Bok Tower Gardens

I was able to check Bok Tower Gardens from my Florida bucket list. It was a remarkable visit to the gardens. From the moment you drive up to the towers, you are captivated by the beautiful scenery. The gardens feel like something in a fairy tale made real. The welcome center is this huge modern/museum space. I like how they maximized the space without looking cluttered. My kids had a blast looking for shark teeth in the front gardens. I’ve really love how the gardens were kid friendly and had a separate area for them to discover. We discovered so many fun zones for the kids to explore. Finally, we journeyed deeper into the gardens to more beautiful plush greenery with a huge pond that had Lilly pads. My daughter said the tower looked like Rapunzel’s tower. We didn’t get to admire the towers for long because the rain poured down. I will definitely visit again to explore more of the gardens.

My family visited on one of the Wawa Fun Days. On the last Thursday and Friday of the month you can register for free tickets online. I highly recommend visiting, it’s fun for all ages! There is such a variety of gardens and plants and even wildlife. I recommend going first thing in the morning during the summer. Be aware that gardens open at 8am, however, the visitors center, cafe and shop (with mobility cart rentals) do not open until 9am. Which is fine as there is a lot close by while you wait an hour. There is some walking however it’s not as extensive as some other gardens may be, many of the gardens are close together. Pictures of the tower don’t do it justice. It’s a beautifully made building with 60 bells 🔔 inside. It sounds gorgeous when it chimes every half hour. They also have someone who plays a show on them during the afternoon. The visitors center is clean and has beautiful, informative exhibits as well as a theatre that plays a 15 minute clip with some history of the grounds. Enjoy!

Absolutely magical experience. If you love plants and nature, do not hesitate to visit Bok Tower Gardens. The landscaping is beautiful, the tower is stunning and the wind whispering through the oak trees around the tower are glorious. The vegetable gardens and kids area are really nice as Well. Plan to stay at least 2 hours or the entire day with a picnic lunch if you can. Pick up lovely plants or items at the nice gift shop on your way home.

Visited 4/16/2024 and had a great time. All the staff we met were friendly and helpful. The grounds are immaculate. We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed time by Bok tower as the carillon played. There are lots of small secluded areas to enjoy time together in a peaceful outdoor area. The tour of El Retiro is worth it and brings you back to a time long past. We did stop in the cafe, where they have a selection of beers, food, and ice cream among other things. All were excellent. I'll be back!

The gardens were wonderful! You can walk at your own leisurely pace and take in all of the sites as you wish. All of the staff was very friendly! They do not offer reliable Wi-Fi. It's free to use, but the connection isn't that strong. So if you're going to pay for anything while you're there, bring cash or your card. The Carillon rings melodically every 30 minutes. There is a gift shop that has many of the plants that you see in the gardens for sale. The cafe has a very interesting and fresh menu. Bring plenty of quarters if you would like to feed the fish, you might want to pack some mosquito spray also!! There are plenty of shady areas under trees to lay out on a blanket. You should wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of gravel. And if you bring dogs, beware that their paws could get really hot from the asphalt. I would say Bok Tower Gardens is definitely worth your time and money, providing a fun, relaxing, and educational experience for all!

Just back from a visit to Bok Tower Gardens and I've got to say, if you're someone who loves a bit of nature and history, this place is a must-visit. Nestled in Lake Wales, Florida, the gardens are a creation of Edward W. Bok, a Dutch immigrant who really gave back to his adopted country. This beautiful spot isn't just about the lush landscapes; it's also home to a stunning 205-foot tall Singing Tower. The sounds of the carillon bells ringing through the gardens are simply majestic. We went for Mother’s Day and it was the perfect setting. The tower, the music, the expansive views—all contribute to a peaceful, yet exhilarating experience. They even play a mix of top 100 hits, adding a modern twist to the historic backdrop. For anyone looking to spend a day surrounded by beauty and calm, I can't recommend Bok Tower Gardens enough. Bring a picnic, enjoy the koi fish in the reflection pool, and just let the beauty of the place wash over you. Whether you're a history buff or just someone looking to unwind outdoors, this place has something for everyone.

First time and definitely will go Bok! Beautiful sites and gardens, I suggest a cooler day, but the good shop and inside museum is AC and great! Selection of food and beers, brick on weekends through summer!

This is one of the best botanic gardens on the whole east coast of the USA. Great walking paths, well labeled plants, duper staff, interesting varied environments. Add to that a great kids area and a carrollon that plays every half hour and you have an all day to multiple day stop. I highly recommend seeing this site. Good for the whole family, even rover.

After hearing a lot of friends mention how stunning these gardens were, I wanted to visit myself. It is a beautiful set of gardens with the centerpiece of the Bok Tower in the middle. There are a plethora of trails and the museum is so interesting, from the construction to the opening day of the tower and beyond. It's a great place to walk your dog, have a picnic or bring a book and read. We loved visiting the Bok Tower Gardens and will be back soon!

LAKE WALES, FL: "Wherever your lives may be cast, make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it." That quote is the mission of Bok Tower Gardens, a sprawling complex full of plants, wildlife, and the famous singing tower, among other fun attractions. Leashed and friendly dogs are allowed to explore the outdoor property with you through nature trails connecting various spots to see the incredible beauty and design! The singing tower houses a carillon instrument that plays peaceful music throughout the property. It is a stunning sight! There is also a restaurant where dogs can dine on the outdoor patio. Bok Tower Gardens is 75-90 minutes from downtown Orlando. Official dog rules: Enjoy a stroll with your four-legged friend. Admission for dogs is $10 per animal per day. All dogs must remain on a leash during their visit. Dogs are not permitted inside Hammock Hollow, El Retiro, the Blue Palmetto Cafe or The Shop at Bok. All membership levels include free admission for up to two pups! Listed below are guidelines that must be followed at all times: * All dogs must be dog-friendly, adult-friendly and child-friendly. * All dogs must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash. For safety reasons, retractable leashes are not permitted and dogs must not be left unattended. * Dog owners/handlers MUST pick up and properly dispose of their dogs' waste. * Dogs are not permitted in Hammock Hollow, Alexander Discovery Center, El Retiro at Pinewood, The Shop at Bok, The Blue Palmetto Café or other posted areas or at ticketed special events, weddings and receptions. * Dogs must remain on paths and lawns only. Do not allow your dog to dig, enter ponds or engage in excessive barking. *Bok Tower Gardens reserves the right to revoke admission for any dog and its owner from the premises. Owners/Handlers will not hold Bok Tower Gardens and/or any associated parties responsible for any injury and/or incidents that may occur.

The most beautiful botanical park I've ever seen. Though the layout was carefully designed by the brilliant Frederick Olmsted, the lawns, trees, ponds, winding paths, and lush tropical plantings capture the feel of a natural woodland. Both Edward Bok and Olmsted achieved their goal of creating a sanctuary providing relaxation and restoration. The magnificent oak trees around the tower nearly brought tears to my eyes. The historic home El Retiro with its Mediterranean garden reminded me of my grandmother's house in Southern California. This is a place we will come to again and again. Just one note for future visits: if we'd come the first or second week of March, we could have seen the azaleas in full bloom.

This was my second time visiting Bok Tower gardens, and it was just a good as the first time. With so many varieties of plants, you definitely need a full day or 2 to explore all of the sights and really appreciate the history of this landmark. For anyone that lives in Davenport and is looking for a place to have a picnic and enjoy the fresh air, I'd recommend this place by far. It's $20 admission, but you can opt for a membership (which I would do if I lived closer) you can bring your own picnic basket filled with food and drinks, and it's even dog friendly. They also rent handicap scooters for $10 an hour, and they do have a cafe on sight with a great selection of food, drinks and snacks. The bell tower is played by someone on schedule, the history of the dedication and how the musical contraption works is explained near the entrance. Highly recommend for any nature lover in the area. P.s. there's also a gift shop on site and they sell plants, as well as other beautiful art pieces.

Beautiful gardens and lush landscape surround this entire property. The tower itself is stunning but the walking trails that lead up to it are so beautiful and well maintained. Excellent place for a picnic or literally a walk in the park. There are so many benches along the trails to sit and enjoy the views or just relax and listen to nature. I was so impressed I ended up joining as a member...so I'll definitely be back.

We spent about 4 hours touring and bird-watching at Bok Tower Gardens, and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The landscaping is magnificent and showcases the work of Frederick Law Olmstead, the same landscape architect who designed Central Park in NY. The centerpiece of the property is the gorgeous marble singing tower, which sits atop a hill and is 205 ft. tall. There are ponds within the property that have reflections reminiscent of Monet paintings. There are beautiful birds, if you take the time to sit and wait patiently, perhaps near a bird feeder. There is a wide variety of flowering plants. There are historic buildings to tour (at added cost). There are lots of trails to explore, and there's an area for children. The only thing I didn't expect at all was that they allow dogs (on leash, of course) on the property. Fortunately, it appeared as if those who brought their pets kept them under control. Bok Tower Gardens should not be missed if you're anywhere nearby!

Absolutely beautiful garden, i can see why a lot of people get married . Engaged here. The entire parks takes about 3/4 hours to get around to. They have an entire kids section they can run and play around in. Didn't try any of the food because i brought my own snacks. But there's also a restaurant and seating area, went on a Saturday the moment the garden opened by 11am it was starting to get crowded. However extremely beautiful . There weren't many flowers bloomed since it's been chilly. But I'm sure in the spring it's even more beautiful! Will visit again and have a picnic!

It's a very beautiful, well maintained garden...worth the long drive to see & feel the peace & serenity. The gift shop & cafe staff were very friendly, polite & kind, as well! I would highly recommend a visit to this garden!

This is a wonderful botanical garden that includes the beautiful Bok tower. We suggest that you allow a good 3 or more hours for your visit in order to thoroughly view all that is available here. We highly recommend Bok Tower and you will not be disappointed

What a beautiful place! Wow. I don't visit a lot of botanical gardens. Actually this was my second but it was beautiful. Plant to see, great vistas, neat history. Loved the serenity of the gardens as the abundance of walking trails. A very nice place to visit. The only draw back is the price. It's $20 person, not per car load. It would have received a 5 if it weren't for that.

This place was really beautiful. If I checked the price I may of not gone. But next time I do go, I plan on taking a nice lunch. This is a great place to enjoy the landscape and views. At $20.00 (I was not expecting) my plan for next time is make it a long time and enjoy it all.

Beautiful gardens. Great place to take visitors to enjoy outdoor walking experience with lots of knowledge provided as you walk the many trails. Great tower/ museum with must watch movie previous to taking your tours. Make sure you note the bell tower ringing times with short movie describing the unusual instrument played by very few in the world inside the tower. Nice fairy and play garden that is interactive for young children too. Weddings must be fabulous there or at least wedding pictures would be magnificent location.

I visited Bok Tower Gardens over the holidays when the gardens were somewhat decorated. The Tower is amazing and worth the visit as least once. It is beautiful and certainly worth seeing if you are local. I do think the price of admission is a bit high and the gardens themselves are a bit lacking. I don't know that I would visit again unless it was on a discount day or with a coupon now that I have been once. I would recommend bringing a nice picnic and going on a day that is not too hot.

