Eagle Lake, FL Road Trips

Visitor information, Polk Outpost 27 (on U.S. 27 just south of I-4 if you're coming from Orlando), ☏ +1 863 828-7655. Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, 401 Avenue B NW, ☏ +1 863 293-2138. Settled in the 1880s, Winter Haven became a transport hub for the citrus industry in the early 20th century. The city was incorporated in 1911. Eastern Polk county has long been among the top citrus-producing regions in the country. Since there are a few dozen lakes in and around the city, the Chain of Lakes project to link many of them by canals was begun in 1915. Most of the current canals were built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, although the original wood seawalls have rotted and been replaced by metal ones. The city was also home to Spring Training baseball, home to the Philadelphia Phillies (1928–1937), Boston Red Sox (1966–1992) and the Cleveland Indians (now Cleveland Guardians) (1993–2008). In 1936, Cypress Gardens opened as the first commercial theme park in Florida. Cypress Gardens was famed for its water ski shows, Southern atmosphere, and lush gardens traversed by canals. Cypress Gardens struggled financially and closed in 2003. Several successive owners added roller coasters and a water park, but it closed again in 2009 and was transformed into Legoland Florida, which opened in October 2011.

1 Legoland Florida, 1 Legoland Way (Located off Cypress Gardens Blvd. just east of Winter Haven), toll-free: +1-855-753-8888. Hours vary throughout the year. The second Legoland park in the US in addition to Legoland in California. The park primarily caters to children and families and features rides, sculptures/scenes, and shows based on the popular Lego building blocks. The site was home to Florida's first theme park—Cypress Gardens—until 2008 and several elements of the former park remain, including the botanical gardens and it's canals, the water ski show which made Cypress Gardens famous, and the Island in the Sky platform which rises 150 ft to give you a 360-degree view of the park and Central Florida. From Orlando take I-4 east to U.S. 27 (exit 55), head south for about 20 mi, turn right (west) on Cypress Gardens Blvd (S.R. 540) and Legoland will be on the left at the 5th traffic light. If you're staying in Orlando, Legoland operates a shuttle from the Orlando Premium Outlets parking lot ($10/return) leaving at 9AM and returning at the time the park closes. $65 (ages 13-59), $55 (ages 3-12, 60+). Peppa Pig Theme Park is located on Legoland Florida property, and pays homage to the popular British television show for children. Among the attractions are a roller coaster, balloon ride, funfair, and water park. 2 Street Audubon Center/Lake Region Audubon Society (From Cypress Gardens Rd, turn onto Lameraux Rd and drive through the neighborhood and the entrance is on the left.), ☏ +1 863 324-7304. Great birding location along with nature walk trails.

Watersports and Winter Haven just go together. Within the city limits lie a couple dozen lakes with public access. Sixteen of these are connected by canals to form the Chain of Lakes. The Chain of Lakes is known for excellent fishing and regularly hosts local and national fishing tournaments. Water skiing, water tubing, and zipping around on jet skis (sea doos) are popular pastimes and parking at boat ramps is scarce on sunny weekends. Fishing permits are required to fish in any lake, river, or stream. They can be purchased at local WalMarts, marinas, bait and tackle shops, or through the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (☏ +1-888-FISH-FLO (3474-356)). The county publishes a guide to all the county's lakes (including public access sites) available at the Polk Outpost 27. Boat Ramps—concrete ramps and adjacent parking—in Winter Haven are at: Lake Blue North (off Lake Blue Dr), Lake Cannon (off Lake Cannon Dr), Lake Hartridge Park (20th St off S.R. 544), Lake Howard (off Lake Howard Dr), Lake Jessie (off Lake Jessie Dr), Lake Roy (off S Lake Roy Dr), Lake Sears (100 Lake Sears Dr), Lake Shipp-Sertoma Park (1651 Lake Shipp Dr), Lake Ship-W.G. Roe Park (2403 7th Street SW), and at Lake Summitt (off Lake Summitt Dr). Marine Supply, ☏ +1 863 293-1156. Pontoon boat rentals. Briscoe's Ride Center, ☏ +1 863 521-1076. Water skiing lessons. World Barfoot Center, ☏ +1 863 877-0039. Water skiing lessons. Golfing is popular throughout the state and Winter Haven is no exception. Cypresswood Golf & Country Club, 1099 Clubhouse Rd, ☏ +1 863 324-6174.

Andrea's Family Restaurant, 1498 Havendale Blvd, ☏ +1 863 299-4564. Casual Greek and American fare. Daily specials. Andy's/Andy's Igloo, 703 3rd Street SW (U.S. 17) (On SW corner of the intersection of U.S. 17 (3rd Street) and Ave. G SW. Look for the 1950s-era sign.), ☏ +1 863 293-0019. Classic diner with a great variety of food (burgers, chicken, seafood) at very reasonable prices. An entrée and drink costs about $6-8. Also on tap are over a dozen varieties of ice cream, sundaes, malts, milkshakes run around $1-3. On the NE corner of the building is a walk-up window for ice cream treats (in addition to ordering at a table inside). Cash only. No debit/credit cards accepted. Entrées $5-8; Ice cream/milkshakes/sundaes $1-3.50. My Natures Delight Cafe, 3085 Cypress Gardens Blvd, ☏ +1 863 324-1778. Organic raw vegan cafe. Crab Craze, 842 6th Street NW (U.S. 17), ☏ +1 863 268-4771. Don't forget the butter.. Richard's Fine Coffee, 330 Ave A NW, ☏ +1 863 291-3082. Coffeehouse in same building as library. Typical coffee offerings, cookies, biscotti, muffins, and some light salads and wraps. Free wi-fi, comfy couches, and outdoor tables/chairs. Library allows drinks with lids so you can grab a cappuccino and take it in the library. Open after library closes. 1st Street Diner, 106 Ave I SE (corner of 1st St & Ave I SE), ☏ +1 863-875-7057. Fresh plates served and daily specials. Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar, 1006 S Lake Howard Dr, ☏ +1 863-662-5948. Harry's Old Place, 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd, ☏ +1 863 324-0301.

Budget Inn of Winter Haven, 401 6th Street NW (U.S. 17), ☏ +1 863 294-4191, fax: +1 863 401-2952. Free wi-fi internet connection. $49+tax. Hampton Inn, 202 Cypress Gardens Blvd, ☏ +1 863 299-9251, fax: +1 863 401-9388. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection. Holiday Inn Winter Haven, 200 Cypress Gardens Blvd, ☏ +1 863 292-2100. Pool. On-site restaurant. Free wi-fi internet connection. Howard Johnson Inn Winter Haven, 1300 3rd Street SW (U.S. 17), ☏ +1 863 294-7321, toll-free: +1-800-446-4656, fax: +1 863 299-1673. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. On-site restaurant. Free wi-fi internet connection. Lake Ida Beach Resort, 2524 6th St. NW (U.S. 17), ☏ +1 863 293-0942, fax: +1 863 293-5951. Kitchen/efficiencies. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection. Lakmar Resort Hotel, 2520 U.S. 92 W, ☏ +1 863 956-1867, fax: +1 863 229-1173. Kitchen/efficiencies. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection. The Best Western is the closest hotel to Legoland and the only one within reasonable walking distance. Lake Roy Inn & Economy Suites are located a couple miles down Cypress Gardens Blvd. and a continuous sidewalk runs along the road, making these possible walking-distance choices. All hotels in this area are near bus stops along the route servicing Legoland. Lake Roy Beach Inn & Suites, 1823 Cypress Gardens Blvd, ☏ +1 863 324-6320, fax: +1 863 324-2750. Kitchen/efficiencies. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

Winter Haven Municipal Airport (GIF IATA) is on the far northwest corner of town (near Auburndale) and only handles general aviation. Brown's Seaplane Base (FAA LID: F57; ☏ +1 863 956-2243) is a privately operated, public-use airport on the west side of W.H. Municipal Airport and connected to it by a taxiway. It handles mostly seaplane traffic on Lake Jessie and is primarily a flight instruction school. The nearest major airport is Orlando International Airport, which is approximately 45 minutes away. Orlando has hundreds of daily domestic and international flights. Tampa International Airport is further away (about 1 hour 15 minutes), but has a simple layout and is a very convenient airport to get in/out of quickly. Winter Haven is a stop along the daily Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes. If you plan to arrive by train, you should have friends/family at the station to pick you up or have the phone number for a taxi to call when you arrive. The station (code: WTH) is a poorly-maintained covered platform with a small office and is in a fairly unpleasant area beside a warehouse. The trains arrive during the middle of the day, but it's not a great place to wait for hours. It is at 1800 7th Street SW. Office phone is ☏ +1 863 683-6368. An alternative may be to use the Lakeland station, about 20 mi to the west. Greyhound, 555 Ave E NW. Tickets aren't sold at this stop (buy them online or at another station). Winter Haven is easily accessible from U.S. 27, U.S. 92, & U.S. 17. From Orlando: Take Interstate 4 west to U.S. 27. Take U.S.

Most of Winter Haven proper uses a grid system consisting of lettered "avenues" running north-south & numbered streets running east-west. The center of this system is the intersection of Central Avenue and 1st Street on the east side of the small downtown area. With respect to this intersection, the city's streets are named Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE), & Southwest (SW). The direction is very important for addresses! There can be 4 different locations with the address "100 Ave. A". With higher numbered streets/addresses, the distance between these locations can be several miles. The system is simple, but can be very confusing. Winter Haven is served by two bus services. Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT) has many routes throughout the town. Citrus connection, serves Lakeland and several intercity routes between major towns in Polk County. Routes and information about both can be found here. All routes radiate from the downtown bus terminal. Adult fare is $1.50/ride with no free transfers. A day pass for adults costs $3 and is good for 24 hours. Discounts are available for students & seniors. As with most suburban towns in the U.S., the car is by far the easiest way to get around the city. Be careful of the city's grid system (see above). Rental cars are available from: Avis, 448 Cypress Gardens Blvd, ☏ +1 863 295-9285. Budget Car & Truck Rental, 448 Cypress Gardens Blvd SE, ☏ +1 863 291-3925. Enterprise Rent A Car, 470 Cypress Gardens Blvd, ☏ +1 863 294-8090. Hertz Rent A Car, 2073 US-92, ☏ +1 863 298-0651.