'''Winter Haven''' [http://www.mywinterhaven.com/] is the second largest city in Polk County, Florida. The city was formerly an agricultural center, but over the past 1-2 decades has transformed into a largely residential and manufacturing city. Winter Haven is home to ''Cypress Gardens''?Florida's first theme park?and the world-famous Chain of Lakes.

History

Climate

Get in

By Train

  • '''AMTRAK''' offers daily train service to Winter Haven on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes.
  • By Bus

  • '''Greyhound Bus Lines''', 900 6TH ST NW. Phone: ''+1'' 863-293-5935. Station is open Monday-Saturday: 8:30 am-6:30 pm.
  • By Car

    Winter Haven is easily accessible from either US 27, US 92, & US 17. From Orlando: Take Interstate 4 west to US 27. Take US 27 south for 20 miles and turn right onto Cypress Gardens Blv. From US 27, it is roughly 5 miles to Cypress Gardens, and 8 miles to the center of Winter Haven. From Tampa: Take Interstate 4 east to the Polk Parkway. Exit onto State Road 540 ("Winter Lake Road") and follow the exit straight (east). After about 10 miles, make a left onto US 17. It is about 3-4 miles from here to the center of Winter Haven.

    Get around

    By Bus

    Winter Haven is served by two bus services. Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT) has many routes throughout the town. Citrus connection serves Lakeland and several intercity routes between major towns in Polk County. Routes and information about both can be fond at: [http://www.ridecitrus.com/content/]

    By Car

    See

  • '''Cypress Gardens''', Kehoe Way. Tel: ''+1 863'' 324-2111 [http://www.cypressgardens.com/] ''(Exit 55 from I-4 west)'' - A family oriented theme park featuring over 40 rides, historic botanical gardens, Splash Island Water Park, the famous Cypress Gardens Water Ski show, concerts by musical artists, animal exhibit's, entertaining shows. ('''Cypress Gardens will be closed Nov 08-Apr 09 for renovations.''')
  • Do

  • '''Chain of Lakes'''-are a network of numerous lakes connected via canals built in the 1930s and 1940s. These lakes are known for excellent fishing opportunities, and the canals allow persons to fish in numerous lakes without having to remove and transport the boat between them.
  • Buy

    Eat

    Budget

    Mid-range

  • Christy's Sundown Restaurant. 100 3rd St SW " directions="Located on US 17 at Avenue K SW, across from Lowe's." phone="(863) 294-6073" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></eat>
  • Dockside Bar & Grill. 006 S. Lake Howard Dr.. 2-14.

    Splurge

    Drink

    Sleep

    Get out

  • '''Orlando''' and Disney World are 40 miles away, East on I-4.
  • '''Tampa''' is 50 miles away, West on I-4.