Lakeland Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Lakeland

Lakeland is the most populous city in Polk County, Florida, situated along Interstate 4 between Tampa to the southwest and Orlando to the east. Set within the Central Florida Highlands on the Atlantic coastal plain, its terrain consists of flatlands interspersed with gently rolling hills. True to its name, the area features dozens of lakes, such as Lake Parker, Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Gibson. These bodies of water are central to local identity, and Lake Morton and surrounding lakes serve as home to a prominent swan population descended from a pair of royal swans presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.

Settlement by European-Americans began in the 1870s, and the arrival of rail service in the 1880s accelerated local growth, leading to the city's incorporation in 1885. The early regional economy developed around citrus cultivation, cattle ranching, and phosphate mining. Lakeland later served as a military staging area housing thousands of troops during the Spanish-American War in 1898. During World War II, the city hosted the Lodwick School of Aeronautics, where thousands of American and British flight cadets received aviation training.

Architecture and historic sights are major highlights within the city. Florida Southern College contains twelve structures designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, representing the largest single-site collection of his work in the world. Additional historic landmarks dating from the 1920s land boom include the Polk Theatre, the Terrace Hotel, Lake Mirror Tower, and the Frances Langford Promenade. Nature and outdoor spaces in the area include the 1,267-acre Circle B Bar Reserve as well as manicured public spaces surrounding Lake Mirror, such as Hollis Gardens and Barnett Children's Park.

Sports and local culture also feature prominently in Lakeland. The Detroit Tigers have conducted spring training in the city since 1934 at Joker Marchant Stadium, and the city preserves its historic records at the Lakeland History Room inside the main branch of the public library. Lakeland experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers characterized by regular afternoon thunderstorms, and warm, drier winters with mostly sunny skies and occasional brief freezes. Visitors can reach the city via Interstate 4 or through Lakeland Linder International Airport.