Tourism and Hospitality

A 70-ft mural with a colorful, technological design
Travel and Outdoors
Barbecue, beer, and brushstrokes: Explore Polk with Visit Central Florida’s passes
Be a tourist in your own hometown with three passes that give you prizes in return for check-ins.
February 24, 2026 02:17 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Outdoor SunTrax automated car testing site in the Lakeland, FL innovation district
City
The autonomous vehicle test track in Polk County, FL
Phase Two of the SunTrax vehicle testing site completed in June 2023.
October 11, 2022
 · 
Staff
Gravesites and trees at Roselawn Cemetery in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Historic cemetery tour in Lakeland, FL
Learn more about Lakeland history by touring its cemeteries.
October 7, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Crago
City
Find your community at Lakeland’s five community centers
Never run out of things to do with this guide to the community center facilities and complexes available to the public of Lakeland.
October 5, 2022
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A man wearing German lederhosen and a hat holds a beer stein and turkey leg
Food
Oktoberfest events in Lakeland, FL
Celebrate German culture, food, and beer at one of these upcoming events.
October 5, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A wide shot of the Crenshaw Canopy Walk at Bonnet Springs Park.
Sponsored
Try This: Take a stroll through Bonnet Springs Park’s Crenshaw Canopy Walk
Sponsored by
A flaky pastry filled with bright red guava filling and a layer of cream cheese
Travel and Outdoors
Hit the Road: a foodie foray to Tampa Bay
The final installation of our Hit the Road series is a foodie foray to Tampa, FL.
August 29, 2022
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Skyline over Lake Mirror at night
Culture
The most local events
Curated calendar for new openings, tours, exhibits, and foodie events.
August 24, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Add a heading - 2022-08-03T121112.629
History
Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?
August 3, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Add a heading - 2022-05-25T131406.746
History
100 years of Florida Southern College’s Lakeland campus
You’ve seen it in history books and on your walks around Lake Hollingsworth — but did you know it’s seen four names, two fires, and a working relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright?
May 25, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
sp00657
History
What’s the deal with Publix’s scales?
You’ve probably seen them from the checkout line.
December 15, 2021
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
Load More
The Buy

Shop The Buy
Latest News
More from LALtoday
A common area with high ceilings, wall-sized windows, and a floating art installation with airy shapes overhead.
New to Lakeland
How to find a new doctor in Lakeland
This city boasts top-ranked medical providers and specialty services. Our comprehensive guide will help you find the care you need — whether you’re new to town or just looking around.
September 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior photo of Lakeland Linder International Airport with three flags and palm trees blowing in the wind.
Work
What you need to know about flying out of Lakeland Linder International Airport
We’re here to make your flying process plane and simple.
September 3, 2025
 · 
Staff
The outside of a Spirit Halloween store, with a large banner of a grim reaper and cardboard cutouts of costumes in the windows.
4 Spirit Halloween stores come to the Lakeland area
The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.
September 2, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Interior of the Lakeland Public Library main branch with bookshelves
City
Lakeland library features you didn’t know existed
Check out a book, then check out these unique library features that cardholders can enjoy.
September 2, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Vendor tents line a downtown street filled with pedestrians at First Friday.
Events
Stack your calendar with monthly events around Lakeland
These events bring together your favorite vendors on the same day each month in nearby downtown areas and historic districts.
August 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large and small dog walk around the Frances Langford Promenade on Lake Mirror in Lakeland
Real Estate
Which dog breed are you based on your Lakeland neighborhood?
Just like each dog breed has its own personality, each community in Lakeland shines with unique characteristics. Which breed sounds most like you?
August 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2019-10-03 at 3.03.27 PM
New to Lakeland
Your guide to Lakeland’s coffee shops
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
August 22, 2025
 · 
Staff
Two baskets of tacos with green salsa and lime on the side
Experience
Where to find lunch for $12 or less around Lakeland
Ready for your lunch break? Check out these 30+ lunches from hearty salads to diner-style bites.
August 22, 2025
 · 
Staff
A black-and-white photo of the Francis Beach Pavilion, a large two-story wooden building on stilts in a lake.
Culture
Look back on summer in Lakeland’s photo archives
We’re digging through the Lakeland Public Library photo archives to relive the dog days of summer from years gone by.
August 21, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A photo illustration of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, smiling in a red and blue plaid jacket, next to a photo of Taylor Swift.
Culture
Who said it: Mayor Bill Mutz or Taylor Swift?
Both are known for a good turn of phrase, but can you decipher which quotes came from Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz or Grammy winner Taylor Swift? Put your skills to the test.
August 21, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson