kids with hands up on Dragon Coaster Ride at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, FL

Welcome To

VisitCentral
Florida

LAKELAND • WINTER HAVEN

 

So many things to do in Central Florida. A Central Florida vacation gives visitors a chance to unpack once and see it all in Florida’s Sweetest Spot. Central Florida features a variety of unique towns and cities for you to explore, each with their own collection of adventures to choose from. Exhilarating attractions, delicious restaurants and breathtaking outdoor experiences are just the start of the excitement that awaits you in Florida’s Sweetest Spot.

Start planning your future visit with this free Central Florida travel guide.
It’s okay to daydream about your next Florida vacation—in fact, let’s dream together. We invite you to put your mind at ease and imagine the possibilities, while keeping in mind that the safety of our residents and visitors is our number one priority.

Staying in the heart of Florida gives you access to hidden gems, from east to west. Here you’ll find a quiet place to rest your head and a convenient, central location near wide-open recreation areas. Bonus — you’ll get more bang for your buck when it comes to the travel budget. You can even upgrade to a resort stay at a reasonable price.

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A Central Florida vacation gives visitors a chance to unpack once and see it all in Florida’s Sweetest Spot. Here you’ll find things to do in Central Florida, including major theme parks, citrus grove and farm tours, historic landmarks, and ways to cruise Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes.

Things to Do in Central Florida’s Sweetest Spot

Located between Orlando and Tampa, Winter Haven is home to LEGOLAND Florida Resort. and the new Peppa Pig Theme Park. In addition, you may enjoy attractions like Bok Tower Gardens and Safari Wilderness.

Lakeland offers big city shopping and dining options, plus the world’s largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture on the campus of Florida Southern College. Other things to do include, catching a Detroit Tigers Spring Training game in March, and visiting the best of natural Florida at Circle B Bar Reserve, known one of the best places to see alligators. New highlights include the spectacular Bonnet Springs Park, a 168-acre facility blending nature, art and interactive experiences, and the fabulous Florida Children’s Museum, both in Downtown Lakeland.

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SEE & DO

Andy Thornal Company

Mother and daughter looking at Florida pillow inside Andy Thornal Company in Lakeland, FL

Andy Thornal Company has been selling high quality outdoor apparel, sporting goods, shoes, fine clothing,…

Address: 336 Magnolia Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-299-9999

Rafa Natural – Lake Wales

selection of colorful soap for sale at Rafa Natural in Lake Wales, FL

Locally owned shop with three locations featuring bath and body products made fresh daily.

Address: 229 E Stuart Ave., Suite 10
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: 863-712-7620

Ridge Island Groves

Soft serve ice cream, orange and tangerine juice, pecans, oranges and strawberries at Ridge Island Groves. Florida Citrus Makes a Great Christmas Gift

Pick an orange, buy marmalade, ice cream and more at Ridge Island Groves. Visit and…

Address: 6000 Polk City Rd.
Haines City, FL 33844

Phone: 863-422-0333

Dixieland Relics

Couple looking at stoneware inside Dixieland Relics in Lakeland, FL. Home decor and antique furniture on display throughout room.

Dixieland Relics in the Dixieland neighborhood of Lakeland is a vintage and antique shop located…

Address: 949 Florida Ave S
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-559-8356

Lakeside Village Mall

Lakeside Village Mall

Outdoor mall in South Lakeland anchored by Belk, Kohl’s, Books-A-Million and Cobb Theatre – Lakeside…

Address: 1479 Town Center Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-616-9825

The Stable Home Décor

The Stable Home Décor

Popular Lake Alfred destination features multiple shops in a single location. Commonly referred to as…

Address: 101 CR 557-A
Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Phone: 863-956-1363

Lake Wales Arts Council

Gallery with hanging art at Lake Wales Arts Council.

Located in a Spanish mission-style church built in 1927. Lake Wales Arts Council welcomes visitors…

Address: 1099 State Road 60 East
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: (863) 676-8426

Wonder House Historic Tours

Exterior of 3-story Wonder House in Bartow, FL

The rebuilding and remodeling of the Wonder House was covered by episode 9 of the…

Address: 1075 E Mann Rd
Bartow, FL 33830

Ridge Art Association

Ridge Art Association

A competition gallery, which stimulates appreciation of the fine arts. Open one hour prior to…

Address: 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: (863) 291-5661

Polk State College Winter Haven Art Gallery

Polk State College Art Gallery

A hub for local arts programming, Polk State College presents a variety of musical, theater…

Address: 999 Ave. H N.E.
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Phone: (863) 297-1050

Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture at Florida Southern College

4 people inside Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL

Explore the genius of America’s greatest architect through his most fully articulated vision: the National…

Address: 840 Johnson Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: 863-680-4597

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

father and son on Great LEGO Race roller coaster at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, FL

At LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, everyone is a hero. Built just for families with kids age…

Address: One LEGOLAND Way
Winter Haven, FL 33884

Phone: (888) 690-5346

Spook Hill

Road and sign explaining history of Spook Hill in Lake Wales, FL

The mystery of Spook Hill has fascinated generations. Cars parked at the bottom of the…

Address: 600 N Wales Dr.
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: (863) 676-3445

Safari Wilderness Ranch

Dream Up Your Next Florida Vacation. Safari Wilderness, Lakeland, Florida

Knowledgeable tour guides at Safari Wilderness Ranch will lead the way through 260-acres in custom…

Address: 10850 Moore Road
Lakeland, FL 33809

Phone: 813-382-2120

Auburndale Dog Park at Lake Myrtle Park

Auburndale Dog Park

Auburndale dog park at Lake Myrtle Sports Park, near Polk Parkway exit 18.

Address: 318 Denton Ave.
Auburndale, FL 33823

Phone: 863-965-5545

Lake Crago Dog Park

Bark Park

North Lakeland dog park located just south of Interstate 4.

Address: 525 Lake Crago Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33805

Phone: 863-834-2233

Swan Brewing

tap wall at Swan Brewing in Lakeland, FL

Swan Brewing features 30 taps of craft beer, live music and food trucks. The brewery…

Address: 115 W Pine St
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: 863-703-0472

Jensen’s Corner Bar

Jensen's Corner Bar

Jensen's Corner Bar in downtown Winter Haven serves craft beer, wine and premium cocktails. Adler's…

Address: 100 3rd St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-298-6755

TMC Guide Service

parents and 2 sons with lake in background. dad holding fish. TMC Guide Service

Capt. Scott Taylor of TMC Guide Service is a USCG licensed captain with his Masters…

Address:
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Phone: 855-354-8433

Central Florida Bucketmouths

man holding large mouth bass while fishing with Central Florida Bucketmouths

Central Florida Bucketmouths offers guided bass fishing adventures in Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes, Lake…

Address: 2403 7th St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-661-7226

Bud’s RV Park & Marina

Bud’s RV Park & Marina

Bud's RV Park & Marina is a fishing and hunting camp in Lake Wales with…

Address: 1700 Tiger Lake Rd.
Lake Wales, FL 33898

Phone: (863) 696-2274

Memory Makin’ Guides

Memory Makin’ Guides

Memory Makin’ Guides owner Reno Alley holds a USCG Captain's License and has over 30…

Address:
Frostproof, FL

Phone: 863-632-0304

Hollis Garden

Trees and flowers at Hollis Garden in Lakeland, FL. Lake Morton in background of photo.

Located along the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror, this botanical display garden set in…

Address: 614 E. Orange St.
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: (863) 834-2280

Bonnet Springs Park

Drone image of Bonnet Springs Park located in Lakeland, FL

Bonnet Springs Park, open as of October 2022, is located in Lakeland along the I-4…

Address: 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: 863-413-0652

Bok Tower Gardens

Carillon Tower at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales

Historic Bok Tower Gardens, a national historic landmark, features two hiking trails, 50 acres of…

Address: 1151 Tower Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: 863-676-1408

Simmers-Young Park

Playground area at Simmers-Young Park in Winter Haven, FL

A recreational park with multi-purpose and soccer fields, picnic facilities, fishing pond, dog park and…

Address: 339 American Spirit Rd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-534-4340

Providence Golf & Country Club

Shor of the Providence Golf Course

Providence Golf Club offers a first-class experience at rates everyone can afford. Located just south…

Address: 1518 Clubhouse Blvd.
Davenport, FL 33837

Phone: 863-420-2652

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

2 girls horseback riding in front of conestoga wagons at westgate river ranch resort and rodeo

The largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River features luxe teepees, glamping, cabins, hotel…

