Bok Tower Gardens
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These gardens are so beautiful and peaceful. I love walking through every path available while smelling nature The food at the restaurant is good and fresh Everything is nice and clean
It took me a long time to finally come herec I've wanted to visit ever since I first moved to Orlando, and I'm so happy I finally did! This place is truly magical. It's such a relaxing space where you can completely disconnect from everything and just enjoy the beauty around you. You can easily spend hours walking the grounds, surrounded by beautiful greenery and the sound of nature. It's the perfect spot to visit with family or friends, next time we'll definitely do a picnic! We also grabbed a bite and some drinks at the cafe, which was a great addition to the experience. Overall, I can definitely see myself coming back here again and again. Absolutely recommend
I finally made time to visit the Bok Tower and its gardens. The tower is very impressive. It is very tall and constructed from marble. The tower is not open to the public. Visitors can only view it from the outside. There is a collection of "singing bells" at the top. Using a carillon keyboard, a musician can play music with the bells. They have 2 concerts per day that each last about 30 minutes. The grounds are fairly extensive. They have special areas. There is a kitchen garden whose plants grow food. There are children's areas where children can play. There's a gift shop and a café. I enjoyed the visit here and would recommend it to ot
We were meeting with friends at a midpoint, so we chose Lake Wales. While we were there, we decided to visit Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark in Lake Wales, Florida. It's a 250-acre sanctuary featuring beautifully designed landscapes by the Olmsted firm, along with the iconic 205-foot Singing Tower topped with a 60-bell carillon. The location offers a variety of attractions, including walking trails, a children's garden, a historic mansion called El Retiro, gardens dedicated to rare plants, and daily carillon concerts. It's a serene escape with stunning views, especially since it's situated on one of Florida's highest points. Although the gardens appeared slightly dry, likely due to a lack of recent rain, listening to the tower sing its bells was simply fabulous. It was worth the visit.
Bok Tower itself is absolutely stunning. The setting alone makes it worth the $20 admission. The tower rising above the trees, the reflection in the water, the breeze moving through the palms -- it feels peaceful and cinematic at the same time. The gardens are beautifully maintained. Butterflies everywhere, birds flying through the trees, and little pockets of quiet where you can just stand and take it all in. The views from different angles around the water are breathtaking. The only part I personally didn't enjoy was the carillon music. It sounded intense and, to me, a little heavy and oppressive. I know many people appreciate it as part of the historic experience, but it wasn't my favorite element. That said, everything else was amazing. The architecture, the landscaping, the atmosphere, and the wildlife make this place special. Even if the music isn't your thing, the natural beauty and the presence of the tower itself make it a five-star destination.
What a beautiful place this is. There's plenty of space if you're thinking of bringing your pups, kids, family, or friends. We paid $20 per person to walk around these beautiful paths and have a picnic too! The natural beauty of this preserved area is incredible . My favorite spot was all of the herbs and vegetables planters. Truly beautiful experience
Excellent place.. get ready to get your steps in. Absolutely stunning and very well taken care of. From the gift shop, restaurant, mansion & gardens. You can bring your dog as well. I'll be back every time I'm in the area.
Free admission sponsored by Wawa August 30-31. Very cool homage to native Florida wildlife - hundreds of plants - 48 of them rare. Originally planted by landscape artist Olmsted in 1920s. Bok Tower has 60 tons of carillon bells and is covered with depictions of FL birds, animals, plants, and humans. Built by Bok in Art Deco style of the period, it was designated a National Historic Landmark by Calvin Coolidge.
One thing I would suggest, either include the tour of the home or allow casless purchase at the tour site. Loved tge gift shop and they had dome awesome plants for sale!!
This was our first time at the Gardens. We were quite impressed with the well-maintained property and attention to very minor detail. It is truly a secret gem in Florida! I wanted to she some insight I gathered from the visit: *plan for full day *arrive early *bring water *great area for kids *buy house toure at the front *wear comfortable shoes and clothes *be at the Tower by 1 PM, experience the healing bell music *do a research prior to going to fully understand all the symbolism hidden in architecture *great location for picnics and pictures *the cafe menu is good, but long wait and pricey We will definitely return, as we did not get to tour the house and all the trails!
Loved visiting Bok Tower. The only reason I'm giving it a 4 is because they are draining and cleaning the koi pond. This should be stated on the website for potential visitors. Would have loved to be able to tour inside the tower but was told that can only happen for large donors. There are lots of beautiful and playful areas on the grounds. We especially enjoyed the children's section with the various xylophones. We also enjoyed the informational movie and plaques located around the grounds. Bells ring every half hour but a concert is at 1:00 and 3:00. Tip: make sure to use sunscreen and bug spray as the majority of the experience is outdoors.
We went during a free day in July! It was beautiful:) we really enjoyed the gardens. The koi pond around the bell tower is closed at the moment but everything was still enjoyable! You can bring your doggo on a leash. They have a cute play area for the kiddos and lots of walking and places to take pictures. You are welcome to grab food at the small restaurant on site or bring your own lunch!
What a beautiful hidden gem, great for picnics, walks and overall transports you away from Florida in a sense since you are at one of the highest points in the state. Just hearing the tower "sing" is its own majestic feeling. I will say it depends on the season you go that the gardens are at its peak, so you can see it's full potential with the flowers booming. A great little place to get lost, perfect for any age.
30 days ago
This is perhaps the best botanical garden in the world--we haven't gone to any outside of Florida though so take that how you will. We got engaged here! 8.28.26! So take that how you will! The tower itself is a masterful design, everyone is friendly and will answer any questions you have! The cafe is stellar and the wine and tap selection will appease anyone who partakes! This was our third time going, so many gift shop goodies and plants we've taken home! read more
2 months ago
Absolutely love this place! We came in for the free Wawa summer days and it was more amazing than I could ever imagine! Even driving to the parking lot you feel like your morning FL anymore. The main hall was beautiful it gave us pieces of information about the tower and all the beautiful gardens surrounding it. The tower took my breath away it was so amazing to finally see it in person. Were your here you are on high ground so you can see the surrounding area. Each trail we took we saw something more amazing than the last. The kids area was such a hit we stayed there probably the longest. They have a cafe which is convenient but I wasn't in love with the menu. So amazing and I can't wait to go back. read more
We last visited these gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also designed Central Park in Manhattan), in early 2024. This time, more flowers were in bloom, and we saw a different variety of birds on the premises. The tower is, of course, the centerpiece of the gardens. We had the pleasure of listening to it sing at least 5 times during our visit. We briefly visited the children's garden, and recommend this if you have youngsters in tow. After we were done in the gardens, we had a nice lunch in the on-site café. Portions are large, so you may want to consider sharing. read more
7 months ago
These gardens are so beautiful and peaceful. I love walking through every path available while smelling nature The food at the restaurant is good and fresh Everything is nice and clean read more
It took me a long time to finally come herec I've wanted to visit ever since I first moved to Orlando, and I'm so happy I finally did! This place is truly magical. It's such a relaxing space where you can completely disconnect from everything and just enjoy the beauty around you. You can easily spend hours walking the grounds, surrounded by beautiful greenery and the sound of nature. It's the perfect spot to visit with family or friends, next time we'll definitely do a picnic! We also grabbed a bite and some drinks at the cafe, which was a great addition to the experience. Overall, I can definitely see myself coming back here again and again. Absolutely recommend read more
I finally made time to visit the Bok Tower and its gardens. The tower is very impressive. It is very tall and constructed from marble. The tower is not open to the public. Visitors can only view it from the outside. There is a collection of "singing bells" at the top. Using a carillon keyboard, a musician can play music with the bells. They have 2 concerts per day that each last about 30 minutes. The grounds are fairly extensive. They have special areas. There is a kitchen garden whose plants grow food. There are children's areas where children can play. There's a gift shop and a café. I enjoyed the visit here and would recommend it to ot read more
We were meeting with friends at a midpoint, so we chose Lake Wales. While we were there, we decided to visit Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark in Lake Wales, Florida. It's a 250-acre sanctuary featuring beautifully designed landscapes by the Olmsted firm, along with the iconic 205-foot Singing Tower topped with a 60-bell carillon. The location offers a variety of attractions, including walking trails, a children's garden, a historic mansion called El Retiro, gardens dedicated to rare plants, and daily carillon concerts. It's a serene escape with stunning views, especially since it's situated on one of Florida's highest points. Although the gardens appeared slightly dry, likely due to a lack of recent rain, listening to the tower sing its bells was simply fabulous. It was worth the visit. read more
8 months ago
Bok Tower itself is absolutely stunning. The setting alone makes it worth the $20 admission. The tower rising above the trees, the reflection in the water, the breeze moving through the palms -- it feels peaceful and cinematic at the same time. The gardens are beautifully maintained. Butterflies everywhere, birds flying through the trees, and little pockets of quiet where you can just stand and take it all in. The views from different angles around the water are breathtaking. The only part I personally didn't enjoy was the carillon music. It sounded intense and, to me, a little heavy and oppressive. I know many people appreciate it as part of the historic experience, but it wasn't my favorite element. That said, everything else was amazing. The architecture, the landscaping, the atmosphere, and the wildlife make this place special. Even if the music isn't your thing, the natural beauty and the presence of the tower itself make it a five-star destination. read more
9 months ago
What a beautiful place this is. There's plenty of space if you're thinking of bringing your pups, kids, family, or friends. We paid $20 per person to walk around these beautiful paths and have a picnic too! The natural beauty of this preserved area is incredible . My favorite spot was all of the herbs and vegetables planters. Truly beautiful experience read more
Excellent place.. get ready to get your steps in. Absolutely stunning and very well taken care of. From the gift shop, restaurant, mansion & gardens. You can bring your dog as well. I'll be back every time I'm in the area. read more
2 months ago
Free admission sponsored by Wawa August 30-31. Very cool homage to native Florida wildlife - hundreds of plants - 48 of them rare. Originally planted by landscape artist Olmsted in 1920s. Bok Tower has 60 tons of carillon bells and is covered with depictions of FL birds, animals, plants, and humans. Built by Bok in Art Deco style of the period, it was designated a National Historic Landmark by Calvin Coolidge. read more
1 year ago
One thing I would suggest, either include the tour of the home or allow casless purchase at the tour site. Loved tge gift shop and they had dome awesome plants for sale!! read more
22 days ago
2 years ago
This was our first time at the Gardens. We were quite impressed with the well-maintained property and attention to very minor detail. It is truly a secret gem in Florida! I wanted to she some insight I gathered from the visit: *plan for full day *arrive early *bring water *great area for kids *buy house toure at the front *wear comfortable shoes and clothes *be at the Tower by 1 PM, experience the healing bell music *do a research prior to going to fully understand all the symbolism hidden in architecture *great location for picnics and pictures *the cafe menu is good, but long wait and pricey We will definitely return, as we did not get to tour the house and all the trails! read more
1 year ago
Loved visiting Bok Tower. The only reason I'm giving it a 4 is because they are draining and cleaning the koi pond. This should be stated on the website for potential visitors. Would have loved to be able to tour inside the tower but was told that can only happen for large donors. There are lots of beautiful and playful areas on the grounds. We especially enjoyed the children's section with the various xylophones. We also enjoyed the informational movie and plaques located around the grounds. Bells ring every half hour but a concert is at 1:00 and 3:00. Tip: make sure to use sunscreen and bug spray as the majority of the experience is outdoors. read more
1 year ago
We went during a free day in July! It was beautiful:) we really enjoyed the gardens. The koi pond around the bell tower is closed at the moment but everything was still enjoyable! You can bring your doggo on a leash. They have a cute play area for the kiddos and lots of walking and places to take pictures. You are welcome to grab food at the small restaurant on site or bring your own lunch! read more
9 months ago
9 months ago
What a beautiful hidden gem, great for picnics, walks and overall transports you away from Florida in a sense since you are at one of the highest points in the state. Just hearing the tower "sing" is its own majestic feeling. I will say it depends on the season you go that the gardens are at its peak, so you can see it's full potential with the flowers booming. A great little place to get lost, perfect for any age. read more
This was such a beautiful, peaceful place. I made sure to go in spring when many flowers are in bloom and wasn't disappointed. They had so many gorgeous flowers and butterflies all around. I liked that they had a display of all the flowers in bloom at the front so you know what to look for. There's lots of happy wildlife here, I saw so many different birds. There's also plenty of open spaces throughout the gardens for picnics. They have a cafe and gift shop and a museum that was very cool. I would definitely come back again. The price is steep at $20 per adult, but it's put to good use with how well the gardens are cared for. read more
5 months ago
11 months ago
Bok Tower Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful escape in Central Florida, perfect for relaxing with friends. The lush landscapes, colorful blooms, and scenic walking paths (which are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers) create a serene atmosphere. We were accompanied by many butterflies the whole time, while the Singing Tower fills the air with bell music on the hour. The ponds are filled with koi you can feed. The visitor center, with its small museum, offers interesting insights into the history of Edward Bok and the gardens. With stunning views (you even drive up through an orange grove), rich history, and a tranquil vibe, Bok Tower Gardens is a must-visit for anyone looking to unwind. It is also very accessible. It's an ideal spot for a picnic (the giftshop sells picnic baskets/blankets and grab a bite in the cafe) or spending a quiet afternoon reading on the lawn. read more
2 years ago
This was my first visit to Bok Tower gardens and will definitely not be my last! From our house it is quite a trip just over 2 hours but worth every minute of the drive. Upon arrival to the property you are greeted by vast orange groves and hiking trails as well as areas to relax and have a bite to eat. Entry fee is paid before you park which makes it nice upon arrival at welcome center ( no standing in line!) there are many restrooms available throughout the property as well as a museum, gift shop and cafe at the welcome center. On the way to the kids area you will find the garden kitchen area where classes are held as well as a discovery center where events are held. There is also a restroom and changing area so kids can be changed to play in the water area. The kids garden features many different areas where imagination and creativity are encouraged, whether it is playing in the water, preforming on stage or running through the fairy garden everyone has something to do. After the kids area there are many different directions that take you through different types of garden and different terrains all on the way to the star of the property Bok Tower ( the singing tower) where twice a day the bells are played. There is an abundance of seating both covered and uncovered to sit and enjoy the beauty all around. Plenty of open space for kids to run or just to sit and relax. No matter where you are from when in the Central Florida area Bok Tower is worth a visit. read more
6 months ago
Bok Tower Gardens was a treat to visit. It was cool with a pleasant breeze, low humidity and not real crowded yet in the early afternoon. The kids garden area was interactive and enjoyable for my three yo great grandson, he had a great time and so did us adults. Herbal garden was fun to walk through. Great that they use it for culinary learning and consumption. The walking paths, trails and landscape is well manicured and maintained. The calming natural beauty and smell of the different flowers and trees was refreshing. We had lunch at the Blue Palmetto Cafe, for a busy eatery the sevice was fast, food was plentiful and very tasty. Place was clean and had a nice atmosphere. Truly enjoyed the view from the singing tower. It is a magnificent piece of architecture. Great walk about with lots of shaded, breezy areas to take in nature. Highly recommend. Thank you grandson & grandaughter for treating me to a terrific day. read more
2 years ago
A beautiful tribute to nature! Bok Tower Garden allows you some down time to just learn, walk, think and relax. The massive gardens are abundant in flowering plants, shrubs and trees. Stay on a concrete path or walk on mulch to take in all of the sights. The Tower is ornate and absolutely beautiful adorned with colorful fish and fowl. Take a moment to feed the fish that surround it or read the story of Bok. The Cafe, gift shop, theater with 8 minute film loop or museum is available for indoor activities. Make sure to listen to the beautiful music from the Tower bells. Enjoy! read more
I felt like I was back in Europe touring these gardens! It was so beautiful with flowers blooming and butterflies everywhere. The hourly music from the tower was amazing to sit and listen to. The garden was extremely clean and well kept. We had a picnic in the gardens by the tower with butterflies all over. Such a great spot to visit! read more
After hearing a lot of friends mention how stunning these gardens were, I wanted to visit myself. It is a beautiful set of gardens with the centerpiece of the Bok Tower in the middle. There are a plethora of trails and the museum is so interesting, from the construction to the opening day of the tower and beyond. It's a great place to walk your dog, have a picnic or bring a book and read. We loved visiting the Bok Tower Gardens and will be back soon! read more
What a fabulous gem in Lake Wales. We drove about 2 hours from St. Pete to Lake Wales. The town and area is very scenic and the lake is beautiful with walking trails. The tower sings and the gardens are stunning. We also toured the El Retiro Mansion. The cost was $20 per person for the gardens and $10 per person for the home tour. A great day trip and lots of history about the family who built it and the gardens were great. There's also a wonderful children's area with lots of fun outdoor activities to burn the energy. Plan your day while it's not so hot! read more
Absolutely beautiful garden, i can see why a lot of people get married . Engaged here. The entire parks takes about 3/4 hours to get around to. They have an entire kids section they can run and play around in. Didn't try any of the food because i brought my own snacks. But there's also a restaurant and seating area, went on a Saturday the moment the garden opened by 11am it was starting to get crowded. However extremely beautiful . There weren't many flowers bloomed since it's been chilly. But I'm sure in the spring it's even more beautiful! Will visit again and have a picnic! read more
2 years ago
Absolutely beautiful gardens. One of the few "views" in Florida at the highest point in the peninsula. Wonderful listening to the bells and the food in the cafe was surprisingly good. Must visit if you are in central Florida. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
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More info about Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Blvd
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Directions
(863) 676-1408
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.boktowergardens.org/
Hours
Services
Indoor Amenities
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Ask the Community - Bok Tower Gardens
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Dogs are not allowed anywhere inside but are allowed to walk around the grounds with you.
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