Lakes. Swan-filled parks. Spring Training baseball. Lakeland, Florida, brings together some of the best parts of Central Florida.
Located between Tampa and Orlando, the city of Lakeland gives visitors plenty of reasons to stay awhile. Explore nature preserves, walk through historic downtown, or spend an afternoon surrounded by art and architecture.
It’s what makes Lakeland, FL a popular destination for visitors and retirees. Some Florida snowbirds turn their trips into something more permanent by choosing 55+ communities like Cypress Lakes Village. Experience the Lakeland lifestyle with these local places and attractions worth exploring.
5 Things to Do in Lakeland, FL
Outdoor activities are easy to find around Lakeland. Spend the day exploring parks, swimming pools, and recreation programs throughout the city. Or head outside of downtown for a closer look at Central Florida wildlife.
1. Explore Circle B Bar Reserve
See a different side of Central Florida at Circle B Bar Reserve. This Polk County nature preserve stretches across more than 1,200 acres of wetlands and native Florida habitat.
Start inside the reserve at the Polk Nature Discovery Center. Interactive exhibits introduce visitors to the wildlife and ecosystems found throughout the property.
Then take what you learned with you as you venture outside. Follow the trails through wetlands and shaded oak trees while keeping an eye out for birds, turtles, and alligators along the way.
Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and a camera for the miles of natural scenery and wildlife.
There is plenty to explore beyond Lakeland’s parks. Art, architecture, and local traditions offer additional ways to experience this city.
2. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
Step into a piece of Lakeland history at Florida Southern College.
Famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several buildings across the campus. Wright designed each one to work with the surrounding landscape. Creating a signature look that stands apart from a traditional college campus.
Take a guided tour to learn more about Wright’s vision and the stories behind the buildings. As you walk through Florida Southern, you’ll see 13 of his designs along the way. Together they make up the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.
Covered walkways, geometric buildings, and open outdoor spaces give visitors plenty to see as they make their way through campus.
3. Catch a Detroit Tigers Spring Training Game
Take yourself out to the ballgame for a Spring Training game in Lakeland. The Detroit Tigers return to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium each year to prepare for the upcoming season.
Grab a seat in the stands and watch Major League players take the field under the Florida sun. Spring Training brings fans closer to the action and turns an afternoon at the ballpark into one of Lakeland’s longtime traditions.
Getting to the game can be easy too. Lakeland’s public transportation system offers the TigerTown Express with free shuttle service to Spring Training home games.
Residents at Cypress Lakes Village are in a great spot to keep the baseball fun going. The 55+ community’s Central Florida location makes it easy to explore more Spring Training teams and stadiums throughout the state.
Residents from the Cypress Lakes Village neighborhood at a Spring Training game.
Explore the Best of Downtown Lakeland
4. Walk Around Lake Mirror and Hollis Garden
Spend some time in the heart of downtown Lakeland at Lake Mirror. Walk along the historic Frances Langford Promenade for waterfront views before heading into nearby Hollis Garden.
The 1.2-acre botanical garden is home to more than 10,000 flowers, ornamental shrubs, and native trees. Walk through patterned flower beds and past fountains while taking in views of Lake Mirror. Admission is free too.
Pro Tip: Make The Joinery your lunch stop after Lake Mirror. With several local food vendors under one roof, everyone can find something they like.
5. Visit the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art
Make sure to leave time for the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art. Formerly known as the Polk Museum of Art, this Lakeland museum offers free admission and changing exhibitions throughout the year.
Walk through the galleries and discover contemporary art, decorative pieces and works from around the world. Rotating exhibitions give visitors something different to see with each visit.
Once you finish inside, grab a coffee from local favorite Black & Brew. The coffee shop is tucked inside the Lakeland Public Library next door. Then head across the street to Lake Morton and follow the path around the water. Keep an eye out for the swans that have become one of downtown Lakeland’s most famous sights.
Homes For Sale in Lakeland at Cypress Lakes
Lakeland offers plenty to fill a weekend. It’s why some visitors start looking for ways to make Central Florida part of everyday life.
Explore the 55+ community lifestyle at Cypress Lakes Village. This manufactured home community combines resort-style amenities, two golf courses, and a convenient Lakeland location. Residents can enjoy heated pools, sports courts, fitness activities, a full social calendar and a full-service restaurant and tavern right inside the community.
The location makes it easy to explore beyond the community too. Downtown Lakeland, local parks, and other Central Florida attractions are all within reach.
Ready to live in Lakeland? Explore new and pre-owned real estate at Cypress Lakes Village. See available Lakeland homes for sale and take the next step toward making Florida your forever home.