5 year old Driving School, 6-12 year old Driving School, Flight School, Boating School, places to eat, places to rest, and places to play like the indoor Lego Imagination and discovery center. Your kids can complete the Driving School and than get their picture taken and receive a license. Their is a really god chicken diner and Burger place along with the Fire fighters Ice Cream store. Kids love this area of the park because it is spaced out and their is some more for them to do. Recommend that you skip the other areas of the park and do this first because you will spend most of the time in this location. Parents and kids can both ride the rides like the boats and even race a fire truck while putting out a fire. Just be warned that if the park is busy the lines could be long and you might have to wait awhile.

7. Lego Ninjago World

Legoland Florida Resort, Cypress Gardens, FL
Excellent
0%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2 reviews

Lego Ninjago World

Reviewed By Joyce K

We came here with high expectations and very sadly it is not what we expected. The park is dirty, there are no many bathrooms along the park, very far awa one from each other, there was a problem with one of the rides 20mins late, so we lost time and even if the park closes at 6pm the restaurants closes at 5pm??? We came from Miami (3hrs ride) and wanted to take advantage of the day since we arrived at 1pm but only 2 ninjago were available to take the picture, they run out of papers with the times of the show, the lines moves slowly... very dessapointed, my kids are huge fans of LEGO, like crazy fan (LEGO City, ninjago, etc). A few of The workers act like tired all the time...

Will love to comeback and have another experience

8. Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve

945 Mackay Blvd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850 +1 863-291-5272
Excellent
33%
Good
59%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve

The Estate was built by Alexander Mackay, a Scottish entrepreneur & investor who bought the property on Lake Rochelle in 1915 and began construction of the Mackay family estate which he called La Rochelle. The estate’s 8,000 sq ft residence is an outstanding example of Craftsman style architecture,with sleeping porches and large porch columns,open interior spaces and a staircase in main room.

Reviewed By DAVID D - POINCIANA

In the quaint town of Lake Alfred in Polk County, Florida you will find the beautiful and pristine Mackay Gardens & Lakeside Preserve, just off of Highway 17/92. The city had the opportunity to purchase the property from a developer and did so, thereby preserving this remarkable property with its lovely Mackay winter homestead and 110 acres of land. Driving up Mackay boulevard about 1/2 mile from 17/92, you will find the gated entrance, and single lane road bordered by mature hedges and an assortment of plants and trees scattered on either side.

The Mackay family used the property for years as their winter getaway, and planted the property with flora from around the world. Just now are the folks who maintain it finding the unbelievable nest eggs of beauty throughout. A grotto, a bridge across a canal that connects two lakes that border the property and a walled arbor with arched openings. A gazebo has been added overlooking Lake Rochelle on a sweeping lawn from the home down to the water's edge.

There is a canoe launch, and in the cooler months of the year, there are tours along the trails with experienced guides making the walk both informative and fun. There is a playground and a shelter for family gatherings, bathroom facilities and plenty of parking.

The wedding I attended was just fantastic. The outside area looking down to the lake was the perfect venue for the nuptials. The Home gave the wedding party a place to do that last minute curl on the hair or makeup touch up, and the Groom and his entourage kept cool in another part of the home. After the ceremony, the main room had ample space for the guests and couple, and separate preparation and kitchen space did the trick for all the delicious food offerings. The back porch that goes the entire length of the Home was the ideal space to take a smoke break or get away for a few minutes.

There are so many things to see at Mackay Gardens & :Lakeside Preserve, I need to return to enjoy all the natural beauty.

The 7,000 square foot estate residence is an outstanding example of Craftsman style architecture, with sweeping porches with large columns, large main room with a staircase to the upstairs, and can be used for meetings, weddings and other functions.

9. Biggars Antiques

140 W Haines Blvd, Lake Alfred, FL 33850-2714 +1 863-956-4853
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Biggars Antiques

Reviewed By BentleyBoy - Central Florida, Florida

I had to hold my wife back from calling the Ambulance after I saw the prices at this Antique Store. Killer Antiques but ALL priced over-the-top to today's market. Considering Lake Albert is the epitome of Small Town America, it was just too much to take. Perhaps we are spoiled shopping in Mount Dora, FL. all the time because this city bragged on being a 'great value' in Antiques. We didn't see it. After over an hour + drive, we followed the lead of 'other ' websites and sought out this antique shop first (besides The Barn). First thing that caught my eye was some old business marque signs. Then, 2 old restored Mobilgas Gas Pumps, they were priced at $14,500 for the pair ( I have about 14 gas pumps and a working knowledge of value). Just as the chest pains were setting in, I saw small PAPER SIGNS priced at $75-$150 and 1/3 (that's One Third) of an old Sherwin Williams paint sign at $250. When I asked to bring it down off the wall, the shop manager said, "I don't have anybody to get it down today (Sat.)!!". Pretty much that's the story throughout this venue. No REAL desire to actually SELL anything here. Great antiques, stellar prices. I took an aspirin and sat on the bench outside the store to recover.
Thank you Unreality Cable Tv and American Greed for ruining a great hobby.....if this is a current example- you now have to be a millionaire or Spiderman to shop and retrieve a decent buy in antiques.....

10. Legoland Florida Resort

1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884-4139 +1 877-350-5346
Excellent
42%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
7%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 6 reviews

Legoland Florida Resort

LEGOLAND(R) Florida Resort is a 150-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun. Located in Winter Haven, FL and just 45 minutes from the Orlando theme parks and downtown Tampa. LEGOLAND is a brand of interactive theme parks dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12.

Reviewed By LovingRetirement67 - West Palm Beach, Florida

If your child loves legos, then enjoy!

Otherwise, I was very disappointed in LEGOland. My 12 yr old grandson was bored, however my 9 yr old granddaughter played somewhat throughout the park. Really for much younger children.

I thought the price to get in was way too high. After all it is not Disney. Water ride was fun, but rest mediocre. Lots of things made out of legos. Lost interest.

We have food allergies and I liked that they list where to go for which food. However, they need to update this listing since my son in law and grandson had to visit 5 different food places before they could get something to eat. Each place said they didn’t carry that anymore. They have dairy, soy and gluten allergies.

Stick with Disney!

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