Lakeland — photo — Contrib123456 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

City

Lakeland

108,054 people

Nestled among more than 38 lakes in Central Florida, Lakeland charms visitors with its landmark collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College and peaceful lakeside parks filled with swans. It's an underrated stop between Orlando and Tampa, blending laid-back Southern character with genuine cultural surprises.

Written by our AI

Family-friendlyHistoric & culturalWeekend getawayOutdoor adventure

Our AI's themes

How long

1–3 days

Our AI's estimate of a typical stay.

Sightseeing weather

January, February, March, November and December

Weather only, worked out from the town's records.

On the map

Where it is, and the other places we have mapped around it.

Skip the map

View on OpenStreetMap

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Tiles by OpenFreeMap.

Places to stay in Lakeland

25 of the 27 we list here

Written by our AI

1Camp Margaritaville AuburndaleCaravan site·Good for couples, families, groups·$$$$A resort offering RV and cabin accommodations with scenic views and a variety of amenities.

2Hampton Inn and Suites Lakeland-South Polk ParkwayHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A hotel praised for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and convenient location near shopping and dining.

3Hyatt PlaceHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Hyatt Place is a hotel in Lakeland, Florida, featuring modern rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center.

4Hampton Inn Plant CityHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Hampton Inn Plant City offers comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center in Plant City, Florida.

5Home2 SuitesHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Home2 Suites is a hotel in Lakeland, Florida, offering extended-stay accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and complimentary breakfast.

6Residence Inn LakelandHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Residence Inn Lakeland offers extended-stay accommodations with fully equipped kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and a pool.

7TownePlace Suites LakelandHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A hotel offering spacious rooms with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast, and a fitness center.

8Hilton Garden Inn LakelandHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Hilton Garden Inn Lakeland offers modern accommodations with an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and outdoor pool.

9The Terrace HotelHotel·Good for couples, business·$$$$The Terrace Hotel is a historic hotel in Lakeland, Florida, offering elegant rooms and fine dining.

10Courtyard by Marriott LakelandHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Courtyard by Marriott Lakeland is a hotel in Lakeland, Florida, featuring modern rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center.

11Staybridge Suites Lakeland WestHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A hotel featuring extended-stay accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and free breakfast.

12Hampton Inn LakelandHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Hampton Inn Lakeland provides comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center in Lakeland, Florida.

13SpringHill SuitesHotel·Good for business, families·$$$SpringHill Suites is a hotel in Lakeland, Florida, offering spacious suites with complimentary breakfast and a fitness center.

14TownePlace Suites Plant CityHotel·Good for business, families·$$$TownePlace Suites Plant City provides extended-stay accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and complimentary breakfast in Plant City, Florida.

15Holiday Inn ExpressHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$$A hotel providing comfortable accommodations with free Wi-Fi and a complimentary breakfast.

16Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakeland Plant CityHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakeland Plant City provides comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center in Plant City, Florida.

17Best Western Auburndale Inn & SuitesHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Best Western Auburndale Inn & Suites is a hotel in Auburndale, Florida, offering comfortable accommodations with amenities like free breakfast and a pool.

18Sanlan RV & Golf ResortCaravan site·Good for business, families·$$$Sanlan RV & Golf Resort offers RV accommodations and a golf course in Lakeland, Florida.

19Quality Inn ZephyrhillsHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$A hotel offering comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast.

20Comfort InnHotel·Good for couples, families, business·$$A hotel offering comfortable accommodations with free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast.

21Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland SouthHotel·Good for business, families·$$$Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South provides comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center in Lakeland, Florida.

22Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland North - I-4Hotel·Good for business, families·$$$Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland North - I-4 provides comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and a fitness center in Lakeland, Florida.

23Colt Creek State Park Main CampgroundCamp site·Good for families, groups·$Colt Creek State Park Main Campground offers camping sites in a state park setting in Lakeland, Florida.

24La Quinta Inn & Suites Lakeland WestHotel·Good for business, families·$$La Quinta Inn & Suites Lakeland West provides comfortable accommodations with free breakfast and a fitness center in Lakeland, Florida.

25La Quinta Inn & Suites Lakeland EastHotel·Good for business, families·$$La Quinta Inn & Suites Lakeland East provides comfortable accommodations with free breakfast and a fitness center in Lakeland, Florida.

Type of stay from OpenStreetMap. "Good for" and price bands are our AI's estimates.

Each place opens our booking partner, where you can check prices and book. We may earn a commission if you book.

The weather you'd get

Typical daily high and low, and the share of days with rain, from historical records (2011-2025). Average weather for Lakeland, not a forecast.

70°

52°

21%

76°

56°

25%

80°

58°

20%

84°

64°

26%

88°

68°

36%

89°

73°

68%

89°

74°

81%

89°

75°

81%

87°

73°

68%

83°

67°

32%

77°

60°

22%

74°

56°

18%

Warmest month: July, highs around 89°F, 31°C. Wettest: July, rain on about 81% of days. Driest: December.

Sightseeing weather. The mildest, driest and calmest months for sightseeing are January, February, March, November and December. That is weather only. It says nothing about ski seasons, beach days or festivals, which is often why people go.

Nearby towns

Haines City · 20 mi Fort Meade · 22 mi Lake Wales · 24 mi Celebration · 32 mi Frostproof · 33 mi Apollo Beach · 33 mi Ruskin · 37 mi Mascotte · 37 mi

Road trips through Lakeland

How Far Is Tampa to Orlando? Distance, Drive Time and Best Stops Road Trip from Tampa to Orlando: Route, Stops, and Timing The Best Time to Drive from Tampa to Orlando Things to See Between Tampa and Orlando: A Stop-by-Stop Guide

From Wikipedia

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. Located along I-4 east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando, it is the most populous city in Polk County. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 112,641. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area and is often included as part of the Tampa Bay area.

Sources and credits

Names, place details, opening times and addresses © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.

Text: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Facts: Wikidata (CC0).

Weather: Open-Meteo historical weather data.

Airports: OurAirports, public domain.

Photo: Downtownlakeland fl by Contrib123456, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Descriptions, themes and estimates are written by Journey Builder's AI.