Address: 3200 River Ranch Rd.
River Ranch, FL 33867

Phone: 863-692-1321

Highlands Reserve Golf Club

Highlands Reserve Golf Course Shot

Set atop one of the highest areas of Central Florida, Highlands Reserve Golf Club features…

Address: 500 Highlands Reserve Blvd.
Davenport, FL 33897

Phone: 863-420-1724

The Club at Eaglebrooke

Par 3 hole featuring over the water shot to tee at Eaglebrooke Golf & Country Club in Lakeland, FL

The Club at Eaglebrooke provides a challenging, but fair test of golf for players of…

Address: 1300 Eaglebrooke Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33813

Phone: 863-701-0101

The Living Water Boat Cruises

family of four on pontoon boat during tour with The Living Water Boat Cruises in Winter Haven, FL

Explore the many lakes that make up Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes during a tour…

Address:
Winter Haven, FL

Phone: 877-257-1529

Off the Chain Kayak Company

Off the Chain Kayak Company

Paddle around Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes with friends and family when you rent from…

Address:
Winter Haven, FL

Phone: 863-225-0934

Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Resort

Motorhome and boat under an oak tree at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Resort, RV campsite near Lake Wales, FL

Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort in Lake Wales offers premium…

Address: 14900 Camp Mack Rd.
Lake Wales, FL 33898

Phone: (800) 243-8013

Paddleboard Winter Haven

3 girls paddle boarding in winter haven

Paddleboard Winter Haven offers classes, tours and races on Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes. Most…

Address: 1006 Lake Howard Dr. SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: (863) 845-5307

Polk Museum of Art

Male and female looking at art hanging in gallery at Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL

Polk Museum of Art is one of the top-ten art museums in Central Florida, featuring…

Address: 800 E. Palmetto St.
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: (863) 688-7743 x223

Lake Wales History Museum

2 females looking at exhibits inside Lake Wales History Museum

Lake Wales History Museum features permanent exhibits from Lake Wales history, its industries, a railroad…

Address: 325 S Scenic Highway
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: (863) 676-1759

Florida Children’s Museum

two girls playing in the design park exhibit at florida children's museum

Opened in Lakeland on November 4, Florida Children’s Museum is the place for hands-on learning.…

Address: 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: 863-687-3869

L.B. Brown House Museum

Exterior of LB Brown House Museum and historical marker sign in Bartow, FL.

Former slave, L.B. Brown, built this house turned museum in 1892. Guided tours of the…

Address: 470 L.B. Brown Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: (863) 330-3122

Crooked Lake Prairie

sandy scrub hiking trail at Crooked Lake Prairie in Babson Park, FL

Situated on Polk County's only state-designated "Outstanding Florida Water Body," Crooked Lake Prairie is home…

Address: 985 Ohlinger Rd
Babson Park, FL 33827

Phone: 863-534-7377

Se7en Wetlands Park

Se7en Wetlands Park

1,600 acre area comprised of marshes, uplands and lakes offering more than 8 miles for…

Address: 500 W Carter Road
Mulberry, FL 33860

Phone: 863-834-7386

Arbuckle Tract at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

Sandy access road at Arbuckle Wildlife Management Area in Frostproof, FL

Arbuckle Tract at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is a 13,530 acre property in Frostproof…

Address: Lake Arbuckle Rd. & Rucks Dairy Rd.
Frostproof, FL 33843

Phone: (863) 589-0545

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve – East Tract

Pine covered path through East Tract at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Lakeland, FL

East Tract in North Lakeland offers 33 miles of trails for hiking, cycling and birding.…

Address: Entrance at intersection of Rock Ridge Rd. and Dean Still Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809

Phone: 863-648-3200

Polk Theatre

Polk Theatre

Historic Polk Theatre was built in 1928 and features an annual live performing arts series…

Address: 121 S. Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: (863) 682-7553

Ritz Theatre

Ritz Theatre

Restored 1925 vintage theatre is again a center of community, cultural and social activities and…

Address: 263 West Central Ave.
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Phone: (863) 937-1414

RP Funding Center

Aerial view of RP Funding Center buildings and parking lot in Lakeland, FL

RP Funding Center is a multi-purpose entertainment complex featuring the 8,000-seat Jenkins Arena, 2,200-seat Youkey…

Address: 701 W. Lime St.
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: (863) 834-8133

