BEST PARK
BONNET SPRINGS PARK
400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland
(863) 732-7000
FB @BonnetSpringsPark
IG @bonnetspringspark
Bonnet Springs Park is a landmark, spreading across 168 acres of revitalized land near downtown that once played a key role in Lakeland’s growth. This is a spot where urban charm meets natural beauty, offering a perfect blend of art, recreation, fun, and tranquility. This unique park serves as a retreat to escape, engage, and explore. The park boasts a Welcome Center with a gift shop, history gallery, and coffee nook, along with a circulator, Heritage Gardens, the Florida Children’s Museum, the Depot Cafe, a family lawn, playground, botanical gardens, butterfly house, nature center, tree house, canopy walk, and more.
2nd: Munn Park
3rd: Common Ground Playground
BEST DATE NIGHT
BONNET SPRINGS PARK
400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland
(863) 732-7000
FB @BonnetSpringsPark
IG @bonnetspringspark
What’s more romantic than a picnic in a beautiful park? Or how about a date at the Depot Cafe complete with a rooftop, garden, and bar? Bonnet Springs Park rests on 168 acres of repurposed land near downtown that once helped Lakeland thrive. One guest writes in part, “Love this park. We got engaged here. It’s spacious enough that you don’t feel like you’re on top of anyone just taking a walk when you visit, and there’s plenty to do.”
2nd: The Joinery
3rd: Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre
BEST STAYCATION
CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE
361 Denton Ave, Auburndale
(863) 455-7335
FB @campmargaritavilleauburndale
IG @campmargaritavilleauburndale
Located in the heart of Central Florida, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Auburndale is your ideal spot to enjoy theme parks, attractions, and all that the area has to offer. The resort offers RV sites, motorhome suites, and cabana cabins to take your respite. Camp Margaritaville Auburndale has all the relaxation or adventure you crave right in your backyard. Get into the ‘5 O’clock Somewhere’ vibe with their tiki bar, fire pits, resort pools, entertainment stage, playground, dog parks, and putting course, or plan a day with the crew hiking, biking, or sightseeing.
2nd: The Terrace Hotel Lakeland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
3rd: Streamsong Resort
BEST GOLF COURSE
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS GOLF COURSE
2900 Buckingham Ave, Lakeland
(863) 834-2377
It’s a hole in one for Cleveland Heights Golf Course! This 27-hole municipal gem is open to the public and offers a complete golf experience with a Pro Shop, expert instruction, practice areas, and a restaurant. They also feature a full driving range with bucket sizes ranging from small to large for your practice needs. Green fees shift with the seasons, but annual memberships keep you swinging all year. After a few rounds, swing by 1916 Irish Pub at Cleveland Heights Golf Course for some tasty chicken wings or hearty shepherd’s pie.
2nd: Grasslands Golf & Country Club
3rd: The Club at Eaglebrooke
BEST DANCE STUDIO
HIGHLAND SCHOOL OF DANCE
6929 Old Rd 37, Lakeland
(863) 644-4124
FB @HighlandSchoolofDance
IG @hsd_dance_lakeland
Opened in 1974 by Jane Coyle, Highland School of Dance was taken over by now owner and director, former HSD student Hayley Amis-Stewart. They offer classes in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Musical Theater, and Acrobatics. Former Highland School of Dance students have gone on to dance in college and professionally, from Disney World and Busch Gardens to MODAS, in Broadway productions, and beyond. One dance mom and former student writes, “Highland School of Dance is by far the best dance studio in Lakeland! They are a technique-based studio with excellent teachers and incredible performance opportunities. HSD was my second home growing up and I’m so grateful that my daughters get the chance to experience the same thing.”
2nd: Ultimate Dance Center
3rd: Dancin’
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
UNION HALL
1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
(863) 288-0372
FB @unionhallevents
IG @unionhallevents
Union Hall is a cozy Dixieland haven with high ceilings, charming 1920s terracotta brick, Art Deco flair, and sleek concrete bar tops. Sip on a cocktail and soak up the tunes at the bar, or reserve the space for a private event and make it a night to remember. One Union Hall patron wrote, “Great venue. My girlfriend and I have been there for Blues concerts, Rock concerts, and Line dancing with Felicia Jones. Service is great, and the staff is always friendly.” Check out their website to see what bands are coming to Union Hall next.
