Central Florida’s Lakes Country
Want creative venues?
The Fantasy of Flight museum in Polk City has more than 40 vintage aircraft, flight simulators, and hot-air balloon and biplane rides as well as meeting space for up to 50,000 people. Winter Haven’s Cypress Gardens Adventure Park has historic botanical gardens, a butterfly arboretum, water-ski shows, all-star concerts, a water park, shopping, dining and more than 35 rides. In Lake Wales, the the Historic Bok Sanctuary has an 157-acre garden, two lecture halls, a conference room and one of the world’s greatest carillons.
Want to meet in a place with history?
The Waterski Hall of Fame has a gallery of sports memorabilia accommodating receptions of up to 100 people. Bartow’s Polk County Historical Museum & Genealogical Library tells the story of the Native Americans, Crackers (cattlemen) and settlers who played major roles in the area’s history. In Lakeland, the Polk Theatre is a restored, historic vaudeville theater/movie palace, one of three atmospheric theaters in Florida.
Want an educational environment?
The Grove House at Florida’s Natural Growers has interactive kiosks, a museum, and a video tour of the citrus production and processing industry. Attendees can see what life was like as a cattle rancher in the 1800s at the Cow Camp at Lake Kissimmee State Park, a living history museum open year-round. In Lakeland, Florida Southern College has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. (He aspired to create a “great educational temple” with buildings rising “out of the ground … and into the sun.”) Tours and meeting space are available.
Want to break out of the boardroom?
The 1,700-acre Westgate River Ranch Resort is a dude ranch-style resort surrounded by 100,000 acres of protected wildlife preserve. Activities include golfing, horseback riding, fishing, boating, trap and skeet, hayrides and a petting zoo. Other amenities include weekly Saturday night rodeos and a lighted, 5,000-ft. private runway.
