Bok Tower Gardens

About 45 minutes or so by car – depending on where you are staying in Sebring – you will arrive at Bok Tower Gardens.

You’ll want to visit this very interesting and beautiful attraction, in place since 1929, if you like formal gardens, flowers, flowering shrubs, views from the top of an almost-mountain in Florida, and gorgeous architecture.

Bok Tower was presented to and dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in February 1929.

This was our second visit to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, and the first since the relatively new Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden was added to further augment what was already an excellent location to spend much of a sunny, Florida day.

Bok Tower Gardens Visitor Center

Your visit starts here, and it’s well worthwhile to take in all the visitor’s center has to offer, including the welcome video that provides lots of background about Bok Tower and gardens.

Bok Tower

Visible from all areas is the beautiful Bok Tower itself.

This gorgeous marble and “coquina” (a soft limestone of broken shells, used in road-making in the Caribbean and Florida ~ source Google dictionary ) 205 foot tall tower is also known as the “Singing Tower” due to the periodically pealing of the 60 bell carillon installed in the tower.

Periodically during the year concerts provided by guest carillonneurs  performing on the melodic carillon.

The Bok Tower bells peal on the hour and 1/2 hour as well.

It’s pleasant to wander a leafy glade, sun dappling skin slipping through the leaves to warm the skin, to hear the lovely bells ringing out, heard all over the grounds.

Children’s Garden

This children’s garden at Bok Tower Gardens is new, is called Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, and according to her mom, one youngster couldn’t get enough of playing in it.

Large sand play area, shielded from the sun by bamboo thickets, climbing features, noise (music) makers, tumble protection, all things say that if you’ve got youngsters, and want some quiet time watching them have a good time, the recently added children’s garden at Bok Tower gardens is a must see.

Entry for big people into the play area is one way while youngsters can enter through the child sized tunnel, and they can enjoy kid-sized paths, nooks and crannies throughout the area.

There is only one way in and the same way out, making it easy for adults to keep track of their children.

Shuttles & Rain Shelters

There is a shuttle system in place for folks that have ambulatory problems. There are rain shelters located strategically should you be caught out in the Florida summer showers which, as I expect many of you know, can feel like monsoons!

The Bok Tower Gardens

Along with the tower it’s the acres of gorgeous plants and flowers that delight the eye and the senses.

Stroll the 50 acres of pathways, the gentle breeze, the scent of thousands of flowers and distant orange blossoms in bloom in season, the Pinewood Estate and gardens also on the property, the Peace Garden, Wild Garden, preserve trails, wetland boardwalk, and for sure don’t miss a serene and relaxing time enjoying the Window by the Pond.

For more information visit: boktowergardens.org