2nd: Swan Brewing
3rd: The Pink Piano
BEST ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT
THE LAKELAND CHRISTMAS PARADE
On the first Thursday in December, the Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland will host the 43rd Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade. This familyfriendly event has become a tried and true Lakeland tradition over the years. The parade theme for 2024 is “Christmas at Swan Lake,” spotlighting your favorite Lakeland landmarks. Wrapping up one of Lakeland’s largest annual events is a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
2nd: Mayfaire by-the-Lake
3rd: Lake Mirror Classic Concours and Car Show
BEST MUSEUM
THE ASHLEY GIBSON BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE
800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland
(863) 688-7743
FB @AGBmuseum
IG @agbmuseum
Every year, around 140,000 visitors explore The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, formerly known as Polk Museum of Art. Recently rebranded as an academic and community museum, the Museum offers free admission and regularly updated exhibits. Patrons can marvel at their expansive collection of over 2,800 objects, showcasing contemporary art, Asian art, pre-Columbian art, African art, and decorative art. The Museum features works from both its collection and renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Albert Paley, Miriam Schapiro, Andy Warhol, and more. In February 2022, they unveiled plans for a significant expansion. The $6M project, now expanded to 14,000 additional square feet, will add new gallery, classroom, and art laboratory spaces to the existing 38,000-square-foot facility, with the new twostory section planned for the northwest side of the building.
2nd: Florida Children’s Museum
3rd: Polk County History Center
BEST MURAL
“MONARCH BUTTERFLIES” BY GILLIAN FAZIO
130 S. Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland
Commissioned by the Lakeland Community & Economic Development Department, Gillian Fazio was tapped to beautify the Downtown Redevelopment District. The mural is by the Lake Mirror Tower Apartments on the wall facing the lake. The mural depicts beautiful monarch butterflies fluttering from flower to flower. A Lakeland native, Fazio graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors’ Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida in 2017. Fazio has painted over 20 murals across Central Florida from Tampa to Anna Maria Island and describes herself as a “new age flora and fauna artist.”
2nd: “The Legend of Ondine” by Cecilia Lueza
3rd: “Watchful Woman” by Gabriela Jaxon
BEST VISUAL ARTIST
SARA SAVANNAH JONES
IG @Sara.Savannah.Jones
Sara Savannah Jones is a visual artist working mostly with acrylic paints. She utilizes found objects, photography, drawing, painting, and recycled materials to execute her work. “I find that using recycled canvas and “found” surfaces are an essential technique to convey humanity in my work. Objects can hold the worst memories or nostalgia. A painting can make you reminisce or recoil. I aspire to discuss emotions with a visual assistance, when words fail to do the job,” says Jones.
2nd: Gillian Fazio
3rd: Bump Galletta
BEST BAND
THESE TIMES
Spotify @thesetimes
FB @thesetimesfl
IG @thesetimesfl
These Times is a Florida band with a heavy heart and a punk flair, formed in 2015. Their lineup includes Skully Scott on vocals, Kurt Montroy strumming rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Aiden Headley keeping the beat on drums and vocals, Josh Hannah thumping the bass and backing vocals, and Evan Dyer shredding lead guitar and backing vocals. Dive into their easycore tunes on Spotify and follow their social media to catch their next gig—don’t miss out on their “punktastic” performances!
2nd: Almondy Brown
3rd: Fire Light Reggae
BEST DRAG QUEEN
MOMMA ASHLEY ROSE
FB @rosedynastyfoundation
IG @rosedynastyfoundation
Congrats to one of our favorite queens! Momma Ashley Rose is a dazzling drag performer with a heart of gold, spreading the message that everyone is “loved, accepted, and wanted.” Together with her husband, Scott DeShazo, Momma Ashley Rose founded the Rose Dynasty Foundation, raising thousands for charities, community outreach, and non-profits through fabulous drag shows, dinners, brunches, children’s events, and variety performances. Momma’s mission is to create a safe, family-friendly space for all, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or religion, through mentoring, fundraising, community-building, and resource awareness.
2nd: Japonika Work
3rd: Marina Maroney
BEST HIDDEN GEM IN POLK COUNTY
ART/IFACT STUDIOS
820 N. Massachusetts Ave., #2, Lakeland
FB @artifactstudios
IG @artifact_studios
ART/ifact Studios launched on March 18, 2017, as a non-profit organization focused on building a vibrant community by hosting local artists, events, and workshops. The studio is in a unique 1924 warehouse-turnedgallery space. ART/ifact houses local artists and provides a workspace away from home “to cultivate their skills, techniques, and relationships. The open floor gallery design promotes an environment of collaboration and neighborliness with other artists or visitors.” Sadly, ART/ifact Studios recently announced its closing. This beautiful, accepting, creative community space will be missed.
2nd: Dixieland Night Market
3rd: The Pink Piano
BEST LOCAL MAKER
WOLF IN THE WORKSHOP
FB @wolfintheworkshop
IG @wolfintheworkshop
Wolf in the Workshop is a fiber artist making hand-tufted rugs and wall hangings, jewelry using found bones, prints, and, of course, Tuft Tiddies. One customer writes, “She makes the cutest and most thoughtful gifts! You won’t find anyone who puts more effort and love into your orders.” Expect oversized coasters and mug rugs, fancy cat prints, cool and creepy tufted rugs, boob hats, and more!
2nd: Bump Galletta
3rd: Swan City Ceramics
