Lakeland travel guide

Lakeland, United States

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Lakeland

Introduction

Lakeland sits in Polk County in central Florida, positioned along I-4 east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando. It is the most populous city in the county and a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area, and it is often included as part of the Tampa Bay area.

Its location on the I-4 corridor makes it a convenient stop between two of Florida's larger cities, whether you are passing through or using it as a base for exploring the region.

Before you go

Lakeland sits in Central Florida and shares the region's humid, subtropical climate, so plan your wardrobe around two very different seasons. Summers run hot and humid from May through September, and mornings can be steamy with humidity near saturation at sunrise. From early or mid-June through mid to late September, the rainy season brings thunderstorms—sometimes severe—as a regular afternoon event, so build indoor alternatives into your days. Winters are mild, with warm afternoons and cooler nights, though occasional cold fronts can push daytime temperatures down and nighttime lows into the forties or thirties; freezing nights are rare. Spring and fall are transitional, and February through May are the driest months, though dry years can see very little rain.

Hurricane Season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and Lakeland can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. Tropical storms in Central Florida can bring heavy rain in a short span and potentially a squall line, with dangers including minor flooding, lightning, tornadoes, and falling trees—though for most people a tropical storm is a nuisance for a day or two. Hurricane effects vary with each storm's location, size, and strength; hurricanes have passed through Polk County within 25 miles of Lakeland, but they are not a common occurrence. If you travel during these months, keep an eye on forecasts and stay flexible.

Getting there

Lakeland sits along Interstate 4, the main east–west highway across Central Florida, so arriving by car is straightforward from either direction. If you fly in, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) has limited service on Avelo Airlines to a small number of destinations, plus on-demand air taxi service from Atlantic Airlines to airports across Florida; those flights run on demand rather than a fixed schedule, carry two passengers plus luggage, and can be booked as little as four hours before departure. For most travellers, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the closest major option for Lakeland and northwestern Polk County, with flights nationwide and to Canada, the Caribbean and London; from there you take Interstate 275 East via a short stretch of SR 60, then Interstate 4 East. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is farther but busier, with flights to many domestic and international destinations and a large rental car fleet; from MCO, take the South exit to the Central Florida GreeneWay (SR 417) south, then Interstate 4 west toward Tampa. Note that there is no public transportation, airport shuttle or taxi service from the airports to Polk County. South Lakeland Airport is a small turf runway just south of downtown.

Amtrak's Silver Star serves Lakeland on its route between New York City and Miami, with a detour to and from Tampa — though you can't travel between Lakeland and Tampa on this train. Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach service connects Lakeland with Orlando, Tampa, Pinellas Park–St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Sarasota, Port Charlotte and Fort Myers, booked together with train travel. The railway station sits at the northeast corner of downtown along Lake Mirror Drive, and local buses operated by Citrus Connection depart just outside, making onward connections relatively easy. Greyhound runs a station a couple of blocks north of downtown on North Massachusetts Avenue, near the police headquarters.

Getting around

Lakeland is a car-oriented city, and for most trips you'll want a vehicle. Interstate 4 runs through the city, making it easy to reach and a convenient base for the region. Rental agencies cluster along Memorial Boulevard, with Budget, Enterprise and Hertz all represented, and Hertz also has a counter at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. If you'd rather stay on foot, plan around Downtown Lakeland and East Lake Morton, the two most compact and pedestrian-friendly districts, where shops and restaurants are reachable without a car; elsewhere, walkability is limited.

Public transit is provided by Citrus Connection, a small fixed-route bus network with inconsistent coverage and limited frequencies, so treat it as a supplement rather than your main way around. The free Squeeze Shuttle, running in Lakeland and Lake Wales, is likely the most useful piece for visitors. Amtrak's Silver Star stops at the station on Lake Mirror Drive on the northeast corner of downtown, with Citrus Connection buses departing just outside; note that travel between Lakeland and Tampa isn't permitted on that route. Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach extends connections to Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Fort Myers and other cities, booked as part of a rail itinerary. Greyhound serves the city from a station north of downtown, and FlixBus partnerships provide further intercity links. Cycling is viable, with the Fort Fraser Trail, the Three Parks Trail and the urban Lake-to-Lake Bikeway, though not all roads have dedicated bike lanes. Taxis and rideshare should be arranged directly rather than assumed to be plentiful.

Where to stay

Lakeland's lodging splits neatly between budget motels and chains along the highways and a cluster of full-service hotels near the center. For a simple, economical stay, look to Lake Wire Inn, Extended Stay America Premier Suites, or Days Inn & Suites. Mid-range options include Comfort Inn & Suites and several La Quinta Inn & Suites locations, along with Clarion Pointe Lakeland I-4.

