Tourism and Hospitality

A hand holds a slice of pesto pizza with tomatoes and olives in front of a yellow "folds" sign at a modern eatery.
Food
Restaurant Roundup: Meet your new favorite Lakeland restaurants
Dining in Lakeland is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
April 23, 2026 02:53 PM
 · 
Staff
Lightning in dark cloudy sky over trees and streetlights on a rainy day in Lakeland, FL
City
Preparing for Hurricane Nicole in Lakeland, Florida
From live updates to re-upping your hurricane kit, keep reading for how you can prepare for this storm.
November 9, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
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Culture
Holiday toy drives in Lakeland, FL
‘Tis the season of giving. Check out this list of local holiday toy drives you can donate to or apply for assistance from.
November 1, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
An exterior view of the Florida Children's Museum
Culture
Florida Children’s Museum Grand Opening Weekend
Get ready for the new museum to open by reading up on its features, resources, and membership details.
October 31, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Gates closed outside Unfiltered Lakeland coffeeshop
Business
New storefronts coming to Unfiltered Lakeland
Check out these local small businesses opening storefronts at the new coffee shop and artisan marketplace.
October 27, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A view from the summit of Black Elk Peak in South Dakota
Travel and Outdoors
Great Escapes: Our guide to Rapid City, SD
Planning a getaway? Check out Rapid City, South Dakota, a destination for hikers, historians, and everything in between.
October 26, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A cat snuggled on the rug at Purrology Cat Cafe
Culture
Purrology Cat Cafe in Lakeland, FL
Grab a coffee and meet adoptable cats at Lakeland’s first cat cafe.
October 21, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A furry yellow mascot in a basketball jersey cheers with fans in the stands at a Lakeland Magic game.
Sports
Take the LALtoday sports survey
We’re interested in knowing if how you feel about local sports. This survey will help us decide how and what we cover.
October 21, 2022
 · 
Staff
A woman on a butterfly bike
Events
Bonnet Springs Park’s grand opening attractions
With the long-awaited park’s grand opening on the calendar, we’re looking at a few of the things we’re most excited about.
October 20, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A view of a lake and mountains in the Lake District in England
Travel and Outdoors
Other places named Lakeland around the world
Venture beyond Swan City to visit one of these other places named Lakeland all over the globe.
October 17, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Ducks and birds on grass in foreground with Lake Mirror and Lakeland skyline
Real Estate
Fall predictions for Lakeland real estate
Real estate experts explain what Lakeland home buyers should know and predict whether we’ll see prices continue to rise in 2022.
October 13, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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More from LALtoday
The Terrace Grille's dining room has plush orange chairs, large windows, and two glasses of white wine on the table.
Food
Dine in or carry-out Thanksgiving dinner in Lakeland
Here’s a list of local restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
November 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front of a newly opened Publix, decorated with green and white balloon columns and silver "WELCOME" balloons for its grand opening.
Business
Lake Miriam Square Publix is now open
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front exterior of the Spanish Colonial-style Ludd Spivey House with a stucco facade, arched windows, and a terracotta tile roof.
Real Estate
Influential Lakelander’s home hits the market
Take a look inside the Ludd M. Spivey House, formerly home to Florida Southern College’s president who made a historic impact on the campus.
November 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Staff
A night photo of the Lakeland Margarita Ball on the lawn near Lake Mirror, with a band playing on a lit stage in the background.
Events
Raise funds (and a glass) at the Lakeland Margarita Ball
The Lakeland Margarita Society hosts the Margarita Ball every November to raise money to provide Christmas gifts for local children.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Overhead shot of five pumpkin pies with whipped cream dollops
Food
Preorder your prized pies ahead of Thanksgiving
Whether you’re an annual customer or looking for the first time, check out these pies you can bring to Thanksgiving made fresh by local bakers.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
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Sponsored
Last chance: Hack Your Health 2025 arrives this weekend
Sponsored by
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City
How to help Lakeland food banks
When times are tough, Lakelanders join together to help neighbors in need. Here’s how you can help local food banks and food distribution programs through donations and volunteer work.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial view of downtown Lakeland's streets at night
City
Lakeland CRA begins Restore the Core initiative
Help the Community Redevelopment Agency update the plans for its three core areas by sharing your feedback.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sculpture of Frank Lloyd Wright wearing a wide-brimmed hat stands in front of the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center
New to Lakeland
Forests, swans, and architecture: 11 can’t-miss tours of Lakeland
Be a tourist in your own town. Get out and try these 11 fantastic tours of Lakeland and beyond to learn something new.
November 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson