It’s all good in the neighborhood 🏘

Beautiful houses line the streets of this historic Lakeland neighborhood. | Photo via VRBO

Looking to find your ideal neighborhood in Lakeland? Of course you are — Lakeland is amazing.

This quick two-minute quiz will help you discover where you should put down roots. Or, if you’d rather browse to see your options — and pick up a few of our recommendations while you’re at it — you can read about Lakeland’s key neighborhoods below.

Dixieland

A historic home lover’s dream, this dense suburban neighborhood is a tight-knit community. Residents often have families, which accounts for Dixieland’s proximity to several schools. It’s also in walking distance of many nearby small businesses.

Try This:

Eat: Born & Bread Bakehouse. Only open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, this bakery is a crowd favorite — try its signature cruffin once and you’ll be back again and again.
Explore: Dixieland Relics. Shop for the perfect antique pieces to add to your new home, along with plants from Austin’s Backyard Garden, located on-site.

Midtown

With an influx of new businesses, Midtown is enjoying a recent resurgence as an urban-suburban mix area. It’s now a hot spot for murals by Lakeland artists, and local businesses are getting a boost thanks to the co-working and entrepreneurship space The Well.

Try This:

Drink: Quinteassence. This kava bar hosts regular community events where you can try unique teas and kava creations.
Nightlife: The Yard on Mass. Every night is a backyard party at this space that hosts food trucks and serves up craft beers on tap.

Cleveland Heights

Looking for something a little quieter? Check out Cleveland Heights, a sleepier, dense suburban neighborhood. Professionals and families tend to move to this historic area — it’s a bit further from downtown, but businesses and restaurants are easily accessible by car.

Try This:

Outdoors: Dog Leg Woods. Take Fido for a run around this public dog park.
Explore: Common Ground Playground. Children of all abilities can play together at this inclusive playground.

6 MORE NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE

EVENTS

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Thursday, Dec. 1

Lakeland Christmas Parade | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7-10 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Be part of the “Christmas Past, Present and Future,” parade, starting with a firework show over Lake Mirror — no chairs allowed before parade day.
Fall Film Festival | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland | Free | View short films of all genres created by senior SEU film students.

Friday, Dec. 2

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 | Friday, Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Polk Theatre, 139 S Florida Ave, Lakeland | $29-$69 | Out of the Great War emerges a song, as a soldier crosses into No Man’s Land to sing “Silent Night.”
Swan City Improv First Friday Show | Friday, Dec. 2 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Just Dance Academy, 124 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along with this comedy team as they make up scenes on the spot — shows start at 7:30 and 9 p.m.
ARTFUL BOWL, presented by CORE Wealth Advisors, Inc. | Friday, Dec. 2 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Mirrorton, 309 Mirrorton Ave, Lakeland | $100-$500 | Celebrate all forms of art with food, drink, and entertainment — guests receive pre-party admission and a ceramic to take home.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Snowfest | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 5-9 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade, Lakeland | Free | Take a walk through the snow at the 42nd Annual Snowfest, presented by The City of Lakeland.
Toast to the Holidays | Saturday, Dec. 3-Sunday, Dec. 4 | 7-8:15 p.m. | The Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland | $26-$49 | Kick off the holiday season with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra’s Toast to the Holidays, featuring all of your holiday music favorites — students get in free.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Dan Pepin w/ Tervone’s Kitchen | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Dan Pepin is bringing the tunes starting at 2 p.m. — Tervone’s Kitchen will be serving up fresh bites starting at 12 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 5

New Yoga | Monday, Dec. 5-Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Dr., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and some water to this yoga class for all levels focusing on breath, alignment, balance, and strength — must be 16 or older.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

WELLNESS

Look (and feel) your best with Ayan Wellness’ integrative approach to wellness

The medspa is conveniently located across from Concord Coffee, Good Thyme, and Union Hall. | Photo provided by Ayan Wellness

This winter, give yourself or a deserving friend the gift of whole-body wellness. Ayan Wellness (1046 Florida Ave. S.) provides an innovative wellness experience through aesthetic treatments (think: injectables and medspa services) and specialized integrative medicine treatments for numerous medical conditions like diabetes or depression.

