Florida – just the word evokes images of sun, sand, palm trees and crystal clear water. But it is so much more. To explore authentic Florida, visit Polk County. Home to fabled architecture, an emerging art scene, a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience and a storied food scene, a visit to Central Florida’s Polk County is a great way to see where the real Florida magic happens.
Living Art – The Child of the Sun
From the breathtaking Guggenheim Museum in New York City to the world-renowned Fallingwater – a home built straddling a waterfall – fabled architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy still ripples throughout the world. To explore the largest one-site collection of the architect’s futuristic and often groundbreaking work, you must come to his “College of Tomorrow,” Florida Southern College in Lakeland. You’ll have plenty of company when you visit – the still-thriving college remains a must-see stop for architects and enthusiasts from around the world. Tour options include self-guided tours, guided tours or a favorite of the locals, a tour of the Usonian Faculty House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s take on modern, affordable housing for the average American family.
Envisioning the campus rising out of the ground and inspired by his walks through the orange groves that then surrounded the campus, Wright dubbed it the “Child of the Sun.” Even the buildings themselves reflect their surroundings, since they are constructed of concrete blocks with native sands and shells added. Inside the buildings, arrays of kaleidoscopic beams of light gleam from the walls themselves, thanks to the square pieces of glass embedded in the blocks.
The crown jewel of the campus is the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel. Finished in 1941 thanks to student labor, the chapel is designed to seat 1,000 people no more than 50 feet from the pulpit. Natural light flows into the building from all angles, and the steel construction on top of the tower allows the chimes to resonate throughout campus.
Of course, Florida Southern College might not be so stunning if it wasn’t next to one of the most popular lakes in Florida, Lake Hollingsworth. So popular, in fact, that the path around it was dubbed the 20th most popular running route in the United States by the mapmyrun app via Under Armour.
Found in the spiritual heart of Lakeland, the almost three-mile path around the lake is nearly always busy, but never full. Cyclists, folks on roller blades, runners and walkers are all welcome. Friendly nods and hellos are frequent.
Wildlife is abundant in and around the lake, including plenty of aquatic birds and plant life. On a quite morning you may see some playful families of otters on the water while rabbits skitter through the nearby bushes, pelicans and herons swoop and gallinule peep along the shoreline.
But half the scenery is on the other side of the road. Stately homes – this is one of the higher rent districts in the city – ring the lake. The loop around the lake is also a popular cruise-for-views destination for classic cars and motorcycles.
Just a short walk away from Lake Hollingsworth you’ll find one of the top-10 art museums in the state. And you can enjoy it for free.
The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College offers an extensive permanent collection of contemporary and modern art, as well as Pre-Columbian, Asian, European and American decorative arts. Around 20 exhibitions rotate throughout its nine galleries each year, and it remains home to rare 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints, as well as ceramic plates made by Pablo Picasso. The outdoor garden area showcases several permanent sculptures.
There are also workshops led by experienced art educators on the first Saturday of every month that give families time to create artwork together.
The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday afternoons, but hours of operation vary by season, so be sure to check the website, polkmuseumofart.org, before heading out.
Wild Times
If you’d rather get a little wild, we’ve got a place for you. Tucked away down a winding road seemingly in the middle of nowhere, you’ll experience wide-open spaces, flat topography and miles of lush landscape that isn’t the sand-and-surf most think of as Florida. This is “cracker country,” where cattle and Florida cowboys once roamed.
This veld-like setting is perfect for Safari Wilderness Ranch, an African safari type experience. Opened in 2012, the ranch – a 260-acre expanse – is not a zoo. Instead, the animals roam freely, grazing and interacting with each other much like they would at home in Africa or Asia. Eland, water buffalo and antelope mingle with zebras and Watusi cattle, while lemurs dance away on an island in the middle of it all. There are even breeds here that you can no longer find in Africa, such as the Scimitar-horned Oryx. Extinct where they originated, this type of antelope thrives in game farms around the United States.
There are five different excursion experiences available for visitors – safari bus, kayak safari, camel expedition and ATV safari tour, with most opting for the safari bus, which offers the most shade from Florida’s intense sun and allows visitors to enjoy up-close encounters with the wildlife the park offers. For those who’d rather stay in their own car, Safari Wilderness offers guided, hour-long drive through tours, allowing you to view the exotic animals around you from the comfort of your own vehicle. Led by an ATV-riding tour guide, vehicles must be as large as a full-sized SUV or smaller. Motorcycles or commercial vehicles are not allowed. For more information or to book your tour, visit safariwilderness.com.
Welcome to a great American downtown
Walkable and loaded with plenty of food, drink and shopping options, Lakeland is one of the few great thriving American downtowns where you can easily spend a day exploring.
If food expresses cultural identity, Lakeland must be a little confusing. This city simply defies labels. Sure, you’ll find barbecue and Southern cooking as well as Mexican and Italian cuisine. But if you are looking for mashups and cultural callbacks, as well as one of the top-10 best restaurants in the state, you’ve come to the right place.
And confusion has never tasted so good.
Consider Nineteen61, for example. Is the cuisine Cuban, Latin, Spanish or Peruvian? Honestly, you won’t care about a label when it comes to your table. From ceviche to Spanish salads, Cuban standards such as ropa vieja and Peruvian style Chinese fried rice – arroz chaufa – this culinary mash-up has been considered one of the top-10 Spanish restaurants in the state since the day the doors opened. Open for both lunch and dinner, locals get here early and take advantage of the tapas menu at the bar before dinner, from the fried calamari in a jalapeno caramel to the empanadas. 215 E. Main Street, Lakeland.
Just around the corner, Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille brings Louisianna inspired food and atmosphere to Central Florida. From casual drinks at the bar to a lunch with friends or a special dinner, Harry’s fits the bill. You can grab a Hurricane and dive into their fried green tomatoes or signature crab cakes, but don’t eat too much, the catfish etouffee or red beans and rice will be worth the wait. And at the end of the night, leave room for Oreo beignets – trust me.
Not to be outdone is Mojo Federal Swine and Spirits. Once again, make sure you bring your appetite along on this outing. From barbecue favorites like brisket and spareribs to Southern delights shrimp and grits, sandwiches and more, Mojo offers refined barbecue and Deep South favorites – did we mention homemade banana pudding?
If you’d rather try a local sip, you can’t be more Lakeland than Swan Brewing. What started as a 10-by-10 tent at the Downtown Farmers Curb Market today occupies what was, once upon a time, a 1940s automobile repair shop. Offering well over 20 beers on tap, most are brewed right there. Family and dog friendly, they are also food truck friendly.
Also downtown is Revival, where Cosmopolitans aren’t just for watching reruns of “Sex and the City.” Those retro drinks of lore are making a comeback, and nowhere is that more evident than at Revival in Lakeland. Gin, whiskey, vodka and more can be served either shaken or stirred, or you can choose from their menu of beers and wines.
The largest city between Tampa and Orlando, it also features the RP Funding Center, the largest convention and entertainment complex in the area. Programing at the RP Funding Center includes Broadway shows, musical performances, conventions – and even the occasional professional wrestling event.
Downtown Lakeland is also ringed with boutique retailers including 5Th and Hall, My Cottage Garden and Scout & Tag.
So, take a few days and see why Polk County is known as Florida’s Sweetest Spot – and not just for our baked goods. For more Central Florida vacation ideas, go to www.VisitCentralFlorida.org