Culture

A sign showing a vintage label for Moccasin Brand citrus with a drawing of a boot. Decorative oranges line the sign.
City
Your roadmap to the Polk County Citrus Label Tour
Take a bite out of the local citrus industry’s history with a self-guided tour of labels found around Polk County.
March 18, 2026 12:25 PM
 · 
Kaylee Holland
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Culture
Give these Lakeland live music venues a listen
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
April 30, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two headshot-style photos of a Black female are displayed side by side.
Culture
6 questions with Miss Lakeland USA, Karolyne Roberts
Learn more about this local entrepreneur, author, and mom’s platform and why she loves representing Lakeland.
April 26, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL_orangeblossompoems_APR2024
Culture
Read the winning poem from our 2024 poetry contest
We challenged our readers to turn one of our newsletters into a poem in honor of National Poetry Month — here’s the winning poem.
April 26, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
Screen Shot 2019-01-21 at 1.13.12 PM
Food
Feeling fresh: Smoothies, salads, and acai in the 863
Sometimes we just want something light and refreshing.
April 19, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
lakeland swans
Culture
Let’s refresh: What is LALtoday and what do we cover?
It’s never a bad idea to reintroduce yourself — we’re LALtoday, a hyper-local newsletter curated, narrated, and delivered to your inbox every day at 6 a.m.
April 18, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Two girls smile for the camera in front of a Lakeland mural.
Culture
Meet the editors behind LALtoday
Say hello to Connor Jacobson + Amelia Herring, the faces behind your favorite 5-min morning newsletter.
April 18, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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Culture
19 local gift ideas to celebrate motherhood
April 17, 2024
 · 
Staff
A map showing the outlined area of the Downtown West development area.
City
Lakeland City Commission adopts Downtown West Action Plan
Here’s what Lakelanders need to know about the upcoming developments for the Downtown West area.
April 16, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Exterior shot of the Terrace Hotel's gray building with white windows, circular accents, and decorative "Terrace Hotel" sign.
Real Estate
The Terrace: Lakeland’s oldest, most luxurious hotel
This historic building has been a staple of Swan City’s skyline for nearly a century.
April 10, 2024
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
A bowl of three bean stew sits on a black table top, pictured from above.
Food
Vegan and vegetarian eats in Lakeland
Dig into delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian fare in every corner of Swan City.
April 10, 2024
 · 
London Gibson
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More from LALtoday
A hand holding up two boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas with a palm tree in the background.
Food
Where to find Girl Scout cookies in Lakeland
We’ve got you covered when it comes to Girl Scout cookie season — scout’s honor.
March 7, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A collage of four photos showing a mural with painted oranges and blue flowers, two boxes with pizza slices and garlic knots, a plate of sushi, and an iced latte topped with sprinkles
Culture
These bracket winners are the best of Lakeland
Readers have chosen their top mural, pizza, sushi, and coffee over the years — did your favorite win?
March 7, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holding a coffee cup in front of the Black & Brew Coffee House sign. The cup has "have a good day" written on the side.
Culture
Should Lakeland be the pioneer of “hanging coffee” in Polk County?
The tradition began as far back as 100 years ago in Naples, Italy — now we want to know where you’d like to see it incorporated in Lakeland.
March 6, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Carol Jenkins Barnett poses with kindergartners for United Way of Central Florida's ReadingPals program.
Culture
12 Lakeland women who made and are making history
From aviatrixes to commissioners to non-profit leaders, read how these women are leading the way in Swan City.
March 6, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Fabric Warehouse's sign next to a painted swan statue holding a swath of fabric
Business
Create something amazing with these Lakeland-area craft stores
Go on, get crafty — these locally owned shops are here to help with supplies + materials.
March 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A gif showing five screen captures from episodes of "Greater Lakeland"
Culture
See Lakeland on screen at WEDU PBS’ “Greater Lakeland” premiere
Swan City will join the walk of fame for a night as all five “Greater Lakeland” episodes are screened at the Silver Moon Drive-In.
March 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Nashville's skyline with Bridgestone Arena, Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown, and the AT&T building (known locally as the Batman Building) all in view.
Travel and Outdoors
A Lakelander’s travel guide to Nashville, TN
Find out what to do and where to stay in one of the next destinations Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.
March 4, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A photo of the Lakeside Village courtyard, showing palm trees, umbrellas, and people playing on the green.
Business
More new bizzes on the way for Lakeside Village
Learn about the upcoming retailers that will soon call this Lakeland shopping center home.
March 4, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An exterior photo of Lakeland Linder International Airport with three flags and palm trees blowing in the wind.
City
Parking upgrades approved for Lakeland International Airport
City officials gave the greenlight to several new parking lot changes. The biggest? Parking will soon no longer be free.
March 3, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Vendor tents line a downtown street filled with pedestrians at First Friday.
Events
Celebrate Mardi Gras with these Lakeland events
If you’ve got the need for beads, here’s where to find them around Swan City.
March 3, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson