This has been on my list for a very long time. Bok Tower Gardens consists of 250 acres of gardens with a singing tower, 205 feet tall, as it’s centerpiece.
I snagged free tickets via the annual Smithsonian free museum day.
The gardens and tower began in 1921, as Edward W. Bok, who made his fortune as the editor of the popular Ladies Home Journal, decided to transform Iron Mountain, part of a sand ridge in Central Florida that is also one of the highest points in Florida (about 295 feet above sea level) into “a spot of beauty second to none in the country.”
Bok hired landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr, who worked in many of America’s National parks, including Arcadia, the Everglades and Yosemite National Park, for the project.
Olmsted hauled in an estimated 1,000 live oaks, 10,000 azaleas, 100 sabal palms, 300 magnolias, 500 gordonias and hundreds of shrubs. The first year of the project was spent installing irrigation pipes. Lot and lots of soil was brought in too.
On February 1, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the Bok Tower Gardens. Edward Bok died shortly after that on January 9, 1930.
Edward Bok was interred in a vault at the base of the tower.
The tower itself was designed by architect Milton B. Medary. The tower has a 51 foot square base, changes into an octagon shape at 150 feet high. There is a 15 foot wide moat that surrounds the tower that also serves as a koi pond.
The tower was constructed with pink Etowah marble and gray Creole marble from Georgia and coquina stone from St. Augustine, FL, giving the tower a smooth, vibrant color.
Behind the tower is a large grassy area that my children (along with many other children) used to run around in and play.
We spent much of our time in the children’s area.
After the children’s area we hiked along the pine ridge trail, which includes boardwalks through swampy, vegetated areas. A long time ago the ridge that the trail is on was part of a chain of islands.
There is also the “Pinewood Estate”– a mansion on the property that can be toured for a few extra dollars and it is supposed to be very good, but we did not do that. There was more than enough to keep us entertained.
Further Information
Location: 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
Admission: Adult $15 | Child (5-12) $5 | Under 5 Free | Dogs $5 | Free parking
Hours: 365, 8:00am – 6:00pm
Website: https://boktowergardens.org/
Phone: 863-676-1408
Doing it on the cheap…
I was able to do it for free during the Smithsonian Magazine free museum day, which is typically done one time a year, so definitely keep your eye open for that as Bok Tower Gardens (and many other FL museums / gardens) are included.
Get 50% off by being an early bird on Saturdays. Purchase your ticket between 8:00am and 9:00pm on Saturday morning at the gate and get 50% off.
Active duty military members (with ID) get free admission with up to 4 additional tickets for friends and family at 50% off.
