While warmer weather is just about in full-swing for us Floridians (hello, spring break), 2021 might be the year to look to a staycation.
If anything, we deserve it after all that 2020 put us through, right?
So, we rounded up 10 of the most unique staycation spots in Central Florida for when you want to get away, but not travel too far.
Staycation or vacation? You decide.
ManCave apartment + Airplane Hangar
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Sleeps 3 | 1 studio, 1 bath | $70/night | 1.5 hours from Downtown Lakeland
✔ This space is pretty fly for an airplane hangar. The loft includes a bar, microwave, satellite-TV, fireplace, Wi-Fi + air conditioning. #FunFact: On the property, you'll find alpacas, goats, horses, and a brood of chickens.
Twelve Parsecs by Loma Homes
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Sleeps 16 | 9 bedrooms, 5 baths | $398/night | 30 minutes from Downtown Lakeland
✔ As it so happens, this galaxy isn’t too far, far away, 30-minutes that is. Bring your quarantine bubble besties and book this intergalactic Airbnb just a hop, skip, and a jump over in Champions Gate. #ProTip: This spot is just 20 minutes from all of the action at Walt Disney World.
The Bermuda
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Sleeps 4 | 1bedroom, 1 bath | $150/night | 1 hour from Downtown Lakeland
✔ This adorable space is just two blocks away from Orlando’s parks. And, might we say, so instagrammable.
7 more swoon-worthy rentals here. ⬇️ |
| Share these digs with the soon-to-be spring breakers in your life. |
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Weather
○ 77º | Partly Cloudy | 8% chance of rain
Lakelander
○ Merlande Petithomme, hair stylist extraordinaire, was featured on an episode of Netflix’s “We Are The Champions” docu-series about obscure, but spectacular competitions. Merlande’s appearance was centered around her win at the 2019 Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show. 🎥 (The Ledger)
Civic
○ A red-light running detection program was put into action on Monday to help prevent fatal accidents. Four intersections were approved by the Florida Department of Transportation. (The Ledger)
Politics
○ Four candidates are running in Lakeland’s special election on April 6. Steve Frankenberger (Publix), Mike Musick, (Musick Construction and Roofing), Ken Post (project management) + Shandale Terrell (educator) are all vying for a short-term seat on Lakeland’s City Commission. The winner of this election will serve until the end of the year, replacing Scott Franklin. (LkldNow)
Edu
○ Seven finalists for the position of Polk County Public Schools’ superintendent have been named. A Florida School Boards Association special panel that chose the finalists will present them to the School Board in a meeting tonight. Interviews will follow + the new superintendent is expected to be chosen on April 27. (The Ledger)
FeaturedJob
○ We’re hiring! If you know that Saturdays are farmer's market days, swans are the queens of the avian world + Pub Subs reign supreme, come work with us at LALtoday, and join our team as an Editor. Key responsibilities include educating Lakeland through our daily newsletter and social platforms. Learn more about the position here.
Ranked
○ Southeastern University is ranked #1 in Florida for theology + pre-medicine studies as part of the 2021 PLEXUSS Global Rankings. The school also ranked third in the state for special education + fifth in Florida for criminal justice. Nationally, SEU was named in the top 25 pre-medicine schools next to prestigious institutions like Boston University + Notre Dame. 🔥 (Plexxus)
Health
○ DYK Lakeland Regional Health offers rapid COVID-19 tests at their Urgent Care Locations? With results in 15 minutes, you’ll feel better knowing you’re not spreading germs to friends, family, or on an upcoming trip. More info here. Ⓟ
TryThis
○ If you’re looking to beef up your weekend, consider a trip to Cow Creek Farm (6802 Five Acre Rd.) in Plant City for a Day on the Farm tour. Hourly tours from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. consist of a tram ride around the pasture, a photo op + feeding time if you're in the mooo-d. Tours are open this weekend, Feb. 27-28, as well as select dates in March. 🐮
Deal
○ The Florida Strawberry Festival is just weeks away and ICYMI, you can grab advance tickets for 20% off at participating Publix stores. There are 10 stores in Lakeland selling discounted tickets + many more around Polk County — just look for your local spot on this list. #ProTip: Use those savings for an extra helping of some yummy strawberry shortcake. 🍰
Wellness
○ Fall asleep faster, sleep longer + wake up refreshed (yes, please). PhD-formulated and non-habit-forming, Proper’s natural ingredients are clinically proven to be effective but won’t knock you out or make you groggy. Try the Discovery Trial Pack to sample five unique formulas, and get 10% off with code TODAY. 💤 Ⓟ
Dish
○ Florida Farm Finder is helping Floridians find fresh + sustainable food from local farmers. It was launched last year as a Facebook group after many traditional farmer’s markets were shut down. Today, the group + website serves over 13,000 members featuring farmers in all corners of the state. Get started with a monthly crate of the newest Florida goodies here. (Fox 13 News)
○ DYK Catapult’s Kitchen Incubator houses 29 food businesses? From Texas-style barbecue to boba tea, check out the full lineup for the Spring Pop-up Series to see how you can taste products from these food startups yourself. Ⓟ
Gallery
○ Take a peek at these classic candids from Walt Disney World’s past. From nostalgic nuggets to costumes of old, take a step back into the 1970s + 80s at the Happiest Place on Earth here. 🎥 (Orlando Weekly)
Coronavirus
○ On Monday, the Florida Department of Health announced 4,151 new cases of COVID-19 and 159 additional deaths in Florida. That brings the total number of cases in FL of COVID-19 to 1,872,923 + the total deaths to 30,065. You can find more updates concerning COVID-19 case numbers on the Florida Department of Health dashboard. See Lakeland + Polk numbers here.
○ Monitor the Florida Department of Health in Polk’s website for the latest information regarding vaccines. Seniors can register for the vaccination here.
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
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Set your glaze to this year’s Strawberry Festival and take part in the Amish Donut Eating Contest. Yes, you heard that right – Peachy’s Baking Co. will host a donut eating contest this year for those interested.
Don’t be jelly. If you want to participate, be sure to enter the contest at one of Peachy’s locations during the festival with your team of four on March 5 at 11 a.m. 😋
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Network
○ CXP Christian CEO Retreat | Tues., Feb. 23 | 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | CEO Retreat Office, 8262 Cypress Trace Blvd. | Free | Connect with other entrepreneurs + business owners. 💼
ForParents
○ HPA General Meeting | Tues., Feb. 23 | 7-8 p.m. | Harrison School for the Arts Parents Association, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | Free | Learn more about the association + supporting the students.
Cause
○ The Bag Ladies Work Day | Tues., Feb. 23 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | Free | New helpers always welcome. 🧳
PlanAhead
○ Day on the Farm Tour | Sat., Feb. 27 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Cow Creek Farm, 6802 Five Acre Rd. | Prices Vary | Join the animals at Cow Creek for a tour of the pastures, RSVP required.
○ 4th Annual Viking Invasion 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Runs | Sat., Mar. 6 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | 111 Forest Park St. | $25 | Register to run or walk in the 4th annual Viking Invasion 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run at Viking Stadium. Ⓟ
FeaturedEvent
○ Grab a lunch on us at Trinity Medical Group | Tuesdays through Mar. 30 | 12-2 p.m. | 550 Pope Ave. NW, Winter Haven | Free | Trinity Medical Group is offering free, pre-packaged meals prepared according to COVID-19 safety measures, to seniors 65+ at their Winter Haven location every Tuesday through Mar. 30. RSVP at 863-949-8080. Limit one meal per person. Ⓟ
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Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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“Be Local. Bank Local.” is Bank of Central Florida’s motto | FDIC Member | Photo provided
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A bank that puts your needs ahead of theirs? Meet Bank of Central Florida, which was founded to serve the financial needs of the local marketplace. The bank works with each client’s unique financial endeavors to provide solutions — whether you’re opening a business or want to grow your existing business.
Here are just a few advantages of working with a local financial institution:
• Local marketplace knowledge
• Community-invested people
• Local decision making
• Relationship banking Ⓟ
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