Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in Lakeland, FL

Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, finely curated antique art, and flakey French-style croissants—these aren't the kinds of things you'd think you'd find in a sleepy Florida college town between Orlando and Tampa. But the small community of Lakeland is making a name for itself with local businesses that fill it with life, character, and travel-worthy appeal.

If you ever find yourself stuck in traffic between Orlando and Tampa (and you will), then slow down the journey and peel off to reroute through Lakeland, Florida. Take a stroll around botanical gardens and wildlife preserves. Sit back with a beer or a cone of locally churned ice cream. If it’s Saturday, spend a long morning strolling the many blocks of local artists, farmers, and crafters that draw a crowd each weekend. No matter how you like to spend your time, the best things to do in Lakeland, Florida offer a little something for everyone.

What to Do

Lakeland’s charming downtown between Lake Mirror and Lake Wire is lined with captivating boutiques, record shops, and cafes. Antiquers looking for unique collections should pin Lakeland on the map as a bountiful destination for found treasure. Embark on a two-story antique hunt at Lloyd’s of Lakeland, an antique mall filled with everything from midcentury barware to European stained glass. For a well-curated experience, stop in June Taylor. Make conversation with Lakeland local and boutique owner, Kelly Riley. Then peruse her finds which include everything from Florida Highwaymen art, to Peter Kiel paintings, to marble pedestals. But it’s her abstract artwork sold in vintage frames that have developed a coveted following. If you’re not in the mood to buy art, observe and enjoy the latest exhibition at Polk Museum of Art.

Since Lakeland’s early 20th-century beginnings, when its population was just 15,000, it was a community that was built around entertainment. The Polk Theatre, an ornate 1928 Italianate venue, has been screening films in Lakeland’s downtown square since before moving pictures had sound. Today, it is a marvel of Mediterreanean architecture with a hand-painted ceiling, showing films and hosting live performances. If you prefer to stay in your car, swing through Silver Moon Drive-In Theater, a midcentury mainstay that shows contemporary films with a side of classic movie-going snacks. On certain weekends, it hosts a local swap meet.

The Most Beloved Historic Theaters In The South

As a college town, home to Florida Southern College, Lakeland has many bookshops and cafes that make for ideal afternoons, passing the day with a good read. Browse a selection of new and used books at Pressed LKDL, a cafe and bookstore. The women-owned bookshop, Unbound Bookery, beckons readers into the Florida bungalow cottage with the promise of rare and antique books. Like stepping into a well-read neighbor’s home, you’re sure to walk out with a personally curated stack of reads from the staff.

There are many ways to experience natural Florida in Lakeland. At Circle B Bar Reserve a former cattle ranch has found new life as a 1200-acre wildlife reserve. See Florida animals in their natural habitat while hiking the reserve’s well-marked trails among oak hammocks, wetlands, and marshes. At Bonnet Springs Park, bring the family and explore the Florida Children’s Museum. Then let the kids get their energy out as you explore the sprawling park’s playgrounds, botanical gardens, butterfly house, and canopy walk. Cool off when you need to at a sneaky rooftop garden bar.

When you’re in Lakeland’s historic downtown, take time to amble along Lake Mirror and walk through Hollis Garden, a botanical garden blooming with tropical flora that gives off an intoxicating scent.

Lakeland is a community-oriented town, which is evident in the highly attended weekly Farmer’s Markets on Saturdays. Another popular community event is First Fridays when the town gathers for a car show and maker market.

Lakeland is home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture in the world. The famous American architect designed 10 buildings for Florida Southern College. Today, you can go inside and see the creations only as part of educational tours hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor’s Center. The experience highlights Wright’s distinctive style and educates visitors about the history and design methodology behind each building.

Where to Eat

A college town is nothing without a steady drip of caffeine. Find students and locals at Hillcrest Coffee, a cafe inside a Florida bungalow serving Florida-based bean roasters Buddy Brew and Patriot Coffee, and featuring Florida latte concoctions like Strawberry Honey.

Concord Coffee is a serene place to work with white walls, wood paneling, and avocado toast when you get hungry. If you like your coffee with a flakey pastry, then visit Born & Bread. Only open Wednesday through Saturday, the frequently sold-out bakery specializes in naturally-leavened sourdough loaves and French-style croissants, baked fresh daily.

Southern chicken platters get spicy upgrades at LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken. Accompany your chicken platter or salad with house-made sides like gouda mac, collard greens, and bourbon baked beans. For more southern comfort dishes, head to Fred’s Market Restaurant which you’ll know by the sign lit up with the words “Slow Food, Fast.”

Inside a renovated Tudor home in Lakeland’s historic district, you’ll find the cozy Cob & Pen, an American bistro with a British pub personality.

Many Lakeland locals are brought there by Florida Southern College or the corporate headquarters of Publix, the popular southern grocery chain. You can find these denizens grabbing a drink at The Joinery, a food hall where you can feast on wood-fired pizza, ramen, and locally-made ice cream. For a hand-crafted cocktail, head to Revival, Lakeland’s scene for inventive drinks and bar classics.

