Auburndale
Auburndale is a town in Polk County, Florida.
Understand
The town, which had a population of 16,700 in 2019, was founded in 1880. Founder Frank Fuller left the Northeast in search of a part of the country with a warmer climate. A railroad was built in the town during the 1880s. Settlers from Auburndale, Massachusetts decided upon the name, which comes from Oliver Goldsmith's poem "The Deserted Village," and the new town became popular with artists.
Climate
Get in
By car
US-92 connects nearby cities to the town — Lakeland to the west and Lake Alfred to the east. Polk Parkway — toll road FL-570 — is a partial loop road of Lakeland that connects to US-92 and I-4, which passes to the north of Lakeland. Polk City Road (FL-559) connects Auburndale to I-4 and Polk City on the other side of I-4.
See
- 🌍 Butterfly Garden, Tampa St (junction of Tampa St, West Park St, and Pilaklakaha Ave). A park map is attached on the webpage, including its four zones and a "railroad garden.".
- 🌍 Ephriam Baynard House, 208 W Lake Ave. Ephriam Mikell Baynard was a real estate developer in the area; his house was designed by architect Alfred Thorp. A plaque at the house designates him as a "Great Floridian." It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and is now a museum.
- 🌍 Historic Depot (city park between W Park St and N Bartow Ave). Used as an event center.
- 🌍 Holland Jenks House (Stuart Jenks House). Built in 1925 during the 20's economic boom in Florida, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
- 🌍 Lake Ariana, 2215 Ariana Blvd. Clubhouse and pier into the lake on the northern shore of the town.
Do
- 🌍 Edgewater TECO Trail, 318 Denton Ave (trailhead near Lake Myrtle Sports Complex).
Eat
- 🌍 Sal's Pizza, 213 E Lake Ave, ☏ +1 863 229-5342.
- 🌍 Smokin Jim's House of BBQ, 3615 Havendale Blvd, ☏ +1 863 965-0230.
Drink
- 🌍 Brew Hounds Sports Lounge, 318 Havendale Blvd, ☏ +1 863 967-2739, info@brewhounds863.com.
Sleep
- 🌍 Best Western Plus: Auburndale Inn & Suites, 1008 U.S. Hwy 92 W, ☏ +1 863 551-3400, toll-free: +1 800-313-6001, fax: +1 863-551-3437. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. In-room computers, microwaves, & refrigerators. Outdoor heated pool. Complimentary breakfast. Free wi-fi internet access.
Connect
The City Park is a free, public wi-fi hotspot.
- Auburndale Library, 100 W Bridgers Ave, ☏ +1 863 965-5548. Website does not indicate that the library has public-access computers and/or wireless internet access, but it is very likely they do.
- 🌍 Auburndale Post Office, 201 E Lake Ave, ☏ +1 863 967-8848. M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM; Sa 9AM-noon.
Stay safe
Auburndale Police Department: +1 863 965-5555 (Emergency: 911)
Polk County Sheriff: +1 863 533-0344 (Emergency: 911)
Go next
- Lakeland is a few miles to the west.
- Lake Alfred is a small town east of Auburndale.
- Auburndale is between two of the state's largest cities: Tampa to the west and Orlando to the northeast.
| Routes through Auburndale |
| Tampa ← Lakeland ← | W E | → Merges with → Lake Alfred → Orlando |
| END ← | W E | → Winter Haven |
| Polk City ← Jct W E ← | N S | → END |
| Lakeland ← Jct W E ← | W E | → Ends at W E (near Polk City) |