My friend brought me here for my birthday because she couldn't believe I had never been. These gardens are easily five stars. If I lived closer, I would go walk here every day. Depending on what time of year you go will determine what type of plants are in bloom. During our April visit we saw sunflowers, many different kinds of caladium and irises, and orchids. The 205 foot bell tower near the back of the property is a big draw obviously. It actually contains a musical instrument called a carillon. The carillon consists of 60 bells ranging in size from 11 tons to 16 pounds. It plays recordings of music every half hour, starting roughly at noon, and then a live player plays it a couple times each day. There are koi ponds surrounding the bell tower, with fish food available for purchase to feed them. I loved how large the property is. Plenty of green space in addition to lots of specialty gardens, like children's garden, kitchen garden, etc. There was shade to be had on some of the walking paths which was welcome. Some of the paths were paved, some were gravel, and some even were dirt. It was fun seeing all the dogs that were being walked too - you have to love a garden that is animal friendly. People apparently bring picnics here a lot. We had a breakfast snack in their café, but went elsewhere for lunch. Plenty of parking, great café & gift shop, and gorgeous lush gardens makes this place a definite Florida gem.

I was seriously considering visiting here with my dog, but will not. I would have to pay $30 entry fee for both of us, and she's not allowed inside Hammock Hollow, El Retiro, the Blue Palmetto cafe, or the shop at bok!!!! So I say f you, shove your gardens up your ass.

Wow! This place exceeded my expectations! We were in Lake Wales for a wedding at Bella Cosa and came here the day after the wedding. Absolutely gorgeous! The Tower is incredible, built in the 1920s by an immigrant to give back to the US. There are so many cool little spots and it was not crowded when we visited. The price is a bit high at $20 per person but we were able to get in for free as they offer reciprocal membership with our local botanical garden in Massachusetts (check your local garden's website if you belong to one). The Retiro is an extra charge for a tour so we just walked around outside. Spotted a beautiful blue heron at the Tower and loved taking picks with the Spanish moss! Only major complaint is that the coffee at their cafe was nasty- could not even drink 1/4 of it.

Amazing property. We needed more time to enjoy. Florida is filled with unusual and beautiful places. This should be on everyone's must-see list. The visitor center / museum provides lots of background information. It's an east site to hike and walk around with lot of small gardens to enjoy to reach the tower. I'm not sure if the tower is open to the public - I would have liked to see the inside. Don't forget their small cafe - basic, but affordable and good food. And the lovely gift shop

What a beautiful gift to the world, I really enjoyed spending the day here with family. The tower was amazing and the architecture was exquisite. The staff was very helpful and the property was beautiful and calming. I highly recommend checking this place out!

Absolutely LOVED this garden. So many beautiful flowers, plants and buildings! It's a great place for a date, family outing, you can even bring your pet! Everything is nicely maintained, bathrooms are very clean, they even have a baby changing station which comes in handy when visiting with little ones. Definitely worth the visit. Can't wait to come back!

My husband and I were quite impressed by the entire property! Beautiful gardens! Amazing story about the Tower! Definitely start at the Visitor Center for the introduction otherwise you might miss something. We were there 4 hours and didn't see it all. The children's garden is super interactive with numerous spots to do things!!!! Bring your little ones (if you have them) and a picnic lunch and enjoy!

Originally, my family was going to take me to Sebring for my birthday since I love to geocache and there is a geotour there. However, spring break is in full swing and all the kids are dominating the vacation spaces. Ergo, they took me to Bok Tower Gardens as a backup since I never been here before. I have to say, I am thoroughly surprised and enjoyed my visit. Firstly, the price was a bit on the steep side but after learning this is a privately owned and maintained garden, I understand. If you are local, it is better to get an annual pass as it is good for four people to enter, gives discounts and perks, and can actually be used at other parks across the United States too. As for a "one and done" (though I doubt anyone will do that unless they are not local to the state), it is worth it to go. Bok Tower Gardens is technically a huge area but the part for guests is kinda small. For all my fellow Brevardians or Space Coasters, it is smaller than Wickham Park. However, there is a lot packed into the area including the Singing Tower that does bell organ performances every two hours on certain days, El Retiro, a classic Floridian home that can be explored with an additional ticket fee, Hammock Hollow, a fun kids section that is also great for adults, a museum, a store, and a restaurant. Overall, an average of four hours is needed to check out everything. Only issue Bok Tower Gardens has will be dependent on weather. When it is hot, it is humid hot. When it rains, it is often times a downpour but for a short amount of time. Overall, issues you'd see even if you were at one of Orlando's theme parks. In conclusion, Bok Tower Gardens is amazing, a gem in the midst of Central Florida. I would definitely give this place a recommendation to check out if you can. If you want to save money, you can bring your own food in a cooler or bag if you like. Bring a blanket and chairs and spread it across their lawns for a lazy afternoon. All in all, a beautiful place to go for sure. NOTE FOR GEOCACHERS: There is one traditional geocache and one Earthcache located in Bok Tower Gardens. If anyone wants to attempt a thorough search, there is even an old-school letterbox in there too.

Free admission days exits in the summer but the tickets sell out quick. For a large family with kids, I wouldn't drive too far to come here and pay full price. The walk was great and very enjoyable. I like to learn about the history of places and this is a great landmark to visit if you enjoy seeing how history transformed where we are today. These gardens have great roots in history and connections across our country.

A superb place, and well worth the drive. The carillon sounded heavenly. The tower itself is beautiful. The carved letters are not eroded, the gray and pink Georgia marble is dazzling. The winding garden paths are full of people in upbeat moods. One can actually see orange groves from the hill the tower is on, unlike at Citrus Tower / Clermont.

Visiting Bok Tower Gardens had been on my Florida bucket list for so long! And it was even cooler than I had imagined!! Fun facts that have stuck with me over the past week: 1) the tower has a library, but you can't visit it because the whole structure is actually considered a musical instrument (they'd rather us not put it out of tune, so to speak), 2) ponds have koi food dispensers, but if you buy a tiny souvenir bag at their gift shop, you get a bulk portion of it to-go, and 3) they have their own free little library, so bring your used books! It was $17/adult to visit since there weren't any student discounts, but considering the immense beauty, live music, and museum access, we thought it was more than worth it. That fee also covers the parking. I only saw one bathroom while we were there (I'm sure there are more though) so definitely prepare to hike around for a while without coming across any. The live music was scheduled for 1 and 3 PM the day we visited, but it was too hot and sunny to admire it from the outside benches. Luckily, we could hear it from the nearby trails! I'm already excited to visit again when the weather is cooler. I'm also hoping that their seasonal section might expand to include a wider variety of Christmas ornaments!

This is an awesome place to visit in Lake Wales. I've done a few reviews on Bok and they were good as I always had great experiences there. Of course, it's the brutally hot days of Summer, so get there as early as you can so you can get out before the heat builds, storms rage, and traffic snarls up in the Orlando area. Bok recently re-openned the Blue Palmetto Cafe which is now a better atmosphere, modern, clean, and with a good selection of great food. It's just refreshing to kind of get out in the big outdoors where it's peaceful. The tower played at 1 PM and 3 PM.

Great experience, but I definitely feel like they've significantly raised the costs since I came here several years ago. Currently the price is $17 a person and if you have a dog that's another $5 each. Amazing place to bring lunch and have a picnic on the grass. Maybe best to wait for it to cool down outside, but there's plenty of shade if you don't mind the pure humid heat that Florida has to offer!

First time came to this place last Friday, beautiful place and gardens and views!! They were friendly! I recommend this place!!

Beautiful gardens in Lake Wales! Bok Tower Gardens is somewhere I have never been but always wanted to go as a Floridian. I am so glad I got to go recently! It was in the summer (Labor day weekend) so it was a bit on the hot side but otherwise was a great experience. The drive in and parking were seamless. A couple families went together and we loved the shady and trees that were covering the walkway to the tower. The tower is at very high point in the city so the views when you get there are beautiful. Once you got to the tower, it was so serene looking out into the greenery. We saw others having picnics. Note for next time. They had the BEST kids area that was in tune with nature and nothing electronic here! Things to climb, music to play, art to draw, costumes to wear, water to splash. A kids dream. My kid didn't want to leave. There is a quaint snack bar and history center at the front that was a great break because it had air conditioning! Bonus- they serve wine and beer :) Overall a great local Florida experience at Bok Tower!

My family and friends have been going to Bok Tower Gardens for decades. You haven't seen "real Florida" until you've visited Bok Tower Gardens. And be sure to visit often...it's always different and always beautiful.

I'd like to keep this place just to myself, it's been years coming here and at times having the place to myself right at open, early in the morning, is a surreal...healing experience. But the creator, founder of this beautiful place made its purpose to be shared with the people Florida, the United States, everyone. I would like to support this place as much as possible and the preservation of the surrounding area. They have memberships and accept donations. Did I mention they have the tasty Blue Palmetto Cafe? Central location to most of Florida, easy to get to. Plenty of parking, helpful staff, clean facilities, handicap friendly, tours, shows....the Carillon itself. Currently the Olmstead exhibit is showing. Makes sense this place was landscaped by a Harvard graduate. You are submersed in art around you. I've been to most gardens here in Florida, and this my favorite. Great place for hiking, photography, even Easter sunrise services. Gift shop is cool, and even a garden to purchase plants. I've always found something new coming here. Especially the tower itself and it's intricacies. El Retiro is currently the mansion exhibit that usually has a Christmas exhibit, can't miss it. If you haven't visited yet you should. Please be respectful of the rules, the grounds, and mindful of others. This place is technically hallowed ground.

Bok Tower Gardens is always a 5* review. And driving down 17/92 reinforces how our nature is getting paved over. Anyway, tonight is even more special since there's a 7:00 concert by Hayes Carll. So nice to have a touch of Texas here in Florida! Hurricane Nicole tried to ruin the party but here we are, along with the mosquitoes. And I think I just saw a lightn!ing bug! They provide large Picardin dispensers. Had a nice picnic we pre-ordered day of the show. Very nicely administered and tasty. Will do this again! Go ahead and become a member. I think we get 10% off merch and food. Looking forward to a nice concert on a semi-lovely evening!

Beautiful gardens, well cared for, nice main strolling path is black topped which allows accessibility. Many side paths are just mulch or grass so walking people have more options. Love that plants are identified and labeled so you can learn & appreciate as you stroll. There are 5 ecosystems within the 250 acres. Great educational visitors center is worth your time. Bok Tower offers quite a few programs from concerts to cooking demonstrations. We never did see Pinewood Estates. It was disappointing that our wheelchair'd guest could not access the base of Bok Tower/moat area. Hope they work on adding this accessibility feature. It was disappointing to see a gentleman with 2 large dogs allow them to jump in the moat/koi pond, not under his control. (but that's not Bok's fault).

Bok Tower Gardens in Florida is a tranquil oasis known for its beautiful tower chimes, breathtaking views, and lush natural surroundings. The tower's chimes create a soothing ambiance, while the tower itself offers stunning panoramic views of the landscape. The well-maintained gardens are a paradise for nature enthusiasts, with diverse plant life and opportunities for birdwatching. It's a must-visit destination for those seeking serenity and a connection with nature in Florida.

Beautiful garden in central Florida the towers bells sound amazing and it's not to busy. If your in town and have a free day it's worth checking it.

It worth to visit this place. Quiet and beautiful garden. Also, if you get tired and you will need a rest you can easily find benches there .

