Travel and Outdoors

A map from the National Weather Service showing winter weather advisories in counties across the southeast US.
City
Lakeland’s winter weather headline roundup
The rest of the country is feeling the effects of Winter Storm Fern, but Central Florida won’t get off that easily. Stay up to date — and warm — with Lakeland’s top winter weather stories.
January 26, 2026 12:32 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two black bugs with red heads connected by the ends cling to a white flower.
Travel and Outdoors
Lakeland, city of love… bugs
Get ready for lovebug season in the spring and fall.
March 10, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A cardinal perched on a seed feeder.
Travel and Outdoors
Feed Lakeland birds
Putting out a tube feeder is just the beginning — we’ll get you started in the wide world of birdfeeding.
March 9, 2023
 · 
Dayten Rose
A worn white ball with curved stitching like a baseball lies on a pitch of sunny grass.
Sports
Catch the Gaelic game of hurling in Lakeland, FL
We’re breaking down the Irish sport of hurling including its rules and where you can catch a game.
March 7, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
spring-equinox-custom-section.jpg
Culture
Spring equinox in Lakeland, FL
Visit a local park, participate in a community event, or clean up your humble abode in honor of the astronomical transition from winter to spring.
March 6, 2023
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
tsa-precheck-custom-section.jpg
Travel and Outdoors
Enroll in TSA PreCheck ahead of spring travel
Apply online and visit a local enrollment center ahead of spring and summer travel.
February 23, 2023
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
A heap of tomatoes and vegetation in a dark brown wooden bin outside.
Travel and Outdoors
The beginner’s guide to composting in Lakeland
We’re answering questions like “What is composting?” and “How do I compost in an apartment?”
February 17, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
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City
$635 million for I-4 lanes in Polk
From possible new interstate lanes to local road repavings, check out this quick breakdown of recent traffic news in Lakeland, FL.
February 1, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A girl sitting beside Lake Mirror looking at the lake and moon at night
Travel and Outdoors
The 2023 celestial calendar for Lakeland, FL
Don’t miss any of this year’s meteor showers, supermoons, or solar eclipses.
January 10, 2023
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
Interior of Green House Garden Store with plants on shelves and couch
Real Estate
Winter gardening tips for Lakeland, FL
How to prepare your garden and what to plant in the winter months.
January 4, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
St. Augustine - Great Escapes 2
Travel and Outdoors
Great Escapes: Our Guide to St. Augustine, FL
Get away to explore America’s oldest city and fall in love with its Spanish roots.
December 13, 2022
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More from LALtoday
A loggia with gated arches and columns on the Frances Langford Promenade under a clear blue sky.
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s most iconic landmarks
We’re giving you the 411 on the 863’s landmarks — from the Southgate Sign to “Sputnik.”
June 4, 2025
 · 
Staff
Several RVs parked in the trees surrounding a pond at Flamingo Camping Site in the Everglades National Park
Travel and Outdoors
Take an ad-van-ture to these RV camping spots around Lakeland
Get a taste of the camping life with these seven RV parks + campgrounds around Swan City.
June 4, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL_west_pipkin_road_widening_APR2025
City
Decide what’s next for Polk transportation
Join the Polk Transportation Planning Organization’s Envision 2050 meeting to help plan the future of local transportation.
June 3, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
People attend a Polk Pride event with a rainbow Polk Pride FL banner in the background
Culture
Polk Pride is back: Here’s the 2025 event roundup
Check out the event lineup, from family-friendly events in the park to interfaith celebrations and dance parties.
June 2, 2025
 · 
Staff
Palm trees blowing in hard wind in the foreground, with a dark cloudy sky and the Summit Building in downtown Lakeland in the background.
City
Preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland
Hurricane season officially begins on Sunday, June 1 and will run through Sunday, Nov. 30. We’ve rounded up everything you can do to be hurricane-ready in Lakeland.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Screen Shot 2020-05-05 at 4.28.47 PM
Experience
Museums in Lakeland
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or aviation fan, these nine museums around Lakeland have it all.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Staff
Two hands toast with a glass of margarita and a glass of sangria on an outdoor patio.
Food
Celebration-worthy Lakeland restaurants
From graduations to rehearsal dinners to corporate parties, we’re sharing the top reader recommended spots for celebration-worthy eateries.
May 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Screen Shot 2020-01-28 at 9.02.23 PM
Culture
Polk County’s historic theatres: Smelling bananas, Wayne Brady, and 35 cents
Look back on the first places to catch a movie on the big screen or see a live performance at these historic theatres around Polk County.
May 29, 2025
 · 
Kaylee Holland
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
How well do you remember this month’s top Lakeland news?
Take our interactive quiz to test your local news knowledge, and keep reading LALtoday to up your score.
May 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The sun setting over a baseball field.
Sports
“Strike Out Hunger” at a Lakeland Flying Tigers game
The Mosaic Company has partnered with the Flying Tigers to help end hunger this season. Here’s how you can watch the initiative in action.
May 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson