Winter Haven

[[file:Winter Haven banner Legoland - Legoland Florida

Winter Haven is the second largest city in Polk County (Florida)|Polk County, Florida. The city was formerly an agricultural center, but over the past 1-2 decades has transformed into a largely residential and manufacturing city. Winter Haven is home to Legoland and the world-famous "Chain of Lakes". Visitor information can be obtained at the "Polk Outpost 27" ( , +1 863 828-7655) on U.S. 27 just south of I-4 if you're coming from Orlando, while the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is located at 401 Avenue B NW ( , +1 863 293-2138).

Winter Haven Halal Travel Guide

Skyline of Winter Haven, FL - |Winter Haven skyline

History

The city celebrated its centennial in 2011. Settled in the 1880s, Winter Haven became a transport hub for the citrus industry in the early 20th century. Eastern Polk county has long been among the top citrus-producing regions in the nation. Since there are a few dozen lakes in and around the city and the Chain of Lakes project to link many of them by canals was begun in 1915. Most of the current canals were built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, although the original wood seawalls have rotted and been replaced by metal ones in recent years. In 1936, Cypress Gardens opened as the first commercial theme park in Florida. Cypress Gardens was famed for its water ski shows, Southern atmosphere, and lush gardens traversed by canals. The city was also home to Spring Training baseball, home to the Philadelphia Phillies (1928–1937), Boston Red Sox (1966–1992) and the Cleveland Indians (1993–2008). Cypress Gardens struggled financially and closed in 2003. Several successive owners added roller coasters and a water park, but it closed again in 2009 and was transformed into Legoland Florida, which opened in October 2011. The original botanical gardens (owned/protected by the county) and the water ski show (a pirate-based one) have been incorporated into the new park and Southern belles—made of Legos, of course—have kept the memories of the original Cypress Gardens alive. Winter Haven remains a small suburban city, but Legoland and the Chain of Lakes, and the many other nearby attractions make it a nice destination.

How is the Climate in Winter Haven

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Winter Haven was named for its temperate climate. The climate is much the same as the rest of Central Florida (except coasts). Winters are mild, with highs in the 70s (°F, 21-25°C) and lows in the 50s (°F, 10-15°C). Lows in the 30s (°F, 0-5°C) are common after cold fronts and there are usually a handful of lows below freezing each winter, although that requires clear skies, so it usually warms very rapidly after sunrise (30°F/-1°C at 6AM, 55°F/13°C by noon is typical). Cold fronts occasionally pass by as squall lines, so tornadoes in December or January are not unusual. Snow is common; the last measurable snowfall was in 1977, although sleet/wintry mix fell in an unusually cold January 2010. Summers are hot and humid, with highs around 95°F (35°C) and lows in the mid-70s (°F, 23-25°C). During the summer, onshore winds from both coasts travel inland, heat up, rise and build into thunderstorms, usually along a rough line. Lying in the center of the state and the line of storms (the "seabreezes") often collide and become severe, with tornadoes (small EF0-1s...not like powerful Plains ones), 50+ mph winds, and hail feasible. Strong storms are usually preceded by cooler winds caused by the rain-cooled air (cold air sinks) rapidly flowing away from the storm. The temperature after a strong thunderstorm passes can drop from 95°F to 75°F (35°C to 24°C) and since the storms can be fairly small, you can drive 5 miles and the temperature will drop from 95°F to 75°F (35°C to 24°C).

Travel as a Muslim to Winter Haven

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Winter Haven

Winter Haven Municipal Airport (IATA Code: GIF) is located on the far northwest corner of town (near Auburndale) and only handles general aviation. Brown's Seaplane Base (FAA LID: F57; , +1 863 956-2243) is a privately operated, public-use airport located on the west side of W.H. Municipal Airport and connected to it by a taxiway. It handles mostly seaplane traffic on Lake Jessie and is primarily a flight instruction school.

The closest airport is Orlando International Airport, which is roughly 45 minutes away. Orlando has hundreds of daily domestic and international flights. Tampa International Airport is further away (about 1 hour 15 minutes), but has a simple layout and is a very convenient airport to get in/out of quickly.

Downtown Winter Haven, Florida - Downtown

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Winter Haven

Winter Haven is a stop along the daily Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes. If you plan to arrive by train, you should have friends/family at the station to pick you up or have the phone number for a taxi to call when you arrive. The station (code: WTH) is a poorly-maintained covered platform with a small office and is in a fairly unpleasant area beside a warehouse. Fortunately the trains arrive during the middle of the day, but it's not a very great place to wait for hours. It is located at 1800 7th Street SW. Office phone is +1 863 683-6368.

An alternative may be to use the Lakeland#By train|Lakeland station, about 20 mi to the west.

By car

Winter Haven is easily accessible from U.S. 27, U.S. 92, & U.S. 17.

From Orlando: Take Interstate 4 west to U.S. 27. Take U.S. 27 south for 20 miles and turn right onto State Road 540 (Cypress Gardens Blvd). From U.S. 27, it is roughly 5 miles to Cypress Gardens, and 8 miles to the center of Winter Haven.

From Tampa: Take Interstate 4 east to the Polk Parkway (Toll State Road 570). Exit onto State Road 540 (Winter Lake Rd) and follow the exit straight through the traffic light. After about 10 miles, make a left onto U.S. 17. It is about 3-4 mi from here to the center of Winter Haven. The toll for cars on the Polk Parkway between I-4 and S.R. 540 is $2 cash or $1.50 with a SunPass transponder.

Get Around

Most of Winter Haven proper uses a grid system consisting of lettered "avenues" running north-south & numbered streets running east-west. The center of this system is the intersection of Central Avenue and 1st Street on the east side of the small downtown area. With respect to this intersection and the city's streets are named Northeast ("NE"), Northwest ("NW"), Southeast ("SE"), & Southwest ("SW"). The direction is very important for addresses! There can be 4 different locations with the address "100 Ave. A". With higher numbered streets/addresses and the distance between these locations can be several miles. The system is simple, but can be very confusing.

Travel on a Bus in Winter Haven

Winter Haven is served by two bus services. Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT)] has many routes throughout the town. Citrus connection, serves Lakeland and several intercity routes between major towns in Polk County. Routes and information about both can be found at: . All routes radiate from the downtown bus terminal. Adult fare is $1.50/ride with no free transfers. A day pass for adults costs $3 and is good for 24 hours. Discounts are available for students & seniors.

By car

As with most suburban towns in the U.S. and the vehicle is by far the easiest way to get around the city. Be careful of the city's grid system (see above).

Rental cars are available from:

• Avis | 448 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 295-9285 -
• Budget Car & Truck Rental | 245 Ave O Southwest ☎ +1 863 291-3925 -
• Enterprise Rent A Car | 470 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 294-8090 -
• Hertz Rent A Car | 460 Cypress gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 298-0651 -

Best way to travel in Winter Haven by a Taxi

• Checker Cab Co. | ☎ +1 863 665-8151 -
• Imperial Cab LLC | ☎ +1 863 968-9494 Serves Eastern Polk County.

• Polk County Taxi | ☎ +1 863 521-2924 Only serves Winter Haven & Auburndale.

• Yellow Cab | ☎ +1 863 292-9166

What to See

Legoland Florida sign - Legoland Florida entrance.

• Legoland Florida - 1 Legoland Way GPS: 27.9892, -81.6899 Located off Cypress Gardens Blvd. just east of Winter Haven Opening Hours: Hours vary throughout year. $65 (Ages 13-59), $55 (Ages 3-12, 60+) Legoland Florida Lego Kingdoms Legoland Florida - The second Legoland park in the U.S. in addition to Legoland in California. The park primarily caters to children and families and features rides, sculptures/scenes, and shows based on the popular Lego building blocks. The site was home to Florida's first theme park—Cypress Gardens—until 2008 and several elements of the former park remain, including the botanical gardens and it's canals and the water ski show which made Cypress Gardens famous, and the Island in the Sky platform which rises 150ft to give you a 360-degree view of the park and Central Florida. From Orlando take I-4 east to U.S. 27 (exit 55), head south for about 20 mi, turn right (west) on Cypress Gardens Blvd (S.R. 540) and Legoland will be on the left at the 5th traffic light. If you're staying in Orlando, Legoland operates a shuttle from the Orlando Premium Outlets parking lot ($10/rt) leaving at 9AM and returning at the time the park closes.

