Location: Lakeland
Top Things to do in Lakeland
The 10 Best Things to Do in Lakeland, United States
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
Overall Ratings
5 based on 694 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 408 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 555 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 429 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 281 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4 based on 179 reviews
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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