Lakeland, Florida

The Circle B Bar Reserve is a large portion of land southeast of Lakeland which has been restored to protect the floodplain portion of Lake Hancock. The Polk County Environmental Lands Program has used the property to restore the Banana Creek marsh system, and has completed numerous restoration projects on the land in order to reinstate the hydrologic function of the land.

Due to this environmental restoration, the land makes a great destination for those who enjoy hiking on unpaved trails, biking along roadways and trails, as well as fishing along Lake Hancock. There are picnic facilities that can be used, a Nature Discovery Center and an impressive bird population of bald eagles, ospreys, waterfowl, and wading birds.

4399 Winter Lake Road (SR 540), Lakeland, FL 33803, 863-534-7377

The Hollis Garden is a 1.2-acre botanical garden located in Lakeland that is accessible to all who wish to take in its beauty as admission is free. The garden has a neo-classical theme with several fountains surrounded by lush ferns and tropical flowers. The garden is home to a Koi pong, a limestone grotto as well as a promenade that allows you to walk all the way around the lake.

The garden has over 10,000 different species of plants and flowers and gorgeous views of the Lake Mirror. The garden is named after the Hollis family that donated the 1.2-acre land, and is tended to by the city.

702 E Orange St Lakeland, FL 33801, 863-834-6035

If you are traveling with kids:

The Florida Southern College is a national historic treasure in terms of architecture. It is one of the ten buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed when envisioning a “college of tomorrow,” during the Great Depression. Frank Lloyd Wright believed that traditional college architecture had been a failure and he wanted to use his knowledge of organic architecture to connect the individual structures of a campus together through their environment.

By the time he started his work at the Florida Southern College, Frank Lloyd Wright was world renowned and was considered by many to be the greatest living American architect. The Florida Southern College offers tours, but visitors may also walk through the grounds and admire the architecture at their own pace.

Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center, 840 Johnson Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, 863-680-4597

Lake Mirror Park is a multi-faceted entertainment complex that hosts theatre productions from its amphitheater, has a famous promenade, and caters to seniors with its senior adult activities. The park consists of 2,179-acres, and the lake is often glassy-smooth, hence its name. One of the major draws of the park is its 151 campsites, with 47 of them having electrical hookups for trailers and RVs.

There are also 20 campsites that can accommodate large groups, and a 200-foot swimming beach is adjacent to a picnic ground. The park also has hiking trails, skiing trails, and mountain biking trails, plus there are many amenities designed for those who need wheelchair accessibility.

121 S Lake Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801, 863-834-2280

Romantic Activities and Attractions:

Common Ground Park is an all-inclusive playground that is designed around encouraging children and adults of all levels and abilities to enjoy one another’s company through interaction. The playground offers an educational and interactive environment that goes above and beyond to provide social inclusion and cooperative play for all who decide to visit.

Common Ground serves the community by providing a facility for those who need accessible playgrounds that are non-traditional. By up keeping and improving the facilities from year to year, Common Ground consistently improves the quality of life experiences of those who have disabilities that prevent them from using traditional playgrounds. In addition to maintaining the park, scholarships are offered to children from low-income families so that they may take part in educational and recreational activities.

1000 E Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, FL 33803, 863-834-2233

Lake Hollingsworth was named after John Henry Hollingsworth who lived in the area during the nineteenth century. This large urban lake is one of Lakeland’s center pieces and focal points. The lake is perfect for social gatherings and is home to the annual Orange Cup Regatta as well as many marathons throughout the year.

Along the perimeter of the lake there is a walking trail, where people can exercise, relax, or take photographs of the wildlife and gorgeous views.

The lake is well-known for its excellent bird sightings, and is home to some of the most prestigious historic landmarks such as the Lakeland Yacht Club and the Florida Southern College.

920 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801

The Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun was first envisioned during the 1980’s, when the founding director wanted to provide a year-round educational, historic presence for aviation enthusiasts. The museum started off as a mini-museum that appeared in the corner of Hangar A, but soon grew to become a full fledged museum in 1991, when the City of Lakeland approved funding for the construction of the current museum.

The museum offers educational programs throughout the year for those who are interested in aviation and aerospace discovery. Moreover, the museum has dynamic displays set up to offer insight into different types of planes including war birds, ultra-lights, classics, and one-of-a-kind designs.

4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland, FL 33811, 863-644-2431

The Polk Theatr has a history-rich past, being built during the golden age prior to WWII and the stock market crash. The Polk Theatre was opened in 1928 and notable performances over the years including Elvis Presley, Glenn Miller, Tom Mix, and Gene Krupa, until it began to suffer during the Great Depression. The Polk survived the 1930s and stayed operational until the 1980s, when a group of citizens banded together and purchased the theatre.

The theatre now runs on donations and grants only, employs volunteers, and has multiple events per year including fundraisers and performing art events. The Polk can be rented for private parties, weddings, events, corporate functions, photography shoots, and film screenings.

121 South Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801, 863-682-7553

Where to Eat

Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille was originally founded by Greg and Louis Saig with a store featuring a limited raw bar menu and around twenty stools. The first items on the menu were influenced by a couple of guys from Louisiana by chance, and the unique ingredients and bold flavors made an impression on the menu development that can still be seen on the menu today. In addition to the “Bourbon Street Favorites,” the menu at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille includes a variety of starters, soups and salads, handhelds, signature dishes like the Crab Crusted Redfish Royale, seafood, steak, and chicken dishes.

101 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, 863-686-2228