For local college students, 2020 was the year of Zoom classes + discussion posts (we’re having nightmares too). In order to make 2021 your year, check out our list of local must-trys from cool spots around the 863 to student savings in Polk County.

Strike a pose

Want to make your friends back home jealous of your new surroundings? Yeah, of course, you do. Lakeland has tons of Instagram + TikTok-ready spots for you to show off your home-away-from-home.

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A personal favorite, this underwater masterpiece sits on the north wall of Gaslight Tattoo Company (509 Florida Ave. S). There are plenty more to choose from – make a day trip of it with this mapped list of Lakeland murals. 📸

Escape your textbooks

Train your brain a different way. Lakeland’s Escape Room provides seven different puzzling experiences to master. ProTip: Students can get 10% off a booking by using promo code POLKST10.

Early morning treats

Whether you’re an early bird or late starter (guilty), the folks at Good Thyme offer a variety of breakfast + brunch options, including vegan + vegetarian dishes. If all you need is a strong cup of joe to get you up + running, just across the street from Good Thyme is a local favorite, Concord Coffee. The best part? Students receive 10% off year-round with a student ID.

Pass the sticks

One of Lakeland’s newest spots + first arcade-bar, the Rec Room houses games from all eras, including arcade classics like Pac-Man to new age consoles like the Playstation 5 + Xbox. They even have golf simulators + hoops for a bit of physical activity. ProTip: The Rec Room is open to all ages until 9 PM. After that, it’s 21+.

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Live tunes

What’s that? You’re looking for good vibes? Live music will do it for ya. The Yard on Mass hosts an open mic night every Wednesday at 7 p.m.. The Yard isn’t the only spot to catch live music, though. Hop over to our list of all the live music venues in Lakeland for even more good vibes.

Satisfy your sweet tooth

The best ice cream in town (in our humble opinion) sits inside Lakeland’s food hall, The Joinery. Mayday Handcrafted Ice Creams serves up a wonderful selection of flavors including a few dairy-free options as well (Dirty Chai + Toasted Coconut *chef’s kiss*). 🍨

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