Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Orlando, Florida, United States - Park Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Set the scene for us. What's the vibe at the Bok Tower Gardens? Quiet green spaces aren’t the first thing that spring to mind when one thinks of Orlando, but thanks to author and journalist Edward E. Bok, the city has at least one park where quiet contemplation and tranquility reign. Bok Tower Gardens consists of 250 acres of beautifully kept parkland that contains it own nature trail and bird sanctuary. It’s a welcome retreat from the clamor of the theme parks and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fun! Any parts we should be sure to check out? This park is built around its striking centerpiece, the 200-foot-tall Singing Tower, which mixes Gothic Revival and Art Deco architecture and has its own reflection pool. Within the tower—sadly not open to the public—is a carillon of 60 bells, and a bell-ringing concert takes place every day at 3 p.m. There's also a mile-long nature trail (The Pine Ridge Trail) that offers the chance to glimpse rare gophers, snakes, and mice. How easy is it to navigate? There’s a Visitor Center with maps and suggested itineraries for various time scales. There's also a shuttle that can transport guests to the Singing Tower. That sounds cool. Who would you recommend the gardens for? There aren’t too many places to find true peace and quiet in Orlando, and any visitors with theme park fatigue would do well to recharge here." - Paul Oswell