Plus, tour 7 historic homes and gardens
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6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
 

Back on Amtrak 🚆

Pro tips for riding an Amtrak train from Lakeland
An exterior view of the Lakeland Amtrak train station
Lakeland’s Amtrak station can be found north of Lake Mirror. | Photo by LALtoday
While we await the possible addition of a SunRail commuter train station in Lakeland, did you know that you could already take a midnight train going anywhere? The Lakeland Amtrak station has been operating at 600 E. Main St. since 1998.

In the 2022 fiscal year, 16,800+ riders took a train through Lakeland, and the station’s ticket revenue topped $1,065,000. Our station is known by two station codes (LAK and LKL) for northbound and southbound routes, respectively.

Ready to ride? Here are our pro tips for choosing routes, buying tickets, and navigating the station:

An Amtrak train passing through Lakeland

The Silver Star line extends from New York City to Miami.

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Photo by LALtoday

Not sure where the travel bug is taking you? Check the travel planning map. Just set your departure location to LAK/LKL (depending on whether you’re going north or south) and see the available stops, routes, and fares. You can head south to Miami, north to New York City, or just skip interstate traffic and travel to Orlando.

You can buy tickets online or in person. Choose a coach seat to save, or upgrade to a private room for a more comfortable ride.

A sign directing Amtrak passengers to the ticket counter and baggage check-in

Once you arrive, head upstairs to check in and await your train.

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Photo by LALtoday

This is one place it’s good to have baggage — passengers can bring two checked bags, two carry-ons, and two personal items for free. Even small four-legged friends can come along with you for a $39 fee.

LAK/LKL doesn’t offer overnight parking, so we recommend being dropped off or hailing a rideshare. The waiting room is open daily from 10:10 a.m.-6:15 p.m., and staff members are available to answer questions and sell tickets. If you’re checking baggage, Amtrak recommends arriving 45 minutes before your departure time. If not, 30 minutes should be plenty of time.

Have you taken an Amtrak train ride from Lakeland? Tell us your pro tips and we may share them in an upcoming newsletter.
Publix
 
🗓️ EVENTS 🗓️

Thursday, March 9
  • Yoga for Wellness — Weekly Classes | Thursday, March 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robbins Rd., Lakeland | Free | This donation-based yoga class focuses on the holistic well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.
  • Florida Strawberry Festival | Thursday, March 9-Sunday, March 12 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $5-$10 | Celebrate all things strawberry with rides, concerts, and plenty of fair food at this annual festival.
Friday, March 10
  • District Title | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10-$13 | Local band District Title will take the stage along with Take Lead, Dames, and Bucoda.
  • Train | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $50 | Hey Soul Sister — don’t miss this concert by chart-topping band Train.
Saturday, March 11
  • Determined Daughters Career Preparation Workshop | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | CoHatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | $25 | Women can learn how to market themselves from business experts, get a resume review, and leave with a new business outfit.
  • 2023 WHPD Torch Run 5K | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 8 a.m. | Winter Haven Central Park, 325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | $0-$47 | Run the Winter Haven Police Department’s 5K race in person or virtually to benefit Special Olympics Florida.
Sunday, March 12
  • Lakeland Magic vs. Capital City Go-Go | Sunday, Mar. 12 | 3 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $12-$158 | Go-go to this game to cheer the Magic on to a win during Magic Gaming Night.
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd | Sunday, Mar. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $60 | Fly like a “Free Bird” to see this legendary band turn Plant City into “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Monday, March 13
  • Spring Pop-Up Series: Salavate Pasta | Monday, March 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Grab lunch on the Catapult patio from these chefs specializing in fresh pasta, focaccia sandwiches, and more.
  • Couples Cooking: Irish-Style with a Twist | Monday, Mar. 13 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $120 | Work side-by-side with your honey to cook curried carrot soup, leg of lamb, raspberry soda bread cake, and more.

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.

