Lakeland
The world's largest group of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is on the Florida Southern College campus at 750 Frank Lloyd Wright Way. The 1938 Annie Pfeiffer Chapel was the first structure here; others were patterned after its “Child of the Sun” theme. The Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center has exhibits about Wright's work. Maps for a self-guiding tour are available at the center or outside the administration building; phone (863) 680-4597 for information on guided tours.
Hollis Garden , 702 E. Orange St., is a formal botanical garden that includes water features, a koi pond, a butterfly garden, ornamental shrubs, flowering plants and herbs; phone (863) 834-2280. Barnett Family Park, adjacent to Hollis Garden, has several play areas for children, including a water park, a labyrinth, swings and large sculptures.
During March the city is the spring-training camp for baseball's Detroit Tigers, and from April through August it is the home of the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Exhibition games are played at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium; phone (863) 686-8075 or (866) 668-4437. Ice hockey games, concerts, ballet performances and trade shows are among the entertainment presented at The Lakeland Center, 701 W. Lime St.; phone (863) 834-8111 for ticket information.
In mid-April, Lakeland is the site of the 5-day Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, which attracts visitors and vendors from around the world. In addition to 500 commercial exhibitors, there are workshops, forums and daily air shows, and the exhibits and aircraft of the Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum . For information, phone (863) 644-2431.
Visitor Centers
Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce 35 Lake Morton Dr. Park Trammel Building Lakeland, FL 33801. Phone:(863)688-8551
Self-guiding Tours
Information about tours of the downtown historic district is available from the chamber of commerce.
Shopping
Lakeland Square Mall, off I-4 exit 32 at 3800 US 98N, contains Dillard's, JCPenney and Sears. Art and antique lovers can find an eclectic choice of shops and dealers in the city's antiques district, 2 blocks north of Main Street along Kentucky Avenue and Pine Street.