Where to Stay

The Terrace Hotel Lakeland is a well-located choice for being within walking distance of Lakeland’s main street action. Upper-level rooms showcase views of Lake Mirror. An onsite bar and restaurant, The Terrace Grille, offers American eats in a dining room naturally lit with arched bay windows.

Need a map for the major changes coming to Lakeland’s roads, rails, and airport? Stay updated on these local transportation changes — as well as what could be coming down the pipeline.

Avelo Airlines plans to begin passenger service from Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) around mid-2024. Its first destinations are still under wraps, but our readers hope places like New Haven, CT and Wilmington, DE will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, LAL is making around $3.4 million worth of improvements + additions to the terminal to add security screening checkpoints, plus parking for both passengers and planes. The city also recently approved a five-year agreement with Avis Budget Car Rentals.

Polk residents could soon ride the rails on a SunRail train. The possible extension project entered the project development and environment phase in October 2023, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) started seeking out firms to study the extension in January before starting on designs.

If approved, SunRail could extend its western limits from the Poinciana station to Lakeland, with a price tag of up to $1.08 billion. The Polk Transportation Planning Organization is also seeking funds to build a Lakeland Intermodal Center near downtown, which could include train and bus stations.

The TPO recently shared its 2023 Year in Review, which includes 34 priority projects. The top priority is reconstructing the interchange between I-4 and State Road 33.

Highways 98 + 92 are also due for upgrades, and construction on West Pipkin Road continues — eastbound lanes are set to reopen this month after being pushed back from January.

Another high priority is adding lanes to I-4 from Highway 27 to the Osceola County line (think: Championsgate). FDOT has earmarked $635 million from the Moving Florida Forward initiative for this project, but work isn’t scheduled to begin until 2027.

What is the best internet provider in Lakeland?

Spectrum is the best internet service provider for most households in Lakeland, Florida. With wide coverage, reasonable prices and simple service details, Spectrum is a great choice for home internet wherever you're located.

However, if Spectrum isn't an option at your address, CNET also recommends Rapid Systems and Frontier Fiber for broadband. Select households may also be serviceable for T-Mobile Home Internet, which costs $60 monthly for download speeds up to 245 megabits per second.

If you're hunting for the lowest prices or fastest speeds in Lakeland, we've also found those picks to help make your decision easier. Although Mediacom offers the cheapest plan in the area ($35 per month for 100Mbps), Frontier Fiber's 500Mbps plan for $45 is more widely available. Frontier Fiber takes the gold with its 5-gigabit service for the speediest plan, costing $155 monthly.

Our methodology

CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Lakeland across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.

Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.

Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what's available in Lakeland. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling multiple services.

To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.

Best internet in Lakeland, Florida, in 2024

3 Internet providers

Best internet provider in Lakeland, FL

Our take - Spectrum's wide availability in Lakeland beats out other providers -- over 92% of Lakeland addresses are serviceable for Spectrum, according to FCC data. But coverage isn't the only factor that makes Spectrum a top pick. This cable ISP also offers speeds up to 1,000Mbps, no data caps, no yearly commitments and a free modem with all plans.

Read full review

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Connection

Cable

Speed range

300 - 1,000 Mbps

Price range

$50 - $80 per month

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Best fixed wireless in Lakeland, FL

Our take - Although this fixed wireless ISP is on the pricier side, Rapid Systems might be the right fit for you if Spectrum isn't available or if you live in rural Lakeland. Prices start at $79 per month for 100Mbps, but Rapid Systems offers the second-largest coverage in the area, meaning it's a solid alternative for residential internet.

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Connection

Fixed wireless

Price range

$50 - $130

Show more details

Fastest internet in Lakeland, FL

Our take - Frontier Fiber is Lakeland's largest fiber provider, offering symmetrical speeds, unlimited data and equipment for no extra charge. Customers can choose between four plans: 500Mbps for $45, 1,000Mbps for $60, 2,000Mbps for $100 and 5,000Mbps for $155. Just make sure you're not getting stuck with Frontier's DSL network, which comes with much slower speeds.

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Connection

Fiber

Speed range

500 - 5,000 Mbps

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Lakeland

The best internet deals and top promotions in Lakeland depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Lakeland internet providers, such as Spectrum and Mediacom, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, such as Frontier and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Lakeland

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Internet providers in Lakeland FAQs

What is the best internet service provider in Lakeland?

Spectrum is Lakeland's best internet service provider, thanks to its wide coverage map and simple service details. Spectrum also offers speeds up to 1,000Mbps and prices starting at $50 per month.

Is fiber internet available in Lakeland?

Fiber connectivity is available to roughly 34% of Lakeland households, with Frontier Fiber taking the lead as the largest fiber provider in the area. Select households may also be serviceable for fiber internet under Hotwire Communications.

What is the cheapest internet provider in Lakeland?

Mediacom offers the cheapest service in Lakeland, costing $35 per month for 100Mbps. However, service is available to only 2% of households, so you'll be better off choosing Frontier Fiber's 500Mbps plan for $45.

Which internet provider in Lakeland offers the fastest plan?

Frontier Fiber offers two of the fastest plans in Lakeland: 2,000Mbps for $100 and 5,000Mbps for $155. All plans include equipment and unlimited data.

