Things to do in Lakeland

[TinkOhio]

My DD will be attending college at Florida Southern this August, and we will now be visiting the area on a more regular basis. We are looking for suggestions about places to eat, things to do, and places to stay in the Lakeland area (aside from the FSC and the arts and crafts buildings surrounding it.) To date, we have booked places in WDW because the prices of the places that have good ratings on Trip Advisor in Lakeland are more expensive than a Disney moderate.

Also, we will be flying in and out of Sanford because the prices for flights from CLE to Orlando are halved when compared to flying into MCO, TPA, and sometimes PIE. Is there a way to avoid the I-4 mess from Orlando/Disney to Lakeland?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Woodview]

You take the Hwy 417 from Sanford ..... which passes the turnoff to Kennedy Space Center & Orlando International

Airport .... passing through toll Booths .... and the last one at the Celebration Booth ..

You then Get in LANE for TAMPA as you join I-4 ( watch for Mickey's Head on a Pylon on Right Side )

Filter onto I -4 and Head for Tampa via Lakeland .

 

[MattM]

My DD will be attending college at Florida Southern this August, and we will now be visiting the area on a more regular basis. We are looking for suggestions about places to eat, things to do, and places to stay in the Lakeland area (aside from the FSC and the arts and crafts buildings surrounding it.) To date, we have booked places in WDW because the prices of the places that have good ratings on Trip Advisor in Lakeland are more expensive than a Disney moderate.

Also, we will be flying in and out of Sanford because the prices for flights from CLE to Orlando are halved when compared to flying into MCO, TPA, and sometimes PIE. Is there a way to avoid the I-4 mess from Orlando/Disney to Lakeland?

Thanks in advance for any help!

You were given good advice by @Woodview, the 417 will bypass most of the Orlando/Disney traffic. There may be a bit where you merge on to I-4, but that would likely be it. From I-4, you can take the Polk Parkway (toll road) to S. Florida which will put you about a mile south of FSC, or you can take I-4 to 98 and come down to FSC that way.

There are 2 Marriott properties on Harden Blvd (a Courtyard an Residence Inn I believe), which is not too far from Florida Southern. They are located in a large outdoor retail/lifestyle center that has a lot of shops, restaurants, a movie theater and such. I believe there may be a Hampton Inn there too.

Hollis Gardens is beautiful. Its located in downtown Lakeland, a short drive from FSC. The Polk Museum of Art is downtown, too. The Detroit Tigers hold their spring training in Lakeland, and their minor league affiliate plays there in the spring and through summer. There's also the Sun n Fun Air Show which is usuall in late March/early April. You could also zip over to Winter Haven and see where (I'm assuming here) your beloved Indians used to hold spring training as well.

If you have any more specific questions about the area...fire away!

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks so much for the great replies and suggestions!

Matt- Do you know the name of the shopping center off hand?

And do either of have any favorite spots to dine? Or nice patios to grab a cocktail on?

TIA!

 

[NinaBella]

My DD will be attending college at Florida Southern this August, and we will now be visiting the area on a more regular basis. We are looking for suggestions about places to eat, things to do, and places to stay in the Lakeland area (aside from the FSC and the arts and crafts buildings surrounding it.) To date, we have booked places in WDW because the prices of the places that have good ratings on Trip Advisor in Lakeland are more expensive than a Disney moderate.

Also, we will be flying in and out of Sanford because the prices for flights from CLE to Orlando are halved when compared to flying into MCO, TPA, and sometimes PIE. Is there a way to avoid the I-4 mess from Orlando/Disney to Lakeland?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I have stayed near the mall before and also at the Lakeland Terrace Hotel. It is an older hotel and there is no pool, but it is in a nice quaint part of town next to the lake where they often have events and activities. http://www.terracehotel.com/

If you do not have younger kids in your group, perhaps check out a few Bed and Breakfast locations.


There are several hotels next to the Lakeside Villagel. Several places to eat like any mall. It is an outdoor mall and has a movie theater and typical stores you would expect in any mall.
http://shoplakesidevillage.net/

Other than checking out their local events calendar or the events at the Lakeland Civic Center, there typically isn't a lot to do in Lakeland. I sometimes take a class in Lakeland or go there for a cheerleading competition. But other than that I would have no need to stop in Lakeland for anything.

 

[NinaBella]

Matt is talking about Lakeside Village.


http://shoplakesidevillage.net/

My class at Webster University was actually upstairs in the business area of this mall.

 

[1lilspark]

They do First Friday Downtown as well as a Food Truck Rally that I believe is monthly as well {my sister has been I have not}
We tend to joke that there is really not much to do for entertainment aside from the Movies and for the most part head toward Orlando or Tampa for entertainment.

There are a few back ways we sometimes take to 'the world' however since I don't drive I couldn't give exact direction

 

[MattM]

Thanks so much for the great replies and suggestions!

Matt- Do you know the name of the shopping center off hand?

And do either of have any favorite spots to dine? Or nice patios to grab a cocktail on?

TIA!

Sorry for the delay, but as others mentioned, it is the Lakeside Village.

There's a neat little place near downtown Lakeland, not far from Lakeside Village called Red Door Wine Market (www.reddoorwinemarket.com) Good food, lots of wines and craft beers, and live music regularly.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks so much to all for the help!

 

[1lilspark]

Next Saturday 5/14 I saw a flyer they are doing some kind of 80s night down in Mun Park