This is my absolute favorite attraction to visit in Lake Whales. So glad to visit this after 7 years. We all loved the sites. Considering it was New Years Eve the crowd was manageable. They keep this place well maintained and staff is very friendly and helpful. Bonus is they allow dogs! It's a self guided tour of the property, so grab a map and walk around. Great place to visit to just relax and enjoy nature and the views. It's the highest point you will be in Florida. I highly recommend going!

Beautiful gardens with so many different areas to explore. We went during the winter and I can only imagine how beautiful spring will be there. Loved the singing tower - it is truly magnificent! The Palmetto restaurant was reasonably priced and our food was amazing. Highly recommend- We will be back

We enjoyed this so much. History. Beauty. The passion of the staff. This is good for all ages as they have a kids garden. Places for elderly. Great cafe. Worth spending all day.

I have purchased a membership to this place before but I have never gone enough time to utilize the membership this beautiful garden. This place is perfect for children, family, dogs weddings, & yoga and they have so many events throughout the year. This place is also a dream for photographers and for people who like to Birdwatch and who like to go on trails. I purchased another membership and only have been there twice last year. I went yesterday one last time to catch up with a friend, take photo of flowers, hang out in the hammock. I love to go one day just to have a picnic. When I went yesterday there were setting up for a wedding. There were so many at dogs being walked and enjoying there time with their family. I had a wonderful time I almost wanted to renew my membership. I just don't have the time to make it worth it. If I do I will make it a family membership so it will include my dogs. You have to pay admission for your dog if you don't have a family membership. Every month Bok towers have events from gardening, concerts, wellness, and much more.

My partner and I traveled from Orlando for a day trip to the Gardens, which I had been looking forward to for a long time. I've heard so many great things about the size and quality of the gardens. Even then I was not expecting to be so impressed! The price is $16 and is an absolute steal for the amount of plants to explore as well the Bok Tower itself. One of the first areas they had a pepper exhibit where the front herb garden had a variety of peppers growing and filled the air with the most amazing aroma. It definitely set the tone for a pleasant afternoon exploring. We were also able to browse the kids area which I definitely recommend anyone to wonder into as we enjoyed some relaxing shade time in a pretty large hammock then jumped around giant acorns like our inner child was urging us to do. It was so much more fun than I was expecting to have. After the kids area we took a long route to the Bok Tower and then enjoyed the afternoon and views of rolling hills and orange groves from the Tower. Parking was extremely accessible and close to the entrance, the gardens are immaculately kept and the interactive aspects are a fun little surprise! I'm so glad we made this day trip. It is definitely worth the drive. If we ever return I hope to try some local businesses around the area next time as well.

Absolutely a 5-start destination in Florida. Incredible commitment by the owner to create a positive use of the 14 acres. Plenty of plants, trees, reas to relax, walk around, large area for kids to explore and so much more. The tower is an impressive looking building with tributes to the woods, animals and fish. On the hour, the tower's 60 bells chimes led by the carillonneur. Families having picnics. And very pet friendly!! Numerous dogs walking around with their owners.

It's a wonderful place to go and relax. Get in touch with yourself clear your head and just enjoy the quiet. The bells are very nice. Touch also and the prices isn't too bad.

Beautiful and very well kept grounds. Great to eat at the restaurant outdoors and listen to the bells. Elderly parents loved it.

It's turning cooler out, the mild season in Florida. The sweltering humidity and heat of summer is taking a step back. Late October is a good time to visit Bok Tower Gardens. Bok Tower Gardens is located a little more than an hours drive from Riverview/Tampa area. My wife and I drove out highway 60 Saturday morning around 10am. The drive was quiet, rural and enjoyable. As you turn towards the gardens, you drive through a residential neighborhood. It doesn't seem like a luscious garden is nearby but the tower looms above the tree tops in the distance. Eventually, you hit a guard gate and show your tickets. It's another mile and a half drive to the visitors center. Along the way you pass what look to be citrus groves, possibly oranges. The place wasn't packed but there were cars here on Saturday morning. People were milling about. