Things to Do Within an Hour of Mulberry, Florida

Updated February 9, 2024

The South Lakeland area is a great place to call home, and the suburb of Mulberry may be its best-kept secret! This small Florida city is just 5.5 square miles in size and is home to around 4,000 people, providing the feel of a friendly small town.

Located at the crossroads of major roadways, living in Mulberry provides access to neighboring cities, beaches, and attractions. For homeowners in our Bridgeport Lakes community of new homes in Mulberry, this means enjoying the best of both worlds - city culture within easy reach, and a quiet address to return home to.

Benefits of Living in a Small Town

From a quieter lifestyle to a rural setting closer to nature, more and more people are opting for small-town living.

Lower Cost of Living

Living in a small town is often more affordable than the big city, and Mulberry is no exception, offering a low cost of living compared to other cities: 

• 14.4% cheaper than living in Orlando, Florida 
• 12.6% cheaper than living in Tampa, Florida 
• 11.2% cheaper than the Florida average
• 8.4% cheaper than the national average

In addition, the median home cost in Mulberry is 13% below the national average and 19% cheaper than the average Florida home. This means when you own a Mulberry new home, you’ll keep more money in your pocket each month and have more funds to have FUN with (more on that below).

Less Hustle, Bustle, Traffic, and Noise

One of the most underrated benefits of living in a small town is enjoying the peace and quiet that can only be found in less populated areas. Imagine yourself relaxing on your lanai on a warm summer evening to the sounds of cicadas and leaves rustling in the breeze, while looking up at a clear, starry night sky. This is a luxury that can’t be enjoyed when you live in the middle of a city!

Close-Knit Community

A friendly wave. A happy smile. A helping hand, when you need one. When you live in a town with a small population, you're more likely to know your neighbors and foster feelings of closeness and community - Check out a few of these reviews about living in Mulberry, Florida.

Necessities + Nearby Cities

Mulberry is located at the crossroads of Highway 60 and FL-37, also known as S. Florida Avenue or US-98 S as it travels through Lakeland, or Church Avenue as it meanders through Mulberry. This makes commuting to nearby cities a breeze, and places you less than an hour from both Tampa and Orlando:

• Lakeland (South city limits) - 3 miles
• Bartow - 8.5 miles
• Lakeland (Downtown) - 9.5 miles
• Brandon - 20 miles
• Tampa (Downtown) - 35 miles
• Orlando (Walt Disney World Resort area) - 49 miles
• Orlando (Downtown) - 68 miles

Heading back to your hometown, you'll find local restaurants such as Ole Tampa Cubans and Topper's Pizza, along with chains including Hardee's, McDonald's, and Subway. The city is soon to get even more dining options, with development of the Depot 303 food hall underway. And, drive just a few minutes north into Lakeland to find a wide array of restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining.

Your grocery needs are covered, too. Publix Supermarket, Winn-Dixie, and a Walmart Supercenter are all located about 3 miles away from Bridgeport Lakes in Mulberry, with additional grocery and retail opportunities in nearby Lakeland, Bartow, and Brandon.

The Great Outdoors

Florida is renowned for its sunshine, water, and outdoor recreation, and Mulberry is no exception! Bridgeport Lakes has unofficially been dubbed the “Ultimate Outdoor Community” thanks to all the recreation opportunities that are close by, and additional opportunities for fun in the sun are just a short drive away!

Nearby Parks

Loyce E. Harpe Park and Se7en Wetlands Park are located literally next door to Bridgeport Lakes, offering 22 miles of trails ideal for wildlife spotting, exhilarating mountain bike trails, sports fields (baseball, soccer, and softball), a skate park, and a disc golf course. There are even opportunities for fishing and for man’s best friend to have a little fun a Diogi Dog Park. 

Gulf Coast Beaches

One of the many benefits of living in Florida is never being too far from the water, and Mulberry is located about an hour from some of the best beaches on Florida's west coast:

• Davis Islands Beach - 38 miles
• Bahia Beach - 44 miles
• Clearwater Beach - 59 miles
• Madeira Beach - 60 miles
• St. Pete Beach - 63 miles

In fact, your new home in Mulberry at Bridgeport Lakes is less than two hours from every beach featured on this Top Florida Beaches list!

Freshwater Springs, Rivers, and Lakes

Florida may be best known for beaches, but did you know the state is also filled with freshwater springs, rivers, and lakes? Given Mulberry's location near Lakeland, that one may have been a good guess (sidenote, Lakeland is home to an astounding 381 lakes); some of our favorite freshwater destinations near Mulberry include:

• The Alafia River starts in Mulberry and flows all the way into Hillsborough Bay. The upper river provides a designated 10-mile paddling trail for canoes and kayaks and is bordered by conservation lands, meaning it's quiet, shaded by trees, and full of wildlife. The paddling trail starts at  Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park and ends at Lithia Springs Park.
• Lithia Springs Conservation Park isn't just part of this paddling trail, or another riverside park - it boasts a natural spring that flows cool, clean water year-round, providing an excellent swimming experience. In addition, within the park, you can camp, hike, enjoy a picnic, fish, and even play volleyball. 
• A bit to the north, Hillsborough River State Park provides a diverse refuge with nature trails, river rapids, camping, historic structures, and of course fishing and wildlife viewing!
• Lake Hollingsworth is a popular destination in central Lakeland for taking a stroll, bike ride, or run along a 2.9-mile loop around the lake. You'll enjoy nice scenery and even pass by Florida Southern College and historic Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

Athletics + Attractions

In addition to beautiful beaches and water activities, Florida is perhaps most famous for its theme parks and golf courses.

Theme Park Destinations

It’s no secret that Florida is the world’s top theme park destination, and when you live in Mulberry, you’ll have access to a dozen theme parks within about an hour from home. From LEGOLAND and the Peppa Pig Theme Park to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa, the opportunities are nearly endless with each park offering unique rides, events, and experiences.

Tee-Up

If you’re a golf enthusiast, you’ll love living in Mulberry! Golf courses are abundant in the area, giving you the opportunity to play at some of Central Florida’s top public or private golf clubs. Just a few of the area’s top courses include Streamsong Resort and its three top-rated courses, River Hills Country Club, ideal for those searching for an exclusive members-only experience, The Club at Eaglebrooke, and Bartow Golf Course, the area’s top public course.

Professional Sports

Living between two major cities means access to extensive opportunities to enjoy professional sports. In nearby Tampa Bay, you can cheer on the 2-time Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, or the 2021 Super Bowl Champions, your Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Baseball lovers will enjoy being close to Tampa Bay Rays games, as well as multiple Spring Training facilities, including those of the New York Yankees in Tampa and the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland.

If basketball is your sport of preference, you haven’t been left out – the Orlando Magic play just 1.5 hours away!

As you can see, Mulberry's convenient location means you're always within reach of activities, not to mention daily necessities. If you have questions about the Mulberry area, don't hesitate to call or email us - We've built new homes in Mulberry since 1996 and love this small town with big-city convenience!