Bok Tower Gardens: A Peaceful Florida Retreat

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:     Very Easy    EASY    Moderate    Hard    Very Hard 

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 0.1 to 2 miles, depending on where you go in the gardens
Elevation Gain: Small rolling hills with one larger hill to get to the Singing Tower
Terrain: Paved paths, grassy areas
Time Needed: 1 to 3 hours
When to Go: 8:00 am to 6 pm, Anytime of the year, but early morning or evening in the summer months (avoid going on Earth day – this is when local schools have field trips to Bok Tower Gardens)

COST

Garden Admission

Garden admission includes everything but the Pinewood Estate tour.

• $15 adults

• $5 children 5 to 12 years old

• Free for children under 5

Pinewood Estate Tour, plus Garden Admission:

• $22 adults

• $10 children 5 to 12 years old

• Free for children under 5

AMENITIES

• Bathrooms

• Restaurant

• Gift Shop

• Water fountain

THINGS TO BRING

• Water

• Good walking shoes

• Snacks for kids

• Quarters to buy food for Koi Fish

DETAILS

Bok Tower Gardens was one of our Florida favorites while we lived there. We had an annual pass to Bok Tower Gardens at the same time as a Legoland annual pass. Our kids would frequently choose Bok Tower Gardens over Legoland. I think it is because the world feels different here.

There isn’t a rush to the next line or a ton of crowds but a peace, beauty and a slowed pace that my kids bloomed in. The goal of Edward Bok, the creator of Bok Tower Gardens was to create “a spot of beauty second to none in the country” where tranquility and peace were present.

THINGS TO DO AT BOK TOWER GARDENS

Visit Singing Tower

The center piece of Bok Tower Gardens is Bok Tower itself (also called Singing Tower). We often joke that this tower looks like one of the towers in Lord of the Rings. It is 205 feet tall and is home to a carillon that consists of a 60 bell instrument that is played via feet on a large pedal keyboard.

One of our favorite features of Bok Tower is the Great Brass Door. The door depicts the Biblical story of The Creation and was constructed by Samuel Yellin, a Renaissance style metal worker.   

Bell Concerts

Bok Tower is home to a carillon with 60 bells of different sizes. Bell Concerts are played live for 30 minutes at 1pm and 3pm daily from Bok Tower. There is a sitting area near the tower where a TV is set up to watch the carillonneur play the instrument in the tower. You will also hear bells ring at each hour and half hour. 

Feed Koi Fish at the Mote

A mote surrounds the Singing Tower and contains many Koi Fish . You are able to buy fish food on the spot for quarter to feed these large, colorful fish. Your kids will love watching the large mouths of the Koi open and gooble up the fish food. Don’t forget your quarters! 

Visit the Reflection Pond

The reflection pond sits at one of the bases of Singing Tower. Here you can see the reflection of the entire Tower. It is absolutely stunning.

There is a reflection pond that holds the largest “lilly pad” I have ever seen. On one occasion we saw a fish chase a frog across the water and eat it whole

Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden

My kid’s favorite part of Bok Tower Gardens was the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden. This area of the Garden is specifically designed for kids to explore and imagine. I compare it to an outdoor children’s museum.

There is a fairy garden, a stage with dress ups, objects to climb on and jump from, xylophones to play, a small splash pad, hammocks and so much more. We could spend a couple hours just in this one area of the gardens. 

The Gardens & Walking Paths

There are various gardens and walking paths to explore within Bok Tower displaying the Sub Tropical flora and fauna of Florida. There is also an endangered plant garden. Make sure to grab a map at the Visitor’s Center to decide which areas you want to explore.  

There are gorgeous views near the tower of the surrounding orange orchards below. We often let the children just run in this shady grassy area and race from tree to tree. We had a special bench that we would sit on each visit. 

Pinewood Estates Tour

Pinewood Estates is a mediterranean style mansion built in the early 1930s. We did not ever go due to the added cost and the age of our kids. Everyone I talked to that toured Pinewood Estates really enjoyed the experience.  

Visitor’s Center

The Visitor’s Center has interactive exhibits and includes the history of Bok Tower Gardens. We loved learning about the Carillon and seeing a bell up close. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

• Fun for all ages

• Beautiful landscape, gardens and architecture

• Daily bell concerts

• Not expensive

• Close to other Florida attractions

CONS

• Can get crowded if visiting on a local field trip day — One such day is usually Earth Day
• Hot and humid in the summer

DIRECTIONS

Bok Tower Gardens is located in Central Florida at 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853. This is just 50 minutes south of Disney World.

MAPS 

MORE INFO

Bok Tower Gardens Official Site

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Florida’s Natural Grove Visitors Center and Gift Shop (10 minutes)

Legoland (25 minutes)

Circle B Bar Reserve (40 minutes)

Disney World (50 minutes)