While most visitors flock to Central Florida’s famous theme parks, a serene oasis sits atop the highest point on the Florida peninsula. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales offers something rare in the Sunshine State: elevation, tranquility, and one of the most unique cultural landmarks you’ll find anywhere in Florida.
This National Historic Landmark combines a 205-foot neo-Gothic tower with 60 daily carillon concerts, 50 acres of gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., and enough quiet beauty to make you forget the nearby highway entirely.
The Singing Tower and Its Bells
Edward Bok, a Dutch-born publisher and Pulitzer Prize winner, created this sanctuary in the 1920s as a thank-you gift to the American people. The centerpiece is the Singing Tower, a pink and gray marble structure housing one of the world’s finest carillons—a musical instrument of 60 bronze bells weighing from 16 pounds to nearly 12 tons.
Daily recitals occur at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with the carillonneur playing everything from classical pieces to contemporary arrangements. The music drifts across the gardens and into the surrounding groves, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. On weekends, you might catch special performances or guest artists from around the world.
The tower itself is closed to the public to protect the instrument and preserve the historic structure, but the exterior alone—covered in intricate carvings of Florida wildlife and biblical scenes—rewards close inspection. Bring binoculars to appreciate the sculptural details high on the walls.
Gardens That Showcase Old Florida
Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the landscape architect who designed New York’s Central Park, laid out these gardens to showcase Florida’s native plants in a formal setting. Unlike the tropical vegetation you’ll find in South Florida, Bok Tower Gardens celebrates the plant communities of Central Florida’s sandy ridges.
Winding paths take you through pine woodlands, along the edge of a natural tarn (an ancient sinkhole filled with water), and past carefully designed seasonal plantings. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss provide deep shade, while azaleas and camellias bloom in winter and spring. The best time to visit for color is January through March, though the gardens remain beautiful year-round.
The Wild Garden pathway offers a more naturalistic experience, where you might spot gopher tortoises, Eastern bluebirds, or painted buntings. The property sits along the Lake Wales Ridge, a critically important habitat for rare plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
Pinewood Estate: Step Inside a 1930s Mansion
In addition to the gardens, your admission includes access to Pinewood Estate, a 20-room Mediterranean Revival mansion completed in 1932. The home belonged to Charles Austin Buck, a Pennsylvania steel magnate who wintered in Florida.
Guided tours run throughout the day and showcase period furnishings, Tiffany glass, and architectural details that transport you to Florida’s boom-era elegance. The estate sits on an additional 13 acres with its own gardens, citrus groves, and views of the surrounding landscape.
Don’t miss the estate’s kitchen garden, where heritage varieties of vegetables and herbs grow in raised beds. The staff often harvests these for use in the on-site café.
Planning Your Visit
Bok Tower Gardens sits about an hour southwest of Orlando and an hour east of Tampa, making it an easy day trip from either city. The gardens open daily at 8 a.m., and early morning visits offer cooler temperatures and better wildlife viewing.
Admission runs $15 for adults, with discounts for children, seniors, and military. Pinewood Estate tours cost an additional $8. The Blue Palmetto Café serves lunch and light refreshments with outdoor seating overlooking the gardens.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent in warmer months. The property has restrooms, a visitor center, and a gift shop stocked with books about Florida’s natural and cultural history.
Peak season runs from November through April when snowbirds fill the state and winter blooms are at their best. Summer visitors will find smaller crowds and lush, green landscapes, though afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through September.
If you’re staying in the Orlando area and want to escape the theme park crowds for a few hours, Bok Tower Gardens offers a completely different side of Central Florida. The combination of music, architecture, horticulture, and natural beauty creates an experience unlike anything else in the state—proof that Florida’s best attractions aren’t always its loudest.
Want more hidden gems and insider tips delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Love Florida newsletter and get one short story a day about the real Florida beyond the brochures.
Tours & experiences in Florida
Powered by Viator. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.