Click here to have your event featured.
100+ MORE EVENTS
ChappellRoberts
 
✏️NEWS NOTES✏️

Weather
  • 83º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain
Civic
  • Lakeland nonprofit organization Feed My Sheep CFL asked City Commissioners to reconsider restricting group feedings in Munn Park. Commissioners had previously approved the City Attorney to draft regulations limiting groups to two feedings per year. Feed My Sheep CFL offered to work with the City toward a solution. (The Ledger)
History
  • There’s no place like a historic home. Take a peek into local history with the Lake Morton Neighborhood Association’s 19th Annual Lake Morton Historic Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, April 1 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of seven homes and two gardens, plus a flower show. 🏡
Biz
  • As Catapult member Relic Tickets expands, owner Hunter Abramson plans to move the blockchain ticketing technology business to St. Petersburg. Hunter, a Lakeland native, cited the need for a larger talent pool as the reason behind the move. 🎟 (LkldNow)
Legacy
  • Polk State College student Zachary Mace and his flight instructor Faith Baker died in a plane crash over Winter Haven on Tuesday, March 7. Their small aircraft collided with a seaplane carrying part-time Winter Haven resident Louis C. Defazio and Randall Elbert Crawford, who also died in the crash. (Fox 13 News)
Arts
Number
  • 1 million. That’s how many frozen treats Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard locations will give away across the country to celebrate the first day of spring. Visit the Lakeland location at 3115 US Hwy. 98 N. on Monday, March 20 from 12-10 p.m. for a free Italian ice. 🍦
Cause
  • Ybor City’s Centro Asturiano is raising money for renovations. The 121-year-old building has housed a theater, hospital, bank, and more, and is now used as a community event space. Pro tip: Cap off a day trip to Ybor City at its casino night fundraiser on Thursday, March 23. (WFTS)
Seasonal
  • If you’ve been wanting to visit Bok Tower Gardens, now’s the time: Flowers are currently in peak bloom in the Olmsted Gardens. Visit the historic gardens to see the most colorful displays of azaleas, camellias, and magnolias through the end of the month. 🌸
Vote
  • We’re looking to you to help determine LAL’s best pizza. Remember to cast your vote in our survey before Monday, March 13 and tune in for the next round in our Tuesday, March 14 newsletter.
Plan Ahead
  • Put all your eggs in this basket. Visit Central Florida’s Welcome Center (101 Adventure Ct., Davenport) is hosting a free Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Stop by for kids’ activities, vendor shopping, and giveaways. 🐣
Today Is
  • World Kidney Day. ICYMI, kidneys do much more than filter toxins — and yet 90% of the 1 in 7 adults who suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) don’t even know they have it. Hear from Lakeland Regional Health nephrologist Dr. Umair Syed Ahmed about the dangers of CKD + how to keep this vital organ healthy.*
Travel
  • Are you dreaming of visiting Orange County? Not that Orange County. Orlando International Airport (MCO) recently began servicing direct flights to Orange County, California via Breeze Airways. Orange you glad you can now fly Orange County to Orange County? 🍊*
Wellness
  • What’s in: Red light therapy. What’s out: Forms of treatment that are painful and invasive. Red light therapy is non-invasive and painless, and evidence suggests it may be able to ease body aches, heal sun damage, and build collagen. Brb — we’re adding this easy-to-prop light and this facial massager to our Amazon cart. *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Edward Jones
 
KIDS

We’re breaking free ☀️

Plan ahead for spring break with these day camps
Two kids on a walking path at Bonnet Springs Park
What will your kids learn over spring break? | Photo by @thehikerdad
Can you believe spring break is coming up next week for Polk students? Little ones can learn and have fun at these day camps and activities from March 13-17.
  • Ethical Anglers | Tuesday, March 14-Thursday, March 16 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $10
  • Full STEAM Ahead | Monday, March 13-Friday, March 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free
  • Mini Art Camp | Tuesday, March 14-Wednesday, March 15 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Art Centric Studio, 1035 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 180, Lakeland | $75
  • Pop, Bubble, FIZZ! | Monday, March 13-Friday, March 17 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $60 per day
  • Snapology | Monday, March 13-Friday, March 17 | Times vary | Locations vary | $0-$325
Have other plans? Add them to our community calendar.
6AM City In-house
 
👋 THE WRAP 👋
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s Edition By:
Connor
From the Editor
Ah, the days of spring break. If you’re looking to spend time one-on-one with your little ones, check out our list of kid-friendly activities to do around town. No kids? No problem. We recommend these beaches less than two hours from LAL for a little fun in the sun for everyone.
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