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Travel and Outdoors

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 02:29 PM
 · 
Maria Adnado
An aerial view of the Florida Strawberry Festival's rides, booths, and entertainment pavilions
Events
Your guide to the 2025 Florida Strawberry Festival
It’s the sweetest time of year — Florida Strawberry Festival time. Read our guide so you don’t get in a (strawberry) jam.
February 21, 2025
 · 
Staff
A large pink trumpet tree blooms across a yard and street in Lakeland.
Travel and Outdoors
Trumpet trees are blooming again in Lakeland
Learn where these brightly colored trumpet trees come from, when they blossom, and how to take care of one in your own backyard.
February 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Four white pelicans sit on a low brick wall on a lake
City
What’s the deal with the white pelicans?
Lakeland’s iconic bird mascot gets an annual visitor in the form of Canadian pelicans.
February 7, 2025
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
Boxes of strawberries
Business
Take your pick at these U-pick farms near Lakeland
Strawberries, citrus, and sunflowers await at these U-pick spots where you’ll harvest your own bounty.
February 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Shops in downtown Mount Dora with plants and painted walls
Travel and Outdoors
The ultimate road trip to Mount Dora, FL
Hit the road and head to Mount Dora — we’re sharing all the details about what to do and eat, plus where to stay.
January 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Chef Marcos Fernandez of Nineteen61 carefully crafts a plate in the restaurant's kitchen. Next to him on the counter are prep containers and ingredients.
Food
Take a foodie road trip to these James Beard-nominated spots around Lakeland
Lakeland might not have made the list for 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists — but that doesn’t mean we can’t get in on the fun.
January 23, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A person standing on a cliff over a lush tropical area. Shots of cities lit up at night. A person sitting on a dock over blue water.
Sponsored
7 dreamy destinations for your 2025 travel bucket list
Eyeing your next big adventure? We’ve rounded up seven of 2025’s must-visit spots to help you get started — all accessible non-stop from Orlando International Airport.
Sponsored by
Governor Farris Bryant and Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture Doyle E. Conner examine frozen bean vines.
Travel and Outdoors
Remembering Lakeland’s coldest days on record
Lakeland’s coldest day on record was on Dec. 13, 1962 when Swan City hit 20º — it would go on to reach it twice more in 1985.
January 8, 2025
 · 
Brianna Williams
A hotel lobby with two orange velvet chairs and a tall, skinny Christmas tree decorated with ornaments sitting in front of a big window.
Sponsored
Upcoming events at The Terrace to brighten your holidays
Sponsored by
Avelo-Airlines-12.04.24
Sponsored
‍✈️ Nonstop to Nashville for Spring Break 2025
Sponsored by
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Sunrise over palm trees and swimming lanes lined with blue and yellow pennant flags Gandy Pool in Lakeland, FL
Travel and Outdoors
Beat the heat with these places to swim around Lakeland
Go for a swim in these public pools, water parks, and rental pools around Lakeland.
June 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the AGB Museum of Art's new expansion wing, which features high glass walls and a stone facade
Culture
Meet the AGB Museum of Art’s interim executive director
Those in the Lakeland arts scene will recognize Dr. Daryl Ward, a local arts leader who’s set to become interim executive director at the AGB Museum of Art this summer.
June 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three people in beekeeping suits inspect honeycomb frames at an outdoor apiary surrounded by trees and grass.
Travel and Outdoors
Your guide to beekeeping in Lakeland
What’s even sweeter than honey? Producing your own. Here’s everything you need to know about beekeeping in Swan City.
June 12, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Four outdoor sculptures include a bike, a woman in a red dress, a flower-like form, and abstract pipes and shapes.
Culture
Take a walk of art at the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition
Browse 11 sculptures by artists from around the US and stay tuned to see which one will win the People’s Choice Award in this year’s sculpture competition.
June 11, 2025
 · 
Staff
1970s photo of Food World in Lakeland, FL, with a parking lot full of classic cars and an Eckerd Drugs store in view.
Business
Do you remember your first job in Lakeland?
Share your memories of your first job for a chance to be featured.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A concrete pier juts out into the ocean at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
Beachy road trip destinations within three hours of Lakeland
We’re exploring a few of our reader recommendations for beachy road trips around Lakeland, Florida.
June 9, 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
Culture
Explore the world’s largest Frank Lloyd Wright museum in Lakeland
Did you know that a Central Florida college is home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs? See some of its most notable designs created by the world-famous architect.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Staff
A hand holds a cruffin topped with cream and chocolate chips in front of a lake
Food
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these local desserts
When cravings hit, level up your dessert game at one of these local sweet shops and makers in Lakeland.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
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