Today’s Forecast

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

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

Our perfect Lakeland day for every budget

The entrance to a playground with children playing in the background

Head to the Ruthven Family Playground to let the littles run wild. | Photo by LALtoday

Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to splurge, here’s how you can spend the day in Lakeland.

Spend $10

Yeah, you read that right. For one crisp Alexander Hamilton, you can spend a whole day in Swan City:

Morning: The Fat Jack’s Special at Fat Jack’s Deli & Pub — three eggs served your way, toast, and homefries, grits, or hashbrowns — rings up at $3.85. After tip, you’ll still have $5 to spare.

Afternoon: Bring some picnic fixins’ from home to your favorite spot at Bonnet Springs Park. This public park — which features attractions for the whole family — is always free to enter.

Night: Use your remaining five-spot for dinner at Palace Pizza. This Lakeland staple serves pizza by the slice.

A sandwich, salad, and iced drink from Black and Brew — We love the Strawberry Praline salad (pictured).
|
Photo by @adventurethegreatwidesomewhere

Spend $100

Benjamin Franklin called — he said you should treat yourself to a day on the town. We recommend:

Morning: Get breakfast at Britt’s Cafe; the sweet cakes plate includes two fresh eggs, pancakes or french toast, and sausage, ham, or bacon for $10.99.

Afternoon: Lunch on the lake, anyone? Peruse the (free) Lakeland History and Culture Center after enjoying lunch at Black & Brew. You can grab a lunch combo and a drink for under $20.

Night: Reserve The Back Nine’s simulator bays for $30-$35 per hour (depending on the day). The “Bogey” Burger, Blackberry Crush cocktail, and some cinnamon pretzel bites will round out at around $28, before tip and tax.

A table with biscuits and gravy and other dishes at Biscuits and Benedicts — Whether you’re craving biscuits or benedicts, you can stop by to get your fix.
|
Photo by @rachel.bossard

Spend $200

Here’s how we’d spend roughly 200 George Washingtons in the 863:

Morning: Start at Biscuits and Benedicts with the Hunky Dorey sandwich for $12.95. Add an iced tea for $3.

Afternoon: Take the two-hour, open-air custom vehicle tour at Safari Wilderness for $119.

Night: You can’t go wrong with a fine dining experience at Ninenteen61. City Editor Rilee’s favorites are the empanadas for $12, the chipotle salmon for $36, and the Grand Marnier Crème Brûlée for $11.

Events

Thursday, March 30

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo | Thursday, March 30-Sunday, April 2 | 8 a.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | $45-$170 | Flight is just the beginning of the Magic at the 2023 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.*
Give Back Thursday: Dancing for a Difference | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Proceeds from tonight’s dinner tabs will benefit nonprofit dance studio Dancing for a Difference — reservations are encouraged.

Friday, March 31

Autism/ASD Support Group | Friday, Mar. 31 | 10-11:15 a.m. | CJB United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Join other members of this community for support and encouragement — childcare is provided.
Brian Sutherland with Kayley Bishop | Friday, Mar. 31 | 6:30 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Americana singer-songwriter Brian Sutherland and country artist Kayley Bishop are bringing a live show you won’t forget to Union Hall.

Saturday, April 1

Meet the Easter Bunny | Saturday, Apr. 1-Sunday, Apr. 2 | 12-3 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Grab your camera or phone and hop over to Lakeside Village on Saturday, April 1 or Sunday, April 2nd, from 12-3 p.m. to snap some free photos with the Easter Bunny.*
Spring Plant Sale | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 8-11 a.m. | City of Lakeland Nursery/Oak Hill Burial Park/Cemetery, 4620 Hwy. 98 S., Lakeland | Free | Purchase edible, native, Florida-friendly plants and citrus from Master Garden Volunteers.
Lake Morton Historic Home & Garden Tour | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Frank Lloyd Wright Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center, 750 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland | $17 | Get a look inside nine of Lake Morton’s historic houses on this self-guided tour.

Sunday, April 2

FSC | Dance: Reshaping Boundaries | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 2:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Watch FSC dance students perform modern and experimental choreography, plus a reimagining performance of “The Firebird” ballet.
“The Drowsy Chaperone” | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 2 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | $16-$18 | Harrison School for the Arts students perform this classic comedic musical.
Baby Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robbins Rd., Lakeland | $5-$25 | We’re not kidding around — try this beginner-friendly, 45-minute goat yoga class.

Plan ahead with our community events calendar.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

▼SPONSORED▼

Try This

🍒 Plan a perfect picnic with Publix GreenWise Market

With such a beautiful picnic spread, we were getting jealous stares from the people walking by. | Photo by LALtoday

City Editor Connor here. With weather this nice and the spring flowers blooming, there’s no better time of year for a picnic in Lakeland. But what’s a picnic without all the essentials (plus some treats)? That’s why I headed to Publix GreenWise Market — a specialty grocery store whose organic goods + house-made eats make it the perfect place to plan a spring picnic menu.

What we tried

First, I stopped by the POURS section to grab a made-to-order craft soda. With a grocery basket in one hand and my Black Raspberry Mojito Soda in the other, I was off in search of the perfect picnic bites.