If you want to be near downtown, the Hyatt Place - Lakeland Center puts you close to the civic center, while The Terrace Hotel- Historic Lakeland on East Main Street has been restored and offers a glimpse into the city's past. Elsewhere you'll find dependable splurge chains such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Lakeland South, and Residence Inn by Marriott. Travelers with an RV can settle in at Sanlan RV Park on US Hwy 98 S.

Food & drink

For a casual meal, head to The Joinery on East Main Street, a food hall where several vendors serve everything from ice cream and ramen to burgers, alongside craft beers; events are common there. LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken is another budget-friendly option. Mid-range choices include Britt's Cafe, Country Chicken & Fish of Lakeland, and Cuban Delight Cafe, while Saigon Bistro in the Lakeside Village shopping center serves Vietnamese-style food. Lings Buffet on South Florida Avenue offers Chinese, sushi, and a hibachi grill with a large sushi selection. For a splurge, consider Ciao Bella, Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille, or Palace Italian Restaurant.

For coffee, Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro sits on Lake Morton Drive. Ybor Cigars & Spirits on South Florida Avenue is the spot for a cigar bar, Wild Greg's Saloon on US Highway 98 N covers nightlife, and Molly McHugh's Pubs on South Kentucky Avenue is a tavern option.

What to see and do

Downtown's Lake Mirror is the heart of the city's outdoor life. A circular promenade loops the water, where you can watch for migrating birds and ducks and, if you're lucky, some of Lakeland's famous swans. From the lake you can wander into Hollis Gardens for its displays of foliage and flowers, or bring children to Barnett Family Park, which has play areas for all ages plus a gated area for younger kids, along with mosaic wildlife scenes, animal sculptures and colourful play structures. Keep an eye out for artistic details in the tiles underfoot and the large sculptures around the lake, including the swan sculpture at the top of the staircase of the Galley. Festivals and movies are held on the promenade through the year, and you can stop for lunch at the Garden Bistro or dinner at the Texas Cattle Company steakhouse. A downloadable historic walking tour covers the downtown area.

Art lovers should head to the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College, and architecture fans can start at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center on the campus, the interpretive hub for Wright's buildings there, where daily guided walking tours depart. The RP Funding Center, a multi-purpose complex with an arena, conference hall, exhibition hall and theatre under one roof, hosts larger events, while the 1884 All Saints' Episcopal Church is worth a look for its history. In late March or early April, the week-long Sun n' Fun fly-in and airshow draws general aviation fans, with international aerobatic teams performing in some years. For a retro night out, the Silver Moon Drive-In & Swap Shop shows first-run double features on two screens, with sound through your FM radio.

When to go

Lakeland has a humid subtropical climate, so your timing depends on whether you prefer heat and storms or milder, drier days. Summer runs from May through September with hot, humid conditions and steamy mornings—humidity at sunrise can approach saturation. From early or mid-June through mid to late September, thunderstorms are a regular afternoon event, and June, July and August are the wettest months. Pack for heat, humidity and frequent afternoon storms if you visit then.

Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November and can bring heavy rain in short spans, squall lines, strong winds and isolated tornadoes. For most people a tropical storm is a nuisance for a day or two, though minor flooding, lightning and falling trees carry danger; hurricanes passing through Polk County are not a common occurrence. Winter is mild, with average highs in the 70s°F and lows in the 50s°F, though occasional cold fronts can knock highs into the 60s or even 50s and night-time lows into the 40s and 30s; lows below freezing occur on average just twice a year. February through May are the driest months, and spring is a transitional season between winter and summer temperatures. Fall is likewise transitional: the rainy season typically winds down by mid to late September, while hurricane season continues through November.

Three days in Lakeland

Day one: Start in Lakeland itself, the seat of Polk County in Central Florida, and use it as your base for the three days. Lakeland sits within the Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area and looks west toward Tampa Bay, so you can ease into the trip without long drives. Plan your outdoor time with the weather in mind: summers are warm and humid, with May through September the wettest stretch, while winters are mild and spring, from February, is a comfortable time to be outside. Hurricane Season runs from June through November, so if you travel then, keep an eye on tropical weather and build some flexibility into your plans.

Day two: Look outward toward the wider region. Tampa lies to the west on Tampa Bay, and Orlando sits to the east in Central Florida, so the day can be shaped around either direction. If you are arriving by air, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) serves the city, with Avelo Airlines and Atlantic Airlines among the carriers, while Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) connect the region to Canada, the Caribbean, London and beyond. Use the Interstate and SR routes to move between them.

Day three: Give the final day to Lakeland and its surroundings within Polk County, keeping the pace easy before you travel onward. Check the season before you set out: summers are hot and humid, winters mild, and spring from February is pleasant, while May through September brings the most rain and Hurricane Season, from June to November, can bring tropical weather. If you are flying home, allow time to reach LAL, TPA or MCO.

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