Florida Southern College
At the heart of downtown Lakeland, Florida Southern College is the place to see Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. Nine buildings designed by Wright grace the campus grounds, collectively referred to as "Child of the Sun." The campus is open to the public, and the "Child of the Sun" Visitor Center offers walking tours and exhibits showcasing the work and life of the famous architect.
The Visitor Center and its adjacent Esplanade Gift Shop are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided campus tours are available by appointment from May 4 through August 15 for $10 per person (as of November 2009). Self-guided tours can be taken anytime.
Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 680-4444
flsouthern.edu
Hollis Garden
A boost to Lakeland's old Florida charm, this 1.2 acre botanical garden is a favorite with locals and visitors. Spread along Lake Mirror in the heart of the city, Hollis Garden features garden rooms flush with hundreds of flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables. A peaceful grotto and koi pond round out the property, which the Hollis family graciously donated to the city.
Hollis Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The gardens are closed on Mondays.
Hollis Garden
702 East Orange Street
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 603-6280
lakelandgov.net
Fantasy of Flight
Self-proclaimed as the "world's largest private airplane collection," Fantasy of Flight displays aircraft dating back to the early days of the airplane. High-flying visitors can browse the vintage collection, take a restoration tour or a tram tour through restricted airfield space and test their courage in an immersion simulator attraction. The most courageous pilots-in-training can even try a video game where they take the controls as a naval aviator in an aerial battle from the cockpit of a Corsair Fighter plane.
Fantasy of Flight is open every day from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $28.95 for anyone over 15 and $14.95 for kids ages 6-15 (as of November 2009). Children under 6 are free.
Fantasy of Flight
1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E.
Polk City, FL 33868
(863) 984-3500
fantasyofflight.com
