Whether you’re just starting out or have been together forever, a date night is essential for any relationship regardless of what stage it’s in. Setting aside that special time together not only helps you strengthen the bond, but it will create memories that you will come to cherish later on. I’ve compiled a list of 10 fantastic date ideas in Lakeland Florida.
First stop has definitely got to be Lakeland’s hottest new hangout, Cob & Pen. It’s a very unique gastro-pub serving up craft beer and delicious eats. The building itself used to be a Tudor home that was located off Lakeland’s most prestigious lake, Lake Hollingsworth. It was moved to it’s current location just outside of downtown and the rest is history!
After chowing down, head a few minute’s drive down the road to the Polk Theater to catch a show. This historic theater was built in 1928 and is Polk County’s only atmospheric theater. They show current and older flicks here.
When you’re done there, you can either drive or walk the few blocks downtown to get to the promenade. This lovely walkway circles Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland. Circling the promenade is a mixture of skyscrapers, a fire station, a local brewery, restaurants, a park, and a lush botanical garden. I couldn’t picture a better way to end the evening than with a stroll along the promenade!
The first Friday of every month offers a unique opportunity for date ideas in Lakeland Florida because our beautiful downtown area hosts a food truck rally, complete with vendor booths, activities, live music, and even a vintage car show! Not only is it a great spot to hang out, but it makes for some great date ideas in Lakeland Florida. After checking out the rally, you can also walk around downtown for a bit and look at the unique shops, restaurants, and bars.
Wrap up your evening by taking a walk through Munn Park. This is the heart of downtown. It’s a picturesque park with local artwork, old lamp posts, and white string lights hanging overhead. It makes for a very romantic end to the evening.
I’m guessing most people won’t think of a salt room as one of the stellar date ideas in Lakeland Florida. I think it would make for a fantastic datenight! The Salt Room in Lakeland is still fairly new. For those of you who aren’t sure what it is, it’s a room literally covered in grains of salt. During your 45-minute session of Halotherapy, you can breathe in the salt. This will clear up your lungs, remove harmful toxins from your body, and help clear up inflammation, allergies, or the common cold. You can either read, listen to music, or just relax in the NASA inspired zero-gravity chairs they have in the rooms.
After you’re done there, head down the road for some of the best sushi in Lakeland. Gosh! Asian Bistro & Sushi is a great restaurant where you can discuss how awesome you feel after your salt therapy session.
While there is only one mini-golf course in all of Lakeland, it is an impressive 18-hole course. It is perfect for beginners or the avid golfer alike, located at The Family Fun Center. The course gets pretty busy on the weekends. I would suggest getting there a little early or even making your date night on a week-night.
After scoring all those hole-in-ones, just a short drive down the road is the eclectic Red Elephant Pizza & Grill, which makes some pretty sweet pizza. If it happens to be your first time there, you also get a free bucket of peanuts for your table, score!
Even if you’re not a fan of country music, Mason’s live and up-and-coming country bar is definitely one of the night life highlights here in Lakeland. While they do serve your typical bar food, they also have an amazing brunch menu if you want to have a day-time date. Their most popular attraction though has got to be the live music. They host mainly local musicians at their venue.
Just down the road is another popular attraction, Brewlands Bar & Billiards. This place fills up very quickly, so you might have to call to reserve one of their authentic Brunswick tables. If pool is not your game, they do have darts as well. You can mosey on up to the bar to get more drinks and even catch a game on one of their 20 big screen televisions. I’m thinking a Sunday Fun-day for the win!
One of the best places to go out in Lakeland is Lakeside Village. It’s a very well-kept outdoor mall with tons of shopping, restaurants, bars, a spa, a cigar lounge, a movie theater and even a few hotels. Why not make over your typical dinner and movie date ideas in Lakeland Florida by booking a couples’ massage and heading to one of the many restaurants for dessert. The spa located in Lakeside Village is called Day Dreams and it happens to be one of the most prestigious spas in all of Lakeland.
After getting pampered there, take to one of the restaurants for some delicious dessert. Whether it’s Dulce de Leche Cheesecake at Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy, Fresh Mango with Sticky Rice from Thai Oishi, or just the classic ice cream cone from Coldstone Creamery, there is something for every taste! If you are able to get away for longer than one night, why not book a stay at one of the hotels right off the main shopping area.
Situated around the stunning Lake Hollingsworth is Florida Southern College. This is an absolutely beautiful campus that has in fact been ranked consecutively by the Princeton Review as being the Nation’s “Most Beautiful Campus”. FSC is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in one area in the entire world!
After you’ve toured the architecture and visited the Rose Gardens, stretch out your legs under a shady oak tree among the sprawling green lawns for an old school picnic. I recommend starting out your trip in the afternoon so you can watch the sunset over Lake Hollingsworth afterwards. You will not want to miss out on those views!
With more than 2,500 pieces in it’s collection, the Polk Museum of Art is a hidden gem in Lakeland. If you’re planning a date to tour the museum with your sweetheart, then you definitely have to check out the Red Door. This is a wine bar and craft food restaurant, only steps away from the museum entrance.
If you really want to experience the best of all the date ideas in Lakeland Florida, I would suggest going to get brunch at the Red Door and then touring the museum that afternoon. If you still have time to spare, rent a bicycle and ride around Lake Mirror, home to the infamous Black Swans. Then, stop along one of the bird feeders to get a little closer to all the wildlife.
If you or your partner are an artist, or you just want to try it out, Lakeland definitely has you covered! There is this unique building with 4 businesses packed into one strip mall. On the top of the building, you have Picassoz Art Cafe. On the bottom are the walk-in pottery studio, the walk-in mosaics studio, and Tea Largo Beverage Company. All of which are owned by the same people. Morning, afternoon, or evening, it’s all good. This place is awesome to come to anytime. If you’re wanting to send your taste buds to paradise, I recommend the Iced Matcha drink. So good!
The newest craze sweeping the nation has made it’s way to Lakeland as well! It just opened last year but it is already such a hit. The Lakeland Escape Room has four different rooms to choose from. This is one of the most unique date ideas in Lakeland Florida because you can do it as a couple or as a double date.
Once you’ve made it out of the rooms, treat yourselves to dinner. There are a ton of great restaurants nearby I would recommend too. It depends on if you’re going just as a couple or with a group of friends. If you’re going just the two of you I would stop by Posto 9, an awesome Brazillian Gastropub. If you plan on going with a group then check out Bay Street Bistro, it’s still pretty upscale but has a great atmosphere.
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