From Frank Lloyd Wright’s inspiring architecture to the Wright Brothers’ aviation legacy, Lakeland, Florida has plenty of adventure to please the pickiest of visitors.
Planning a visit? Stay at Valencia Estates.
Take in the beauty of Florida’s wild spaces at Colt Creek State Park. Here, miles of trails are open to hiking and bicycling, and you can fish from the bank or on a canoe out on the calm waterway. On Fort Fraser Trail, the region’s history is revisited as strolling visitors learn about the beginnings of the citrus industry and the development of pioneer medicine.
And speaking of pioneers, a day at Dudley Farm Historic State Park invites guests back in time to the days before the Civil War to see how early settlers lived and worked. Visitors can observe seasonal sugar cane grindings, corn harvesting and livestock and crop management. The farm boasts 18 restored buildings including a family farmhouse with the original furnishings.
Florida Southern College is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian House, located in the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center. Guests can tour a stunning example of the famed architect’s signature style and visit the GEICO Gift Shop to learn more about Wright’s relationship with the college.
Visit Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum, which boasts interactive exhibits and displays for guests of all ages. Browse the personal collection of Howard Hughes and revisit historic moments in the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame.
See the wild world up close at Safari Wilderness Ranch. From the comfort of a safari vehicle, guests are taken through 260 acres of various habitats with an experienced and knowledgeable guide to help identify and learn more about the species who call the ranch home. Personal encounters with lemurs and budgies are on the menu, as are camel-back and carriage tours.
See how Lakeland began and grew into its modern shape through a visit to the town’s Munn Park Historic District. Named for founder Abraham Munn, the district is home to 48 historic buildings and a Confederate Civil War Memorial. Be sure to tour Hollis Gardens, a botanical garden set on just over one acre that features 10,000 flowers and ornamental shrubs, before ducking into one of the many shops and restaurants that dot the district.
