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4.5
1,750 votes

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, Florida 33853 USA

$$
Reasonable
Closed Now
Opens Fri 8a
  • Independent
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Outdoor
    Seating
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“stand atop the tower, built on Iron Mountain”

Bok Tower Gardens has offered some of Florida’s most remarkable experiences to more than 23 million visitors since 1929. Through its historic landscape gardens, unique Singing Tower carillon and magnificent 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion, the Gardens offer unparalleled opportunities for artistic, cultural, personal and spiritual enrichment. Bok Tower Gardens boasts one of the greatest works of famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. The meandering, historic landscape garden was designed to be a contemplative and informal woodland setting offering a series of romantic recesses and tranquil resting spots, picturesque vistas and breathtaking views of the Singing Tower. Created to entice wildlife to take residence, the Reflection Pool gives visitors one of the most memorable experiences in the Gardens. Its location captures the reflection of the Singing Tower and offers the first image visitors have when entering the gardens. The Singing Tower is the centerpiece of the gardens. The tower was built at the highest elevation of the site, south of a reflection pool that allows the water to reflect its full image. A 60-bell carillon (cast by Taylor) set within the 205-foot tall, Gothic Revival and Art Deco tower that was designed by architect Milton B. Medary. Although the tower's interior is not open to the public, it contains the Anton Brees Carillon Library, said to be the largest carillon library in the world. Although, every year, graduating seniors from Lake Wales High School, a local high school located down the street from the tower, have the very rare opportunity to see the inside of the tower. Inside the bell chamber is a playing room that houses a clavier, or keyboard, that is used for playing the carillon bells. Recitals are given daily from the 60-bell carillon set.

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Reviewed by
srbarbery

  • 2 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
March 03, 2014
Rated

Must bring a camera!! Amazing panoramic views! Incredible architecture and walking paths through the enormous gardens. Can't believe we didn't visit sooner. Next time we will bring a blanket and picnic lunch (although the cafe is very reasonable priced, not tourist prices at all).

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
James Fisher

  • Road Warrior
  • 534 Reviews
  • 491 Helpful
February 09, 2014
Rated 5.0

Our friends at Backroad Planet wrote a great piece on the tower & gardens here: http://backroadplanet.com/bok-tower-gardens-americas-taj-mahal/

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
susanarosanadana

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
October 22, 2013
Rated

I visited the tower in the 1950's and it is a beautiful area! A friends daughter was married in the gardens.

1 person found this review helpful
  • 2 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
March 27, 2013
Rated

Bok Tower is lovely! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Karine1986

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
February 10, 2017
Rated 5.0

magic

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Reviewed by
Alice

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
February 15, 2016
Rated 4.0

Beautiful Place! Must take pictures. The architecture, variety of plants, walk paths, small museum, store and food, and tower are beat taking. A great place to enjoy yourself in a peaceful place. If they build a hotel I will go for a me time!

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Reviewed by
kayla.galloway.3

  • 9 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
August 18, 2015
Rated 4.0

This was lovely. I totally recommend going if you are in the area. They do gloss over the fact that you don't actually get to go INSIDE the tower where a lot of the beautiful tilework is and that the creator is buried at its base, but my kids and I still had fun feeding the koi and seeing the gigantic Amazon lily pads! Those alone were worth going for!! Beautiful plants and flowers abound and we cannot wait for the new children's areas to be completed in 2016!

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Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard
Lake Wales, Florida
33853 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Good for Cultural travelers. Has a Historic vibe.

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    Parking
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    Pets Allowed
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    Restrooms
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
Reservations
Does not take
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    Lunch
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    Dinner
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    Takeout
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    Breakfast
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    Outdoor Seating
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Parking, Dining

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Nearby Hotels

Winter Haven, Florida
Lake Wales, Florida
Davenport, Florida
Lake Wales, Florida
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