Lake Play shows Davenport’s natural side, while the Historic District, monuments, and quilt designs make local history tangible in different ways.

Nature at Lake Play

Visitors can fish at Lake Play. There is also a path about a quarter of a mile long that goes around the lake. Fishing and the loop offer two different ways to experience the same place: an activity on the water and a walk along the shore. If you would like to include nature experiences in your trip, Lake Play is a concrete starting point for planning.

Cranes, ducks, squirrels, turtles, fish, and various native bird species can often be seen at Lake Play Park. This range extends the focus on nature beyond fishing. If you enjoy watching animals, you can consider this aspect alongside the path and fishing opportunities. The species mentioned range from birds to turtles and fish; wildlife watching itself is a nature experience, not a scheduled program.

Historic Places and Memorials

The Davenport Historic District is historically significant as the largest concentration of historic buildings in Davenport. On August 15, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. For travelers interested in historic buildings, this makes the District a destination in its own right: it brings together a notable concentration of buildings in the city and a clearly dated listing in a national register.

Two markers in Wilson Park commemorate history in different ways. The Golden Holly sign honors the heritage of Holly Hill Groves and Holly Hill Fruit Products. A monument commemorates James R. Hendrix, a Davenport native who served in the U.S. Army and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. In this way, a tribute to Holly Hill’s heritage sits alongside the remembrance of an individual. This adds two other focal points to the Historic District: a celebrated heritage and a personal biography.

Quilt Designs and Trip Planning

Davenport is part of the Central Florida Quilt Trail with the quilt square “Grandmother’s Yellow Basket.” Another quilt square, “The Old Rugged Cross,” is currently displayed on the front of Cooters & Smoke Restaurant, 301 Maple Street West, in Davenport. The two titles offer different points of interest if you are interested in quilt designs: one represents Davenport’s participation in the Quilt Trail, while the other has a specific location. Since displays may change, check before planning a special visit to confirm that “The Old Rugged Cross” is still on display there.

A tour is another cultural point of interest: the Davenport Historical Society offers the Citrus Label Driving Tour as part of its ongoing program. For your planning, it is a separate offering alongside the permanent sites mentioned here.

The Welcome Center in Davenport provides visitors with free maps and brochures. If you would like to use these materials to prepare for your visit, briefly check beforehand whether they are still available. That way, you can plan practical orientation and your choice of local highlights separately: Lake Play offers fishing, a walking path, and potential wildlife watching; the Historic District, the markers in Wilson Park, and the quilt designs provide other ways to explore the city’s history.

Discover more destinations: Haines City, Bartow, Fort Meade, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Cypress Gardens, Auburndale

For the broader travel overview: Polk.