15 Best and Fun Things To Do In Lakeland FL (Florida)

Lakeland is located in Polk County, Things To Do In Lakeland FL, between Tampa and Orlando. Lakeland, known throughout history as the home of several Native American tribes, now houses the Circle B Bar Reserve, an area of protected land.

Nowadays, Lakeland is also known for its lakes, which give the city its name, and there are several to explore in the city, with easy walking trails connecting them.

Fishing, boating, and bird watching are all popular activities in Lakeland, and those looking to get out and about will appreciate the peaceful scenery in this part of the country. Aside from lakes, visitors will find interesting museums, local historical sites, and sporting venues at Lakeland Florida.

List Of 15 Things To Do In Lakeland FL Today

1. The Polk Theatre

The Polk Theatre is more than just a theater; it is also listed on the US National Register of Historic Places and dates from 1928. The venue has 1,400 seats and a variety of beautiful period features that architecture enthusiasts should look out for.

High balconies, a colorful Venetian piazza, and a painted cloud and star-covered ceiling are among the highlights at Central Florida.

Visitors can come here to see a musical or theatrical performance, and in addition to live performances, the Polk Theatre also shows all of the latest movies. There are also classic and independent film nights for die-hard moviegoers at theme park.

2. Lake Parker is number two.

Lake Parker, located northeast of Lakeland, is named after famous resident and pioneer Parker Streety at lakeland escape room.

Visitors to Lake Parker can enjoy boating and fishing on the glassy and calm waters of one of Lakeland’s most popular lakes, and there are two dedicated fishing piers.

The lake is teeming with aquatic life, including fish such as bass, bluegill, and crappie, to name a few, and if you don’t want to go fishing, there are also scenic trails nearby like peppa pig theme park.

One such trail, appropriately named the Lake-to-Lake Trail, skirts around the lake’s edge before leading to nearby Lake John.

3. Children’s Museum Explorations

Explorations V Children’s Museum is a fun museum with a mission to educate children through exploration and active play, making it ideal for families visiting the Lakeland area. The use of the five senses is one of the museum’s key concepts, which is why the museum has a V in its name to represent the number five at winter haven.

The museum is divided into sections based on various themes such as music, space, flora and fauna, and science, and all of the exhibits are designed to engage young minds and provide hands-on learning opportunities for children. This is unquestionably the place to go for an educational but enjoyable day out with children.

4. Reserve Circle B Bar

The Circle B Bar Reserve is not a bar at all, but rather a piece of land in Polk County that has been set aside to protect the lush flora and fauna surrounding Lakeland family fun center.

Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, which is part of the reserve, teaches visitors about the diverse plant and wildlife in the area and has engaging interactive displays and exhibits at lake wales.

Bird watching is a popular pastime here because there are so many different species to see, as well as wild animals like alligators, snakes, otters, and bobcats.

5. Lakeland Center is number five.

The Lakeland Center is a massive arena and theater in Lakeland that first opened its doors in 1974 and has since entertained crowds is a fun things.

The arena is home to sporting events such as hockey, soccer, and American football matches, as well as wrestling matches. If you prefer music, there are a variety of concerts held here each year.

6. The Polk Museum of Art is number six on the list.

The Polk Museum of Art first opened its doors in 1966 and has long served as a source of inspiration for Polk’s art community of United States.

The museum houses over 2,500 works dating from the Pre-Columbian period to the present, so those who prefer contemporary art will find plenty to see at Safari wilderness.

Aside from the actual art, you can take a stroll through the lush gardens that surround the museum and admire the sculptures that decorate the outdoor areas.

There are also rotating exhibitions here that feature works by artists from Lakeland and the surrounding area.

7. Joker Marchant Stadium

Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland’s premier baseball stadium, seats a massive 8,500 people and first opened in 1966. The stadium serves as the Detroit Tigers’ training facility, and if you happen to be in the area, it’s a great place to catch a game of all-American baseball thing.

