Learn About Lakeland Florida

Lakeland is a relatively small city positioned between Tampa and Orlando. You can enjoy a small town atmosphere with everything required for healthy, enjoyable and profitable life within easy reach. Downtown Lakeland is among the most beautiful in the country, and is active and thriving.

Lakeland is ranked 13th in the U.S. and 10th in the state for affordable housing.

Market

Statistic	Value
Lakeland - Winter Haven MSA population	496,112
Centered in Florida population	16,331,739
MSA Retail Sales	$5,758,329
Median Age	38
100 mile trade area population - includes Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Disney World, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Sarasota, Bradenton and Melbourne	7,500,000

Lakeland Florida Economy

• World leader in citrus and phosphate production
• Diversified general economy based on light manufacturing, distribution, services, corporate centers including: Publix Supermarkets, Discount Auto Parts, Watkins Motor Lines, Breed Technologies, Summit Consulting, State Farm, and GEICO Insurance.

Lakeland Florida Infrastructure and Services

• Major highway systems including cross state Interstate-4, Polk Parkway perimeter route, U.S. 98, U.S. 92, U.S. 27, U.S. 17, S.R. 540 and S.R. 60.
• CSX Rail service.
• Abundant electric and power from Lakeland Electric, TECO and Florida Power.
• Several natural gas transmission lines.
• Municipal and County water and sewer systems with excess capacity.
• Less than one hour to Tampa and Orlando International Airports.
• Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, 8,500 foot lighted runway with control tower and services.
• Verizon telephone, voice, video and data capabilities. Including high speed, high capacity fiber optic networks.
• Major medical centers including Lakeland Regional Medical Center (851 beds) and Watson Clinic (180 physicians), and Cancer Centers.
• Twenty-six motor freight carriers.

Education Opportunities in Lakeland Florida

• Public, magnet, baccalaureate, private, specialized charter, arts and drama, adult and exceptional student opportunities.
• Florida Southern College.
• Southeastern College.
• Polk Community College.
• University of South Florida branch campus.
• Traviss Vocational Technical Center.
• Ridge Vocational Technical Center.

Culture in Lakeland Florida

• Imperial Symphony Orchestra 37th Season.
• Polk Museum of Art, accredited by American Association of Museums - 37,000 square feet.
• Florida Southern College - world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture.
• Polk Theatre, 75 year old atmospheric theater entertainment and classic movies.
• Explorations V Children's Interactive Museum.
• Florida Southern College Fine Arts Series.
• Lakeland Center - four venues including: theatre, arena, conference center and exhibit hall.
• 200,000 volume public libraries.
• Mayfaire-by-the Lake, annual juried art festival.
• Strong historic preservation organization.

Lakeland Florida Recreation

• Detroit Tiger Spring Training.
• USA International Speedway.
• World Class Bass fishing.
• Orange Cup Regatta Hydroplane races.
• Professional baseball, basketball, football and hockey within one hour.
• 14 golf courses in Greater Lakeland.
• Riding and hiking trails.
• Numerous and varied parks.
• Full service family YMCA.
• Youth football, soccer, softball & baseball league.

List of Things to do Downtown Lakeland Florida

• Downtown Lakeland Shopping - Art, antiques, dining and shopping. See “Downtown Lakeland” map for exact location of businesses. Businesses located on Main Street, Kentucky Avenue, Tennessee Avenue, Pine Street, Bay Street and Florida Avenue.
• First Friday – The first Friday of every month stores stay open until 9 p.m., sidewalk entertainment, classic car display.
• Arts on the Park - A contemporary art gallery - 115 N. Kentucky Avenue (680-2787). Open Tuesday through Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 PM.
• Barnett Family Park at Lake Mirror Community Park – A children’s park open to the public with interactive fountain area, playground, labyrinth, covered picnic area, and public restrooms (603-6280).
• Explorations V - A hands-on Children’s Museum - 109 N. Kentucky Avenue (687-3869). Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Sunday closed. Admission (as of 9/1/06): $5.00. Members and children under 2 are free.
• Florida Southern College - Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest one-site collection of architecture. 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive. Open: Tuesday - Friday 11:00 - 4:00, Saturday 10:00 - 2:00, Sunday 2:00 - 4:00. Free. Call 680-6201 to arrange a tour.
• Hollis Garden at Lake Mirror Community Park - A formal garden that is a 1.2 acre site, that is a formal Neo-Classical European designed garden with 10,000 flowers and ornamental shrubs and shade trees. Hollis Gardens is open Tuesday - Sunday. Call 603-6281 to arrange a free tour on weekdays.
• Lakeland Public Library - 100 Lake Morton Drive (834-4280), Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 9:00, Friday and Saturday 9:00 - 5:00, Sunday 1:30 - 5:00
• Pied Piper Players - Lakeland Community Theatre, Lake Mirror Center Theatre, 121 S. Lake Avenue (603-7529 for tickets).
• Polk Museum of Art - 800 East Palmetto (688-7743), open 6 days a week, 10:00 - 5:00 Tuesday - Saturday, Sunday 1:00 - 5:00. The finest art museum in Central Florida. Children under 5 are free. Adults are $3.00, students are $2.00, and family admission is $10. Admission is free on Saturdays until noon. Always free to members.
• Polk Theatre - 121 South Florida Avenue (682-7553). An atmospheric theater. The interior is designed like a Mediterranean village and twinkling stars adorn the ceiling. Movies on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 2:00. Prices: $5.50 for adults, $3.75 for seniors and students, $2.50 under 12.
• Sculptures Along Lemon Street between Florida Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue - 6th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, exhibition of 10 outdoor sculptures from throughout the United States.
• A Walking Tour of Downtown Lakeland/Munn Park Historic District - oldest and most concentrated collection of commercial vernacular architecture in the City. Map available at www.ldda.org/links.html.
• Albert Paley’s “Tribute to the Spirit of Volunteerism” – The sculpture is located at the Lake Mirror Community Park.
• Music on the Promenade at Lake Mirror Community Park – Free music series the third Friday in the months of February, March, April, August, September and October, on the Lake Mirror Promenade. Food and beverage vendors present. 6 – 9:00 PM.
• Downtown Farmers Curb Market – Every Saturday, 7 AM-12:30 PM. New Downtown location is 200 N. Kentucky Avenue, plaza of Peterson Building (across from Crispers). Fresh produce, bread, plants, artisans, rock shop, jewelry, ready-to-eat food, entertainment, etc. Details at www.downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org.