Where Adventure Meets Sunshine: Exploring Central Florida

Location Convenience

Central Florida offers the perfect balance of world-famous attractions and the great outdoors. Polk County is ideally located within easy reach of Orlando's famous theme parks, including LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park, as well as Tampa and the Gulf Coast to the west and the Atlantic Coast to the east. You are never far from the action, yet when you return to this peaceful part of Florida, you can enjoy a slower pace surrounded by lakes, nature and open spaces. Accommodation in areas such as Davenport and Haines City also offers excellent value, with a wide choice of villas and hotels just a short drive from the major attractions, often at a fraction of the cost of staying at the parks themselves.

Food Magic

Beyond its world famous attractions, Central Florida has a food scene that is every bit as memorable, with welcoming neighbourhood restaurants, historic downtown dining and fresh local produce at its heart. In Winter Haven, Harborside is a favourite for its lakeside setting, serving fresh seafood and expertly cooked steaks with views across Lake Shipp. For a more elegant evening, Arabellas Ristorante combines authentic Italian cooking with handmade pasta and an impressive wine list in the heart of the historic district. A short drive away in Lakeland, Nineteen61 has earned a reputation as one of the area's best restaurants, bringing together Latin American flavours and Southern influences in inventive dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Before you leave, make time for a visit to Born & Bread Bakehouse, where beautifully crafted pastries, cakes and the bakery's famous cruffins have become a local institution. To round off the experience, explore the region's citrus groves, pick your own farms and farm to table experiences, which celebrate the agricultural heritage that continues to shape Central Florida's food culture.

Farm Fresh Feel

Fresh flavours are part of everyday life in Central Florida, where citrus groves and family farms supply everything from juicy oranges to seasonal berries. As one of the world's leading citrus producing regions, Florida is the perfect place to experience agritourism, with opportunities to tour working groves and pick your own fruit throughout the year. At Golden Ridge Groves in Bartow, wander among the orange trees, sample freshly squeezed juice and, in season, pick your own fruit. In Lakeland, Shady Oak Farm offers a selection of seasonal pick your own experiences, including blueberries, strawberries, muscadine grapes, tomatoes and squash, giving you the chance to enjoy produce at its freshest while experiencing a different side of Central Florida.

Theme Park Extravaganza

Family adventures come naturally in Central Florida, especially in Polk County, where younger children can enjoy world class attractions in a more relaxed setting. Home to both LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park, the area offers a great alternative to the larger Orlando parks, with attractions designed for younger children and often shorter queues. Beyond the theme parks, there is plenty more to discover, from the peaceful beauty of Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, a National Historic Landmark featuring beautifully maintained gardens, seasonal floral displays and the iconic 205 foot Singing Tower, where daily carillon concerts take place. Created by Pulitzer Prize winning author Edward W. Bok and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr, the gardens were gifted to the American people in 1929 and remain one of Central Florida's most treasured landmarks. In nearby Lakeland, architecture enthusiasts can admire the world's largest single site collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at Florida Southern College, adding a cultural highlight to any family holiday.

Wild Florida

From peaceful gardens to unforgettable wildlife encounters, Central Florida offers plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy the natural landscape. Glide through cypress swamps on an airboat tour across the Kissimmee River and Basin, where you might spot alligators, turtles, bald eagles and herons while learning about the region's unique wetlands from a knowledgeable guide. Head to Safari Wilderness in Lakeland, where guided tours take you across 260 acres of open countryside to see zebras, antelope, lemurs, camels and many other animals roaming in spacious natural habitats. Whether you prefer peaceful scenery or close encounters with wildlife, these experiences offer a different side to Central Florida beyond the theme parks.

Culture

Central Florida's cultural experiences go beyond the queues, offering family friendly learning and outdoor discovery in equal measure. In Lakeland, the Florida Children's Museum at Bonnet Springs Park features two floors of interactive exhibits designed for children from babies up to the age of 12, including Watermelon Seeds, where younger visitors explore early learning through play, Design Park, which encourages creativity and problem solving, and City Play, a child sized community built around role play and imagination. The museum also includes a Black Box Theatre for travelling exhibits and artist residencies, as well as the Harrell Family Charities Front Yard, home to Blinky, the 100-foot climbable alligator, alongside sensory friendly design features that help create an accessible and welcoming experience. For outdoor exploration, Lakeland Highlands Scrub protects one of the largest remaining sections of the historic Lakeland Ridge and offers 551 acres of sandy trails through dry prairie, pine flatwoods, oak hammock and basin swamp habitats, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as red-tailed hawks and palm warblers. Trails also connect to nearby Se7en Wetlands Park for those wishing to extend their walk.

Sport

If you fancy experiencing one of America's favourite sporting traditions, head to Lakeland in February for Detroit Tigers Spring Training. Played at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, it is a relaxed and affordable way to enjoy baseball, with an intimate atmosphere that brings you closer to the action than you would during the regular season. Watch the Tigers alongside the next generation of talent, choose from premium seating or the family friendly berm, and enjoy local food, frozen cocktails and entertainment throughout the day. Lakeland has been the Tigers' Spring Training home since 1934, with games played at Joker Marchant Stadium since 1966, and the stadium's thoughtful 2017 renovations have added modern comforts while preserving its rich history. Whether you are a lifelong baseball fan or simply curious to experience an authentic slice of American culture, it is an enjoyable day out that the whole family can appreciate.

Events

There is always something happening in Central Florida, with a year-round calendar of events celebrating everything from aviation and motorsport to music, food and local heritage. One of the region's highlights is the world-renowned SUN 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, one of the largest aviation events in the world, where spectacular flying displays, historic aircraft and interactive exhibits attract visitors from across the globe. For a taste of cowboy heritage, head to the Saturday night rodeo at Westgate River Ranch Resort, where bull riding, barrel racing and trick riding provide an authentic experience in a working ranch setting. Throughout the year, seasonal festivals, farmers' markets and community celebrations take place across Polk County, giving visitors the chance to experience local traditions, meet welcoming communities and discover another side of Central Florida.