The Lakeland Blog
Lakeland Is Florida's Best-Kept Secret — A Guide to the Real Polk County
Most tourists skip Lakeland and head straight to the coast. Here's why that's a mistake — what to see and do in Polk County, from the lake to the zoo to the old town.
Lakeland's Real Attractions: A Local's Guide to the City's Best Spots
Born & Bread's James Beard–nominated sourdough, Black & Brew's avocado toast, Bonnet Springs Park, the RP Funding Center's Broadway season, and championship golf — where Lakeland locals actually spend their time.
The Fall Setup: What to Book Before the Season Flips
The last full week of September is the one that has the fall weather and the pre-holiday rates. Here is what to book before the season flips.
The September Golf Round: Last of the Off-Season
The September golf round is the last of the off-season rounds in Polk County. Here is the plan that makes the week work around the final off-season tee.
Shoulder-Season Rates: How to Get the Winter Price in September
The shoulder season is the version of the season that has the winter weather and the off-season rates. Here is how to get the winter price for the best weather.
Fall in Lakeland: Cooler Mornings and the Golf Off-Season Ending
Fall is the month the whole thing flips in Lakeland. Here is what the transition looks like, from the cooler mornings to the golf tee sheets filling up.
The Fall Turn: First Cool Morning, First Empty Ramp
The first full week of September is the one where the fall turn happens. Here is what the transition looks like, from the cooler mornings to the empty ramps.
September in Lakeland: The Shoulder Season That Is Actually the Best
September in Lakeland is the shoulder season that is actually the best. Here is the case for spending the last month of the off-season on a 35,000-acre lake.
Labor Day in Lakeland: The Last Quiet Weekend of Summer
Labor Day weekend in Lakeland is the last quiet weekend of the summer. Here is the plan that makes the whole weekend work before the fall season starts.
The Late Summer Golf Round: Early Tee, Cool Air
The late summer version of a golf round in Polk County is the one that does not require a waiting list. Here is the plan that makes the week work around the rounds.
Back-to-School Week: The Quiet Mid-August Lake
Back-to-school week in Lakeland is the version of the week that does not require a crowd. Here is the case for spending the quiet mid-August on a 35,000-acre lake.
The Off-Season Dining Calendar: What Is Open in August
The off-season dining scene in Lakeland is the one that is still open and not crowded. Here is the full plate for the middle of the summer.
August in Lakeland: The Quiet Before the Crowds
August in Lakeland is the month the quiet is the thing. Here is the case for spending the last month of the off-season on a 35,000-acre lake.
August Heat: The Early Boat and the Spring Creek
August is the month the early boat is the version of the day that works. Here is the plan that makes the whole week work in the middle of the heat.
The Polk County Zoo and the Half-Day Plans
The Polk County Zoo is the half-day option that makes a family summer week work. Here is the plan that pairs the zoo with a lake afternoon.
A Family Summer Week in Lakeland: Kids, Lake, and No Crowds
The family version of a summer week in Lakeland is the one that does not require a beach. Here is the plan that makes the whole week work for a group with kids.
Summer in the Off-Season: The Empty Lake and the Early Boat
The summer version of Lake Lakeland is the one that does not require a crowd. Here is what the water looks like in July when the boat ramps are empty.
July in Lakeland: The Off-Season Is the On-Season
July in Lakeland is the month the off-season is the on-season. Here is the case for spending the hottest month of the year on a 35,000-acre lake.
A Fourth of July in Lakeland: Fireworks Without the Traffic
The Fourth of July in Lakeland is the version of the holiday that does not require a beach parking lot. Here is the plan that makes the whole week work.
The Early Summer Week: The Last of the Off-Season
The last full week of June is the one that has the off-season rates and the pre-summer crowds. Here is the case for booking the window before the season flips.
Summer at RP Funding Center: The Events That Keep the Venues Full
Summer is when RP Funding Center's calendar runs at full tilt. Here is what is on at the 8,000-seat arena and the Youkey Theatre, and how to plan a week around it.
June in Lakeland: Early Mornings, Spring Water, and the Off-Season
June in Lakeland is the month the early mornings are the good ones and the spring water is the thing that makes the trip work. Here is the guide to the version of June that does not require a crowd.
Summer on the Lake: How Locals Beat the Florida Afternoon
The Florida afternoon is the thing that makes a summer trip hard, and the locals have a plan. Here is how to beat the heat and still get the week you want.
Memorial Day Weekend in Lakeland: The Last Quiet Weekend Before Summer
Memorial Day weekend in Lakeland is the last quiet weekend before the summer crowds arrive. Here is the plan that makes the whole weekend work.
May in Lakeland: The Quietest Month of the Year
May in Lakeland is the month the crowds leave and the rates drop. Here is the case for spending the quietest month of the year on a 35,000-acre lake.
Late April: The Last Warm Week Before the Heat
Late April is the last week that has the warm mornings and the pre-summer rates. Here is the case for booking the window before the season flips.
A Long Weekend in Lakeland: Three Days, No Rush
A long weekend in Lakeland is the version of a vacation that does not require a flight plan. Here is the three-day plan that makes the whole weekend work.
