Central Florida’s Polk County is Florida’s Sweetest Spot – close to top attractions, but far from the crowds. Conveniently located in the heart of Florida between Orlando and Tampa, Polk County offers quick access to Gulf and Atlantic beaches and Florida’s major attractions, including the Disney and Universal theme parks and home to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.
Built for kids, this 150-acre theme park offers more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a five-acre LEGOLAND® Water Park and a world-famous botanical garden. The resort has three types of LEGO®-themed lodging options. LEGOLAND® Hotel features 152 brightly colored rooms, interactive play areas and even disco elevators and the five-story lakefront property is mere steps from the park’s main entrance. Just off the property is LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, a village-style, lakefront resort comprised of single-story beach bungalows that sleep up to five. Both properties include swimming pools. The new LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel, opening in April, will offer similar amenities. A buffet breakfast is included for guests staying at any of the properties.
But Polk County has more to offer, including an assortment of other unique experiences and attractions. Home to National Historic Landmarks Bok Tower Gardens – named the third best North American Botanical Garden by USA Today – and Florida Southern College, the largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world, both locations are perfect for an afternoon stroll or a romantic picnic.
Just minutes away, you can tour an orange grove and pick fresh citrus straight from the trees at Ridge Island Groves, or spot alligators as you zip across sparkling lakes during an adventurous airboat eco-tour. Or you can choose to ride camels and feed lemurs at Safari Wilderness Ranch or cheer on real Florida cowboys in the championship rodeo at Westgate River Ranch Resort. Central Florida’s Polk County boasts more than 40 public access golf courses. The gem is Streamsong Resort and Spa, whose three critically-acclaimed courses all ranked in the top half of Golf Digest’s 2019 list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
With 554 fresh water lakes, the area offers great fishing, paddling trails, airboat eco-tours and exciting water sports such as wakeboarding and water skiing. Wonderful parks and preserves such as Circle B Bar Reserve – named one of the Top 50 Places to see Wildlife in the US by USA Today – and more than 300 miles of trails captivate visitors with Polk County’s natural beauty.
Accommodations include nationally recognized hotel companies, quaint bed and breakfasts and the unique glamping and teepee options at Westgate River Ranch Resort. The area also offers more than 7,500 fully appointed self-catering holiday homes in residential communities, many just minutes from the Orlando attractions. Most include amenities such as full kitchens, spacious furnished living areas and washer/dryer units. Vacation rentals range from two to eight bedrooms and the larger properties usually include private, screened-in swimming pools.
