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).
🛍 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.
🎤 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.
🏨 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.
