It’s soup season | To break the chill this week, we tracked down the top-rated soup restaurant in Lakeland. Find out where you can slurp Swan City’s favorite soup, plus a few of our personal picks.
Transforming Memorial Boulevard | Potential improvements could be on the way for this thoroughfare, and city leaders are looking for your feedback.
Welcome to the flock, snowbirds | Whether you’ve been a winter resident for years or this is your first season in Lakeland, here’s how to live like a local.
Asked
Asked
Where can we find the best soup in Lakeland?
Is it a classic chicken noodle or a bowl of ramen with seasonal ingredients? It’s all fair game here.
“Onyx Storm” Dragon Celebration | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Unfiltered Bartow, Bartow | Free+ | Step into a world of fantasy and celebrate the release of this new book with drink deals + a downtown scavenger hunt.
Lakeland Pigfest | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | $5 | It’s the final day to try bites from 150+ competition teams vying for the best barbecue in Lakeland.
STEM in the Park | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | See the park from new heights with a guided tree climb near the Nature Center — registration is first-come, first-served.
Lindy Ball at Union Hall: Winter Whirl! | 7 p.m.-1 a.m. | Union Hall | $15+ | Put on your best dancing shoes for a night of swing dancing featuring live jazz and blues music.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Sunday Brunch with Street Chicken | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | You can sleep in before heading to the brewery for brunch by Baconwake Food Truck and bottomless drinks.
How to Start A Business Basic Training | 2-6 p.m. | Black Swan Venue | $20+ | Get insights from local entrepreneurs on starting your own business in this engaging workshop.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Snowbird Extravaganza | Tuesday, Jan. 28-Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free+ | Find exhibits + entertainment galore just for Central Florida’s part-time winter residents — parking is $12.
Thursday, Jan. 30
CareerSource Polk: State of the Workforce Summit | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Event Center | $50 | Get down to business with insights into Polk’s economic development in three interactive seminars.
$17.99. That’s how much Netflix’s standard plan will cost per month after adjusting prices again in the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina — up from $15.49. It might be the time to swap binge-watching on the couch for movie nights under the stars at the Silver Moon Drive-In. (The Verge)
Transit
Beep beep. Florida is the No. 14 best driving state, based on metrics like road maintenance and gas prices. Guess they haven’t been on I-4 lately.(WalletHub)
Sports
According to a recent study by Wetten that surveyed 2,000 single NFL fans, 29% of single Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans would choose a Super Bowl win over finding true love. If you’re part of the 71% who prefers love over a big win, check out these local date ideas.
Wellness
Posture check — this is your weekly reminder to straighten your back. If that felt good, imagine how nice a stretch at Yoga Pointe’s Yoga for Chronic Stress program would feel. Join the class on Saturday, Feb. 1 + find your flow at these Lakeland yoga studios.
City Guide
City Guide
☀️ Here comes the sun
The Joinery’s shady back patio is only one of its three seating areas. | Photo via @thewanderingconk
Lakeland has been downright gloomy lately, but we can finally see the sun peeking through the clouds. Catch some rays and warm back up with a meal at one of these 30+ Lakeland patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.
The Joinery | Partially shaded
Grab a spot on this food hall’s front patio for a fully covered table with views of the lake, or head to the back for smaller, umbrella-covered tables.
Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar | Mostly sunny
Take “dining al fresco” to a whole new level at this dog-friendly downtown staple.
Il Forno | Fully covered Pioggia o sole — that’s “rain or shine” in Italian, which is exactly how you can enjoy classic Italian dishes at this Merchant’s Walk spot.
Cob & Pen | Mostly sunny
Play lawn games or simply enjoy the outdoors in the yard of this restaurant in a former Tudor home.
If you’re planning on an upscale Valentine’s Day dinner, now’s the time to start making those reservations. The Terrace Grille is holding a dinner experience with five courses that are already making my mouth water — especially the lobster risotto.
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