If you’re looking for places to go in Lakeland, Florida, there are a variety of options to consider. The city’s historic district is a great place to see a wide range of architecture from the early 1900s. The city is also home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings at Florida Southern College. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of lakes and gardens, such as Hollis Garden and Lake Mirror. You can also visit the Polk Museum of Art, which has a great collection of contemporary paintings and pre-Columbian artifacts.
Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center
The Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. The Center offers guided tours of the buildings on campus, as well as pamphlets and maps for visitors to use as they explore the site. The museum is also open on weekends, and offers free parking.
The Visitor Center houses the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. Located on the campus of Florida Southern College, the Center is a National Historic Landmark. The building complex includes 13 Wright-designed structures, as well as photos and drawings of his work. It also hosts exhibits on loan from Wright’s other sites.
For an in-depth look at Wright’s work, a tour is recommended. You can choose from seven different tour options. The easiest is a self-guided tour. You can purchase a map at the Center and wander the grounds at your own pace. Other options include guided tours of the Florida Southern campus and a tour of Wright’s Usonian House.
The center features a restored Usonian House, which Wright designed in 1939. Originally intended as faculty housing, the building is now used for education purposes. Wright’s Usonian House has intricately aligned shapes and stained glass pieces that connect it with other buildings on campus. You can also tour the building in virtual reality.
If you’re a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, you will be fascinated by the museum’s exhibits. In fact, it’s the world’s largest collection of Wright’s architecture on one site. Tours offer the best way to experience the architect’s work.
Explorations V Children’s Museum
Explorations V Children’s Museum is an independent 501c3 children’s museum in Lakeland, Florida. The museum offers a unique collection of interactive art experiences for kids. You can also visit the museum’s permanent exhibitions, which focus on a range of topics related to science and nature.
The Explorations V Children’s Museum will transition to a new name and brand in 2018. The museum will move to a new site in Bonnet Springs Park next year, and the new name will reflect the museum’s expansion. The museum will retain its existing logo and website, as well as a presence on social media.
There are three floors of hands-on exhibits at Explorations V Children’s Museum. Its main floor mimics a child-sized city. The museum features a variety of hands-on activities that integrate literacy development, collaboration, and technology workshops. The museum also offers a unique temporary art experience called Explore Art. The museum also offers special programs and activities throughout the year, such as teen parent programs, arts-inspired activities, and birthday parties.
Explorations V Children’s Museum is located in downtown Lakeland and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free for children under two and for AAA members. Non-members pay $9 per person, while seniors pay $4.50. Parking is available on the street or at the nearby parking lot.
Explorations V Children’s Museum will be rebranded to the Florida Children’s Museum in 2022. While the museum will retain its current name and location in downtown Lakeland, it will use a new logo and website. The museum will also update its social media presence.
Lake Mirror Park
Lake Mirror Park is an arts and culture hub in Lakeland. Located next to Hollis Gardens, the lake’s clear waters make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the arts. The park is also home to Lakeland Community Theatre and a built-in amphitheater. You can also take a walk around the lake’s edge or take a swan boat race.
The historic landmark has been restored, and is now a community recreation complex. In addition to offering theatre products and senior adult activities, the park offers kids’ playgrounds and a picnic pavilion. You may be able to spot swans roaming around the lake, which is unique to Lake Mirror. These majestic birds were once members of the British royal family, and they now call this area home.
The park is also home to the Hollis Garden, a 1.2 acre botanical garden with a neoclassical theme. The gardens contain over 10,000 different plants and offer beautiful views of Lake Mirror. The gardens are free to enter, but are closed on Mondays.
Downtown Lakeland also features a vibrant arts scene, with murals and galleries. These provide the perfect backdrop for photographs. The city also has a weekly Farmers Curb Market and a First Friday event. During the First Friday event, the area hosts live music and other free events. The Farmers Curb Market also offers fresh produce, organic groceries, and local eats.
A children’s museum is another great Lakeland place to go. The Explorations V Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum with fun installations that will keep your kids entertained for hours. The museum is also a learning ground for children and has many educational programs and resources.
Lake Hollingsworth
Near the center of Lakeland, Florida, you can find Lake Hollingsworth. This lake is a 350-acre body of water that is east of South Florida Avenue and west of Bartow Road. It is a popular tourist spot that is open to the public.
The lake has many things to offer. You can enjoy fishing, boating, or even take a walk. It is also a popular place for outdoor events and social gatherings. It is home to many annual races and regattas, and it is a great spot for birdwatching. This lake is also home to the Lakeland Yacht Club and Florida Southern College.
If you’re looking for a great place to play with the kids, Lake Hollingsworth has a few parks and playgrounds that offer a variety of recreational facilities. In the warmer months, you can picnic under the shade. There are also trails that are perfect for strolling with your family.
In addition to a city park and lake, Lakeland offers a range of cultural and recreational opportunities. For example, a visit to the Florida Air Museum is a great way to see planes in flight. And if you’re into vintage items, you can visit the Lakeland Antique Mall to find a treasure. There are more than 250 vendors here, so there’s bound to be something for everyone. The area is also home to museums and wildlife sanctuaries.
Lake Hollingsworth is home to several bird species and is a popular birdwatching spot. Located just south of Florida Southern College, the lake is surrounded by parks and cafes. In addition to birds, you can also enjoy jogging and boating along the shores of the lake.
Lake Mirror Park splash park
The Mirror Lake is a beautiful place to visit, offering relatively clear water and a wide variety of fishing options. Surrounding the lake is a beautiful botanical garden, Koi pond, and promenade. There are over 10,000 species of plants and ferns to enjoy, including many tropical ones. The garden also boasts beautiful views of Lake Mirror.
There are other fun places to go in Lakeland, including the Allen Kryger Overlook Park near Lake Mirror Tower. This park honors Allen Kryger, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2002. His widow, Lynn Fischer Kryger, donated $450,000 for the park.
Lake Mirror Park is another place for families to visit. Recently named one of the country’s top public parks, it has several attractions to keep the kids entertained. The park also features an amphitheater along the shoreline and a path that circles the lake. Throughout the year, the park hosts more than 900 events.
Another place to go in Lakeland is the Barnett Family Park. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Mirror, the park was opened in December 2004. A $2 million gift from Carol Jenkins Barnett and her husband Barney Barnett of Publix helped fund the construction of the park.
If you’re looking for a more educational place to take your kids, explore the Explorations V Children’s Museum. There are plenty of installations to inspire your children’s creative sides. The museum also offers educational programs and knowledge resources to help them learn more about the world.
