Travel and Outdoors

An aerial view and three ground-level photos show the Crystal Lake boardwalk in a state of severe disrepair and damage.
City
Updates coming to the Crystal Lake neighborhood
Polk County plans to reconstruct the boardwalk over the lake and add a stoplight at a busy intersection near Southeastern University.
April 07, 2026 11:12 AM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
sun-n-fun-fly-in-2017_33152913923_o-XL
Culture
Check these activities off your Lakeland bucket list
Tell us what you’re hoping to do, see, and experience for the first time this year. We’ll share the best responses in our Lakeland bucket list.
January 8, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sunset over Lake Mirror with the downtown Lakeland skyline in the background
Culture
That’s a wrap: LALtoday’s top stories of 2023
We’ve brought you Lakeland’s top stories all year long, but which articles were you most interested in? See what took the top spot in categories like development, food + drink, real estate, and more.
December 21, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Crenshaw Canopy Walk at Bonnet Springs Park decorated with Christmas lights
Travel and Outdoors
Where to find the best holiday lights in Lakeland — according to our readers
Hop in your car and grab your hot cocoa. We’re driving around looking for the shiniest, brightest holiday lights in Lakeland and beyond.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side
City
Lakeland Linder International Airport will offer commercial passenger flights
The airport will ink a deal with Avelo Airlines to offer passenger service from Lakeland Linder as early as summer of 2024.
December 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A wide shot of the Crenshaw Canopy Walk at Bonnet Springs Park.
Culture
Walking trends in Lakeland
Average daily walking trips dropped by 36% in the US between 2019 and 2022 — see how Lakeland compares.
December 6, 2023
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
Fireworks over a concert stage at Bonnet Springs Park
Events
Celebrate Bonnet Springs Park’s birthday with a bang
Bonnet Springs Park will host a Birthday Bash to celebrate its first year of operations. See what’s on the schedule and what milestones the park has achieved this year.
October 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Print Collection
Travel and Outdoors
“An energy vortex": Visit Cassadaga, the psychic capital of the world
Created in 1875, Cassadaga, FL finds its roots in spiritualism. Learn more about this haunting community just 90 minutes from Lakeland.
October 4, 2023
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
inside look at orlando international airport's Summer House
Sponsored
Experience all there is to C with MCO’s new visitor pass program
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hut on a beach in Dominican Republic
Sponsored
17 best places to visit this fall and winter
Pack your bags, because we’re giving recs on where to go + what to do this fall and winter.
Sponsored by
A view from the summit of Black Elk Peak in South Dakota
Travel and Outdoors
Tell us your fall travel plans
Where are you hoping to visit this fall? Let us know what you’re planning to see and do as we prepare our fall travel guides.
August 23, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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More from LALtoday
An aerial view of the Lakeland International Airport terminal and parking lots
Travel and Outdoors
Parking fees loom at Lakeland International Airport
Starting Oct. 13, daily parking will cost you if you’re flying out of LAL. Here’s what you need to know.
September 29, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
A statue of the headless horseman on a black horse in front of the entrance to a "Legends of Halloween" haunted hayride.
Events
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail returns to Plant City
Halloween lovers and scaredy-cats alike will find something to enjoy at this popular Plant City attraction.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The one-story warehouse-style building with a white exterior, multiple large garage doors, and a parking lot that will be Baseline pickleball
Business
Baseline pickleball + dining concept coming to Lakeland’s East Main District
Hit the courts and grab a bite at this development, helmed by local entrepreneurs and pickleball fanatics.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The downtown Lakeland viewed from across Lake Mirror. Clouds in the sky cast shadows over the lake and the mix of high and medium-rise buildings, including the Lakeland Electric building.
City
By the numbers: Lakeland’s 2026 fiscal year budget
The City of Lakeland has finalized its 2026 budget before the next fiscal year begins — let’s take a look at the $815 million bottom line.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
What we “unfortunately do love” in Lakeland
From guilty pleasures to unexpected favorites, the “unfortunately do love” social media trend is taking over the internet — and we want your input.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Maria Adnado
Two pumpkin spice lattes in mugs on table with a pumpkin muffin
Food
Where to find all things pumpkin spice in Lakeland
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, there’s a pumpkin spice or fall-flavored treat for everyone in Lakeland to enjoy this fall.
September 16, 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
An aerial view of the Eaglebrooke Golf Course in Lakeland, FL. There is a green in the foreground and sand traps, water hazards, and trees in the background.
Experience
Tee it up at these Lakeland golf courses
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 13 golf courses in Lakeland are sure to make for a good round.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Cat George
Four runners sprint quickly on a track as a spectator watches from behind a fence. The runners are wearing athletic gear and competitor number bibs.
City
3 interesting facts from the Polk County Community Health Assessment
Polk Vision published the assessment in June 2025 after 18 months of data collection.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson