Since 1934, Lakeland has been the spring home of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers. The city is also home of one of the Tigers' minor league teams and developmental squads. The community is less than an hour's drive from some of Florida's most famous attractions, including Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Cypress Gardens and Busch Gardens. Visitors to Central Florida can also find several attractions in Lakeland that provide entertainment and family fun.
The Lakeland Center is an entertainment, sports and convention complex in the center of the city. With over 500 events each year, including conventions, sporting events, trade shows, ballet, Broadway musicals and concerts, visitors are sure to find an exciting event to attend at the center. The Hyatt Place Lakeland Center is anext to the center. Approximately a mile away is the Polk Museum of Art with collections of American and European modern, contemporary and decorative art, as well as Asian and pre-Columbian art.
Fantasy of Flight displays over 40 rare vintage aircraft at its art deco facility approximately 16 miles northeast of Lakeland. Visitors can board a Short Sunderland, the last airworthy flying boat, and an authentic World War II-era B-17 Flying Fortress. Tours provide glimpses at how aircraft is restored and aerial demonstrations will surely excite any aviation enthusiast. Interactive exhibits also educate visitors on flight and aircraft.
Just southeast of Lakeland is Lake Hancock and the Circle B Bar Reserve, which owes its name to a former cattle ranch that once occupied the site. Restoration projects have reverted much of pastureland to marshlands. Visitors can see the area's large bird population, including wading birds, waterfowl, ospreys and bald eagles, and try to catch a glimpse of alligators living in Lake Hancock from the shore or a pier. Hiking, fishing, biking and horseback riding are popular activities at the property.
Sports enthusiasts can catch a baseball game of the Lakeland Flying Tigers from April to September. Lakeland's team plays at Joker Marchant Stadium, where the Detroit Tigers base their spring training. The team's name and colors honor the Lakeland School of Aeronautics, which was located at the site of the ballpark and where over 8,000 pilots trained during World War II. The team plays in the Florida State League and has been the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Detroit Tigers since 1967.
