Food

A paper plate with a stack of BBQ ribs.
Food
Explore Central Florida’s best BBQ
Sponsored by
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
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
A small indoor booth at a festival with a flower bar and a neon sign reading "The Petal Co."
Events
Find Lakeland’s local vendors at the Florida Strawberry Festival
Support local or try something new from out of town at this festival running Feb. 27-March 9 in Plant City.
February 27, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial view of the Florida Strawberry Festival's rides, booths, and entertainment pavilions
Events
Your guide to the 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival
It’s the sweetest time of year — Florida Strawberry Festival time. Read our guide so you don’t get in a (strawberry) jam.
February 21, 2025
 · 
Staff
An LALtoday city editor steps into a passenger plane wearing an LAL hat.
Culture
City Editor Amelia’s 12 favorite things in Lakeland
To celebrate her one-year anniversary at LALtoday, City Editor Amelia is sharing her 12 favorite things in Lakeland — from food to hidden gems.
February 18, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A hand holding a paper cup that reads "Ethos Roasters" on the sleeve
Food
Answered: What coffee blend would Lakeland be?
Brew a cup and read up on your caffeine concepts for a coffee blend that represents Swan City.
February 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two women smile and hold up a Michelob Ultra bottle and a Wilson football.
Sports
Where to watch sports in Lakeland
This is where you’ll find our readers grabbing a bite and catching a game.
February 6, 2025
 · 
Staff
LAL-lake-mirror-picnic-date-FEB2020
Experience
Date night ideas for every type of Lakelander
Got a hot new fling? Hoping to spice things up with your longtime partner? We’re here to help plan your next date in Swan City.
February 6, 2025
 · 
Brianna Williams
BBQ ribs, sausage, and sides sit on a wooden cutting board
Sponsored
Taste Central Florida’s best BBQ
Sponsored by
Boxes of strawberries
Business
Take your pick at these U-pick farms near Lakeland
Strawberries, citrus, and sunflowers await at these U-pick spots where you’ll harvest your own bounty.
February 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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An aerial view of the Lakeland International Airport terminal and parking lots
Travel and Outdoors
Parking fees loom at Lakeland International Airport
Starting Oct. 13, daily parking will cost you if you’re flying out of LAL. Here’s what you need to know.
September 29, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A decorative wooden frame covered with a variety of orange, white, and gray pumpkins, with a sign reading "FOX SQUIRREL CORN MAZE."
Culture
Fall fun around Lakeland: Corn mazes, pumpkin patches + haunted houses
Ring in the season with a trip to one of these fall-exclusive spots for the whole family.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A statue of the headless horseman on a black horse in front of the entrance to a "Legends of Halloween" haunted hayride.
Events
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail returns to Plant City
Halloween lovers and scaredy-cats alike will find something to enjoy at this popular Plant City attraction.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The one-story warehouse-style building with a white exterior, multiple large garage doors, and a parking lot that will be Baseline pickleball
Business
Baseline pickleball + dining concept coming to Lakeland’s East Main District
Hit the courts and grab a bite at this development, helmed by local entrepreneurs and pickleball fanatics.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The downtown Lakeland viewed from across Lake Mirror. Clouds in the sky cast shadows over the lake and the mix of high and medium-rise buildings, including the Lakeland Electric building.
City
By the numbers: Lakeland’s 2026 fiscal year budget
The City of Lakeland has finalized its 2026 budget before the next fiscal year begins — let’s take a look at the $815 million bottom line.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
What we “unfortunately do love” in Lakeland
From guilty pleasures to unexpected favorites, the “unfortunately do love” social media trend is taking over the internet — and we want your input.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Maria Adnado
Two pumpkin spice lattes in mugs on table with a pumpkin muffin
Food
Where to find all things pumpkin spice in Lakeland
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, there’s a pumpkin spice or fall-flavored treat for everyone in Lakeland to enjoy this fall.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial satellite image above Lakeland. Green land and lakes surround the city, which is labeled with a blue arrow. There are blue lines heading in each direction — north, east, south, and west_ stretching out beyond the edges of the map.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Lakeland’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of LAL, cities across the world await.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
An aerial view of the Eaglebrooke Golf Course in Lakeland, FL. There is a green in the foreground and sand traps, water hazards, and trees in the background.
Experience
Tee it up at these Lakeland golf courses
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 13 golf courses in Lakeland are sure to make for a good round.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Cat George
Four runners sprint quickly on a track as a spectator watches from behind a fence. The runners are wearing athletic gear and competitor number bibs.
City
3 interesting facts from the Polk County Community Health Assessment
Polk Vision published the assessment in June 2025 after 18 months of data collection.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson