17 Best Weekend Getaways from Lakeland, Florida (within a 4-hour flight)
- Jordan Hinsch
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
Lakeland, Florida, is a city known for its scenic lakes, historic architecture, and thriving arts scene. Located between Tampa and Orlando, it is home to Florida Southern College, which features the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings. The city also hosts the annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, one of the largest aviation events in the U.S.
If you're a local and looking to escape for a weekend, keep reading. With a vast array of short domestic destinations, there are also some international destinations within reach. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for locals in the Lakeland, Florida, area within a non-stop 4-hour flight. More importantly, these trips are all possible without having to request PTO (for you M-F 9-5'ers), it just depends on what you want to do at your destination.
Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) - 1 Hour 35 Minute Flight
Why go?
Brew pubs, art, nightlife, Mexican food.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Atlanta
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from TPA - See flight deals
Southwest from MCO - See flight deals
Frontier from TPA- See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $24+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pro Tip:
Walk some of the BeltLine and stop at stores, bars, and restaurants.
Denver, Colorado (DEN) - 3 Hour 55 Minute Flight
Why go?
Mountains, beer, National Parks, hiking, clean city, nice people.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Denver
When to go?
Year-round. Ski in the winter. Hike in the summer.
Who can fly you there?
Southwest from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $129+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY) - 1 Hour 38 Minute Flight
Why go?
Jazz music, other music, culture, architecture, partying, passionate football fans.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in New Orleans
When to go?
Spring, Summer, Fall
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from TPA - See flight deals
Spirit from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $31+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pro Tip:
Check out Bourbon Street for a little bit, but don't get sucked in. It's absolutely disgusting. Chartres Street is better for those looking to maintain their cleanliness.
New York, New York (JFK, LGA, EWR, ISP, HPN) - 2 Hour 37 Minute Flight
Why go?
It might not be the same city it was before, but it'll always make for a great weekend getaway.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in New York
When to go?
Summer for the best weather, but you’ll pay peak rates for solid hotels.
Winter for Christmas festivities!
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from MCO - See flight deals
Frontier from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $39+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) - 1 Hour 49 Minute Flight
Why go?
Music (not just country), endless bars, brewpubs, hot chicken.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Nashville
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
Avelo from LAL - See flight deals
Spirit from TPA - See flight deals
Frontier from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $45+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pro Tip:
Stay in the Gulch or near printer's alley.
Chicago, Illinois (ORD, MDW) - 2 Hour 52 Minute Flight
Why go?
Food, bars, sports, rivers!
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Chicago
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from MCO - See flight deals
Frontier from MCO - See flight deals
Frontier from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $53+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pro Tip:
For bourbon enthusiasts, visit Untitled Supper Club on W Kinzie for an incredible speakeasy experience.
Miami, Florida (MIA, FLL) - 1 Hour 5 Minute Flight
Why go?
Beaches, outdoors activities, clubs, restaurants, culture. I just ask that you please please please venture out beyond Miami Beach.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Miami
When to go?
Any time of the year, but best is October - February for perfect weather. Avoid the spring break crowd in late Feb/early March the best you can.
Who can fly you there?
American from MCO - See flight deals
Spirit from MCO- See flight deals
Southwest from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $20+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pro Tip:
Visit the following neighborhoods to step away from the "typical Miami": Wynwood, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Midtown, Edgewater.
Washington, DC (IAD, DCA, BWI) - 2 Hour 14 Minute Flight
Why go?
Museums, walking tours, great mass-transit and cherry blossoms. Fly to DCA for convenience.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Washington DC
When to go?
Year-round (spring season for cherry blossoms)
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from MCO - See flight deals
Delta from MCO - See flight deals
United from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $43+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pro Tip:
For avid runners, pack your running shoes and go for daily runs around the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.
Austin, Texas (AUS) - 2 Hour 40 Minute Flight
Why go?
Food, Art, Music, BBQ, Tech, Bach Parties, and All-Around Fun!
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Austin
When to go?
Year-Round
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from MCO - See flight deals
Southwest from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $49 +
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL) - 2 Hour 33 Minute Flight
Why go?
History, sports, cheesesteaks
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Philadelphia
When to go?
Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from TPA - See flight deals
American from TPA - See flight deals
Frontier from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $32+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Toronto, Ontario (YYZ, YTZ) - 2 Hour 57 Minute Flight
Why go?
Food, people, cleanliness, Hockey Hall of Fame.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Toronto
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
Air Canada from TPA - See flight deals
Air Airlines from TPA - See flight deals
Porter Airlines from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $31+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Montreal, Quebec (YUL) - 3 Hour 15 Minute Flight
Why go?
More restaurants per capita than any other North American city.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Montreal
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
Air Canada from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $91+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) - 1 Hour 28 Minute Flight
Why go?
History, culture, family-friendly attractions, and water sports.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Charleston
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
Breeze from TPA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $49+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Cancun & Tulum, Mexico (CUN) - 2 Hour 5 Minute Flight
Why go?
Your money goes a long way in Cancun: all-inclusive hotels, nightlife, and activities.
Your money doesn’t go very far in Tulum: boutique hotels (some are grossly overpriced), many hotels have no air conditioning, taxis and bike rentals will try to rip you off.
If you’re looking for clubs and nightlife, go to Tulum Beach.
If you’re looking for culture and less expensive eats, go to Tulum Centro.
Tulum is actually a great experience if you have the right mindset going into your vacation.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Cancun
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Tulum
When to go?
December to April for the best weather.
Avoid March Spring Break travel if you want to be at peace.
Who can fly you there?
Spirit from MCO - See flight deals
JetBlue from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $85+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Quebec City, Quebec (YQB) - 3 Hour 15 Minute Flight
Why go?
Quebec City enchants visitors with its charming old-world atmosphere, cobblestone streets, and the historic beauty of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site steeped in rich history and French culture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Quebec City
When to go?
Year-Round
Who can fly you there?
Air Transat from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $123+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Asheville, North Carolina (AVL) - 1 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Art, craft beer, and the Smoky Mountains. I'd recommend driving instead of flying, but it's your call!
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Asheville
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
Asheville from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $49+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Ottawa, Ontario (YOW) - 3 Hour 21 Minute Flight
Why go?
Ottawa, Canada's capital, offers a rich tapestry of cultural institutions like museums and galleries, along with picturesque parks and the Rideau Canal, celebrated for both its summer boating and winter skating.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Ottawa
When to go?
Year-Round
Who can fly you there?
Porter Airlines from MCO - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $102+
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
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