Restaurants

A timelapse photo of the exterior of the Polk Theater at night. The marquee sign is lit with blinking lights, and car lights streak by the front door.

Food

Enjoy dinner and a show around Lakeland this week

Let us plan your nightly entertainment with movies, live music, and stage shows, plus the perfect places to grab a bite.

April 02, 2026 02:25 PM

Connor Jacobson

A hand holds a starfruit pastry in front of a paper bag with "Bandidas" written on it.

Food

Eat down the street: Edgewood Drive restaurants

Discover one of Lakeland’s hidden gems or try a local favorite restaurant for the first time on the next street in this series.

October 22, 2024

Connor Jacobson

A view of Back Bay and the Boston Public Library at sunset.

Travel and Outdoors

A Lakelander’s travel guide to Boston, MA

Find out what to do and where to stay in one of the top new destinations Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.

October 1, 2024

Amelia Grooms

A drone shot of the Rochester, NY skyline.

Travel and Outdoors

A Lakelander’s travel guide to Rochester, NY

Find out what to do and where to stay in one of the top new destinations Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.

September 19, 2024

Amelia Grooms

The exterior of a white and black building on North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland. A sign reads "The Yard on Mass."

Real Estate

What should come next to the former Yard on Mass space?

The City of Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency is on the hunt for the next tenant to take over the space on North Massachusetts Avenue.

August 30, 2024

Amelia Grooms

The exterior entrance of S&L Restaurant in Lakeland. Signs painted on the building read, "Warning! Our burgers are habit forming!"

Food

Eat down the street: Combee Road restaurants

Discover a hidden gem or try a local favorite restaurant for the first time in this series.

August 29, 2024

Connor Jacobson

An exterior shot of Black and Brew's patio

Culture

Reader recommendations for “third places” around Lakeland

We asked our followers where their “third place” was in Lakeland — here are the spots they called out.

August 14, 2024

Amelia Grooms

The reflection of the Uptown Charlotte skyline is seen in the water of a pond surrounded by trees.

Travel and Outdoors

A Lakelander’s travel guide to Charlotte, NC

Find out what to do and where to stay in one of the next destinations Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.

August 14, 2024

Amelia Grooms

Food

The Cuban sandwich’s connection to Florida and where to get one in Lakeland

This classic Florida menu item was created just down the road in Ybor City — since then, it’s become a favorite for Lakelanders on lunch.

August 1, 2024

Katelyn Lewis

A grid collage of rainbow colored drinks from various Lakeland establishments.

Food

Drink through the rainbow at these Lakeland establishments

You’ve never learned Roy G. Biv like this before.

July 25, 2024

Amelia Grooms

An exterior view of Mitchell's Coffee Shop in Lakeland, FL

Business

The 25-year history of Lakeland’s oldest coffee shop

Mitchell’s Coffee Shop has been serving up coffee and gourmet food since 1998. See what inspired the coffee shop’s founder to open the first shop of its kind in Lakeland 25 years ago.

July 24, 2024

Connor Jacobson

The Buy

The Buy

A gentler way to check in with yourself, one drawing at a time

February 6, 2026
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Staff
The Buy

Jillian Michaels’ full training app is 67% off right now

January 30, 2026
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Staff
The Buy

Turn spare moments into learning time with Nibble, for $39.99

January 30, 2026
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Staff

More from LALtoday

An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side

Travel and Outdoors

More Avelo flights, planes coming to LAL

Avelo Airlines announced plans for two additional aircraft at its Lakeland International Airport base, as well as more flights on its schedule.

January 7, 2026

Connor Jacobson

City

Here’s how to join Lakeland boards and committees

Create the city you want to live in by applying to serve in these volunteer roles.

January 7, 2026

Kaylee Holland

A nighttime view of a street in San Juan, Puerto Rico, featuring dozens of colorful umbrellas suspended between historic buildings.

2026 travel trends in Lakeland

Airbnb released its travel trends predictions for the year — here’s how you can take part, starting in Lakeland.

January 6, 2026

Brianna Williams

History

The history of snow in the Sunshine State

Has anyone seen Frosty? He was around here somewhere...

January 5, 2026

Staff

Women work out in an outdoors yoga class.

New to Lakeland

Get your sweat on at these gyms around Lakeland

From lifting weights and personal training to dance fitness and spin classes — we’ve rounded up 25+ gyms and fitness offerings around Swan City.

January 5, 2026

Staff

Business

What our readers love about LALtoday

We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.

January 2, 2026

Staff