Welcome to Bok Tower Gardens – a hidden gem in central Florida that is sure to transport you to a peaceful and scenic haven. Located in Lake Wales, this 250-acre garden is home to one of the most beautiful bell towers in the world – the Singing Tower. But besides its iconic carillon tower, Bok Tower Gardens boasts an array of lush greenery, blooming flowers, and serene ponds that make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and anyone looking for a tranquil escape.
As you step into Bok Tower Gardens, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a different world. The sprawling gardens are filled with winding paths that lead you through various areas such as Olmstead Garden, Hammock Hollow, and more. As part of the great Florida birding trail this beautiful place is perfect for bird watching on top of everything else. So many migratory bird species make their way through here each year.
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Bok Tower Gardens
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Hours: Everyday from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. The last admission is at 5 P.M. everyday.
Phone Number: 863-676-1408
Things to Do: The beautiful gardens surround a magnificent bell tower built on one of the highest points in Florida. Here you can listen to bell tower concerts, look at flowers, play and eat on the grass, take a nature walk or stop in for lunch. There are also occasional special events to participate in.
General Admission Cost: Adults $20, Children 6-17 $10, Kids under 5 are free and dogs are allowed for a $10 entry fee.
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
Brief History of Bok Tower Gardens
The history of Bok Tower Gardens begins with the vision of one man – Edward W. Bok. Born in the Netherlands, Bok immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up to become a successful editor and publisher. This includes becoming a pulitzer prize winner.
In 1921, at the age of 62, Bok decided to purchase land near Lake Wales and create a beautiful garden that would serve as a gift to the American people. He enlisted renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., who designed iconic parks such as New York’s Central Park, to help bring his vision to life.
After years of planning and construction, Bok Tower Gardens officially opened on February 1st, 1929. Edward Bok passed away less than a year later and is buried near the base of the Singing Tower. The Singing Tower is a 205-foot marble tower that houses a 60-bell carillon. A carillon is a musical instrument that is played by specialized musicians.
Today, it remains a beloved destination for visitors of all ages, where they can enjoy the beauty and tranquility that Bok had hoped to share with the world.
So if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat surrounded by natural beauty, be sure to visit Bok Tower Garden. A testament to one man’s vision and a gift that continues to be enjoyed by many. And who knows, you may even catch one of the daily concerts at the Singing Tower during your visit!
Bok Tower Gardens for Kids
On the grounds within Bok Tower Gardens is an entire area dedicated to play and exploration for kids called Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden. There is so much to do here! There is a splash pad with water features to play in, there is a spider web and logs to climb on. Hammock Hollow also has a stage where kids can create and perform as well as a coloring area and musical instruments to play. There are small educational bits like a station that teaches you about composting next to a tractor that kids can play on.
There was plenty to explore and keep kids busy for a long time. Plus much of the area is shaded which is always a huge perk during hot Florida days.
We saw a few moms with their kids hanging out and it made me think about their year pass. The kid’s area is so big with so much to do and explore. It would be a great place to come with kids a couple of times a month. I definitely would consider getting a year pass for our family if we lived close by.
They offer several different membership passes. The family pass is only $150 at the time of writing this and that includes unlimited visits for 4 adults and admission for kids as well. If a yearly pass to Bok Tower Gardens is something you’re interested in I recommend checking out all the options and information on their website.
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Blue Palmetto Café
If you want to grab anything to eat while visiting Bok Tower Gardens from breakfast to lunch to snacks or dessert then the Blue Palmetto Cafe is the place to go. You start by ordering at the counter and then your food is brought out to you. There is plenty of seating from indoors to a couple of different outdoor seating areas.
We ate lunch here when we visited and I ordered the chicken salad, my husband had the Thai shrimp wrap and my son chose the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
The food overall was solid and yummy but nothing super special. The cost was pretty normal for eating out nowadays which can add up fast for a family. Honestly, if you have the time and can plan ahead I would recommend packing a lunch and having a picnic lunch out on the grounds among the fauna and flora of Florida.
Later in the day, once it got hot we came back for some ice cream. They had about 12-15 flavors to choose from and the birthday cake was delicious! It was a fun treat to end our trip on.
Our Day at Bok Tower Gardens
We have lived in Florida for over three years now and the national historic landmark, Bok Tower Gardens, has been on my list of places to visit from the beginning. Early in the spring, they announced a collaboration with Wawa (a local gas station). It offered free admission to the gardens on select days throughout the summer. I jumped at the chance to visit for free and I am so glad we did!
We live north of Tampa so our day at Bok Tower Gardens started off early. We got ready and drove just under two hours to the gardens. Once we got there and got the kids situated (diaper changes, nursing and potty breaks all take a while) we decided to start with an early lunch at the Blue Palmetto Cafe. The cafe is at the entrance right by the visitor center and the garden gift shop.
Once we finished eating, we had some time before the first bell concert so we headed to Hammock Hollow so my son could play. The kid’s area has so much to offer for kids with all kinds of different interests. We stopped by the rock fountains, the music area, climbing, the stage and coloring! That is a lot of stuff to see and it wasn’t even everything!
The Singing Tower Concerts
Next, we started the walk over to the bell tower so that we could listen to one of the bell concerts. They happen at 1 pm and 3 pm every day. On our way over we took pictures with leaves larger than my almost three-year-old. Plus we saw several beautiful types of flowers. There are seasonal blooms throughout the gardens so you’ll see flowers almost any time of year. My son’s favorite stop though was definitely feeding the koi fish in the pond. They were hungry little guys who were excited to eat any fish food we threw in!
The grounds near the Bell Tower were pretty busy right before the music started. All the benches were taken but there was plenty of space to spread out on the ground. It would be smart to bring a picnic blanket in with you to sit on though. There is also a building with restrooms and water fountains if you need anything while you are here. I really enjoyed nursing my baby, listening to the concert and watching my toddler and husband play in the grass. It was about as relaxing as a trip out with two young kids can get. This would be the perfect spot for a picnic lunch too.
Once the concert was over we walked around the reflecting pond and took a few (dozen) pictures of the tower and of our cute family of course! The reflection pool offers the prettiest view of the tower in my opinion. Then we stopped by the El Retiro mansion. We wanted to see what it looked like although we chose not to go inside this time.
Then to close out the day we stopped by the kid’s area one more time. We had to check out the tractor there because my toddler is OBSESSED with any kind of machine. Lastly, we learned there was ice cream in the cafe so we snagged some on our way out.
Bok Tower Gardens
Overall we had a wonderful day at Bok Tower Gardens and I know you and your family will too. It is a great day trip to take from Tampa or Orland areas. This historic Florida landmark is definitely one that needs to be on your list of places to visit! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for a gopher tortoise!
Bok Tower Gardens is more than just a beautiful garden – it’s a family-friendly destination that offers something for everyone. From the stunning architecture and landscaping designed by the renowned Edward Bok and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., to the fun-filled activities at Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, there is never a dull moment at these gardens.
Whether you’re interested in learning about composting or simply want to enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the natural beauty of Florida, Bok Tower Gardens has it all. With affordable membership options, it’s an excellent choice for families looking for year-round play and exploration opportunities.
So why not plan your visit today? Head over to their website to learn more about upcoming events and book your ticket.