Gram Parsons Derry Down

Gram Parsons Derry Down

Gram Parsons' Derry Down is a historic music venue opened in 1964 by Gram Parsons…

Address: 297 5th Street NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Phone: 863-295-9422

Andy Thornal Company

Mother and daughter looking at Florida pillow inside Andy Thornal Company in Lakeland, FL

Andy Thornal Company has been selling high quality outdoor apparel, sporting goods, shoes, fine clothing,…

Address: 336 Magnolia Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-299-9999

Rafa Natural – Lake Wales

selection of colorful soap for sale at Rafa Natural in Lake Wales, FL

Locally owned shop with three locations featuring bath and body products made fresh daily.

Address: 229 E Stuart Ave., Suite 10
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: 863-712-7620

Dixieland Relics

Couple looking at stoneware inside Dixieland Relics in Lakeland, FL. Home decor and antique furniture on display throughout room.

Dixieland Relics in the Dixieland neighborhood of Lakeland is a vintage and antique shop located…

Address: 949 Florida Ave S
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-559-8356

Lakeside Village Mall

Lakeside Village Mall

Outdoor mall in South Lakeland anchored by Belk, Kohl’s, Books-A-Million and Cobb Theatre – Lakeside…

Address: 1479 Town Center Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-616-9825

Lakeland Flying Tigers

Lakeland Flying Tigers

The Detroit Tigers' Class A Affiliate team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers, play their Florida State…

Address: 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33805

Phone: 863-413-4140

Detroit Tigers

Aerial view of Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium during a Detroit Tigers Spring Training game in Lakeland, FL

Experience the nostalgia of a Detroit Tigers Spring Training game in Central Florida where players…

Address: 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33805

Phone: 866-668-4437

Lakeland Ice Arena

kids hockey practice at Lakeland Ice Arena

Lakeland Ice Arena offers year round Ice skating for everyone. Whether you are a first…

Address: 3395 W. Memorial Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: 863-617-7055

Winter Haven Food Tours

Downtown Winter Haven street

Visit historic locations and fun venue spaces during a 2.5-hour culinary adventure with Winter Haven…

Address:
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-288-0038

Ridge Island Groves

Soft serve ice cream, orange and tangerine juice, pecans, oranges and strawberries at Ridge Island Groves. Florida Citrus Makes a Great Christmas Gift

Pick an orange, buy marmalade, ice cream and more at Ridge Island Groves. Visit and…

Address: 6000 Polk City Rd.
Haines City, FL 33844

Phone: 863-422-0333

Lakeland Food Tours

Group sitting at table inside Cafe Roti. Drinks on table. Nate, host of Lakeland Food Tours standing.

To fill your mind, your belly and your heart in one walking food tour with…

Address:
Lakeland, FL

Phone: 863-279-0076

Oponay Farms

peaches on tree at Oponay Farms in Lakeland, FL

With views overlooking Lake Hancock, Oponay Farms might be one of the prettiest places to…

Address: 5129 Hancock Lake Rd
Lakeland, FL 33812

Phone: (863) 698-7995

LEARN & DISCOVER

Dream Up Your Next Florida Vacation. Safari Wilderness, Lakeland, Florida

Safari Wilderness Ranch

Knowledgeable tour guides at Safari Wilderness Ranch will lead the way through 260-acres in custom safari vehicles, answering questions and…

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Carillon Tower at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales

Bok Tower Gardens

Historic Bok Tower Gardens, a national historic landmark, features two hiking trails, 50 acres of gardens, the 20-room El Retiro…

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father and son on Great LEGO Race roller coaster at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, FL

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

At LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, everyone is a hero. Built just for families with kids age 2 to 12, LEGOLAND® Florida…

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3 girls paddle boarding in winter haven

Paddleboard Winter Haven

Paddleboard Winter Haven offers classes, tours and races on Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes. Most tours leave from Lake Summit,…

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2 girls horseback riding in front of conestoga wagons at westgate river ranch resort and rodeo

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

The largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River features luxe teepees, glamping, cabins, hotel rooms and duplexes. Westgate River…

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Grand Opening moment at entrance to Peppa Pig Theme Park

The World’s First Peppa Pig Theme Park Now Open!

All little piggies and parents of little piggies can squeal in delight as the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park...

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water ripples used as email signup background

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