📍 Bradenton Beach | 1.5 hours from Lakeland

• Eat: Grab breakfast or lunch at Tahini Beach Cafe. The Mediterranean spot is known for its gyros and smoothies.
• Explore: Walk the iconic Bridge Street to visit the Historic Old Town District — did you know this area was first visited by Spanish explorers in 1530?
• Stay: Boutique inn with rooftop lookout (~$280/night)
• Shop: Straw sunhat

📍 St. Augustine | 2 hours 45 minutes from Lakeland

• Eat: Enjoy avocado toast for breakfast or a Bocadillo sandwich for lunch at Sunday.
• Explore: Attend the free Music and Art by the Sea 2023 at St. Johns County Ocean Pier (350 A1A Beach Blvd.) for live music, art shows, food trucks, and more from May 24-June 28, then again from Aug. 16-Sept. 27.
• Stay: The Luxury Historic Island Dog House of Downtown St. Augustine (~$204/night)
• Shop: Beach cooler

📍 Tarpon Springs | 1.5 hours from Lakeland

• Eat: Touted as one of Tarpon Springs’ premier dining establishments, Dimitri’s on the Water offers seafood, steak, and Greek cuisine.
• Explore: Learn how to kiteboard from an experienced instructor — multiple or single-day lessons are available.
• Stay: Innisbrook Golf Resort (prices vary)
• Shop: Woven beach bag

📍 Nokomis Beach | 1.5 hours from Lakeland

• Eat: Stop by The Breakfast Cottage daily from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for specialty coffees, smothered French toasts, and cinnamon swirl pancakes.
• Explore: Charter a fishing boat for a day of quality time with the family — everything you need is included.
• Stay: Beachfront resort (prices vary)
• Shop: Seasickness wristbands (just in case)

• Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, May 17 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., 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.
• Trivia Night | Wednesday, May 17 | 7-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Free entry | Pour your own drinks and enjoy fresh pizzas at Union Taproom while showing off your general trivia knowledge.

• Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, May 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Home cooking and fine dining meet at this lunch pop-up with elevated soul food bites.
• Classic Albums Live: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Damn the Torpedoes” | Thursday, May 18 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $41-$52 | Hear this best-selling album performed note for note, cut for cut.

• Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Fort Myers Mighty Mussels | Friday, May 19 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $7-$10 | Cheer on the Flying Tigers over the Mighty Mussels and take part in a t-shirt giveaway.
• Beach Highway Series — Copper Sunset | Friday, May 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Add to your collection of sunset art with the next painting in the Beach Highway series.

• Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, May 20 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
• Architectural Tour at Polk County History Center | Saturday, May 20 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St., Bartow | Free | Join this tour of the History Center to discover its neoclassical architectural elements, ongoing restoration, and historic preservation resources.

• Buena Brunch Market | Sunday, May 21 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Gospel Village, 1109 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate the expansion of Gospel Village with a market featuring artisan vendors, food, and music.
• Sunday Funday & Mimosa Bar! | Sunday, May 21 | 12-7 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Price of purchase | Pour your own mimosas with prosecco on tap for $1 per ounce and free mixers.

• $3 million. That’s how much the City of Lakeland is investing in three multi-purpose sports fields at Lake Crago Park. Construction of the football, lacrosse, and soccer fields, new restrooms, and new parking lot will begin this summer. (The Ledger)

• The LPD is undergoing a number of developments — new, all-black vehicles will save the department ~$3,000 per vehicle, 21 vacant positions have been filled, and a new part-time position dedicated to solving cold cases has been created. New SUVs will be rolled out as the existing black and white ones retire. (LkldNow)

• No. 105. That’s what Lakeland ranked on US News & World Report’s 2023-2024 list of the 150 Best Places to Live in The US. Other nearby cities to make the list include Sarasota (No. 5), Naples (No. 6), Tampa (No. 24), and more. (US News & World Report + The Ledger)
• No. 7. That’s what the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area ranked on WalletHub’s list of 2023’s Best Summer Travel Destinations. Lucky for you, we’ve got everything you need to plan a Tampa vacay.

• Jude Coffee is popping up at The Curated Collective this Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Stop by to order your favorite beverage and shop vintage finds.

• June book clubs at Pressed are accepting members. Sign up to read and discuss books like “Yours Truly” by Abby Jimenez, “A Flicker in the Dark” by Stacy Willingham, and “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henry.

• Victor & Mika’s Vegan Restaurant and Bakery is popping up today at Krazy Kombucha from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The vegetarian and vegan bakery is bringing gluten-free goods like pop tarts, oatmeal cream pies, bread, donuts, brownies, and more.

• Polk County Public Schools is looking for bus drivers for the 2023-2024 school year. Training, Florida Retirement System benefits, health insurance, and access to free PCPS health clinics are among the perks of the job — starting pay is $16.25 per hour. Inquire about applying.

• A presentation titled “The History and Historic Places of Lakeland” will be given by Emily Foster and LuAnn Mims tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Head to SpringHill Suites (511 W. Lime St.) to kick off The Florida Historical Society’s annual gatherings. View the full event list and register. (The Ledger)

• Here’s hoopin’ your team does well: Join Lakeland Regional Health and the YMCA of West Central Florida on Saturday, June 3 for Hoopin’ for Health — a 3-on-3 basketball tournament promoting fun, cardio activity, and health screenings for all. Register your team (or join the cheering crowds).*

• What is better than a bottle of wine? A bottle of wine that’s free. See Publix GreenWise Market’s BOGO wine deals — happening now through next Wednesday.*

• How does Going work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and get notified when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a ~$575 round trip to Fiji).*

• Today is World Baking Day. To celebrate, shop our online store (Six & Main), which features Sourhouse, a company that creates simple tools for sourdough bakers to care for their starters. You might just knead it. Start shopping now.

• “Noodles & Co. or Huey Magoos” — @reach_fortheskye
• “Melting Pot” — @stacielee1313
• “Chicken Salad Chick” — @cquinn333
• “A Dutch pot or La brasa” — @just__joe9
• “Terragaucha Brazilian steakhouse so we don’t have to drive to Tampa” — @mrs_ramos_ig

• “More true Vietnamese and Thai food restaurants.” — Reader Elizabeth A.
• “Upscale casual vegan restaurant” — Reader Cindy L.
• “A good Hawaiian restaurant. We have the tropical weather and coming soon, a Tiki Bar, now we need something to go with it.” — Reader Marie R.
• “German restaurant” — Reader Gregory M.
• “A good Japanese restaurant!!” — Reader Linda H.
• “Mediterranean, Portugal all the way round to Morocco” — Reader Vic N.