Throw axes under the neon lights at Ax-Caliber’s Glow Nights. | Photo by @axcaliber
Time is precious, and Lakeland has plenty of ways we can spend it while also exploring our city. Next time you’ve got time to kill, try these six activities to make the most of it.
Get sporty
Book a bay at The Back Nine to play simulated golf and other sports, or try axe throwing at Ax-Caliber. Both offer reservations for as little as one hour. Looking to test your mind’s agility? Try your luck at Escapology or Lakeland Escape Room, where you only have 60 minutes to find a way out.
Work in a workout
Pop into a local gym for a sweat session, or opt for a walk or bike ride around one of Lakeland’s lakes and parks. Bonnet Springs Park, Lake Morton, and Lake Parker are a few of our readers’ favorites.
A head spa treatment that only takes as long as your lunch break? Say less, we’re in.
Photo by LALtoday
Pamper yourself
Treat yourself to a massage from DayDreams Day Spa or a head spa treatment from Skin Thermea. See our list of wellness spots for 10 more recommendations.
Tour the museum’s featured exhibit to learn from experts and Florida Southern students.
Photo by LALtoday
Take a tour
Get cultured with 60-minute tours of The Ashley Gibson Museum of Art, led by experts + docents throughout the month. Prefer a self-guided experience? Take a stroll through a portion of the Downtown Public Art Trail.
Shop local
If there’s one thing we know about Lakelanders, it’s that they love their local bizzes. Next time you’ve got a free hour, stop in to a local boutique or gift shop, or journey to the past at these antique + thrift stores.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Christmas in October Fabric Crafting | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Fabric Warehouse | $40 | Grab a kit + learn how to make an ornament placemat, casserole dish cover, or gift pouches alongside instructor Jacqui Anderson.
Halloween Trivia | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Don your best costume and test your horror knowledge while enjoying not-so-frightful bites from Fat Maggie’s.
“Rep Your Era” Zumba Party | 7-8 p.m. | Ultimate Dance Center | $5 | Dance through the decades at this themed Zumba class — costumes are encouraged.
Thursday, Oct. 31
14th Annual Mayors Roundtable | 9-11:30 a.m. | Polk State College Center for Public Safety, Winter Haven | Free | Rescheduled from Hurricane Milton, Polk County’s mayors will meet for a public discussion of the key issues residents face.
Trick or Treat at FCM | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $16+ | Make your rounds for all treats, no tricks, through the museum’s administrative offices before a day of play — museum admission required.
HennyWeen | 5 p.m.-2 a.m. | Union Hall | $10+ | Ghouls + goblins just wanna have fun at this party featuring live music, drinks, and magic shows.
Friday, Nov. 1
18th Annual CarBQ | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Two Men and a Truck Polk County | $15 | Treat your peers (or yourself) to a mouthwatering barbecue meal from Fred’s Market Restaurant and Johnson Barbecue.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Plant Pop-Up | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Munn Park | Free+ | Plant and garden vendors will sell everything you need to spruce up your own garden this season.
Dox-A-Palooza | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | All things dachshund are on the docket, from dog races to costume contests to tailgating.
With Election Day less than one week away, 27.2% of eligible voters in Polk County have already cast their ballots via mail-in or early voting. Whether you choose to vote early or are waiting until Nov. 5, here’s what you need to know about voting in Lakeland. (The Ledger)
Open
Polk County residents looking to get FEMA assistance can now get it closer to home. The agency has opened a disaster recovery hub in Bartow’s W.H. Stuart Conference Center. Residents can speak to FEMA reps in-person at the center daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (WTSP)
Outdoors
As Polk County continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Milton, several environmental land sites + parks are still closed, including Circle B Bar Reserve. Tabitha Biehl, Polk’s Land & Water Natural Areas Manager, says guests can expect the reserve to remain closed through at least this weekend. (WFLA)
Number
6,000. That’s around how many patients Tri-County Human Services helps every year through its mental health + substance abuse programs. Last week, the Lakeland-based nonprofit unveiled its new 40,000-sqft facility off of Commerce Point Drive, and it’s also building a 68-unit supportive housing complex in Auburndale. (Fox 13 News)
Traffic
Lakelanders traveling on Kathleen Road north of Block Prine Road to Raulerson Road can now expect an additional month of detours. The section of road was set to reopen this month, but will now remain closed until Nov. 22 due to engineering and weather-related delays. (The Ledger)
Seasonal
Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 3., meaning it’s time to say bye, bye, bye to sunsets after 6 p.m. in Florida. Before you turn the clocks back, make sure to get one last sunset in at one of these reader recommended spots around Lakeland. (WTSP)
Silver Moon Drive-In has announced its lineup of movies for the holiday season. Expect a mix of new + old favorites at the drive-in this winter, from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Scrooged” to “Wicked” and “Moana 2.”
Travel
If the cold never bothered you anyway, four of Avelo’s new destinations out of LAL recently made the “Best Winter Holiday Destinations” list, with Atlanta taking the top spot. Pro tip: Get the scoop on flying out of Swan City before flights to ATL begin Nov. 7. (WalletHub)
Edu
Looking for an award-winning local college? Get to know Southeastern University by attending an SEU Preview Day this fall. Psst: This weekend’s Preview Day on Friday, Nov. 1 coincides with Homecoming Weekend (think: a great time to visit).*
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Category
History
🏡 Name that homeowner
Do you know the stories behind these homes? | Photo via Special Collections at Lakeland Public Library
It’s no secret that Lakeland has a love of historic homes, but how often do you think about the pioneers of Lakeland who originally built + inhabited them?
At 417 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, on the corner of what was formerly known as East McDonald Street and Success Avenue, sits the home of Columbus W. Deen, a bank president and real estate developer in the early 1900s. Deen built this house in 1912 for $15,000 (that’s somewhere in the ballpark of $477,000 in 2024).
Following Deen’s death in 1927, the home was a private hospital and sanitarium before being sold to Florida Southern College to be used as a dormitory, and later a fraternity house.
Pro tip: Dive further into Lakeland’s historic roots by visiting the Lakeland History and Culture Center’s current exhibit, “Ties That Bind: 1880-1925,” before it closes on Dec. 1.
A great deal for the holidays ahead — get 18 bottles of wine for $79 plus shipping. Choose from red, white, or a variety pack of red, white, and rosé. Hello, stocked bar for holiday hosting season.
Yesterday, we asked about your go-to spot for spending an hour in Lakeland. Almost half of you shared that when it comes to free time, you can be found outdoors at one of Lakeland’s parks, so we’re following your lead and doing the same today. Keep an eye on our Instagram to see which park we pick.