The 10 Best Things to Do in Lakeland, United States

January 3, 2018 Leida Jutras

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. The westernmost city in Polk County, it is part of the Tampa Bay Area. According to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 100,710. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area (coterminous with Polk County), which had an estimated population of 623,009 in July 2013 based on data from the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research. It is twinned with Richmond Hill, Ontario; Imabari, Ehime, Japan; Bălți, Moldova; Portmore, Jamaica; and Chongming County, Shanghai, China through the Lakeland chapter of Sister Cities International.
Restaurants in Lakeland

1. 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.

2. Florida Southern College

111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801-5698 +1 863-680-4597
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 408 reviews

Florida Southern College

Daily tours available highlighting this truly unique collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College.

Reviewed By Flicka54

Although we went in expecting another chain dining experience- this was so much better! Interesting and varied menu. Our very good waiter Cory helped us narrow it down to two excellent entrees salmon, veggies & mediterrean faro and chicken milanese. Loved the garlic bread stix and pumpkin bisque before. We ate inside - several patio tables available

3. Hollis Garden

702 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801-5030 +1 863-834-6035
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 555 reviews

Hollis Garden

Botanical garden

Reviewed By pamperedPennsylvania - Pennsylvania

This garden is well maintained and beautiful. Though it is small by most botanical garden standards. They were having a wedding rehearsal the day we were there. Lovely fountain and plenty of benches. Garden overlooks a huge pond or lake with great paved walking path about a mile around it. Water feature in the center of lake. Admission is free. They close promptly at 4 pm. Worth seeing.

4. Common Ground Park

1000 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803-4183 +1 863-834-2280
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 204 reviews

Common Ground Park

Reviewed By abbigail2017 - Lakeland, Florida

This place is a great place to take the kids to play and explore. Grandma will just love to watch the kids play and climb on the different pieces of equipment.

5. Lake Hollingsworth

Lake Hollingsworth Rd, Lakeland, FL
Excellent
71%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 111 reviews

Lake Hollingsworth

Reviewed By PaulaDockery - Lakeland, Florida

Paved 2.85 mile walkway around lovely Lake Hollingsworth. Great place to walk or bike. Birds, ducks, alligators, rabbits...all kinds of wildlife. Parents with kids in strollers, pet owners walking dogs, joggers, leisurely bikers and serious bikers. Very social spot for locals and visitors.

6. Joker Marchant Stadium

Lakeland, FL +1 863-603-6278
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 429 reviews

Joker Marchant Stadium

Reviewed By Wayne C - Belleville, Canada

Nice Florida, Blue Jays vs The Tigers. We drove over from Orlando and the stadium is easy to locate. We bought parking ahead of time, and it was a breeze to get parked (although if we'd arrived earlier we could've parked closer). Nice stadium, with plenty of concession stands, some shady areas to ward off the hot sun, and it looks like good sightlines from everywhere.
Beers are huge (24oz), but nice & cold, fans and security staff are courteous, and leaving the parking lot was as easy as entering.
Best part......the Jays won !

7. Lake Mirror

Lake Mirror Park, Lakeland, FL +1 863-834-2280
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 281 reviews

Lake Mirror

Reviewed By The_Hailes - Tampa, Florida

After lunch at Garden Bistro we strolled around the lake. It is a lovely city park with green space, wide sidewalks, families enjoying time together, ducks and swans!

8. Lake Morton

Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL
Excellent
60%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 145 reviews

Lake Morton

Reviewed By LaurLaw - Indiana, Pennsylvania

You will often find festivities down around the lake. Great way to spend time on the weekends. Enjoy the swans as they are a Lakeland icon.

9. Polk Museum of Art

800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland, FL 33801-5529 +1 863-688-7743
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 84 reviews

Polk Museum of Art

Polk Museum of Art With a diverse exhibition schedule, dynamic event calendar, and comprehensive educational programming, you will find Polk Museum of Art is truly more than an art museum. Don’t let the Polk Museum of Art’s free price tag fool you. Named as one of the Top 10 art museums in Florida and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, this Central Florida museum features an extensive permanent collection of contemporary and modern art, as well as an impressive array of Pre-Columbian, Asian, European and American Decorative Arts. Come back each time you visit Central Florida. Around 20 exhibitions rotate throughout its nine galleries each year, and it remains home to rare 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints, as well as ceramic plates made by Pablo Picasso that still bear his masterful tomato-sauce stains. There is even an outdoor garden, which showcases permanent sculptures.

Reviewed By mtt1220 - Oviedo, Florida

We were looking for something to do with my college students. Heard about this museum through word of mouth. Lovely little museum. 2 of the exhibits were being redone, so there was really only the outside sculpture garden, 2 galleries and a photopgrapy exhibit. Would like to go back when the 2 exhibits are done. FREE admission, which was awesome. Spent about 45 minutes there. The photography exhibit upstairs was really amazing. Take the time to see it.

10. Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun

4175 Medulla Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811-1249 +1 863-904-6833
Excellent
49%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 179 reviews

Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun

Aerospace Discovery at Florida Air Museum is the Official Aviation and Aerospace Education Center of the State of Florida. Our mission is to honor the past while inspiring the future with state of the art technology. Interactive learning stations for part of the exhibits to educate visitors from al lover the world. STEM based station allows visitors to interact and participate in real world environments that immerse them in the subject and enhance an understanding through hands on applications. Unique areas of interest are the Howard Hughes Archives, Air Racing Simulators, Florida Aviation Hall of Fame, Innovations in Propulsion Exhibit, Pilot Briefing Stations, and over 20 historical aircraft on display.

Reviewed By b0b55russell - Oakville, Canada

I have viewed aerospace museums both in Canada and the United Kingdom over the years. This is the first time for myself in doing an American site and thought they did a reasonable good job in presenting this topic. Admission price is reasonable for your self guided tour but group tours are available by booking an appointment ahead of time. Numerous airplanes are on display plus static displays on the history of flight, etc. Next to this museum is the South Florida Aerospace Academy in which this non-profit organization is a big supporter. It is a high school that specializes in teaching young people to become piolets. In fact, one of the students was working the museum when I was doing my self guided tour. They also have a small gift shop. When you finish your tour you will certainly leave better informed and enlightened regarding USA aerospace/flight history.

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