I met with the store’s wine expert, Joanna, who helped me pick out the essentials, like fresh-cut fruit and bottled tea, but who also suggested some unique finds that took my picnic to the next level.

Keep reading to see how the picnic went — and to get recs on planning your own spring picnic.*

See how it went

News Notes

Weather

85° | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Number

$195.5 million. That’s how much Polk County will raise through transportation impact fees and county property taxes for road improvements over the next five years. A recent increase to transportation impact fees — approved last week by county commissioners — brought that number up from $147.4 million. (The Ledger)

Stat

18%. That’s Lakeland’s rate of contamination — that is, how much non-recyclable material makes it into those blue bins — according to Gene Ginn, the Solid Waste and Recycling Manager. For context, the national average is 25%. Learn more about what you can and can’t recycle in Lakeland here. (LkldNow)

Feel Good

Army Sgt. Maj. Jose Barreiro of Bartow is now the owner of a newly-constructed home in Bartow’s Liberty Ridge neighborhood. Barreiro received the home through Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that provides mortgage-free homes to military veterans. Barreiro is a Purple Heart recipient. (The Ledger)

Outdoors

Have you heard of the Right Gate Fire? The brush fire spread through nearly 650+ acres of eastern Polk County. According to the Florida Forest Service’s interactive map, the fire was contained by Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. No one was reported to be injured, but 200+ buildings were lost. (WTSP)

Edu

Dr. Mark Reinhardt has been appointed as Southeastern University’s Chief Nursing Administrator. Prior to this role, Dr. Reinhardt was the chief academic officer at Valdosta State University’s School of Nursing. Dr. Reinhardt plans to launch two new programs at SEU — learn more here.
Florida Southern College is hosting its CEO100 Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 18. Elizabeth Krystyn of BKS Partners will speak at the lunch event, hosted in the George Jenkins Field House at 12 p.m. Learn more about Elizabeth and register online.

Lakelander

Colby Lee, a Lakeland student, is flying a student-built 1947 Piper PA-11 Cub in this year’s SUN ‘n FUN shows. Colby will be the Central Florida Aerospace Academy’s first student to fly in the annual event. You can find him tonight and tomorrow night in Paradise City. (The Ledger)

Today Is

Opening Day for Major League Baseball. Want to be a part of the action? The Detroit Tigers are playing the Tampa Bay Rays today at 3:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Pro tip: Sign up for a 7-day free trial with Bally Sports+ to stream the game from home.

Holiday

Hop on over to DOU Bakehouse to order this limited edition Easter treat: The Easter Chocolate bar. This isn’t your same old Easter candy — each bunny and egg is hand-painted with edible gold. Order them online or pick one up at Winter Haven’s Bandit Market on Saturday, April 1.

Vote

We’re looking to you to help determine Lakeland’s best pizza. Today is your last chance to cast your vote in our final poll — it closes today at noon. Keep your eyes peeled for the results of our bracket in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Biz

Great businesses start with a great idea — but do you know where to go from there? Here are 10 things you need to know to start a business in Lakeland, including how to get a business license, the difference between Sole Proprietorship and LLC, insurance tips, and more.*

Shop

Curbside pick-up or delivery — both save time, but which is better? See the difference (and put a dinner order in while you’re at it).*
Are your kids ready for springtime family photos? Our online store (Six & Main) features Ducks and Drakes, a children’s clothing company with tall kids at the heart of its style and designs. Shop the perfect fit now.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Biz

So, you want to start a business?

Lakeland: The land of opportunity. | Photo by @_guaro_

If you’ve lived in Lakeland for five minutes, you’ve likely noticed that Lakeland loves small businesses. We’ve rounded up some helpful resources and information to get you started.

Resources

Central Florida SCORE — This non-profit serves Polk County entrepreneurs with mentorship, classes, and workshops. Attend its next event, the Small Business Expo, on Wednesday, May 3 at 9 a.m. at My Office and More (122 E. Main St.).
Catapult Lakeland — This Lake Mirror-adjacent workspace offers coworking space, offices for rent, dedicated desk space, a maker space, and a commercial kitchen. Catapult is catered towards new businesses as startups.

Funding

Find information regarding funding and financial incentives at the following institutions:

City of Lakeland — Lakeland offers economic development incentives for new businesses.
Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency — Check out incentives for businesses in the downtown, Dixieland, and Midtown areas.

More resources + funding tips here

Answered

We gave you three clues to Guess That Lakelander — 70.5% of you were correct.

A graphic featuring a photo of Phillip Walker — Phillip Walker was the longest-standing member of the Lakeland City Commission.
|
Graphic via 6AM City

We put you to the test in Tuesday’s newsletter. In case you missed it, here are three things you might not know about former City Commissioner Phillip Walker:

Phillip was the longest-standing member of the Lakeland City Commission.

If you watched the documentary “The People Who Live There,” you saw an interview with Phillip and his wife, Cappie.

In 2023, Phillip joined the team at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Rilee

From the Editor

Our readers know their stuff. Who do you think we should use for our next Guess That Lakelander game? Send us your suggestion — bonus points if you include a few clues to help your fellow readers along.

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP