Lakeland
Around Lakeland
Photo: Butter142 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Florida · 852k people
Lakeland
“City of Lakes”
Lakeland · Winter Haven
Where lakes and citrus meet.
Citrus OrangeLake Navy
Welcome to Lakeland and Winter Haven, where the lakes are as plentiful as the citrus groves. Whether you're here for the aviation history, the chain of lakes, or just a good Publix sub, you'll find a laid-back rhythm that's pure Florida. Grab a spot by the water and say hi.
Clubs for Lakeland
No clubs for Lakeland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lakeland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lakeland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lake Hollingsworth Scenic lake with a 2.8-mile walking/jogging loop in Lakeland.
- Lake Mirror Historic downtown Lakeland lake with a promenade and swan boats.
- Bok Tower Gardens Famous carillon tower and gardens in Lake Wales.
- Polk Museum of Art Art museum in Lakeland with rotating exhibits and a sculpture garden.
- RP Funding Center Lakeland's arena and convention center hosting concerts, sports, and events.
- Florida Southern College Home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world.
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Chain of Lakes
- Outdoors Hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve
- With kids Legoland Florida Resort
- With kids Explorations V Children's Museum
- Evenings Downtown Lakeland bars and pubs
- Evenings Live music at local breweries
- Locals love Lakeside parks and boat ramps
- Locals love Craft breweries and taprooms
Through the year
- Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo April One of the largest aviation events in the U.S., held at the Lakeland Linder International Airport.
- Mayfaire by-the-Lake May Juried fine arts festival set along the shores of Lake Morton in Lakeland.
- Florida Citrus Festival February Celebrating the region's citrus heritage with food, vendors, and entertainment in Winter Haven.
- Polk County Fair October Traditional county fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits in Bartow.
- Lakeland Flying Tigers home games June to August Minor league baseball at Joker Marchant Stadium, a Detroit Tigers affiliate.
Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Afternoon thunderstorms are a summer staple. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Chain”
- The Chain of Lakes in Winter Haven
- “The Loop”
- The walking path around Lake Hollingsworth
- “Sun 'n Fun”
- The Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Lakeland Flying Tigers MiLB
- Lakeland Magic NBA G League
Also rooting for Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Orlando Magic
Eat and drink
- Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit) The region is a historic citrus hub.
- Southern comfort food Fried chicken, collard greens, and grits are common.
- Publix deli subs Publix Super Markets was founded in Lakeland in 1930.
Where people go
- Lakeside parks and boat ramps The area is dotted with over 100 lakes.
- Citrus groves and packing houses Historic agricultural landmarks.
- Historic downtown districts Lakeland and Winter Haven have charming main streets.
- Family-owned roadside stands Selling fresh produce and local goods.
Heritage and traditions
Lakeland-Winter Haven is proud of its sparkling lakes, citrus heritage, and a laid-back Central Florida lifestyle that blends historic charm with attractions like Bok Tower Gardens and Legoland.
This time of year in Lakeland
- Fall fishing tournaments autumn Bass fishing competitions on area lakes.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Lake Wales Arts Festival March A juried fine arts show in the historic downtown.
- Bartow Bloomin' Arts Festival April Spring arts and crafts festival in the historic courthouse square.
- Lakeland First Friday monthly Monthly art walk and street festival in downtown Lakeland.
- Winter Haven Christmas Parade December Holiday parade along the Chain of Lakes.
Landmarks with a story
- Polk Theatre A 1928 Mediterranean Revival movie palace in downtown Lakeland.
- Old Polk County Courthouse A 1908 Romanesque Revival building in Bartow, now a museum.
- Historic Downtown Lakeland Walkable streets with early 20th-century architecture and the Lake Mirror promenade.
- Florida Southern College The largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.
- Bok Tower Gardens A 1929 singing tower and gardens atop Iron Mountain, a National Historic Landmark.
- Winter Haven Historic District Early 20th-century homes and buildings around the Chain of Lakes.
Food traditions
- Citrus grove tours and picking Families visit local groves to pick oranges and grapefruits in season, a tradition since the citrus boom.
- Orange blossom honey Local beekeepers produce honey from citrus blossoms, a sweet treat unique to the area.
- Southern fish fries Churches and community groups host fish fries, especially during Lent, serving fried catfish and hush puppies.
- Grits and biscuits breakfast A hearty Southern breakfast of grits, biscuits, and gravy is a weekend staple.
- Key lime pie Though from the Keys, it's a Florida favorite, often made with local citrus.
Music and arts
- Lakeland Community Theatre A community theater with a long history of local productions.
- Theatre Winter Haven A professional community theater in Winter Haven.
- Frank Lloyd Wright architecture The campus of Florida Southern College is a living art exhibit.
- Citrus crate label art Historic lithographed labels from packing houses are collectible folk art.
A little history
- 1875 Lakeland founded
- 1880s Railroad arrival
- Late 1800s Citrus and phosphate boom
- 1929 Bok Tower completed
- Mid-1900s Winter Haven becomes 'Water Ski Capital of the World'
Rivalries
- Lakeland vs Winter Haven Friendly argument over which city has the better lakes and downtown.
- Lakeland vs Bartow County seat pride and old vs. new rivalry.
- Game day Spring training baseball
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Waterskiing on the Chain of Lakes
- Outdoors Golfing at local courses
People here speak with a Southern drawl, but with a Central Florida twist. You'll hear 'y'all' and 'fixin' to,' and locals often refer to any soda as 'coke.'
Only here
- Spook Hill - A gravity hill in Lake Wales where cars seem to roll uphill.
- Chain of Lakes - A series of 29 lakes connected by canals in Winter Haven, perfect for boating.
- Water Ski Capital of the World - Winter Haven hosted the first water ski shows and remains a hub for the sport.
- Bok Tower - A 205-foot singing tower with a carillon, surrounded by gardens.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat: Summers are hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms—plan outdoor activities for mornings.
- Get a car: Public transit is limited; most places require driving.
- Learn the lake life: The Chain of Lakes is a big deal; try renting a boat or kayak.
- Citrus season is winter: Visit local groves for fresh oranges and juice.
- Talk like a local: Don't be surprised to hear 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.'
Make this page better
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Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.