77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
🎶 Wide open spaces
Hot Homes: Wide open spaces for sale
Imagine coming home to this every day. | Photo provided by Cassie Miller, RE/MAX Experts
If you’re looking for sprawling spaces to enjoy Florida’s year-round sunshine, you can’t beat Lakeland’s real estate market. See inside — and outside — these two hot homes from around Swan City.
532 S. Wilson Ave., Lakeland | $725,000
This Dutch provincial-style home is located in the Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District near Lake Morton. It was built in 1925, making it nearly a century old, but it’s undergone recent renovations. This home offers three stories of indoor living space — but it’s the outdoors that caught our eye.
Head outside and cross the manicured lawn to your own personal gazebo, or keep it cool in the sunroom. The property also includes a potting shed and a detached two-car garage.
Photo provided by Michele Collins, S&D Real Estate
Further south in the Christina area is this home with stunning backyard views. The interior has an open-concept design, including a spacious kitchen and updated bathrooms. You can enjoy natural lighting — we would spend hours in the Florida room.
The back yard offers plenty of space to run, garden, and relax. Just outside the Florida room is a brick patio. Beyond that is a natural wall of oak trees and foliage, making this home feel even more private.
3 bed | 3.5 bath | 2,568 sqft Listing agent: Michele Collins, S&D Real Estate
Are you a local real estate agent with a unique or exciting property available? Connect with us for a future Hot Homes feature.
Summer Day of Caring | Friday, July 21 | 9 a.m. | Jesse Keen Elementary School, 815 Plateau Ave., Lakeland | Free | Volunteers of all ages can work with United Way to spruce up a local school, and then enjoy a luncheon at Barnett Family Park.
All Together Fridays: Meet the Police Department | Friday, July 21 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Children can meet the Lakeland Police Department and the K9 unit, peek inside police vehicles, and learn about community safety.
Saturday, July 22
Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, July 22 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market before it takes its August hiatus.
STEM in the Park | Saturday, July 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Visit the Nature Center for hands-on activities to inspire an appreciation for nature and science.
Maestro Ilaiyaraaja Live In Concert | Saturday, July 22 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $55-$500 | This acclaimed composer from India will lead some of the 8,500+ songs he’s composed in his career.
Sunday, July 23
“Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville” | Friday, July 21-Sunday, July 23 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | This musical comedy will have you singing along to Jimmy Buffett’s greatest hits.
Barbie Mommy and Me Class | Sunday, July 23 | 4-4:50 p.m. | Pure Barre Lakeland, 1314 Town Center Dr., Ste. 102, Lakeland | $20 | Enjoy a kid-friendly workout featuring low-impact movements — children will receive a pair of themed socks.
Saturday, July 29
Harry Potter’s Birthday Celebration | Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr. , Lakeland | Free | Join this magical event celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday with activity stations, games, character meets, and train rides.*
Bring new, unwrapped toys to Family Fun Center (4825 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland) for a Christmas in July toy drive. Toys will go to children at Peace River Center. Guests who bring a toy will receive one free attraction per person per day. Mini golf or laser tag, anyone?(The Ledger)
Biz
Have you been to Lakeland’s newest Thai restaurant? Learn more about the family-operated restaurant Savory Thai (5109 US Hwy. 98 S., Lakeland) and why owners chose Swan City when deciding where to plant their business. Already hungry? Stop by for lunch or dinner today 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (LkldNow)
Pets
SPCA Lakeland (5850 S. Brannen Rd., Lakeland) is hosting a free Cause for the Claws event today 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring your cat for free vaccinations, administered on a first-come, first-served basis based on availability. View the process, protocols, and eligibility.
Arts
Winter Haven is seeking artists of all ages for its Creative Threads t-shirt design contest. Submit your design about what makes Winter Haven special via email or at Winter Haven City Hall — where all designs will be displayed — by Friday, Sept. 15. The winning tees go on sale this October. (The Ledger)
Family
Say goodbye to a blast from the bast — Flying School, a Legoland Florida roller coaster, will be replaced with a new ride. The coaster is one of the only remnants of Cypress Gardens, which closed in 2009. Speaking of rides gone by, read up on Central Florida’s defunct theme parks. (The Ledger)
Eat
Come on Barbie, let’s go to Tea Largo. The biz is offering a special pink menu in honor of the movie that’s taking the world by storm. Stop by (4632 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland) for a dragon fruit coconut milk bowl or an organic dragon fruit lemonade.
Active
Head to Bonnet Springs Park’s Welcome Center on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7 a.m. for Ruck around the Park. Bring a backpack filled to your weight preference and wear comfortable walking shoes. The 1.7-mile ruck march will include optional fitness challenges and circuit training along the way.
Learn
Calling all business owners + social media managers. Learn how to create video content at HotMod Agency and Nikki Cash’s workshop at Catapult on Thursday, July 27. Spend the first hour learning shoot and clip out videos, then gets hands-on practice.
Drink
Cheers to the weekend. Save on cocktails, coffee, food, and more by visiting one of Lakeland’s 20+ happy hours today. Pro tip: Head to The Joinery for Golden Hour discounts from 3 to 6 p.m., then stay to dance on the patio at 8 p.m.
Biz
Hey, aspiring food entrepreneurs: Dreaming of starting a food business, but don’t have the kitchen digs you need to get the business off the ground + growing? Try Catapult’s Kitchen Incubator, a fully stocked commercial kitchen that will help you launch your dream. Get cookin’.*
Wellness
Hear this: The world’s first hearing aids featuring dual processing — and backed by cutting-edge German technology — were just unveiled by Hear.com. Transform your hearing with a 45-day, no-risk trial and join the 385,000+ customers hearing with double the power and double the clarity.*
Eat
🌙 Calling all night owls
Where to grab a late-night bite in Lakeland
Stay late after Monday night trivia with a basket of fries. | Photo by @cob_and_pen
Picture this: You finish your “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” double-header, and late-night cravings kick in. While most of Lakeland shuts its doors pretty early, here are a few options for when the midnight munchies hit.
Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave. | Open Sunday-Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday until 12 a.m. | Stay late to satisfy your cravings with crispy Ultimate Fries and your choice of dipping sauces.
The Brass Tap, 1515 Town Center Dr. | Open Sunday-Thursday until 12 a.m., Friday-Saturday until 2 a.m. | Late nights call for beer + burgers, and the BBQ pulled pork burger is calling our name.
Taco Bus, 126 S. Kentucky Ave. | Open Friday until 11 p.m., Saturday until 3 a.m. | End the night with tacos, burritos, or churros from this downtown spot.
The ultimate weekend for movie fans has finally arrived. I can’t think of a better place to see “Barbie” than at the Silvermoon Drive-In — anybody have a pink convertible I can borrow tonight?
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