Lakeland Florida Hotels and Travel Guide

For motorists driving between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland, Florida might just be another exit off of I-4, but this Polk County city of nearly half a million people has a history that stretches back to the establishment of railroad lines in the 1880s. Lakeland also has a number of historic buildings that date back to the Florida land boom period of the 1920s.

Lakeland Hotel Deals

• Hampton Inn and Suites Lakeland Florida - Come enjoy the sunny side of life at the Hampton Inn & Suites hotel, a destination among Lakeland, Florida hotels. Our stylish hotel offers a prime Lakeland, Florida location nearby leading Lakeland business and pleasure destinations, all within driving distance to Orlando or Tampa. Experience it all from the superior comforts of our executive-style Lakeland hotel guest rooms and suites. We look forward to showing you our unsurpassed luxury and value among the Lakeland, Florida hotels.

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Lakeland Florida Travel Guide

Lovers of historic architecture will also be interested to know that the Florida Southern College campus in Lakeland, Florida is the home of the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. Although FSC was originally founded in 1883 in Orlando under a different name, the college relocated to Lakeland in 1922. Starting in the later 1930s, the college hired Frank Lloyd Wright to design the campus buildings. Wright designed 18 buildings for then-president Dr. Ludd Spivey, 12 of which were built. The Florida Southern College campus is designated as a National Historic District and comprises a total of 64 buildings on 100 acres of land.

During the first half of the twentieth century Lakeland became the spring training location for two major league baseball teams. Lakeland hosted the Cleveland Indians during from 1923 until 1927 and the Detroit Tigers have trained in Lakeland since 1934. The Tigers have been playing in Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland since 1966, with Spring Training games scheduled in late February and throughout the month of March. Over the years, “Tiger Town” has evolved into a complete training complex that includes the ballpark, other training fields, dorm, training facilities and team clubhouses.

In recent years, Lakeland is probably best known as being the headquarters for Publix Super Markets, which can be found throughout Florida, Georgia and other areas of the Southeast. A short drive east of Lakeland is Winter Haven, Florida, the home of the historic Cypress Gardens and Splash Island waterpark. Cypress Gardens was founded in 1936, more than 40 years before Walt Disney World brought throngs of travelers to Central Florida. To the west of Lakeland off of I-4, Plant City hosts its annual Strawberry Festival every February, featuring games, rides, concerts, and of course, plenty of fresh Florida strawberries.

For anyone who has ever wondered about what lies beyond the exits almost halfway between Tampa and Orlando on I-4, there is more to Lakeland than meets the eye for those who wish to explore this unique region of Central Florida.