Major city · United States
Auburndale
Give Auburndale half a day: lakeside parks, two historic houses and a trail. Sleep in Winter Haven or Lakeland and drive in.
Auburndale is a small Polk County town of about 11,000 people between Lakeland and Winter Haven, founded in 1880 and named after a village in Massachusetts. It has no blockbuster sight. What it does have is a compact historic core, a lakefront park, a rail trail and cheap food, which makes it a good half-day between the bigger Polk stops rather than a base of its own.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms)
- Airports
- MCO · TPA · LAL
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Auburndale911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Auburndale Police Department+1 863 965-5555
- Polk County Sheriff+1 863 533-0344
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Auburndale, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet town with low street crime; the real risks are summer heat, fast traffic on US-92 and storms.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 863 965-5555 Auburndale Police Department · +1 863 533-0344 Polk County Sheriff
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCO Orlando International (About 1 h by car via I-4 and FL-559; the usual arrival airport for Polk County.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical option: sights are spread along US-92 and FL-559 with no useful local bus for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Street or quick mealPizza slice or sub$6–12
- BeerDraught beer at a sports lounge$5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or ridesharecheck$12–18
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCO Orlando International (About 1 h by car via I-4 and FL-559; the usual arrival airport for Polk County.) · TPA Tampa International (About 1 h by car via I-4 and Polk Parkway.) · LAL Lakeland Linder International (Smaller airport 20–25 min west; limited routes, check.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Auburndale: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical option: sights are spread along US-92 and FL-559 with no useful local bus for visitors. Downtown is walkable once parked — the historic depot, Baynard House and the post office sit within a few blocks. The Edgewater TECO Trail is a paved multi-use path for walking and cycling.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
FL-544 east, about 15 min by car
Chain of Lakes, Legoland and more food than Auburndale.
Door to door: About 25 min
US-92 west or Polk Parkway, about 20 min by car
Bigger downtown, museums and the lakefront.
Door to door: About 15 min
US-92 east, about 10 min by car
Small lakeside town; pair it with the trail.
Door to door: About 25 min
FL-559 north to I-4, about 20 min by car
Gateway to the Green Swamp and Fantasy of Flight area.
Door to door: About 40 min
US-92 east then FL-60, about 35 min by car
Bok Tower Gardens and Spook Hill; a half-day on its own.
Door to door: About 35 min
US-98 south from Lakeland, about 30 min by car
County seat with a small historic downtown; go only if you like courthouse squares.
Door to door: About 50 min
US-98 south, about 45 min by car
Oldest town in Polk County; thin sights, long drive.
Door to door: About 1 h
US-27 south then FL-630, about 50 min by car
Too far for a short trip unless you are heading south anyway.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US-92 west strip
Chain motels and the Best Western near the highway; easiest with a car, 5 min from the centre.
Downtown / Lake Ariana
Few beds; walkable to the historic houses and the lake pier. Book early in winter.
Winter Haven or Lakeland
More choice and better value 15–25 min away; use Auburndale as a daytime stop.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$65 · check | US$65 |
| Polk Parkway tolls, both ways1 × US$4 · check | US$4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$52 |
| Trip total≈ US$286 per person per day, bed included | US$571 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Pizza slice or sub | $6–12 |
| BBQ plate | $14–22 |
| Draught beer at a sports lounge | $5–8 |
| 5 km taxi or ridesharecheck | $12–18 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms: plan outdoor stops before about 14:00.Summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms: plan outdoor stops before about 2:00 PM.
- US-92 and Havendale Blvd carry fast traffic; cross at signals.
- Polk Parkway (FL-570) is a toll road — a transponder or pay-by-plate.
- Some small museums and the depot open only for events or by appointment: check before driving out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Auburndale Police Department
- +1 863 965-5555
- Polk County Sheriff
- +1 863 533-0344
Pocket card
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AuburndaleAuburndale
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Auburndale Police Department+1 863 965-5555
- Polk County Sheriff+1 863 533-0344
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates are in Miami and Atlanta, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MCO → Auburndale by car: about 1 h via I-4 and FL-559 (check)
- TPA → Auburndale by car: about 1 h via I-4 and Polk Parkway (check)
- Auburndale → Winter Haven by car: about 15 min via FL-544
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the museum open today? — Is the museum open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is Winter Haven? — How far is Winter Haven?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Auburndale. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for MCO, TPA and LAL: drive times, toll notes and a late-arrival fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown historic core, Lake Ariana, the US-92 strip and the trailhead.
- Place pages with verified hours (Baynard House, historic depot, Lake Ariana clubhouse) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and heat fixtures so summer afternoons have a plan B.