Downtown Winter Haven is such a fun, walkable area filled with great food, drinks, and local spots to explore—perfect for making a whole weekend out of your trip! For a nicer night out, we recommend ARIA Steakhouse—a newer, modern steakhouse with amazing food and cocktails in a beautiful setting . There’s also a new oyster bar in town that’s quickly becoming a favorite for seafood lovers (definitely worth checking out!). If you’re looking for something more casual and fun, downtown has plenty of bars and spots to hop between. Places like Grove Roots Brewery, Barrel 239, and the Bowen Yard area are great for drinks, live music, and a lively crowd—easy to spend an entire night (or day!) exploring . Whether you’re grabbing dinner, bar hopping, or just walking around the lakes, we highly recommend spending some extra time downtown during your stay—we love it and think you will too!
We also recommend a visit to the beautiful Bok Tower Gardens, a peaceful and historic landmark known for its stunning landscapes, walking paths, and iconic singing tower. This location holds a special place in our hearts, as it is where Mitchell popped the question—making it a truly meaningful spot for us. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.