A Tampanian's guide to Lakeland

Here’s how we would plan a weekend getaway to Lakeland in collaboration with LALtoday.

A side-by-side image featuring a daytime skyline photo of downtown Lakeland and a nighttime skyline photo of downtown Tampa — They’re as different as night and day, but here’s how we would see Lakeland like a Tampanian.

There’s no place like Tampa Bay, but we also love getting out of town to explore the Lakeland area (hey there, LALtoday 👋). Here’s how we would plan a weekend trip to see Lakeland like a Tampanian.

🥪 Brunch
Start the next day with brunch at Black & Brew Coffee House (205 E. Main St., Lakeland), with locations in Downtown, Lake Morton, and Southside. Like Datz, there’s something sweet and savory on the menu for everyone.

☕️ Coffee

Tampa peeps know that no day is complete without coffee. Buddy Brew loyalists will love Concord Coffee (1037 Florida Ave. S., Ste.135, Lakeland), while Black Crow fans will find a home at Hillcrest Coffee (119 Hillcrest St., Lakeland).

A side-by-side image featuring photos of the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market and St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market — Get your local shopping done, no matter where you are.

🛍 Shopping
Missing the weekly St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market doesn’t mean being without fresh produce and unique finds. Shop from local LAL food vendors and makers at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market (117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland).

🌊 Water
We get it — it’s hard to leave the salty air of the Gulf of Mexico — but if you’re in Lakeland and want to see the water, enjoy the marshlands of the Circle B Bar Reserve (4399 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland).

🎉 Event
Get your festive fix by scheduling your weekend trip during Lakeland’s Holiday Night Market and SantaCon Pub Crawl Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 5 p.m. and when you get back, enjoy the Tampa Riverwalk’s Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m.

🍽 Dinner
Get a taste of Lakeland’s fine dining scene. Fans of On Swann will enjoy Nineteen61 (215 E. Main St., Lakeland) for its fresh ingredients and craft cocktails.

A side-by-side image featuring Swan Brewing and Jannus Live music venue — Catch a live music set at these creative venues.

🎤 Entertainment
If you can’t get enough live music at Jannus Live, check out a live show at Swan Brewing (115 W. Pine St., Lakeland), a hybrid indoor-outdoor event space with freshly brewed beer.

A side-by-side image featuring the Terrace Hotel in Lakeland and the Floridan Palace in Tampa — Stay the night in a stylish hotel straight from the history books.

🏨 Hotel
You need a place to rest your head after a day on the town. Check out the Terrace Hotel (329 E. Main St., Lakeland), a historic hotel located in downtown Lakeland that overlooks Lake Mirror, similar to the unique style and vibrant personality of the Floridan Palace Hotel.

Feeling inspired to plan a LAL getaway? Subscribe to LALtoday to stay up-to-date on all the top Lakeland events and news before your trip.

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A Tampanian’s guide to Lakeland

Here’s how we would plan a weekend getaway to Lakeland in collaboration with LALtoday.