Led by experienced integrative medicine specialist Ajay Desai, DO, the Ayan Wellness team focuses on providing superior outcomes by using evidence-based medicine principles combined with complementary therapies.

Here’s a look at some of their offerings:

Medspa aesthetics: A difference you can see with injectables, age spot removal + cellulite treatment. Pro tip: Don’t overlook their menu of facials to glow all winter long.
IV Hydration therapy: This customizable treatment delivers a mix of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids with benefits including improved health conditions, immunity boosting, and reduced fatigue.
Skin rejuvenation: Beauty tech is only getting better, and Ayan Wellness uses the best in microneedling, laser treatments, skin resurfacing, and more.
Ketamine IV therapy: This groundbreaking therapy can help patients who are struggling with treatment-resistant depression and more.

Interested in learning more? Connect with Ayan Wellness via phone at (863) 816-3449, online, or in person. Bonus: Consultations are free.*

BOOK A CONSULTATION

NEWS NOTES

Weather

77º | Cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Number

$14.5 million. That’s how much will be given to five Polk County schools in grant funding to add or expand magnet programs. Thanks to the grant, R.W. Blake Academy, a Lakeland school offering elementary and middle school grades, will offer the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Program. (LkldNow)
400. That’s how many trees Booger Mountain Christmas Trees in Lakeland sold in just four hours on Black Friday, selling out its supply. Many Polk County tree sellers are seeing shortages this year. Pro tip: Call ahead to see when a lot is expecting another truckload and arrive early. 🌲 (The Ledger)

Holiday

If you’re still searching for a Christmas wreath, act fast. The Polk County History Center’s Festival of Wreaths silent auction comes to a close on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Place a bid for a decorated wreath or see them on display at the History Center (100 E. Main St., Bartow).

Shop

There’s even more to love about the Lakeland Christmas Parade this year. Shop holiday boxes and goods from local entrepreneurs at the Catapult Member Market, happening in the Catapult parking lot tonight from 5-9 p.m. Check out the booths before or after the parade starts at 7 p.m. 🛍
If you work from home like us, you’ve likely become accustomed to having stiff muscles at the end of a workday due to prolonged sitting. Combat this with a little office upgrade — an electric standing desk paired with a sleek under desk treadmill. Oh, and don’t forget to stay hydrated.*

Sports

Coming off of back-to-back wins over the Mexico City Capitanes, the Lakeland Magic’s win-loss record for the season currently sits at 5-5. See if they can add another win to their stats in their next home game on Friday, Dec. 9 at the RP Funding Center. 🏀 (The Ledger)

Plan Ahead

Come one, come all to the 2023 Polk Senior Games, scheduled for Feb. 25-March 11. Older adults across Polk County can compete for medals in events like basketball, fishing, ballroom dancing, sudoku, and more. Registration will be available in early January. (The Ledger)

Legacy

Dave Waller, a retired Polk County law enforcement officer, died on Nov. 19 after battling brain cancer. Dave led Polk County’s Toys for Tots after his retirement, and he was honored as the national coordinator of the year in 2021. (The Ledger)

Now Open

PSA: NOAA’s Science on a Sphere is now showing at the Florida Air Museum. Pro tip: See the 30-minute show by upgrading your tickets for a one-of-a-kind experience featuring a room-sized spherical projection of earth to learn more about our oceans, space exploration, and climate change in this immersive globe experience. 🌎 *

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BIZ

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire

SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo provided by SmartAsset

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement. 👀

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.

In just a few minutes, you can get matched with up to three financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest. Now that’s service.*

TRY THE FREE TOOL

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: One thing about me: I’m going to take any online quiz I come across, and our new neighborhood finder quiz is no exception. I may not be in the market for a new home, but apparently Midtown is the neighborhood for me. If you took the quiz, let us know what you thought about your results.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Mark your calendar for 30 local winter events, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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