For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

Authored by: Petra Norris

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

This city whose slogan is “Close to everything…away from it all,” is situated in the heart

of the Interstate 4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando, and it is anything but a

bedroom community for these two larger cities.

Lakeland is home to Publix corporate headquarters and an Amazon distribution center

(slated to open August 2014). Other key employers in the area include the Polk County

School District and Lakeland Regional Medical Center. These employers make it possible

for tens of thousands of residents to earn a living each year, but what is it about this city

that entices more than 100,000 people to truly live here? Sit back and read on. We’re

about to tell you.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

For Crystal Mathewson who works at a Publix pharmacy in north Lakeland, it’s the feeling that

we operate at a slower pace here than in south Florida, where she lived previously.

“The people are much nicer than in south Florida,” Mathewson says.

Lakelanders love to be outdoors. From notable festivals such as Mayfaire-by-the-Lake, which is

an annual juried fine art show held every Mother’s Day weekend, to the annual SUN ‘n FUN

International Fly-in and Expo, this community makes good use of its outdoor spaces. It is

named after the 13 natural lakes it possesses, so fishing, skiing and other water-based

opportunities abound. Lakeland’s beautiful scenic backdrop and interesting architecture have

attracted filmmakers to this area several times. Movies filmed here include:

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

● China Moon

● Endure

● Edward Scissorhands

● Wilder Napalm

● The Waterboy

History is Honored

Lakeland’s historic neighborhoods, buildings and landmarks are valued and protected.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

The historic Polk Theatre was a vaudeville/movie palace built in 1928. Today, it hosts a

variety of entertainment, including independent films, live music, plays and musicals. A

point of pride is that Elvis Presley performed here on Aug. 6, 1956 and signed his name

to the third floor dressing room wall.

Florida Southern College is located along the northern shore of Lake Hollingsworth and is

the oldest private college in Florida. But it is best known for being the largest single-site

collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. The National Park Service

designated the campus as a National Historic Landmark in 2012.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

Those who visit Lakeland often forego the numerous chain hotels and opt instead for the

historic Terrace Hotel, a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. The Terrace, which

opened for business in 1924, has faithfully maintained its historic architecture and

ambience since its renovation in 1998.

The Lake Mirror Promenade is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was

conceived in the 1920s and restored in the 1990s. The loggia is a prominent part of the

promenade, as it architecturally connects Massachusetts Avenue to Lake Mirror. The

promenade also is near Hollis Garden and Barnett Family Park.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

Live Like a Lakelander

Once you’ve moved to Lakeland and you’ve marked all the touristy stuff off your bucket

list, it’s time to settle in and live like a true Lakelander. To do that, you need to know all

of the local haunts. Here are some to get you started:

Mitchells Coffee House - freshly brewed coffee and Mitch’s famous breakfast burrito or a

homemade pastry are a great way to start your day. For a great dessert, try the Coca

Cola cake. If you want to learn more about all the local politics that isn’t fit for print,

befriend the group of gentlemen who hold court in the coffee shop each weekday

morning. You’ll know them when you see them. Trust us.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

Downtown Farmers Curb Market - held every Saturday from September through July, this

market in downtown Lakeland offers fresh fruits and veggies, crafts, and other items.

Grab some beignets from the Poor Porker booth now, and thank us later.

Lake Hollingsworth - if you’re working on your fitness, chances are you’ll find your way

here. A 2.7-mile paved path around the lake draws thousands of walkers, runners,

cyclists, rollerbladers and skateboarders day and night. This path is home to myriad

awareness walks and 5K races, as well as the annual Orange Cup Regatta, a boatracing

event.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

Second to None Barber Shop - this is where the locals go to talk about sports and girls, and get

a haircut while they’re at it. Enough said.

Publix Aprons Cooking School - with its headquarters being located here, it’s only right that

there is an Aprons cooking school. People bring home the bacon- and more – and learn to fry it

up in a pan at these classes.

Tenoroc Shooting Range - we live in a hunter’s and fisherman’s paradise, so sharpening those

shooting and bow-hunting skills is a good idea. Handgun, rifle/shotgun and bow ranges are

available.

Thursday Squared Food Truck Rally - when did food trucks become cool? We don’t know, but

boy are they! Downtown Lakeland’s monthly food truck rallies attract between 3,000 and 3,500

people each month.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

It was at a food truck rally that Rachel Cashdollar made the decision not to return home to

Pennsylvania after graduating from Florida Southern and completing a summer internship.

Cashdollar took part in the Lakeland Economic Development Council’s Summer Leadership

Program and during a social at the food truck rally, it hit her: Lakeland was an area that

provided a lot of opportunity for her. She determined then she would find a job and stay here.

She loves running Lake Hollingsworth. Lakeland also is a place where “you know people,” she

says.

“You can go downtown, to Lakeside Village, to Lake Hollingsworth, and you’ll see people you

know,” Cashdollar says. “You don’t necessarily have to strive to make plans with friends, you

just see them around town. The fact that happens, and you also get to meet new people every

day is part of what I love about Lakeland.”

Free Things to do

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

We are blessed with a variety of activities in Lakeland that don’t cost a dime. Polk

Museum of Art offers free admission Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, thanks to several

corporate sponsorships.

Hollis Garden is home to more than 10,000 flowers, ornamental shrubs, shade trees and

even vegetables. It’s a great place for a leisurely stroll, and is the location of many

weddings and professional photography sessions.

The Lake-to-Lake bikeway offers an excellent opportunity to view Lakeland at a slower

pace. The Fort Fraser Trail provides a safe, scenic ride to nearby Bartow, and also

includes a pathway into Circle B Bar Reserve.

For the Love of Lakeland – Living in Lakeland Florida

A whole host of events downtown are free, including First Friday, Pics on the Promenade, Music on the Promenade, and the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration with fireworks over Lake Mirror.

Petra Norris Realtor®

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

PO Box 92050, Lakeland, FL, 33804-2050

Office Phone: (863) 619-6918

Cell Phone: (863) 712-4207