The stadium was renovated in 2003, and both locals and visitors come to watch games between local and visiting teams.

8. Flight Fantasies

If you are interested in aviation, you will enjoy Fantasy of Flight in Lakeland, which teaches visitors about the history of flight, including the First and Second World Wars.

The attraction, which opened in the 1980s, houses the world’s largest collection of private aircraft at plant city.

Aerial displays are also available, and nearly all of the pieces in Fantasy of Flight’s collection are still in flying condition.

There is even a seaplane runway where you can get a taste of all the different types of aircraft available, so if you like planes, this is a must-see on any trip to Lakeland.

9. Hollis Garden is number nine.

Hollis Garden is a delightful place to spend an afternoon in Lakeland. It is close to downtown, making it a convenient and centrally located attraction in the city.

There are over 10,000 flowers in the gardens, as well as beautiful fountains and views of nearby Lake Mirror.

Beautiful rose gardens, a butterfly trail, and amazing architectural touches like a grand staircase are among the highlights of Hollis Garden.

10. Lake Morton is number ten.

Lake Morton is known for its crystal clear waters and tranquil atmosphere, and the area surrounding the lake is covered in walking trails that allow visitors to truly appreciate the area’s magnificent views.

Fishing on the lake is a popular activity at Lake Morton, and there are stocks of trout and bass that make this the ideal place for fishermen to try their luck.

Aside from fishing, boating on the lake is also possible, thanks to boat ramps on the lake’s northwest shore.

11. Munn Park Historic District No. 11

The Munn Park Historic District is named after Abraham Munn, the city’s founder. Munn Park, as well as 48 historic buildings, are located within the historic district.

Munn Park was created as a memorial to the soldiers who fought during the Confederate States of America era, and there are statues and commemorative plaques in their honor throughout the park.

Other interesting buildings to look out for include the Old Coca-Cola building and the Old City Hall.

12. Sun ‘n’ Fun’s Florida Air Museum

This fun museum in Lakeland was founded in 1974 by a group of local hobbyists who were interested in all things aviation-related, and it is partially housed in an aircraft hangar.

The aircraft collections here are spectacular, and anyone interested in aviation history will enjoy the pieces on display, which range from the Second World War to the present.

There is even a Mercury rocket motor here, and there is a gift shop attached to the museum if you want to stock up on aviation-related souvenirs.

13. Lake Hollingsworth

Lake Hollingsworth spans an impressive 350 acres and is conveniently located in the heart of Lakeland.

Skirting around the lake, there is a path that can be used for cycling in the area, or you can walk along the Lake-to-Lake Trail, which leads to other lakes in the area such as Lake John and Lake Parker.

Bird watching is a popular activity for park visitors because the park is home to a variety of interesting species such as pelicans, plovers, and spoonbills.

The park was named after John Henry Hollingsworth, a local pioneer who lived in Lakeland.

14. Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center at Florida Southern College

This center, located on the grounds of Florida Southern College, houses a permanent exhibition of photographs, paintings, drawings, and furniture by Frank Lloyd Wright, a well-known American architect from the area.

In addition to a permanent collection of Wright memorabilia, the center hosts temporary exhibits of items from other Wright-related museums.

The museum is housed in a building that is part of the Florida Southern College Historic District and is a Historic Landmark, as well as having the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

Guests can sign up for walking tours, which range from self-guided walks to full behind-the-scenes tours with knowledgeable local volunteers.

15. Park on Common Grounds

Common Ground Park is a firm favorite among Lakeland residents and is well-known for being a cutting-edge park with a variety of learning-through-play activities for children.

The park, which opened in 2009, is dedicated to giving children opportunities for free play in order to improve their physical and cognitive development.

The park is covered in turf to keep the children safe, and there are a number of interconnected play zones with various themes.

Mountains, canyons, valleys, and meadows are among the features that encourage children to explore to their hearts’ content.

Aside from the actual playground features, there are also flower gardens where young visitors can interact with nature.

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