This National Historic Landmark is located in Lake Wales on the highest point in peninsular Florida.
Visitors there enjoy the serenity and beauty of the 157-acre Olmsted-designed landscape garden.
Music from a 60-bell carillon fills the garden daily and is a popular destinations
for weddings, receptions and special events.
Demonstration garden - mid-January through mid-April
Window by the Pond
One of the best spots to observe the Sanctuary's native birds, wildlife and wetland plants is inside the rustic nature observatory situated on the edge of a pond.
Singing Tower
A very prominent landmark here is the 205-foot Gothic and art deco Carillon Tower designed by famed architect Milton B. Medary.
This ornate edifice crafted by noted stone sculptor Lee Lawrie, houses one of the world’s finest carillons.
Recitals from the 60-bell carillon fill the Sanctuary daily. Watch event schedule for special
holiday and moonlight carillon recitals.
The Pinewood Estate
This property showcases one of the finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture in Florida.
Visit during Christmas at Pinewood, an annual six-week home tour showcasing the mansion in resplendent holiday decor.
Special Events
The Imperial Symphony Orchestra and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra play to large crowds at the annual outdoor pops and light classics concerts.
Christmas at Pinewood Holiday - [DEC]
- Step back in time as you cross the threshold of this historic mansion at the Bok Sanctuary
while it is bedecked in holiday splendor, a favorite seasonal tradition.
Seasonal Carillon Music
Carillon Christmas Music [DEC]
- Enjoy holiday favorites played on the Bok Sanctuary carillon in special performances every half hour.
Annual Easter Sunrise Service [EASTER]
- Easter morning worshippers are invited to greet the dawn atop peninsular Florida's highest point as the sunrise is heralded with the music of a 60-bell carillon, brass ensemble and the Lake Wales Chorale.
Lake Wales Florida Depot Museum
325 S. Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, Florida 33853; 863-678-4209;
Museum Weblink;
Open Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM / Sat 10AM-4PM / Closed on National Holidays;
Free Admission;
This pink building is a landmark 1928 train depot that was later converted into a train
museum and cultural arts center in 1974 after regular rail service had ceased. Exhibits
include vintage railcars, Florida history, local industries, doll collections and other
seasonal displays.
Lake Wales Arts Center
1099 State Road 60 East, Lake Wales, FL 33853; 863-676-8426;
Center Weblink;
A treasure trove of visual art and music located in the charming historic building formerly the Holy Spirit Catholic Church built in 1927.
Lake Wales Historic District
Downtown Lake Wales - Stuart and Park Avenues; District Weblink;
This beautiful area is home to more than 30 of Central Florida's finest restaurants and most interesting shops,
offering art, antiques, gifts, and much more. Plus, there's striking architecture, and fun nightlife.
Developed during the Great Florida Land Boom of the 1920's, this quaint collection of specialty shops epitomizes the vintage charm of an exciting era.
Friday Night Live - 3rd Friday of Month - Downtown Lake Wales Free Entertainment
Downtown Farmers Market - Every Friday in Lake Wales Stuart Avenue.
Eagle Ridge Mall
451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Lake Wales, Florida 33859; 863-676-2300;
Mall Website;
Mall Hours Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM / Sun Noon-6PM;
This mall has over 90 of your favorite stores including Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret.
Our antique carousel and soft play area will thrill the kids and the whole family can enjoy the latest hit show at our 12-screen theater.
Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
FWS Website;
This 1,194 acre refuge was established in 1990, to protect a variety of flora and fauna
including the Florida Scrub Jay, Eastern Indigo Snake, the Bluetail Mole and Sand Skink.
This refuge consists of four separate sections along US-27 between Lake Wales and Sebring.
Lake Kissimmee State Park
14248 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, Florida 33853; Phone: 863-696-1112;
Park Website;
Location: Go 8 miles east on SR-60 from Lake Wales, then 5 miles north on Boy Scout Rd
and then 5 miles east on Camp Mack Rd;
White-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats have been seen in the park,
located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. Visitors enjoy boating,
canoeing, and fishing in the picturesque lakes. Nature students can hike over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the abundant plant and animal life. Six miles of trails are open to equestrians.
Lake Kissimmee Cow Camp
Open Weekends and Holidays 9:30AM-4:30PM;
Florida's cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters"
in an 1876-era cow camp.
Lake Kissimmee Primitive Campgrounds
The park has full-facility campsites, as well as a primitive camping facility.
The youth camping area can accommodate up to 50 people.
The dark skies make stargazing a popular nighttime activity for campers.
Haines City Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort
3200 State Road 546 Haines City, FL 33844 US
The 1,000-acre Westgate-Grenelefe Resort enjoys three distinctive championship courses.
750 villa suites are spaced liberally throughout the property, each providing the ultimate tranquil setting for the perfect vacation getaway.
Lake Wales Super 8 Motel
541 West Central Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33853-4019 US
Super 8 Lake Wales is located approximately three miles from the Bok Tower Gardens. This location is also two miles from Lake Wales Municipal Airport, 11 miles from Cypress Gardens,
35 miles from Disney-MGM Studios, 40 miles from EPCOT, and 45 miles from Universal Studios Citywalk.
The property's amenities include the free breakfast. The inn also offers 24-hour front desk service and a parking area.
Lakeland Terrace Hotel
329 East Main Street, Lakeland, FL 33801 US
This is a fine historic hotel located on the corner of Main Street and Massachusetts Avenue overlooking beautiful Lake Mirror.
Walk to County Courthouse, Federal Courthouse, Municipal Office Complex and new Lakeland Train Station 1 mile from civic center auditorium.
Auburndale Inn & Suites
1008 US Highway 92 West Auburndale, FL 33823-9585
This vacation resort hotel comes with many amenities that include an outdoor pool, hot tub, exercise facility, and complimentary continental breakfast.
Guests also get access to laundry facilities, a business center, 24-hour front desk service, free parking, and safety deposit.
Cypress Gardens Best Western
5665 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL 33884 US
This vacation resort hotel is located within walking distance of Cypress Gardens and offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, an exercise room, hot tub, valet laundry service, and overnight security.
Ask at the desk about discounted tickets to Cypress Gardens theme park.
Dundee Quality Inn Hotel
339 US Hwy. 27 North Dundee, FL 33838 US
This 100-room hotel has amenities that include an outdoor pool, restaurant/bar, 24-hour front desk, safe deposit boxes, and free parking.
Standard room amenities include an alarm clock radio, cable TV, coffeemaker, dataports, hairdryer, and telephone.
Cypress Gardens Holiday Inn
1150 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880
This newly renovated hotel offers 228 beautifully appointed guest rooms with king or two queen-size beds and parlor suites.
Ask at the desk about discounted tickets to Cypress Gardens theme park.
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