Polk County is a perennial family favorite, but many of its natural attractions peak in springtime
by Sandra Friend

It's spring, and that means Central Florida's Polk County is bursting with fun things to see and do. So gather up the family for a road trip to the area's finest family-friendly festivals and attractions, and don't forget the sunscreen!

Beautiful Blossoms
Natural wonders are a highlight of springtime in Central Florida. Delight at butterflies flitting through the park's Wings of Wonder arboretum, through the colorful Butterfly Garden at Hollis Garden, and in the butterfly tent at Water, Wings and Wild Things.

In downtown Lakeland, explore a maze of rooms at sunny Hollis Garden. Set along the shores of Lake Mirror, this formal garden features fun themes with "garden rooms" all decked out in decorator shades of yellow, red or white; a butterfly garden; and a cool rocky grotto filled with ferns, orchids and splashing water.

A carillon echoes across the city of Lake Wales, reminding you that Bok Tower Gardens is atop the highest hill of Florida's highlands. Let the kids sprint to the top of the hill and be wowed by the view. Then explore the famous botanic gardens, designed by renowned landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead in the 1920s. The gardens are a maze to get lost in; a tropical treat surrounding Bok Tower. In the Endangered Plant Garden, stand on a giant sundial where your shadow tells the time.

Watering Holes

For cool adventures, check out Lakeland's new Barnett Family Park. You'll enter this kid-friendly zone along the shores of Lake Mirror through a portal bedecked with dragonflies and frogs. A gator and panther (sculptures, of course) lurk among the lilies of the interactive water fountain, while up on the hillside, a saucer-shaped playground offers flying saucers, bouncy caterpillars and climb-able spider webs the kids will love.

Outdoor Happenings
The best and brightest will plan their trip during one of Polk County's many spring festivals. Nature takes center stage at Water, Wings and Wild Things, an Earth Day celebration in Bartow IMC Agrico Park. Build a birdhouse, create a kite, walk through the butterfly tent and see real Florida panthers.

In April, aircraft of all shapes and sizes swoop into the Sun n' Fun Fly-In, an annual air show on the grounds of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport and the Florida Air Museum. This year, the flightline is open for everyone. Get up close to vintage planes, see the daily air show and stop in at the youth activities tent.

For Mother's Day, take a family field trip to MayFaire by the Lake (May 12-13), where the Polk Museum of Art adds color to the promenade at Lake Mirror by inviting more than 180 artists to strut their stuff. Beneath the grand old oaks along Lake Wailes, the Lake Wales Art Show (March 24-25) showcases sculpture, pottery, acrylics and more from 130 fine artists. At both events, the Children's Art Tent encourages the making of masterpieces by the younger set, creating the building blocks for a great family outing.


Sandra Friend is the communications director of the Florida Trail Association and the author of nine Florida guidebooks. She resides in Ocala.