Lakeland is unsurprisingly known for its lakes. Located in Polk County between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland has a lot of different ways to enjoy their bodies of water, from hiking trails to fishing, boating, and bird watching. It's a scenic city with a lot of museums and historical points of interest. Lakeland is home to multiple Native American tribes and has an area of protected land called the Circle B Bar Reserve.

Lake Parker, named after pioneer Parker Streety, is one of the city's most popular water destinations. It's full of bass and bluegill, making it the perfect place to peacefully catch some fish. There are also trails around the park that surrounds Lake Parker's calm waters, providing a lot of photo-worthy nature walks. Visit the Circle B Bar Reserve, home to an abundance of wildlife. Bird watching is a must here, but you may also spot alligators, snakes, and bobcats. Haven't had your fill of lakes? Of course not. Check out Lake Hollingsworth, which features more than 350 acres of serene water, pelicans, plovers, and spoonbills. Follow the Lake-to-Lake Trail to discover Lake John and then circle back to Lake Parker.

Locals love Common Ground Park. It opened in 2009 with a focus on entertaining children and keeping them active. Covered with turf to keep kids safe, they'll have a blast exploring mountains, canyons, valleys, and meadows. The playground also features a flower garden.

No trip to Lakeland is complete without visiting the Polk Theater. Dating back to the late 20s, this theater is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It features 1,400 seats and period-inspired architecture and decor, including a star-covered ceiling. Catch a musical theater performance or even a screening of a Hollywood film. Stop by the Lakeland Center for hockey, soccer games, football matches, and wrestling events.

The Polk Museum of Art, opened in 1966, has 2,500 works of art inside, from pre-Columbian to contemporary. The museum also features a lush garden full of sculptures outside the building. Fantasy of Flight is another fun museum to explore. Since the 1980s, they've featured the largest private aircraft collection in the world. All planes are in flying condition.

With so much nature to explore, it can be hard to focus on your own backyard. Why struggle with landscaping projects when you can be bird watching at Lake Hollingsworth or kayaking in Lake Parker? Let Lawnstarter take care of your landscaping needs.

Our easy to use app gives you access to Lakeland's best landscapers. Download the app, enter your ZIP code, and get a list of landscape companies, licensed, insured, and vetted by us. Pick a date and be on your way. The pelicans await.