• Street Audubon Center/Lake Region Audubon Society - GPS: 27.995, -81.66495 From Cypress Gardens ROAD, turn onto Lameraux Road and drive through the neighborhood and the entrance is on the left. ☎ +1 863 324-7304 Great birding location along with nature walk trails. Periodic events held for families.

What to Do

• Watersports and Winter Haven just go together. Within the city limits lie a couple dozen lakes with public access. Sixteen of these are connected by canals to form the Chain of Lakes. The Chain of Lakes is known for excellent fishing and regularly hosts local and national fishing tournaments. Water skiing, water tubing, and zipping around on jet skis (sea doos) are popular pastimes and parking at boat ramps is scarce on sunny weekends. Fishing permits are required to fish in any lake, river, or stream. They can be purchased at local WalMarts, marinas, bait and tackle shops, or through the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission ( , +1-888-FISH-FLO). The county publishes a guide to all the county's lakes (including public access sites)available at the Polk Outpost 27. Boat Ramps—concrete ramps and adjacent parking—in Winter Haven are at: Lake Blue North (off Lake Blue Dr), Lake Cannon (off Lake Cannon Dr), Lake Hartridge Park (20th Street off S.R. 544), Lake Howard (off Lake Howard Dr), Lake Jessie (off Lake Jessie Dr), Lake Roy (off South Lake Roy Dr), Lake Sears (100 Lake Sears Dr), Lake Shipp-Sertoma Park (1651 Lake Shipp Dr), Lake Ship-W.G. Roe Park (2403 7th Street SW), and at Lake Summitt (off Lake Summitt Dr).

• Marine Supply | ☎ +1 863 293-1156 Pontoon boat rentals.

• Barefoot Etc. | ☎ +1 863 299-3613 Water skiing lessons.

• Briscoe's Ride Center | ☎ +1 863 521-1076 Water skiing lessons.

• Ron Scarpa Watersports | ☎ +1 863 299-7094 Water skiing lessons.

• World Barfoot Center - ☎ +1 863 877-0039 Water skiing lessons.

Eudocimus albus -Winter Haven, Florida, USA -juvenile-8 (1) - Juvenile American white ibis

• Golfing is popular throughout the state and Winter Haven is no exception.

• Cypresswood Golf & Country Club | 1099 Clubhouse Road ☎ +1 863 324-6174 Semi-private 18-hole course. Lessons available, but no rentals.

• Lake Bess Country Club | 218 Golf Aire Blvd ☎ +1 863 326-9171 Public 9-hole course. Rentals and lessons available.

• Willowbrook Golf Course | 4200 S.R. 544 E ☎ +1 863 291-5899 Public 18-hole course. Rentals & lessons available.

• Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Trail - A multi-use trail running from downtown to U.S. 17/92, near Lake Alfred. The recently-built trail is great for walking, jogging, biking, or rollerskating. The trail begins at the Chain of Lakes Downtown Trailhead Park (611 3rd Street NW), which has plenty of parking, located on the northwest corner of Ave E Northwest and 3rd Street NW, near the bus terminal and city hall.

• Take to the skies in a scenic WWII-era biplane ride over the areas lakes, complete with helmet, goggles, leather jacket, & scarf. Preston Aviation ( , +1 863 956-2526) at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport.
• Theatre Winter Haven, +1 863 299-2672) is among the most acclaimed little theaters in the state. Various productions are held throughout the year and the Ridge Art Association, hosts a free art gallery prior to Theatre Winter Haven performances. The theater is on the junction of Cypress Gardens Blvd. & US 17 (3rd Street W).

• Action Paintball | 1751 7th Street Southwest ☎ +1 863 224-6915 Paintball complex with equipment rentals available.

