6AM City In-house

A weekend in Lakeland

A Tampanian’s guide to Lakeland
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 Tampa Bay like Lakelanders. | Photos by @lkldlegacy and Pexels
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 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.

🛍 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).

🎉 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.
6AM City In-house

Click here to have your event featured.
Today, Dec. 9
  • UV Searchlight Scavenger Hunt | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. | Fairgrounds St. Pete, 800 28th St. S., St. Petersburg | $30-$37 | Journey through the Mermaid Star Motel + use a UV flashlight to unlock an immersive artwork installation.
Saturday, Dec. 10
  • Yoga in the Park | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 10-11 a.m. | McKenney Park, 9300 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach | Free | Feel your connection with the earth with outdoor yoga.
  • Triple Threat Theatre: “The Nutcracker Ballet” | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 2 p.m. | USF Theatre 1, 3839 USF Holly Dr., Tampa | $20-$38 | The Classical Ballet of Tampa and young local dancers share the stage with guest artists.
  • SkyWatch | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Mosi Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | Free | View Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn through MOSI telescopes.
Sunday, Dec. 11
  • Ugly Sweater Brunch Cruise | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 12-2:30 p.m. | Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $44.95+ | Take in the beautiful views while wearing a hideous holiday sweater.
  • The Sneaker Travelers | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 12-7 p.m. | Entertainment Hall, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $20 | Sneakerheads can buy, sell, and trade from 1000+ vendors.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

6AM City In-house

Up on the housetop… reindeer hooves? 🎵
Trutech Tech_Trutech Wildlife Service_MULTI
Go ahead and check “free home inspection” off of your holiday wishlist. | Photo provided by Trutech Wildlife Service
Friends + family may not be your only guests this holiday season. Rodents, snakes, raccoons + bats are all common intruders of Tampa Bay homes. If left unchecked, it can wreak havoc on your property and health.

The good news: Wildlife removal experts can identify, remove, and prevent pest animals from entering your home — and with a free home inspection from Trutech Wildlife Service, you can make sure Santa is the only one in your chimney this Christmas.*
GET A FREE INSPECTION

Weather
  • 77º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise + sunset
  • Rise: 7:10 a.m.
  • Set: 5:36 p.m.
Tide
Old Tampa Bay
  • High: 2:32 a.m. + 6:15 p.m.
  • Low: 10:38 a.m. + 8:25 p.m.
Clearwater Beach
  • High: 1:11 a.m. + 11:14 p.m.
  • Low: 6:22 a.m. + 5:31 p.m.
Development
  • MarineMax, a giant yacht retailer, is looking to lease land next to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. The proposed plan would include a large manufacturing hub and a boat docking facility. The project could also create more than 300 local jobs. 🛥 (St. Pete Catalyst)
Real Estate
  • Affordable housing is on the way to St. Pete. The city and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties broke ground this week on the Shell Dash Townhomes. The complex is located right next to the Tropicana Field redevelopment site. Officials expect the 10-unit complex to open in late 2024. 🏘 (St. Pete Catalyst)
Pets
  • Downtown Tampa is about to become unleashed. The Barking Lot pop-up dog park is coming to Sparkman Wharf. The park’s opening is still unannounced, but it will give pups a safe spot to frolic around within the city without the confines of a leash. 🐕‍🦺 (That’s So Tampa)
Ranked
  • 10. That’s how the Sunken Gardens ranked on The Street’s list of the 30 most underrated tourist attractions in the US. The judges called the park “St. Pete’s oldest living museum.” The park boasts 4 acres of botanical paradise in the heart of the city.
Eat
  • Ze haya ta’im me’od. That’s a Hebrew phrase that means that food was delicious. And it’s what you’ll say when you try Grill Express (514 N. Franklin St.) finally opens in Downtown Tampa. The menu features an 11-ounce ribeye steak, lamb kebabs, and hot dogs. 🌭 (That’s So Tampa)
  • Looking to add more veggies to your diet? GreenWise Organic Vegetables are two for $3 at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday, Dec. 14.*
Biz
  • Are you a neglectful plant owner? Don’t fret. Tampa’s Plante La Vie (2301B S. MacDill Ave.) sells beautiful varieties and teaches customers how to keep their Flora from frowning. Bonus cool points: they operate out of a 1967 retro camper-turned-greenhouse. 🪴 (Tampa Bay Times)
Holiday
  • The Terrace Grille Lakeland is spreading holiday cheer with festive decor, ornaments, and special events featuring the Dickens Carolers Friday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Dec. 17 during dinner service (6-9 p.m.) and a visit from Santa on Saturday, Dec. 17 during brunch service (12-2 p.m.). Learn more + make reservations. 🎄*
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🍪 Operation Cookie Drop is a go

Sending Care Packages to Military Members
Operation cookie drop
One of the simplest ways to give back is with a care package. | Photo by MacDill AFB
While it’s good to see perfectly wrapped presents tucked neatly under a Christmas tree — it’s also important to give, especially to the country’s armed forces this time of the year.

But how do they receive presents for the holidays? In comes Operation Cookie Drop and the Red Cross.

Local organizations will hand cookies, makeup, socks, and more to ~400 soldiers today, Friday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MacDill Air Force Base (8118 Hillsborough Loop Dr., Tampa).

But, hey, you can help even if you can’t give a gift. Holiday for Heroes is a Red Cross-run nonprofit that lets you send a letter to any soldier, no matter which base they’re stationed at.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: The holidays are here, but no one is talking about how National Pastry Day is today. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a pastry I didn’t like. There are countless pastry and bakery shops around town (and I’m a customer of allllll of them) to help you celebrate. Swah-Rey and South Bay are two of my faves. Send us your pastry and bakery hidden gem suggestions here.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We looked at the best places to view lights and enjoy winter activities around the area, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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