Catch a roundtrip flight from Lakeland International to Tweed New Haven Airport this summer. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Avelo Airlines will fly from Lakeland to New Haven, CT for the first time on Thursday, June 13. Prepare for takeoff with some help from our jet-setting readers and recommendations from Visit New Haven.
✈️ Fast facts
Flight time: 2 hours 45 minutes Est. population: 139,000 Avg. high in June: 80º
🗺️ Things to do
One of the biggest draws in New Haven is Yale University, the third oldest college in the US. Take a tour of its architecture, stroll through campus to see the public art, or learn something new at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas takes place June 14-29 — just in time for Avelo’s first flights. This festival will include many free events showcasing dance, music, film, theater, and more around town.
Water lovers will feel right at home in New Haven. Head to the beach or walk the piers of the Long Island Sound, Mill River, and Quinnipiac River.
🍽️ What to eat
Several of our Instagram followers told us you have to visit Little Italy in Wooster Square. The number one recommendation is “apizza,” a thin-crust pizza that’s coal-fired. Readers recommend a slice from Sally’s Apizza, Zeneli Pizzeria, Zuppardi’s Apizza, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, and Modern Apizza.
Searching for something savory? Visit Louis’ Lunch, the birthplace of the burger, for a hand-rolled hamburger. If you have a sweet tooth, the PEZ Visitor Center is located nearby and offers daily self-guided tours.
🏨 Where to stay
Heavenly Haven, Wooster Square Stay steps away from Little Italy in this two-bedroom house.
Modern apartment, Westville This basement apartment is a three-minute drive from Yale’s campus.
Scranton Seahorse Inn, Madison, CT Travel 25 minutes west of HVN airport to this bed + breakfast in an 1830s coastal home.
Live Trivia + Pinoy Cravings | Wednesday, April 10 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Show what you know to win taproom credit.
Brass Quintet Concert | Wednesday, April 10 | 7 p.m. | Bush Chapel, Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy a performance by SEU students that’s almost too good tuba-lieve.
Thursday, April 11
Yogadance | Thursday, April 11 | 4-5 p.m. | Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Dance to music from around the world in this exercise class for all levels.
Out of the Depths | Thursday, April 11 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Florida Southern College’s choir will perform choral music inspired by the liturgical “De Profundis” text.
Friday, April 12
Concert Under the Stars: The Fitzgeralds | Friday, April 12 | 7-9 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $35-$50 | Bring a chair or blanket to watch this sibling group play the fiddle and step dance.
XFC 50 | Friday, April 12 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $25-$100 | Mixed martial arts return to Lakeland in this exciting multi-match event.
Pro tip: Mention LALtoday during your visit to snag 10% off your first Hair Spoils treatment. | Photos provided by Skin Thermea
No need to pack your bags, because this European spa experience is right here in Swan City.
Newly opened in Hollingsworth, Skin Thermea is a European-style wellness spa offering luxurious, medical-grade services designed to be as relaxing as they are effective. They’re also the first in Lakeland to offer a head spa experience.
The owner, Meg Tyner, spent most of her teens + adult life overseas and brought a slice of self-care back with her in the form of unique hair and skin treatments.
Skin Thermea’s specialty service is the lymphatic drainage and sculpting facial massage, which naturally lifts and tightens your skin without needles or lasers. They also offer a brand-new “Head spa” treatment, which acts as a facial for your scalp. Think: exfoliating, massaging, and pampering your roots to promote healthy hair growth.
The intimate space also accommodates couples and groups of up to three for facials, and more options and services are being added every month.
City officials have developed a concept plan for the Dixieland area including extended sidewalks with tree planters + streetlamps. It’s estimated to take ~$22 million and 18 months to construct. The formal design phase could begin this fall. (LkldNow)
Biz
Publix Super Markets ranked No. 81 on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. It’s the 27th year in a row that the Lakeland-based company has made the list.
Gallery
The SUN ‘n FUN campus is packed with pilots from around the world and planes of all types. Take a look at some of the first arrivals, including a 1943 PBY Catalina named “Flying Turtle” and a Ryan ST-L named “Ollie.” (The Ledger)
Sports
Bartow’s Herbert Dixon first got involved with golf at the age of 15 — and at 104 years old, he still has a love for the game. His 11th annual Celebrity Golf Tournament recently took place and now funds 20+ scholarships. (The Ledger)
Kids
Registration is open for Summer Art Camp at the Polk Museum of Art. Two-week sessions are offered June 10-July 19 for children ages 7-13. Campers will spend time in the studio, visit the art galleries, and take field trips.
Ranked
SUN ‘n FUN is nominated for Best Air Show on USA Today’s Best10 list and is currently ranked at No. 6. Submit your vote within the next 19 days to see if it can climb the ranks.
Cause
Little Bus Books is seeking donations for National Donate A Book Day. Drop off picture books, Spanish novels, adult coloring books, and more at Little Bus’ three stops coming up April 11-14.
Arts
ART/ifact will host “Breaking In!” this July, an art exhibit for emerging Central Florida artists. Applications will open in May and prioritize artists who have never shown their work.
Answered
Yesterday we asked you how many hours Camp Fire Sunshine’s teens collectively spend volunteering each year. The correct answer was 5,000+, which 45% of respondents guessed. Learn more about Camp Fire’s local impact.
Edu
Get in on the jobs that make our techy-filled lives possible — see SEU’s new Tech programs, combining concentration-focused certificates with the university’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree. See details + start your high-demand career.*
Finance
Cue drum roll. 2024 is here, and the personal finance experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards to do the work for you. Presenting: These four credit cards, among the best bonus cards the experts have ever seen.*
Today’s newsletter was written from the media center at SUN ‘n FUN with planes flying overhead. Keep an eye out for our personal recommendations of must-do’s at the expo if you go this weekend — like the East of These booth in Hangar C for these perfect hats.
* 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.