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Vacation Itineraries
 In Polk County, Central Florida
Central Florida's Polk County offers a variety of vacation itineraries including outdoor and nature activities, gorgeous garden tours and great golfing packages. Or, take in the history and heritage of Polk County and visit historic architecture sites, antiques shops and the Polk Museum of Art.
Whether you're looking for a fun family vacation or a quiet, culture-rich getaway for two, Central Florida's Polk County can deliver your perfect Florida vacation. Use these sample itineraries as your starting point and make it a getaway you'll always remember.
Please note, all area codes are (863) unless otherwise noted.
Outdoors & Nature
Day 1
- Head to Lake Kissimmee State Park, home to over 50 special-concern animals. The park's 1876 Cow Camp offers a living history demonstration on weekends and holidays. (696-1112)
- Have lunch at the Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak in Lake Wales and feast on fresh seafood, homemade desserts and even gator. (439-2031)
- Walk the Caloosa Nature Trail at the Ridge Audubon's Babson Park Nature Center. This desert-like ecosystem contains plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. (638-1355)
- End the day with dinner in historic Lake Wales.
Day 2
- Shop and bird watch at Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales, where the surrounding ponds are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. (676-2300)
- Rent a boat from Camp Mack's River Resort (696-1108) near Lake Wales and spend the afternoon on the water. Or, drive west of Winter Haven to Circle B-Bar Reserve, where trails offer great views of ospreys, blue herons and eagles. The reserve's Lake Hancock is home to large numbers of alligators. (534-7377)
Gorgeous Gardens
Day 1
- Start the day with breakfast at Garden Bistro in downtown Lakeland. (686-3332)
- Just a short walk away, tour Lakeland's Hollis Garden in historic Lake Mirror Park, where more than 10,000 flowers, ornamental shrubs and shade trees flourish. (603-6280, closed Mondays)
- Visit Lake Wales' Bok Tower Gardens, where lush gardens surround the signature 205-foot tower housing a 60-bell carillon. Don't miss the afternoon recital and the Window by the Pond nature observatory. Dine at the Carillon Café onsite. (676-1408)
Day 2
- Spend the day at Winter Haven's Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. Stroll through beautiful gardens, watch the famed water-ski show and enjoy over 40 rides, including five roller coasters. Cool off in Splash Island Water Park, one of the park's new seasonal additions. (324-2111)
Golf Sampler
Day 1
- Begin high above sea level (by Florida standards) at Highlands Reserve Golf Club in Davenport. The par-72 course designed by Mike Dasher features pine tree-lined fairways and a rolling Scottish links-style layout. (420-1724)
- In the afternoon, get a taste of Ron Garl's devilish water-laden architecture at The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland. Water comes into play on 14 holes of this 7,000-yard championship challenge (701-0101). Or, check out Lakeland's new semi-private course, The Golf Club at BridgeWater, the latest work of golf course architect Steve Smyers. (727-726-9533)
Day 2
- For another luxury resort course, try Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club in Haines City. The Steve Smyers layout traverses 100 feet of elevation changes over 7,200 bunkered yards. (421-4653)
- To go retro, hit up Cleveland Heights in Lakeland, built in the 1920s (682-3277). The Donald Ross-designed Bartow Golf Course, also constructed in the 1920s, offers another taste of vintage Florida course design. (533-9183)
Aviation & Airborne Adventures
Day 1
- Have breakfast at Tony's Airside Diner in Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Indulge in Airside Favorites and a long list of Side Step Maneuvers, a.k.a. side dishes. (644-8684)
- At the Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, see Florida's largest collection of unique aircraft. Don't miss the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, held each April. (644-0741)
- Head to Lake Wales for lunch at the Crazy Fish Bar & Grille, offering fresh fish and award-winning burgers. (676-6361)
- For a mid-afternoon surge of adrenaline, parachute from a plane at the Florida Skydiving Center in Lake Wales. (678-1003)
Day 2
- Plunge into the past at Polk City's Fantasy of Flight. The museum features the world's largest private collection of vintage aircraft, flight simulators and more. Bi-plane rides available seasonally. (984-3500)
- Have lunch at Fantasy of Flight's Compass Rose, a classic American diner with high-flying flair. (984-3500)
- Later, take to the skies on an ultra-light at South Lakeland Airport (701-0000). Or try hang-gliding at Wallaby Ranch in Davenport. (424-0070)
Art, Architecture & Antiques
Day 1
- Anyone who appreciates architecture should head straight for the Florida Southern College campus in Lakeland to view the largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. (680-6201)
- Nearby, visit the Polk Museum of Art to view several themed galleries, including pre-Columbian art, and an outdoor sculpture garden. (688-7743)
- At Homeland Heritage Park in Homeland, see an impressive collection of pioneer-era buildings including a historic schoolhouse. (534-3766)
Day 2
- For a truly exquisite, old-world breakfast, visit the historic Chalet Suzanne, an award-winning inn and restaurant in Lake Wales. (800-433-6011)
- Hunt for treasures in the antiques districts of Lakeland, Winter Haven and Lake Alfred. For nearby lunch spots, try Lakeland's artsy Antiquarian (682-1059), Winter Haven's bistro-style Shady Oaks Café (292-0234) or Lake Alfred's Victorian-themed Lavender 'N Lace Tea Room. (956-3998)
- Don't go home without touring Historic Bok Sanctuary's Pinewood Estate in Lake Wales, one of the finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture in Florida.
(676-1408)
For more information on the activities mentioned here, view the Attractions listings here.
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