Top Things to Do in Lakeland, FL – Relax, Explore & Indulge

Lakeland, Florida, combines small–town charm with big attractions. The city sits between Tampa and Orlando and offers a mix of natural parks and creative local businesses. If you’re planning a day out, start with a walk through newly opened Bonnet Springs Park and end with a zero‑gravity massage at Relax Room. Here are some ideas for your itinerary.

Relax in style at the Relax Room

Tucked away in a plaza off West Daughtery Road, Relax Room offers a massage experience that’s closer to a spa than an arcade. Their claim to fame is their zero‑gravity massage chair lounge. According to the lounge’s website, the chairs use 4D intelligent massage mechanisms to provide a full‑body massage that targets stress and tension, so guests feel “rejuvenated” after floating in zero gravity. Visitors can choose from 30‑ or 60‑minute full‑body massage sessions, purchase gift cards or even sign up for an unlimited monthly membership. The lounge prides itself on customizable experiences: staff adjust the chairs’ settings to relieve pain, and visitors can enjoy complimentary beverages during a full‑body massage. myrelaxroom.com. It’s a relaxing way to recharge after exploring Lakeland’s outdoor attractions.

Indulge your sweet tooth at World of Cones

Just steps from the Relax Room is World of Cones, an ice‑cream shop that serves creative cone creations with a variety of flavors and toppings. According to a local directory description, the shop puts a unique twist on classic desserts by offering specialty cones and sundaes in a fun, cozy environment with friendly service. Whether you order a simple scoop or a loaded sundae, it’s the perfect stop to cool down on a warm Florida day.

Spend the morning at Bonnet Springs Park

Opened in late 2022 and already named USA Today’s Best City Park of 2025, Bonnet Springs Park is Lakeland’s newest centerpiece. The 168‑acre urban park sits between downtown and Lake Bonnet and was built on a remediated rail yard. A park map shows a long list of highlights:

  • Welcome Center: includes a history gallery, gift shop and coffee shopbonnetspringspark.com.

  • Heritage Gardens & Botanical Gardens: curated garden spaces and a butterfly house.

  • Playgrounds and Family Lawn: a train‑themed playground and an accessible family lawn.

  • Event Center and Ballroom: a space for weddings and community events.

  • Florida Children’s Museum: relocated to the park, offering hands‑on exhibits for kids.

Design firm Sasaki notes that the park’s master plan includes heritage gardens, a canopy walk, boating activities, botanic gardens, playgrounds and an event lawn, all connected by new walking and biking paths. The Crenshaw Canopy Walk—a quarter‑mile elevated walkway—allows visitors to stroll through the treetops and see 200‑year‑old live oaks. The park’s Nature Center offers boat rentals and interpretive exhibits that explain the restoration of wetlands and the ecology of central Florida. An article celebrating the USA Today award notes that visitors especially enjoy the canopy walk, the Florida Children’s Museum, the Harrell Family Botanical Gardens, and miles of scenic trails and boardwalks bonnetspringspark.com.

Bonnet Springs Park is open daily (generally 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and admission is free. With coffee shops, playgrounds and shady paths, it’s an ideal spot to start your day before exploring the rest of Lakeland.

Explore more of Lakeland

After lunch at World of Cones, you still have time to explore other Lakeland highlights:

  • Circle B Bar Reserve: Located on the north shore of Lake Hancock, this nature preserve features diverse wildlife and bird‑watching along trails such as Alligator Alley. Visitors can take tram tours from the Polk Nature Discovery Center to learn about the area’s ecosystems.

  • Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College: Architecture fans will appreciate the campus’s visionary designs and chapels. The site offers tours that explore Wright’s unique buildings and the history behind them. Plan your perfect day.

Lakeland’s mix of natural beauty and creative local businesses makes it easy to build a memorable itinerary. Start your morning with a stroll through Bonnet Springs Park—walk the canopy trail, explore the gardens and let the kids roam the playgrounds. Head over to the plaza on West Daughtery Road to enjoy a 30‑ or 60‑minute massage at Relax Room, where zero‑gravity chairs and complementary drinks will help you unwind.  Finish your afternoon with a handcrafted ice cream cone from World of Cones, or continue exploring Lakeland’s many trails, museums and architectural landmarks. With so much to see and do, Lakeland invites you to relax, explore and indulge.