Events

For more information and a complete list of public events, see the city's winterhaven.com/ website or call +1 863 291-5656.

• Pickin in the Park is a music concert for local musicians held the first Friday of each month, except June–August, in Central Park from 6:30-8PM.
• Car Cruisin' is the monthly vehicle show featuring everything from antiques to hot rods held the first Saturday of every month, except December, in Central Park from 4-9PM.
• Bike Night is a motorcycle festival/showcase held the 3rd Saturday of each month in downtown from 4-9PM.
• Cypress Gardens Ski Show is a monthly event on Lake Silver that carries on the traditions of Cypress Gardens. The free event occurs on the third Saturday of each month, as well as in conjunction with the city's Independence Day celebration and other times. See the website for dates and times.
• St.Sophia's Greek Festival Greek festival held annually on a Friday-Sunday weekend in February by St.Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church (+1 863 299-4532) off Winter Lake Road (S.R. 540). Includes food, live music, dancing, & shopping.
• Smoke on the Water Annual barbeque cook-off held in late February. Call +1 863 287-3075 for latest dates/details.
• Central Park Art Festival Annual art festival in Central Park with judged entries, local entertainment, vendors, children's' activities.
• Admiral Eycleshimer's Boat Races Cardboard boat races and activities to celebrate the Chain of Lakes. Held in May.
• Red, Brick, & Boom A 4th of July fireworks spectacular held at Legoland. With special 3D glasses, "ordinary" fireworks become a spectacle of millions of exploding bricks.
• Brick-or-Treat A Legoland Halloween celebration held every Saturday & Sunday in October. A "kid-friendly" alternative to Halloween events like Hall-o-scream & Halloween Horror Nights held at the big theme parks in Orlando/Tampa.
• Carols in the Park Arts and crafts festival held in early December.
• Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Boats decked out in all their shining glory taken on a parade route through the Chain of Lakes. Mid-December.
• Kid's New Year's Eve Legoland's New Year's Eve event. A giant Lego brick drops at 7PM to kick-off a fireworks display and dance party. Legoland also has a fireworks display on each of the five nights leading up to New Year's Eve.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Winter Haven

Winter Haven FL downtown fountain green01 - A fountain with green colored water in downtown

There are no large shopping malls in Winter Haven. The nearest indoor shopping mall is Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales, off U.S. 27 2 mi south of Cypress Gardens Blvd.

The largest shopping center in town is Winter Haven Citi Centre between U.S. 17 (3rd St. SW) and 1st Street South and Avenues G & K SW. It features Belk & Macy's for clothing, Lowe's (home improvement), Staples (electronics & office supplies), Carraba's (Italian restaurant), Longhorn (steakhouse), Crispers (salads & sandwiches), Pier 1 Imports (house accessories & gifts), and a dozen or so small stores.

While not a shopping center and there are many small shops along Central Avenue in Downtown. A free parking garage is located on Ave A Northwest between 2nd & 3rd Streets NW. It was completed in 2012 with a picturesque facade designed to blend in with the surroundings.

A large outdoor shopping center is currently under construction around the intersection of U.S. 17 and Cypress Gardens Blvd., called The Landings. As of February 2013 and the only completed structures are the Chik-fil-a, Paneras, & and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) restaurants along Cypress Gardens Blvd. In a couple years, however, it will contain a large movie theater and dozens of retail shops.

Antiques

As with the rest of Florida and there are no shortage of antique shops and Winter Haven will not disappoint.

• Classic Collectibles & Antiques | 279 West Central Ave ☎ +1 863 294-6866 Located downtown at the junction of Central Ave. and 3rd Street NW/SW. Large selection of antiques.

• Mama's Attic | 273 West Central Ave ☎ +1 863 875-4830 Specializing in jewelry, furniture, and Victorian lamps and glassware.

• Treasure House Antiques & Collectibles - 3309 Havendale Blvd ☎ +1 863 297-3046 Nearly 10,000 square feet of every variety of antiques.

Books

• Book Traders, Inc. | 41 3rd Street Northwest ☎ +1 863 299-4904 | Opening Hours: Monday to Sat 9-6 Located downtown. Typical used bookstore with a large selection and reasonable prices. There's only one larger bookstore in the county, but about half their titles are serial romance/sci fi and a very small selection of non-fiction.

• Friends of the Library | 325 Ave. A Northwest ☎ +1 863 292-0540 | Opening Hours: Monday to Sat 9AM Monday - 4PM Located in the same building as the public library. Charity bookstore to support the library with donated books and volunteer staff. About 2/3rds of the books are non-fiction and there are 2-3 sections half off rotated weekly! Almost every book is under $5 with lots of $2-3 books! Moderate selection but with such great prices, it's definitely worth a look when in town.

Fresh produce

The weekly Farmer's Market is held every Thursday 8AM Monday - 3PM at the Trailhead Park (611 3rd Street NW). All varieties of fruits and vegetables, especially ones in season.

• Sunshine Flea Market | 24200 U.S. Hwy 27 ☎ +1 863 679-1015 Located on the west side of US 27 about a mile south of the Cypress Gardens Blvd intersection and just a short distance out of town. Typical flea market with a fresh produce section, although some of the vendors purchase from wholesalers and aren't selling the local-grown stuff you'll find at the Farmer's Market.

Gifts

• Art Cottage | 185 Ave D Northwest ☎ +1 863 294-2350 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10AM Monday - 5PM Art gallery with art, prints, porcelain, jewelry, stained glass, and more for sale.

• Country Primitives & Homespun Crafts | 110 3rd Street Southwest ☎ +1 863 291-3131 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10AM Monday - 4PM, Sa 10AM Monday - 5PM Homemade crafts, flowers, patchwork purses, and more.

• Elonkas | 130 Southeast Plaza Roadway ☎ +1 863 293-5689 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10AM Monday - 5:30PM, Sa 10:30AM Monday - 5PM Art gallery by Florida artisans. Paintings, prints, sculptures, figurines, jewelry, and more.

• Helen's Shoppe | 314 West Central Ave ☎ +1 863 291-4567 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10AM Monday - 4:30PM, Sa 10AM Monday - 3PM Small selection of gifts & antiques.

• Laughing Owl Market | 329 West Central Ave ☎ +1 863 297-5898 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11AM Monday - 6PM, Sa 10AM Monday - 2PM Gourmet foods and food gifts.

• Little Studio Interiors | 60 4th Street Northwest ☎ +1 863 299-1099 Fine gifts and jewelry.

Halal Restaurants in Winter Haven

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	< $ 8
Mid-range	$ 9-15
Splurge	$ 16+

• Andrea's Family Restaurant | 1498 Havendale Blvd ☎ +1 863 299-4564 Casual Greek and American fare. Daily specials.

• Andy's/Andy's Igloo | 703 3rd Street Southwest (U.S. 17) GPS: On Southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 17 (3rd Street) and Ave. G SW. Look for the 50s-era sign. ☎ +1 863 293-0019 Entrées $5-$8; Ice cream/milkshakes/sundaes $1-3.50 Classic diner with a great variety of food (burgers, Chicken, seafood) at VERY reasonable prices. An entrée and drink costs about $6-8. Also on tap are over a dozen varieties of ice cream, sundaes, malts, milkshakes run around $1-3.On the NE corner of the building is a walk-up window for ice cream treats (in addition to ordering at a table inside). Cash only. No debit/credit cards accepted.

• El Nortenos | 1925 6th Street Northwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 298-0993 Delicious Mexican cuisine. Lunch specials are a good value at $5-6.

• My Natures Delight Cafe | 3015 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 318-8778 Organic raw vegan cafe.

• Ray and Fran's Restaurant | 842 6th Street Northwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 297-5923 | Opening Hours: Breakfast & lunch daily, Dinner Thursday & Friday Amish-style cuisine.

• Richard's Fine Coffee | 330 Ave A Northwest ☎ +1 863 291-3082 Coffeehouse in same building as library. Typical coffee offerings, cookies, biscotti, muffins, and some light salads and wraps. Free wi-fi, comfy couches, and outdoor tables/chairs. Library allows drinks with lids so you can grab a cappuccino and take it in the library. Open after library closes.

• Schack's Bar B-Que | 3000 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 324-1537 Delicious smoked Southern BBQ fare.

• Randy's Family Restaurant, - 106 Ave I Southeast GPS: corner of 1st Street & Ave I Southeast ☎ +1 863-875-5531 Fresh plates served and daily specials.

Mid-range

Winter Haven Interlaken Hist Dist01 - House in the Interlaken Historic Residential District, a U.S. historic neighborhood

• Dockside Grill | 1006 South Lake Howard Dr GPS:

• Harry's Old Place | 3751 Cypress Gardens Road ☎ +1 863 324-0301 | Opening Hours: Lunch Tuesday to Friday 11:30AM Monday - 1:30PM; Dinner Tuesday - Thursday 5PM Monday - 9PM, Friday 5PM Monday - 10PM, Sa 4PM Monday - 10PM, Sunday (Dec-May only) 4PM Monday - 8PM, closed between meals $10-15 A wide variety of fresh seafood served in a rustic restaurant overlooking Lake Ned. Steaks & Chicken also available, but most of the menu consists of seafood. Parking is tight and the lot is usually full, and you may have to park precariously on the side of a busy road, but the food is worth it. Seniors are often seen lined up into the parking lot before dinner opening for the Early Bird Specials. No reservations accepted. Menu available on the website ( here]).

• Tsunami Sushi | 317 West Central Ave ☎ +1 863 293-2395 -
• Buffet City - 810 Cypress Gardens Blvd. GPS: On Cypress Gardens Blvd., a few doors west of Publix ☎ +1 863-292-9898 | Opening Hours: Hours not posted online, but is open 7 days a week $11 to $30, depending on order - Is Chinese oriented. Has much seafood, Chicken, Beef, beef. Most food very fresh. Sushi quality is so so.

• Saigon Garden Vietnamese Cuisine - 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd Suite 100 GPS: 27.9922, -81.6893 Next door to Tijuana Flats restaurant ☎ +1 863 875-6975 | Opening Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM every day $7.95 to $12.95 for entrees - Vietnamese food. Excellent quality, good service, very clean.

• Harborside | 2435 Seventh Street Southwest ☎ +1 863 293-7070 | Opening Hours: Daily 4PM Monday - 10PM Dinners $15-25 Seafood Review
• Longhorn Steakhouse | 875 1st Street Southwest ☎ +1 863 295-7740 -
• Carrabba's Italian Grill | 910 3rd Street Southwest ☎ +1 863 293-6635 -
• Sakura Japanese Steak House & Sushi Restaurant - 787 3rd St. Southwest ☎ +1 863-299-3388 | Opening Hours: Serves lunch and dinner every day Serves high quality Japanese food. Has sushi available.

• Manny's Chophouse | 1100 3rd Street Southwest GPS: Corner of U.S. 17 & Ave K SE. ☎ +1 863 293-0069 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 4PM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 4PM Monday - 10:30PM, Sunday noon-9:30PM Entrees around $10-17 Great steakhouse, with plenty of tasty seafood, Chicken, and sandwiches also on offer. Early bird specials Monday - Thursday 4PM Monday - 6PM, consisting of a dozen entrees about $5 less than their usual price ($9-11). This place can get quite crowded around 5-7PM, with no parking and a long wait to be seated. Call ahead seating is available. Menu can be found on website.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Winter Haven

Winter Haven - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Winter Haven, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Winter Haven. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Winter Haven and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Winter Haven. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Winter Haven. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inWinter Haven: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Winter Haven.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Winter Haven: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Winter Haven, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Winter Haven.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Winter Haven, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Winter Haven, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Winter Haven and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Winter Haven, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Winter Haven, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Winter Haven without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Winter Haven is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Winter Haven.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Winter Haven is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Winter Haven, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Winter Haven Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

