Things to do in Winter Haven and Polk County

Winter Haven sits about 50 minutes to an hour southwest of Orlando on the I-4 and US 27, built around the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, around 20 connected lakes threaded by canals. The main reason families come is LEGOLAND Florida, on the site of the old Cypress Gardens, on the south side of town; the historic downtown and its lakes sit north, Bok Tower Gardens is about 20 minutes away, and Lakeland lies further west.

LEGOLAND is built for roughly ages 2 to 12, so bringing a teenager here is a mismatch worth planning around. Beyond the park, the draws are waterskiing and boat outings on the chain of lakes, gardens and historic architecture, and Polk County's citrus groves. Winters here run dry and mild, around 22C by day; summers turn hot and thundery. Most visitors need one day, or an overnight if splitting LEGOLAND across two days.