A Backroad Trip Through Central Florida: Swans, Sips, and Safari Surprises

If you’re looking for fun, off-the-beaten-path things to do in Central Florida, a weekend exploring Lakeland and its surrounding small towns might be just what you need. We recently took an impromptu Central Florida road trip to discover what places like Lakeland, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, and Bartow have to offer beyond just being drive-through towns. Even though we’ve passed through this area countless times, we never stopped to explore — and honestly, we were missing out. From swan-filled lakes and botanical gardens to craft cocktails, local eats, and even a drive-through safari, we found no shortage of unique and relaxing things to do in this part of Florida. Here's how our Central Florida weekend getaway unfolded — and why you should consider planning one, too.

Historic Florida

Our adventure began when we exited the Florida Turnpike at Yeehaw Junction and turned west onto Highway 60. After about a quarter mile, we turned right — heading north onto Highway 15. This intersection holds a bit of Florida history: it was once home to the Desert Inn Motel, a landmark that dated back to the early 20th century.

What the Desert Inn looked like back in the day: Image from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Inn_and_Restaurant

Originally built in the 1920s as a trading post and saloon, the Desert Inn evolved into a motel and restaurant that served generations of travelers, truckers, and locals. It even earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Sadly, after suffering severe damage from a vehicle crash and storm-related wear, the building was deemed unsafe and was demolished in 2021. While the structure is gone, the spirit of old Florida still lingers at that dusty crossroads, a reminder of how much history lives along these rural highways.

We traveled about 14 miles north on Highway 15, which absolutely met our criteria for the kind of scenic backroad we love to explore, quiet, rural, and full of character. Eventually, we turned left onto South Canoe Creek Road, and that’s where we unexpectedly stumbled upon the Heartbreak Hotel. While it’s no longer operating as a hotel and is now used as a private business, the hotel was once a small-town inn that served ranchers, travelers, and citrus workers in this agricultural region

The Heartbreak Hotel along with the old bank building across the street, still stands as a reminder of the town’s past.

Wild Florida

We continued for about 24 miles on South Canoe Creek Road before turn left and heading west on Lake Cypress Rd to the Wild Florida Adventure Park.

We did drive-thru safari which was amazing. We slowly cruised through open fields filled with zebras, wildebeest, ostriches, buffalo, camels and much more.

We even had the opportunity to feed a giraffe!

After the safari, we explored the walk-through zoo, which gave us a closer look at smaller animals like lemurs, reptiles, and birds, as well as a chance to feed some of them by hand. The layout was easy to navigate, with shaded paths and interactive enclosures that made it fun and relaxed. We wrapped up our visit with lunch at the on-site restaurant, which offered good food which we enjoyed on the terrace while enjoying the view and birdlife.

Between the wildlife encounters and the laid-back vibe, it was a great stop that added a wild and memorable twist to our backroad Florida weekend.

Lakeland: Swans, Craft Cocktails, and a Culinary Marvel

After our visit, we headed to Lakeland, where we planned to spend the night at a hotel and explore the town to see what it had to offer. Lakeland is nicknamed Swan City as it is know for real, live swans that glide across its lakes especially Lake Morton.

The swans are actually royal descendants. Queen Elizabeth II gifted Lakeland a pair back in the '50s after the local swan population had died out. Since then, the city’s been caring for them like royalty. There are even swan crossing signs. It’s one of those little touches that gives Lakeland its own personality.

We decided to explore the downtown district to find a place to eat and did not know what to expect. We stumbled across the Revival Craft Cocktail bar, a cozy cocktail bar that we can highly recommend.

The vibe was this perfect mix of classy and laid-back, like a Southern parlor crossed with a speakeasy. The bartenders were friendly and clearly loved what they were doing, making each drink feel personal.

We could’ve stayed there all night but unfortunately they do not sere food and we had to leave to find a place to have dinner. The bar tender recommended Nineteen61.

We had no idea Lakeland had such a strong food scene but wow, it impressed us.

We had dinner at Nineteen61 (Latin fusion) and had an amazing meal. There are many high-end eateries like The Joinery, Texas Cattle Company, and Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille to name a few.

Bok Tower Gardens: Our Peaceful Escape

The next morning we made our way to Lake Wales and visited Bok Tower Gardens.

This place is so serene. We wandered through gardens full of live oaks, wildflowers, and little trails, all leading up to this stunning marble Singing Tower. The gardens were established in 1929 by Dutch-born editor and philanthropist Edward W. Bok, who wanted to create a sanctuary that would "touch the soul with its beauty and quiet." Designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. (son of the man behind Central Park), the gardens cover over 250 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, nature trails, and native Florida habitat.

At the heart of the gardens stands the iconic Singing Tower, a stunning 205-foot neo-Gothic and art deco carillon tower made of pink and gray marble and coquina stone. The tower houses a 60-bell carillon, one of fewer than 200 in North America. Carillons are massive musical instruments played using a keyboard-like console that controls the bells via cables and levers. At Bok Tower Gardens, live carillon concerts are still performed daily, filling the surrounding landscape with haunting, melodic tones that feel almost otherworldly.

Bok Tower was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972, and Edward Bok is buried at the base of the tower, beneath a beautiful brass sundial. It’s not just a garden — it’s a thoughtfully designed space meant to inspire reflection and appreciation for beauty, nature, and harmony.

Final Thoughts: Backroads Beat Highways Every Time

This little road trip reminded us why we love traveling the slow way. No interstates, no big crowds just winding roads, local flavor, and the kind of places that surprise you in the best way.

Lakeland and the surrounding area completely surprised us and we are planning to head back soon and spend more time here as it seems there is a lot more to explore.

If you’re looking for a weekend escape that’s equal parts relaxing and offbeat, this is it.