In-town

• Banyan Beach Motel | 1630 6th Street Northwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 293-3788 +1-888-663-5244 +1 863 291-4868 Kitchen/efficiencies. Pool. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Budget Inn of Winter Haven | 401 6th Street Northwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 294-4191 +1 863 401-2952$49+tax Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Americas Best Value Inn Winter Haven - 2275 8th Street Northwest ☎ +1 863 401-8211 +1 863 292-9297 Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Hampton Inn - 202 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 299-9251 +1 863 401-9388 Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Holiday Inn Winter Haven | 200 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 292-2100 - Pool. On-site restaurant. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Howard Johnson Inn Winter Haven | 1300 3rd Street Southwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 294-7321 +1-800-446-4656 +1 863 299-1673 Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. On-site restaurant. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Lake Ida Beach Resort | 2524 6th St. Northwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 293-0942 +1 863 293-5951 Kitchen/efficiencies. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Lakmar Resort Hotel | 2520 U.S. 92 West ☎ +1 863 956-1867 +1 863 229-1173 Kitchen/efficiencies. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Regency Inn | 3525 US 17 North ☎ +1 863-299-1860 - Kitchen/efficiencies. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Winter Haven Gardens Inn & Banquets Center - 1150 3rd St. Southwest (U.S. 17) ☎ +1 863 294-4451 +1 863 293-9829 Pool. Pets allowed. On-site restaurant. Free wi-fi internet connection.

Southeast/Legoland area

Lego Land New York - panoramio - Models of New York buildings made of LEGO bricks, Legoland

The Best Western is the closest hotel to Legoland and the only one within reasonable walking distance. Lake Roy Inn & Economy Suites are located a couple miles down Cypress Gardens Blvd. and a continuous sidewalk runs along the road, making these feasible walking-distance choices. All hotels in this area are near bus stops along the route servicing Legoland.

• Cypress Inn & Trailer Court - 5651 Cypress Gardens Road ☎ +1 863 318-1246 - Kitchen/efficiencies. Pool. Free wi-fi internet connection. Note that it's on Cypress Gardens Road not Boulevard.

• Economy Suites | 1901 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 324-3954 - Kitchen/efficiencies. Pool. Pets allowed.

• Lake Roy Beach Inn & Suites | 1823 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 324-6320 +1 863 324-2750 Kitchen/efficiencies. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection. Includes a small, sandy beach on Lake Roy, but right against Cypress Gardens Blvd (a very busy thoroughfare in W.H.).

• Ranch House Inn & Suites | 1911 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 324-5994 - Kitchen/efficiencies. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Regency Inn | 3525 U.S. Hwy 17 North ☎ +1 863 299-1860 +1 863 299-1860 Kitchen/efficiencies available. Pool. Pets allowed. Free wi-fi internet connection.

Campgrounds & RV parks

• Cypress Campgrounds & RV Park | 7400 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 324-7400 +1-800-858-7275 +1 863 324-2418 Hookups. Laundry. Pool. Pets allowed. Showers. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• East Haven RV Park | 4320 Dundee Road ☎ +1 863 324-2624 +1 863 324-2624 Hookups. Laundry. Pool. Pets allowed. Showers. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Hammondell Campsites | 5601 Cypress Gardens Road ☎ +1 863 324-5775 +1 863 324-2188 Hookups. Laundry. Pool. Pets allowed. Showers. Free wi-fi internet connection.

• Lakeshore Palms Travel Park | 4800 Eloise Loop Road ☎ +1 863 324-1339 - Hookups. Laundry. Pool. Pets allowed. Showers. Free wi-fi internet connection.

Telecommunications in Winter Haven

Free public internet access is available at the Winter Haven Library:

• Winter Haven Public Library | 325 Ave A Northwest GPS: Between Ave A & B Northwest and 3rd & 4th Street Northwest ☎ +1 863 291-5880 | Opening Hours: Monday & West 9AM Monday - 6PM, Tuesday & Thursday 10AM Monday - 7PM, Friday & Sa 9AM Monday - 5PM Free wireless internet access ("wi-fi") available. There are 22 computers available for public use. Each has Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2007, internet access, and is connected to a printer. Guest passes for out-of-county residents to use library computers are available for $1 for 1 hour (wi-fi access is free for everyone). Computer use is limited to 1 hour, which can only be extended (by 30 min) if there is no one waiting for an available computer. A copy machine is also available. Richard's Coffee is located in the same building as the library.

There are two USPS postal offices in town and one in the community of Eagle Lake:

• Winter Haven Post Office | 111 West Central Ave GPS: Located on Northwest corner of Central Ave & 1st Street on east side of downtown. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30AM Monday - 6PM, Sa 9AM Monday - 2:30PM

• Florence Villa Post Office | 1401 1st Street North GPS: On 1st Street one block north of Police Station. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 4:30PM Run-down building in a sketchy side of town. Barely 2 mi north of the Winter Haven P.O.

• Eagle Lake Post Office | 665 North U.S. 17 GPS: Located on West side of U.S. 17 at Gilbert St. traffic light/intersection. Northern end of Eagle Lake, where U.S. 17 splits into 2 one-way roads. ☎ +1 863 295-5260 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 4:30PM Located in the community of Eagle Lake a couple miles southwest of Winter Haven on U.S. 17.

Muslim Friendly Hospitals

• Winter Haven Hospital | 200 Ave Friday NE GPS: Off 1st Street North about 1 mi north of downtown ☎ +1 863 293-1121 -

Urgent care clinics

A visit to the emergency room is usually very expensive and, despite the title, often entails a long wait to be seen (unless you're having a heart attack, stroke, or similarly grave issue). Urgent care clinics are often the same insurance deductible as a regular doctor visit and offer services for urgent, but not life-threatening, issues—such as pain, broken bones, infections—when you are unable to see your primary care physician.

• Firstcare Walk in Clinic | 400 1st Street North ☎ +1 863 299-2420 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 8:30AM Monday - 7PM

• First Help Urgent Care Clinic | 320 1st Street South ☎ +1 863 299-8485 | Opening Hours: W/F-M 7:45AM Monday - 6:15PM, Tu/Thursday 7:45AM Monday - 8:15PM

• Urgent Care—Cypress Gardens | 7375 Cypress Gardens Blvd ☎ +1 863 325-8185 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8AM Monday - 8PM, Sa/Su 10AM Monday - 4PM

Emergency pet care

• Veterinary Healthcare Associates | 3025 Dundee Road ☎ +1 863 324-3340 | Opening Hours: Available 24 hours daily.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Winter Haven

Chalet Suzanne- Lake Wales, Florida (8449645561) - Chalet Suzanne used to be in Lake Wales but is now gone.

Historic Lake Wales is just 15 miles away (about 10 from Legoland). Florida's Natural juice company has a "Grove House" across from their plant on U.S. 27 with information about the citrus industry and free samples. Spook Hill is an optical illusion where you appear to roll uphill relative to the surrounding terrain, although its actually a slight downhill slope. Both make for fun, quick stops before or after a day spent at Legoland, while Bok Tower Gardens atop the highest point on the Florida Peninsula is a great half-day destination (especially for a picnic). For the adventurous and the city is the Skydiving Capital of Florida and east of town lies Lake Kissimmee where you can take a scenic airboat tours without driving south to the Everglades.

Lakeland is 30-45 minutes east (and along the route from Tampa) and boasts 12 Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings which you can tour on the campus of Florida Southern College. Also in Lakeland are the Florida Air Museum and the 1920s-era Polk Theater renovated to its original vaudeville/movie theater glory.

Elsewhere in the county are the Fantasy of Flight museum and the Water Ski Hall of Fame, and the 29mi. Van Fleet State Trail for biking or walking off I-4 in Polk City. From Winter Haven, take U.S. 17 to Lake Alfred and take C.R. 557/557A to Polk City.

Most visitors are likely spending a part of their trip in Orlando, which is 45 min to 1.5 hours away depending on where in the city you're heading to. Kissimmee and Disney World are just 30 minutes away! En route, you can stop by Davidson of Dundee and Webb's Candy Factory, both along U.S. 27, to watch citrus Candies, Chocolates, goat milk fudge, and other sweets being made and purchase some for the road or to take home.

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