A Spring Golf Week: 23 Courses and a House That Puts You Close
A week in Lakeland in the spring is a golf week by default. Here is how to play five different courses in five days and not repeat one.
April in Lakeland: The Warm Mornings and the Slow Afternoons
April in Lakeland is the month the mornings are warm and the afternoons are slow. Here is the guide to the version of the month that does not require a crowd.
The Week Before Spring Break: Book Before the Rush
The last full week of March is the one that has the spring weather and the pre-break rates. Here is the case for booking the window before the crowds arrive.
Spring Break in Lakeland: The Alternative to the Beach Crowds
Spring break in Lakeland is the version of the holiday that does not require a beach. Here is the case for spending the break on a 35,000-acre lake.
Easter Weekend in Lakeland: A Slow Long Weekend on the Water
Easter weekend in Lakeland is the long weekend that does not require a crowd. Here is the plan that makes the whole weekend work.
A Spring Week on the Lake: Warm Water and Empty Boat Ramps
The spring week on Lake Lakeland is the version of a Florida lake that does not require a crowd. Here is what the week looks like, from the dock at 7 a.m. to a late dinner in town.
The Valentine's Weekend Plan: Bread, Coffee, and a Lake View
Valentine's weekend in Lakeland is the version of the holiday that does not require a crowded beach. Here is the plan that makes the whole weekend work.
Late February: The Week Before the Spring Break Rush
Late February is the last week that has the winter weather and the pre-break rates. Here is the case for booking the window before the season flips.
Spring in Lakeland: The Flowers, the Warm Water, and the Slow Mornings
Spring in Lakeland is the month the flowers come out and the water warms up. Here is the guide to the slow morning version of the season.
Spring and the Golf Season: Why the Tee Sheets Fill by Phone
The spring golf season in Polk County is the one everyone plans around. Here is why the tee sheets fill by phone and how to get the round you want.
Lakeland in the Spring: Warm Water, Flowers, and the Golf Season Opening
Spring in Lakeland is the month the whole thing flips. Here is what the season opening looks like, from the golf tee sheets to the lake.
Lakeland for Remote Workers: Wi-Fi, Coffee, and a Dock
The remote worker's version of a Florida winter is a house with a dock, a fast connection, and a coffee shop that is not a tourist trap. Here is the setup that works.
The Lake in Winter: Why the Off-Season Is the Right Time on the Water
Lake Lakeland in winter is the version of a Florida lake that does not require a crowd to be good. Here is what the water looks like when the tourists are not there.
The Holiday Events Week: New Year's and the Spring Break Show
The last full week of January is the one that has the New Year's energy and the spring break show dates. Here is the case for booking the window before the season flips.
The Winter Dining Guide to Lakeland: Where Locals Actually Eat
The winter dining scene in Lakeland is the good one, and it is not where you think. Here is the full plate, from the bakery line to the reservation dinner.
Christmas Week in Lakeland: The House, the Lake, and the Show
Christmas week in Lakeland is the version of the holiday that does not require a beach parking lot. Here is the plan that makes the whole week work.
The Holiday Season in Lakeland: What Is Happening at RP Funding Center
Lakeland's holiday season is a calendar of events, not a beach crowd. Here is what is on at RP Funding Center and how to plan a week around it.
A Winter Week on Lake Lakeland: 70-Degree Mornings and Empty Docks
What a week on the lake actually looks like in the middle of winter, from the dock at 7 a.m. to a late dinner in downtown.
The Winter Escape Guide: Why Lakeland Beats the Beach This Year
The winter Florida crowd is making a detour. Here is the case for spending your cold-weather break on a 35,000-acre lake instead of a crowded beach.
The Snowbird Week: The First Cold Snap and the Warm Dock
The week after Thanksgiving is the week the first cold snap hits the north and the snowbird weeks start. Here is the case for the warm dock and the empty lake.
The Lakeland Golf Off-Season: Play When the Courses Are Empty
Polk County's 23 courses are at their best when nobody is on the waiting list. Here is how to play the off-season and get the round you actually want.
Thanksgiving in Lakeland: The Long Weekend Nobody Crowds
Thanksgiving weekend in Lakeland is the long, quiet alternative to a beach-town rush. Here is the plan that makes the whole week work.
The Thanksgiving and Holiday Weekend Plan for Lakeland
Two of the biggest travel weekends of the year hit Lakeland every fall. Here is how to plan both without the crowds and the coast prices.
The Pre-Holiday Window: The Week Before the Crowds Arrive
The last full week of October is the one that has the fall weather and the pre-holiday rates. Here is the case for booking the window before the season flips.
October Light: The Photographers' Version of Lakeland
October is the month the light changes in Lakeland, and the photographers know it. Here is the guide to the version of the month that does not require a crowd.
The First Fall Boating Week: Ramps Empty, Water Flat
The first full week of fall on Lake Lakeland is the one boaters plan the year around. Here is what the water looks like when the ramps are empty.
Fall in Lakeland: Cooler Mornings, Clear Air, and the Real Fall Season
Fall is the most underrated season in Central Florida. Here is what cooler mornings, the golf off-season, and an empty lake actually feel like in Lakeland.