Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales

Name: Bok Tower Gardens
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, 33853-3470, United States
Telephone: +1 863-676-1408

#1 among attractions in Lake Wales

Top attraction, Museum, Garden, Park, More...

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, Bok Tower Gardens offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This lush oasis, located in Lake Wales, Polk County, is not only a garden but also a testament to the beauty of landscape architecture and a piece of Florida's rich cultural heritage.

The centerpiece of the gardens is the majestic Singing Tower, which houses one of the world's finest carillons. Standing at an impressive 205 feet, the Gothic Revival and Art Deco tower is adorned with intricate marble and coquina stone carvings. Daily carillon concerts fill the gardens with enchanting music, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Spanning over 250 acres, the gardens were designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and dedicated in 1929 by Edward W. Bok, a Dutch immigrant who wanted to create a place of beauty as a gift to the American people. The meticulously manicured grounds feature a wide variety of plants, including azaleas, camellias, magnolias, and ferns, as well as several endangered species of flora native to Florida.

Visitors can explore the numerous meandering paths that lead to hidden spots and breathtaking vistas. The Reflection Pool, with the Singing Tower as its backdrop, provides a picture-perfect setting for contemplation and photography. The Pine Ridge Trail offers a more adventurous walk through Florida's natural scrub habitat, showcasing the local wildlife and ecosystem.

For those interested in the history and architecture, the Pinewood Estate, a 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion, is part of the Bok Tower Gardens experience. Built in the 1930s, the estate provides insight into the luxurious lifestyle of its original owner, Charles Austin Buck, with guided tours available.

Alternative names: Built: 1927 (98 years ago)Elevation: 289 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 27°56'7"N, 81°34'39"W

Address

1151 Tower BlvdMountain LakeLake Wales 33853-3470 United States

Contact

+1 863-676-1408

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Lake Wales

Day trips

Bok Tower Gardens – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Eagle Ridge Mall, Spook Hill, Lake Weaver, Lake Wales City Hall.

2.7 miNW
Shopping centre, Shopping
Eagle Ridge Mall, Lake Wales
68 min walk • Eagle Ridge Mall is a regional, enclosed shopping mall located on the north side of Lake Wales, Florida, United States. It has only one anchor store: Dillard's.
1.6 miS
Nature, Natural attraction, Mysterious site
Spook Hill, Lake Wales
42 min walk • Spook Hill is a gravity hill, an optical illusion in Lake Wales, Florida, where cars appear to roll up the spooky hill. Spook Hill is located on the Lake Wales Ridge, a geologically significant range of sand and limestone hills, which were islands from two to three million years ago, when sea levels were much higher than at present.
2.6 miSW
Lake
Lake Weaver, Lake Wales
67 min walk • Lake Weaver is a natural freshwater lake located in Lake Wales, Florida. The lake is also much of the time called Lake Weader. By looking at maps and websites, it appears both names are used as often as the other.
2.5 miS
City hall, Vernacular architecture
Lake Wales City Hall, Lake Wales
64 min walk • The Lake Wales City Hall is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 152 East Central Avenue. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
2.4 miS
Neighbourhood
Lake Wales Commercial Historic District, Lake Wales
61 min walk • The Lake Wales Commercial Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Lake Wales, Florida. The district is bounded by the US 27A Scenic Highway, Central Avenue, Market Street, and Orange Avenue. It contains 16 historic buildings.
2.4 miS
Church
First Baptist Church, Lake Wales
62 min walk • The First Baptist Church is a historic Southern Baptist church in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 338 East Central Avenue. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
2.7 miS
Museum, History museum
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot, Lake Wales
69 min walk • The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot is a historic Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 325 South Scenic Highway. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
2.2 miS
27°54'13"N • 81°35'11"W
Lake Wales Public Library, Lake Wales
58 min walk • Library
3 miS
Church
Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Wales
76 min walk • The former Church of the Holy Spirit is an historic Roman Catholic church building located at 1099 Hesperides Road in Lake Wales, Florida. In 1989 it was sold by the local Catholic diocese to the City of Lake Wales. It is now the Lake Wales Cultural Center. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S.
3 miS
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Twin Lakes, Lake Wales
78 min walk • The Twin Lakes of Lake Wales, Florida, are two small natural freshwater lakes on the south side of the city. Sometimes they are simply called Twin Lakes, but sometimes they are individually called Twin Lake West and Twin Lake East.
2.2 miS
Neighbourhood
Lake Wales Historic Residential District, Lake Wales
57 min walk • The Lake Wales Historic Residential District is a U.S. historic district located in Lake Wales, Florida. The district is bounded by the Seaboard Airline RR grade, CSX RR tracks, East Polk Avenue, South and North Lake Shore Boulevards.