Lakeland Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in Polk County, Florida, United States
About Lakeland
Lakeland was first settled by European-Americans in the 1870s and began to develop as the rail lines reached the area in 1884. It was incorporated 1 January 1885. The town was founded by Abraham Munn (a resident of Louisville, Kentucky), who purchased 80 acres (320,000 m²) of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and platted the land for the town in 1884. Among the names considered (and rejected) for the town by its residents were Munnsville, Red Bug and Rome City. In April 1898, the Spanish-American War began and started a crucial point in Lakeland's development. While the war ended quickly and had little impact on most of the nation, the Florida peninsula was used as a launch point for the war and the then small town of Lakeland would house over 9,000 troops. The Florida boom res
Top Attractions in Lakeland
Explore the best things to see and do in Lakeland:
- ★All Saints' Episcopal Church
- ★Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College
- ★RP Funding Center
- ★Sun n' Fun
Where to Eat in Lakeland
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴BD's Mongolian Grill
- 🍴Britt's Cafe, Inc.
- 🍴Ciao Bella
- 🍴Country Chicken & Fish of Lakeland
- 🍴Cuban Delight Cafe
- 🍴Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
Where to Stay in Lakeland
- 🏨Comfort Inn & Suites
- 🏨Courtyard by Marriott
- 🏨Days Inn & Suites
- 🏨Extended Stay America Premier Suites
- 🏨Hampton Inn
- 🏨Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeland South Polk Parkway
Lakeland Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: