Winter Haven is a city in Polk County. It is best known as the home of Cypress Gardens, a theme park which has gone through some recent renovations to add thrill rides. Country musician Gram Parsons was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. It is also the home to the first Publix supermarket circa 1930.  

Winter Haven has 50 fresh-water lakes which touch or are contained within the city limits. 24 of the lakes are connected by a system of navigable canals better known as the Chain of Lakes.

Winter Haven is the spring training home of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Winter Haven, having many small lakes, is home to many ski schools, both for water skiing and barefoot skiing.