A Day at Bonnet Springs Park
If you are looking for a beautiful place to explore, where the kids can run around and play, complete with multiple places to eat and even a kid’s museum, check out Bonnet Springs Park located in Lakeland, Florida.
Just a 40-minute drive from Tampa and a 1-hour drive from Orlando, Bonnet Springs Park is a great day trip idea. There are plenty of things to do at Bonnet Springs Park and families can easily spend a few hours exploring and playing in the park.
While the park is huge, 126 acres, all of the attractions are connected by a 1.7-mile path. A tram drives around the path for those who want a ride.
Keep reading to find out what attractions are at Bonnet Springs Park plus the best things to do there.
Things to do at Bonnet Springs Park
The Welcome Center
We opted to park at the Welcome Center which includes a Starbucks, restrooms, and a small shop.
I somehow missed that there is also a History Center in the Welcome Center. I ran in to use the restroom, saw Starbucks and the shop, and didn’t spend any time exploring as we were the last in our group to arrive at Bonnet Springs Park.
Train Playground
Near the Welcome Center, there is a path leading to the Heritage Gardens. Along the path is a playground aimed at younger kids that looks like a train.
Canopy Walk
At its highest point, the Bonnet Springs Park Canopy Walk has a boardwalk 25 feet above the ground.
The boardwalk is wide, wheelchair and stroller accessible, and has places to sit along it.
The Canopy Walk is not a loop.
Slides
In addition to the playgrounds at Bonnet Springs Park, there are a couple of slides located on the hills.
Those who want can use the winding path while others are able to slide down the hills.
Treehouse
Located along the boardwalk, the Treehouse at Bonnet Springs Park has lots of picnic tables inside.
A few games such as a large Connect 4 are located inside of the Treehouse, though currently, there is not much to do once inside.
Restrooms are also located inside the Treehouse.
Lagoon
Pedal boats and kayaks will be available to rent when the boardwalk is completed. Visitors are not able to bring their own equipment to use in the Blanton Family Lagoon at Bonnet Springs Park.
A boardwalk goes past the lagoon and further into the park.
Boat House
A Boat House is located near the lagoon. When pedal boats and kayaks are available to rent, visitors will be able to rent them from the Boat House.
Nature Center
Located between the Boat House and the Butterfly Garden is a Nature Center with interactive exhibits.
The Nature Center is a great place to learn about the plants and animals located at Bonnet Springs Park.
Climbing Trees
There are a few perfect climbing trees located inside Bonnet Springs Park.
Benches are available nearby and are scattered throughout the park.
Butterfly Garden
A Butterfly Garden is located along the path. Inside, visitors can see a variety of butterflies, caterpillars, and cacoons.
Outdoor Kitchen
Located near the Event Center is an outdoor kitchen. A Ball Room is located inside of the Event Center, and there is a Wedding Lawn nearby.
Rocking chairs are located outside of the Event Center.
Botanic Garden
A small botanical garden is located near the Event Center at Bonnet Springs Park.
Weddings
Located next to the Event Center is a lawn where weddings are held.
This area is next to the botanical gardens and the outdoor kitchen.
Owl Playground and Exercise Area
Further down the path is an exercise area for adults (though it was filled with kids on the equipment the day we visited) and a playground set up to look like an owl.
Kids can climb up the owl’s wings and slide down.
Playground
In addition to the Train Playground and Owl Playground, there is a large playground at Bonnet Springs Park.
The Ruthven Family Playground is the large playground at Bonnet Springs Park and it is spread out over multiple levels.
A sandpit and water area are on the lower level along with benches, though they are not in the shade.
Slides take up the space on the hill and the top layer has swings, shelters with picnic tables, and more places to play.
The downside to the Ruthven Family Playground is that it gets very hot and most of it isn’t shaded. As it is spread out, it is hard to keep track of multiple kids who wander.
Located nearby, Bok Tower Gardens has a fantastic natural playground for kids.
Depot Cafe and Bar
Not far from the playground, and right near Florida Children’s Museum, is a cafe and rooftop bar.
Guests can eat on the rooftop, though they order and pick up the food downstairs. An elevator is available as is a staircase.
The Depot Cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, and hot meals, and has a design-your-own salad option.
Ice cream is also available at a separate counter.
Florida Children’s Museum
A hands-on museum for kids is located by the Family Lawn and Depot Cafe.
The Florida Children’s Museum is a great place to cool off on a hot day at Bonnet Springs Park.
With 2 floors of exhibits, workshops, and events, there are plenty of things to do at the Florida Children’s Museum.
Tickets into the Florida Children’s Museum are $15 for anyone over 2, though there are discounts for teachers, seniors, military, and EBT Snap card holders as well as a AAA discount and a discount for Bok Tower Members.
Lockers are available to store belongings at Florida Children’s Museum and visitors are able to come and go on the same day.
Family Lawn
A huge lawn, called the Family Lawn, is located outside of Florida Children’s Museum near Depot Cafe.
Saturdays at Bonnet Springs Park
On the first Saturday of each month is a family nature walk. The guided nature walk begins at 9:30 a.m. at the bench outside of the Boathouse and is held along the 1-mile boardwalk.
The 2nd Saturday of each month is Nature Narrator at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Nature Narrator includes a story and an activity geared towards kids ages 4-8.
Head to the Nature Center between 10 am and 2 pm every 3rd and 5th Saturday of the month for Discovery Bags. Exploration and Creativity bags are filled with books, activity cards, and hands-on activities. The Discovery Bags can be checked out until 3:30 p.m.
Every 4th Saturday of the month is STEM in the park. STEM in the Park is aimed at kids 5-10, but anyone is allowed to join. 30 kids are allowed into each 15-minute session.
More Special Events at Bonnet Springs Park
To find out what is happening at Bonnet Springs Park, check out their Facebook page. Events include movie nights, holiday events, expos, and more.
Getting Around Bonnet Springs Park
The 1.7-mile-long path that leads to all of the attractions at Bonnet Springs Park is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Bikes, scooters, and wagons are allowed on the paths. It does get crowded on the paths, depending on the day and time.
A tram drives throughout Bonnet Springs Park and makes 6 stops. The tram is free to ride and usually stops at each location every 10 minutes.
Though not all of the trams are accessible for walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers, there is an ADA tram.
Getting to Bonnet Springs Park
Four parking lots are available at Bonnet Springs Park and all of them have free parking.
Parking is available at:
- The Welcome Center
- Florida Children’s Museum
- Near the Ruthven Family Playground
- Near the Event Center
We opted to park at the Welcome Center, and since we arrived early, there were spaces available. As we were leaving, the parking lot was completely full and cars were circling around.
There is a tram that goes throughout the park so if you don’t get to park where you wish, you are able to walk there or ride on the tram.
Bonnet Springs Park FAQ
Yes. Parking is free at Bonnet Springs Park as is entry to the park. The tram is free at Bonnet Springs Park as well.
Visitors can walk around the 1.7-mile path or opt to take the tram which has pick-up and drop-off locations throughout the park. Attractions at Bonnet Springs Park include a children’s museum, a butterfly garden, multiple playgrounds, a nature center, a canopy walk, a boardwalk, an event center, a botanical garden, and a cafe.
Yes, food is available to purchase at Starbucks located inside the Welcome Center, and at Depot Cafe located near the Florida Children’s Museum.
No, there is no swimming allowed at Bonnet Springs Park.
It is always free to access Bonnet Springs Park.
Bonnet Springs Park Wrap-Up
Whether you are looking for a day trip from Tampa or Orlando, or you are already in Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park is worth visiting, especially with kids.
The park is easy to get around by foot or by tram and there are plenty of activities for all ages. Those with younger kids can even visit the Florida Children’s Museum which is located at Bonnet Springs Park.
Pack a picnic or plan to order from the cafe. There are plenty of seating options located throughout the park.
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