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.

77189598_2891651464220655_7854069985386168320_o

Tour the works of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright at Florida Southern College.

Photo via Florida Southern College

One of the best ways to learn about Lakeland is by playing tourist in your own city. Get out and try one of these tours of Lakeland and beyond to learn something new.

Frank Lloyd Wright Tours | Year-round
Tour Florida Southern College, home to the world’s largest concentration of structures designed by world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Choose a self-guided tour or an in-depth tour led by a docent — both are available daily for reservations.

LAL-Hollis-Garden-AUGUST2022.jpeg

You won’t be-leaf how many trees you can find on this tour.

Photo by @heyyitsashley

Lakeland’s Urban Forest | Year-round
Did you know that the City of Lakeland manages over 56,000 trees? Use your smartphone to branch out and take a self-guided tour of Lakeland’s cataloged tree collections. Walk through the Lake Morton Flowering Tree Collection or the Hollis Garden Fruit Tree Collection to see 130+ of these trees.

Polk Museum of Art | Year-round
You can always visit this free museum for a self-guided walk through the art, but you can’t beat a tour with an expert. Tour the latest exhibit with a docent, guest speaker, or even the museum’s curator.

Screen Shot 2019-11-25 at 12.07.04 PM

A friendly food tour guide will show you the best bites in Lakeland.

Photo by @lkldfoodtours

Lkld Food Tours | Year-round
Taste local dishes at your favorite restaurants on a guided walking tour. Adults can also take a Prohibition Tour to sample cocktails and learn the history behind them. Call to book a private tour.

Lakeland Fire Station | Year-round
Get an inside look at how firefighters keep Swan City safe. Any Lakeland Fire Station is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for individual and small group tours — no need to schedule an appointment.

Historic Walking Tour | Seasonal
Learn more about the Munn Park Historic District from local historians on this walking tour. Go inside historic buildings and end your tour with $10 in “market bucks” to spend at the Farmers Curb Market.

LAL-Loggia-AUGUST2022.jpeg

Learn the secrets of the loggia by taking a free lake tour.

Photo by @thelaltoday

Lake Mirror Historic Tour | October-March
Walk the Frances Langford Promenade around Lake Mirror to go back to Lakeland’s beginnings in the late 1800s. These tours even take guests in the famed loggia.

Stories and Stones Historic Cemetery Tour | Seasonal
Hear the stories of past Lakeland residents as you learn the meanings of the iconography found on their gravestones in Roselawn Cemetery. This respectful tour is led by Lakeland History and Culture Center staff.

Add a heading (30)

Go inside the Wonder House, constructed by Conrad Schuck’s family in the 1920s.

Photo via @merineitsi

Wonder House | Year-round
This Bartow home has four stories full of history and interesting architecture. See it for yourself on a tour of the house — look out for the taxidermied animals and other oddities found inside.

Architectural Tour of the Polk County History Center | Year-round
Discover the neo-classical architecture of the History Center in Bartow and learn about the ongoing restoration efforts taking place there with this monthly tour.

Experience Keel Farms | Year-round
Go behind the scenes to see how beer, wine, and cider goes from farm to glass at this Plant City winery.

More from LALtoday
The partnership will not only advance Catapult and the university’s missions, but also create innovative opportunities to advance Lakeland’s economic landscape.
Our guide to the 2025 Florida State Fair wouldn’t be complete without your suggestions.
Take a peek inside this newly refreshed, citrus-themed exhibit that’s now open daily inside the Lakeland Public Library.
From cultural festivals to comedy shows, honor Black History Month at one of these Lakeland events.
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in Lakeland, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, bloody marys, and more.
Never get caught in an unexpected detour again with these city, county, and state resources detailing local road projects + closures.
Hit the road and head to Mount Dora — we’re sharing all the details about what to do and eat, plus where to stay.
Get to know the all-star NFL athletes who once called Lakeland home.
Wellness
These local healthcare developments and programs will have you getting well soon. Read on to see what’s planned for a spot near you.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.