Home Internet Guides

LAKELAND (Nov. 29, 2023) - A new school option for families in Lakeland began to take shape Wednesday as local leaders broke ground for the newest IDEA Public Schools campus. The project to transform an old, empty call center into a new, thriving school mirrors the positive transformation IDEA Lakeland plans for its students—by providing them a personalized learning environment that adapts and grows to meet each student’s needs.

Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz and State Rep. Jennifer Canady joined more than 50 community members for Wednesday’s ceremony. IDEA Public Schools is a leading network of tuition-free K-12 public charter schools centered on IDEA’s core belief that every child can go to college.

Applications are available now, and IDEA Lakeland will begin serving families and underserved students in grades K-6 in the 2024-25 school year. Located near I-4 at 1775 Interstate Drive, the campus will host two schools, IDEA Lakeland Academy for elementary-age scholars and IDEA Lakeland College Preparatory for middle school-age scholars.

“This is about creating a stronger community for everyone,” said James Hartman, Executive Director for IDEA’s Tampa Bay region, which also includes two existing campuses in Tampa.

“Our schools aim to close the opportunity gap. We work to increase levels of achievement by preparing students from every background to succeed in college and beyond. We do it with a unique curriculum and a college support model, which is made up of people, programs, and culture.”

Students from one of IDEA’s existing schools—Tampa’s IDEA Victory—spoke to gathered school and community leaders at Wednesday’s groundbreaking.

“The people in my class, and at my school, inspire me. I am so thrilled that there will be a new IDEA school opening next year,” said IDEA Victory 4th Grader Ra'Kaylah McGhee, who plans on studying writing in college. “I wish my fellow, future students the best of luck as they start their journey at IDEA on the way to and through college. If they have teachers like I do, they won’t need luck!”

Over the coming months, the building will be renovated to transform spaces previously used for cubicles into classrooms and spaces for learning. A key partner in the process has been the prominent nonprofit group Lakeland Leads, which connects the business community with education efforts to improve outcomes for students.

“What they’re going to for this community and help our most needy of kids—I’m going to cry,” said Dr. Melody Rider, President of Lakeland Leads. “You know this community has a huge heart, and the kids who IDEA will serve—it’s going to change the trajectory of their futures.”

IDEA Lakeland will join a network of more than 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools nationwide, across Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida. For 16 consecutive years, nearly 100 percent of IDEA Public Schools graduates have gone on to college, with more than 70 percent being the first in their family to attend college.

IDEA Lakeland is set to open its doors in August for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. For families interested in registering their child or to learn more, visit ideapublicschools.org.

Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a network of tuition-free, K-12 public charter schools in the United States, serving over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Louisiana, Ohio and Florida.

Content courtesy of IDEA Public Schools

Much has changed in Lakeland’s 138-year history. We’ve scoured through the Lakeland Public Library, State Library, and Archives of Florida to find postcards and photos of the Lakeland of yore. Let’s take a look into the past to see how far we’ve come.

At one point, it might have been more likely to see a horse around Lake Morton than a swan. Lakeland’s royal swans didn’t arrive until 1957, and the earliest records of swans on the lake date back to only 1923.

This corner building home to Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille is known for its Neo-Georgian façades, truncated corner entrance, and red brick + cast iron exterior. Built in 1904 after a fire decimated an entire block east of Munn Park, the building has housed several businesses, drugstores, and restaurants like Fat Catz. Next door, downtown shoppers could grab necessities from a five-and-dime store in the Kress Building and a corner drug store.

One of Lakeland’s more picturesque downtown buildings has housed dry goods businesses, a cigar company, a sporting goods store, salons, and more. Over a century later, the 1903 Richardsonian Romanesque-style Clonts Building still houses several businesses. Stop by to see its iconic arched windows and round tower.

The Bowyer Building is Lakeland’s oldest standing commercial building, built in 1902 by a former Lakeland mayor. In 1907, it housed the Electric Theatre, Lakeland’s first movie house. Today, you can stop by this piece of Lakeland history to shop for apparel and accessories from Amelia Paige Boutique.

Did you know Lakeland’s last standing railroad hotel can be found on North Kentucky Avenue? Identify the 1916 construction by its tin roof and wide, covered porches. You can be completely sure you’ve found the right place if you can find the exterior wash house still standing on the building’s east side.

Our relationship with the Detroit Tigers is the longest-standing in MLB history. The team first started spring training in Lakeland in 1934, playing at Henley Field, pictured above. Joker Marchant Stadium opened in 1966, holding just 4,900 fans — it now holds 8,500.

Just down the street once stood Hotel Thelma, the first modern hotel in Lakeland built in 1913. It played host to famous visitors like Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Edison, but shuttered in 1962. Since then, the site has been rebuilt to hold eateries like Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar and Taco Bus.

This city-owned building on Lake Mirror is now an event center — you may have attended a wedding or community gathering there — but did you know it used to be the Lakeland Community Tourist Center? It was built in 1938 and held the Lakeland Tourist Club until 1998. You can take a tour of the Frances Langford Promenade to learn more about historic Lakeland stories like this.