Lakeland Center

Lakeland Center, now called the RP Funding Center, is a premier entertainment, convention, and sports venue in Central Florida. Situated in the city of Lakeland, it is a multipurpose complex that boasts a 2,200-seater Youkey Theater, a 5,600-seater Jenkins Arena, and a 100,000-square feet convention center. Every year, the facility is used for a wide range of events, such as weddings, family shows, conventions, sports competitions, and concerts. The most common type of even that the center hosts is the latter as there seems to be a continuous lineup of renowned artists performing almost every week.

Within a walking distance from the entertainment venue is Lakeland’s bustling downtown that is teeming with shopping and dining options. Many hotels are also within easy reach from the center, including Hyatt Place Lakeland Center that is a pet-friendly property serving daily breakfast buffet and provides free access to the outdoor pool, fitness center, and business center. Other hotels nearby are The Terrace Hotel and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South. Visitors will also like these as both offer free WiFi and rooms with a private bathroom, TV, small refrigerator, and a coffee maker. While enjoying a stay in Lakeland, it would also be great to check out the nearby areas and visit attractions, like the Dinosaur World in Plant City, which displays numerous life-sized dinosaurs. Tracing the history of Polk County and Central Florida at Polk County Historical Museum in Bartow and admiring the large collection of aircraft at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City are also the best things to do around Lakeland.