Lakeland

Travel Guide
Photo by Vee Beck

With beautiful weather, noteworthy architecture, historic districts, museums and even a safari, this Central Florida city has much to offer.

Located between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is Central Florida’s largest city. In addition to its convenient location, Lakeland is a destination in its own right. Set aside time to explore this friendly city’s historic neighbourhoods, museums and bustling downtown.

Polk Museum of Art houses one of Florida’s most acclaimed art collections. Whether you enjoy modern, Asian, European or pre-Columbian art, find something to pique your interest here.

Explore several historic neighbourhoods in Lakeland’s downtown area. The Antiques District, full of fascinating curios in old buildings, is a shopper’s dream. Munn Park offers a variety of shops, bars and restaurants. It also features a large Civil War monument.

Florida Southern College, in the centre of Lakeland, has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. Walk through his 18 completed buildings on campus, including the light-filled Annie Pfeiffer Chapel and the circular Thad Buckner Building.

Stroll down the historic promenade at Lake Mirror Park. This scenic area in the heart of downtown includes an amphitheatre that hosts outdoor concerts and plays.

Live on the wild side at Safari Wilderness Ranch. From your safari tour, see hundreds of animals from Asia, Africa and the Americas roaming freely in this protected parkland. You can even travel the park by horse-drawn carriage or camelback.

Sun n’ Fun Fly-In is a fantastic Lakeland tradition. Every spring, pilots from all over North America fly their planes into the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Bring the whole family to see aircraft of all shapes and sizes. Visit the on-site museum, which provides tours and educational programmes throughout the year.

Tampa and Orlando airports are less than an hour’s drive from Lakeland. Add these popular areas to your Florida holiday.

With average winter temperatures that will leave you comfortable outside in a T-shirt and shorts, Lakeland is a popular destination for winter holiday makers. Although it gets quite hot in the summer, the city offers its visitors a cool time in its museums, restaurants and shops.

Where to stay in Lakeland

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Downtown Lakeland

If you're spending some time in Downtown Lakeland, Polk Theatre and RP Funding Center are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Lakeland
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Lakeland Highlands

While there might not be top attractions in Lakeland Highlands, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Club at Eaglebrooke and Family Fun Center.

Lakeland Highlands
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Dixieland

Though Dixieland may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like RP Funding Center and Polk Museum of Art.

Dixieland
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East Lake Morton

East Lake Morton might not have many top sights, but Polk Museum of Art and Lake Mirror are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

East Lake Morton
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Parker Street

Parker Street might not have many top sights, but Lake Mirror and Bryant Stadium are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Parker Street
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Lake Bentley

While Lake Bentley may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Handley Park and Horney Park.

Lake Bentley
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lakeland
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lakeland
2.5 out of 5
939 W. Robson St., I-4 Exit 32, Lakeland, FL
The price is €66 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
€66
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lakeland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
5.8/10 (893 reviews)
"It had everything nearby"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lakeland
Quality Inn Lakeland North
Quality Inn Lakeland North
2.5 out of 5
3260 US Highway 98 N, Lakeland, FL
The price is €69 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€69
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lakeland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
6.4/10 (1,006 reviews)
"Property was nice. Room was nice. The people were great. It was probably SUPER nice in the 90s but it has aged. It was good for the price."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Quality Inn Lakeland North
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland
2.5 out of 5
4502 N Socrum Loop Rd, I-4 Exit 33, Lakeland, FL
The price is €73 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
€73
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lakeland. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
"It was a pleasant stay"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts
Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts
3.5 out of 5
17805 US Highway 192, Clermont, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly condo in Four Corners. Enjoy free parking, 5 outdoor pools, and 2 poolside bars. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,504 reviews)
"I didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t get cellular services until I left the property and tha the room I was given had a walk in shower only in the second bathroom."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts
Spectrum Resort Orlando
Spectrum Resort Orlando
4 out of 5
7750 Sandy Ridge Drive, Kissimmee, FL
Stay at this 4-star golf apartment in Kissimmee. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free water park access. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (155 reviews)
"The property is nice. Very nicely decorated internally however quite cheap & basic externally. Patio fencing was thin plastic. Sliding net doors on patios were both laying on ground where they had fallen off. It should state in description there is a walk to park your vehicle."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Spectrum Resort Orlando
Reunion Resort & Golf Club
Reunion Resort & Golf Club
5 out of 5
7593 Gathering Drive, Kissimmee, FL
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Kissimmee. Enjoy 11 outdoor pools, 7 restaurants, and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,111 reviews)
"Enjoyed everything at the resort but was dissapointed how early everything closes."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Reunion Resort & Golf Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lakeland

2
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 100%
1 - Terrible
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2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
19 Jun 2019

No reason to go there unless you have business there