Haines City has long been called the "heart of Florida" because of its central location and the warmhearted welcome it offers to visitors. That tradition has been in place for over a hundred years and is part of the city's southern charm. Today, tourists staying in Haines City holiday homes can experience a slice of southern hospitality for themselves.
In the late twentieth century and beyond, Haines City has seen more tourists than ever before thanks to its proximity to Orlando, the theme park capital of the United States and most probably the whole world. All that vacationers to Haines City have to do to visit Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios Florida, or SeaWorld is take a short drive.
Haines City, however, has more to offer than mere location. Just north of the city is Southern Dunes, a luxurious golf and country club finished in 2005 after ten years of development. Other amenities in the city include Lake Eva Park, 8-Acre Park, and Boomerang Park, not to mention the aptly named Railroad Park. Visitors ready for some sporting activities after a few days in Orlando can visit the Larry Parish Baseball Complex or the East Park Softball Complex. Another option is to visit Cook Field, which offers a variety of sports fields.
History lovers will enjoy a stroll down Main Street, home to Haines City commerce for over a hundred years; there is currently an ongoing effort to preserve the historic district.