Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales offers guided tours, music and more for the whole family.
Usually, when you think of a Florida vacation, the first thing that comes to mind is: how many parks to visit and what attractions to have the most fun at. However, beyond roller coasters and shows, this state is home to a magical place that enchants both adults and children, where it is possible to admire various species of flora and fauna, difficult to find elsewhere in the region.
Bok Tower Gardens, located one hour from Orlando, in Central Florida, is a National Historic Landmark chosen as the “Best Garden in Florida”. Opened in 1929 by Dutch immigrant and world peace advocate Edward W. Bok, it was a gift to the American people. This beautiful subtropical garden located on one of the highest points in Florida, serves as a refuge for more than 120 species of birds, endangered turtles and unique endemic plants in the world, which make this place their home. There are about 700 hectares of land and conservation gardens with ferns, palm trees, oaks and pines that contrast beautifully with the explosion of color of more than 150 varieties of azaleas, camellias and magnolias, a spectacle that becomes more visible in spring and surrounds a beautiful neo-Gothic and art-Deco style tower 62 meters high.
Among its main attractions are:
The Singing Tower is an imposing structure of 62 meters high, combining neo-gothic and art-deco styles. Inside, it has a carillon of 60 bells, which weigh from 16 pounds to almost 12 tons and gives rise to its name. The spectacular concerts of the 60 bells can be heard every day between 1 and 3 pm and fill the gardens with their beautiful melody. It is located in the highest part of the Garden, and the tower offers a majestic view that is reflected in the water of the lake around it.
El Retiro Estate & Café, a magnificent house built in 1930, Mediterranean style with 20 rooms that served as a shelter for Bok during the winter. It is noted for its diverse gardens and is located in the heart of Bok Tower Gardens. It has guides who are willing to share the history of the house and answer questions about it and its furnishings. Because of its historic nature, it is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. It is open to the public year-round.
Blue Palmetto Café, located next to the Visitor Center, is the perfect place to enjoy a variety of delicious salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, fruit and desserts, as well as specially selected beer and wines, both indoors and outdoors. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, with over one thousand acres of educational fun in the midst of nature, Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden teaches conservation and the vital connection between animals, plants and people. The site features interactive art, refreshing water play, vibrant plants, a stage for young performers and a music area. Children have things to climb over, under and through, as well as places to build, dig and create.
Outdoor Kitchen and Edible Garden, located adjacent to the Visitor Center, this new area offers a modern design in harmony with the landscape and allows visitors to enjoy a celebration of fresh food and culinary programming. The Kitchen is 594 square meters and features over 4.5 meters of space for chef demonstrations.
The Edible Garden surrounds the Outdoor Kitchen and features a fruit orchard, grape arbors and raised beds for herbs and vegetables. This area is a dynamic horticultural and culinary hub and will showcase gardening and the culinary arts.
Walking Tours
When planning your visit, set aside time to take a walking tour with a volunteer guide. Tour guides will share information about the flora and fauna, walking from the Visitor Center to the Singing Tower.
For all these reasons, Bok Tower Gardens is a must-see on your next Florida vacation.
For more information about what’s happening in Florida’s ideal location, visit VisitCentralFlorida.org and follow us on social media – Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.
About Visit Central Florida
Visit Central Florida is the official marketing organization of Polk County, Florida, whose major cities are Lakeland, Davenport, Winter Haven and Lake Wales, and specializes in helping visitors plan a fun-filled vacation in Central Florida.
For more information visit: www.VisitCentralFlorida.org
About TM Americas
TM Americas is a leading international tourism marketing company specializing in world-class destinations and attractions. It has a team of trilingual professionals specialized in different areas: marketing, sales, communication, digital marketing and brand positioning. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, it is present in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Canada, covering 18 countries.
This press release is sent by TM Americas, Marketing and Communications Agency for Latin America of Polk County Tourism & Sport Marketing / Visit Central Florida Convention & Visitor Bureau.
Thank you very much for the dissemination of this information.
Monica Medina Pardo
Public Relations Executive
E-mail: mmedina@tmamericas.com
