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
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
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
LAL-downtown-winter-haven-ritz-theater
Travel and Outdoors
Take a quick trip to these cities near Lakeland
In need of a one-day getaway? We’re sharing our readers’ favorite things to do, see, and eat in towns within a quick drive of Swan City.
October 27, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three people judge archery results at the Polk Senior Games. They stand around a large target pointing at the arrows around the bullseye.
Experience
20+ activities for retired locals to stay active in Lakeland
If you recently retired and are looking for things to do, this guide will help you make the most of your newfound time in Lakeland.
October 1, 2025
 · 
Staff
A decorative wooden frame covered with a variety of orange, white, and gray pumpkins, with a sign reading "FOX SQUIRREL CORN MAZE."
Culture
Fall fun around Lakeland: Corn mazes, pumpkin patches + haunted houses
Ring in the season with a trip to one of these fall-exclusive spots for the whole family.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial satellite image above Lakeland. Green land and lakes surround the city, which is labeled with a blue arrow. There are blue lines heading in each direction — north, east, south, and west_ stretching out beyond the edges of the map.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Lakeland’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of LAL, cities across the world await.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A hand holding a container of ice cream in front of a Publix Super Markets sign
Tourism and Hospitality
Celebrate your birthday with Lakeland deals and freebies
It’s your party and you’ll enjoy these deals if you want to.
September 12, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The downtown Lakeland skyline and businesses as seen from East Main Street
Work
The who’s who and what’s what of Lakeland’s economy: Meet the top employers and industries
Explore the leading economic drivers in Lakeland — from exciting, new technology to top leaders in growing and distributing delicious eats.
August 20, 2025
 · 
Staff
Photo 1: A selfie of a woman with red hair and a giant statue of a flamingo, Photo 2: A red car at the entrance to a parking garage, Photo 3: A kiosk that reads Tampa International Airport with a QR scanner for parking codes. Photo 4: Inside the SkyConnect Train at Tampa Airport with people with suitcases holding on to handles. A Photo 5: Inside the SkyConnect Train at Tampa Airport with a parking garage visible outside the window.
Sponsored
An insider’s guide to parking at Tampa International Airport
We got the scoop on the best way to save time + money at the airport.
Sponsored by
A laptop showing the Visit Central Florida tourism ambassador site sits open on a wooden table next to a coffee cup and phone
Travel and Outdoors
Keep tourism thriving through Visit Central Florida’s CATS program
Tourism is one of Polk County’s top three industries, and you can help Visit Central Florida keep it growing through the Certified Ambassadors of Tourism and Sports program.
July 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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Fireworks explode in the night sky over several parked fighter jets at the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace expo.
Events
SUN ‘n FUN is flying back in to Lakeland
This annual festival celebrates all things aviation. Save this guide to admission, activities, and aviation fun.
April 6, 2026
 · 
Staff
A white Starship delivery robot with six wheels sits on a campus sidewalk in front of a modern, ribbed white building.
City
Robots now delivering meals on Florida Polytechnic University’s campus
Students can now order food online, and an AI-powered food delivery robot will bring it directly to their location. Would you like to see this tech in another part of Lakeland?
April 6, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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 2, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An in-ground water meter painted with a water conservation message
City
What’s new under Polk County’s latest “extreme” water restrictions
In response to a statewide water shortage, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is enacting water restrictions for Polk County and surrounding areas.
April 2, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An architectural rendering of the Barnett Family JA Discovery Center, featuring a modern exterior and an American flag.
City
Barnett Family Discovery Center bringing real-world learning to Lakeland
Polk County Public Schools just broke ground on Junior Achievement’s innovative new Discovery Center where students will get hands-on business experience.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A person in black gloves sprays whipped cream onto a blueberry shortcake in a clear plastic container at a festival.
Events
Feast at these food festivals happening near Lakeland
When it comes to hyperspecific food festival themes, Central Florida has the recipe down pat.
March 31, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large crowd gathers under a white festival tent decorated with blue and white bunting at Keel Farms Blueberry Festival.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Lakeland
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
March 30, 2026
 · 
Staff
A group of women, a dog, and a baby in a stroller pose together on a grassy bank overlooking a lake at sunset.
Wellness
How LKLD Girls Who Walk combines fitness and friendship
Get your steps in and find a sense of sisterhood with this group that meets weekly for walks along Lakeland’s most picturesque trails.
March 25, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2021-08-20 at 1.48.40 PM
City
Explore Lake Morton on the 21st Annual Historic Home & Garden Tour
Get a rare look inside some of Lakeland’s most historic homes on this walking tour of the Lake Morton neighborhood.
March 24, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A gated pool and palm tree within the Welcome Canary apartment complex courtyard.
Real Estate
How does renting in Lakeland compare to Polk County?
We’re diving into the average cost to rent in Lakeland compared to nearby cities.
March 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi