Bok Tower Gardens sits on one of the tallest natural areas in Florida, Iron Mountain, and its 60-bell carillon, the 205-foot Singing Tower, is its most prominent feature. Each day, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. the Singing Tower plays 30-minute bell concerts.
Bok Tower Gardens was founded by Edward Bok in 1919 as a bird sanctuary. In 1921, Bok commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the son of the Central Park landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, to create a garden with trees and bushes that would attract migrating birds.
Explore Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.
Olmsted, who had worked with his father on many Washington, D.C. landmarks and Biltmore Estates’ gardens, also built the Reflection Pond that attracts wildlife. For 30 years, Bok Tower has fostered a Rare Plant Conservation Program.
Within its grounds are Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, offering three acres of nature play and the Outdoor Kitchen and Edible Garden.
The Bok Tower’s 50 acres are a national historic landmark. It was gifted to the American people in 1929.
Bok Tower Gardens events and free days
Wawa Summer Fun Days
Wawa Summer Fun Days offer free admission to Bok Tower Gardens on specific days of the summer. The partnership began in 2021 with the launch of Wawa Summer Fun Days and has continued each summer since then.
This complimentary offer is limited to four visitors per registration, and all members of the party visiting on Wawa Summer Fun Days will need to have a ticket to enter.
See more about Wawa Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens here.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Bok Tower Gardens admission is free for moms on Mother’s Day and dads on Father’s Day.
International Carillon Festival
The International Carillon Festival takes place every March.
Bok Tower Gardens is host to a number of events, from horticultural tours of the gardens to sound baths and concerts. Some are included with admission, and others have a separate charge. You can find the full schedule of events here.
Photo courtesy: Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens hours and admission:
- Open every day 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Admission is $20 for adults; $10 for children 6-17; free for children 5 and younger. Leashed dogs are $10.
- Admission to El Retiro historic estate is additional and requires admission to Bok Tower Gardens: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-17, $7 for garden members. El Retiro is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. summer and fall.
Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
863-676-1408
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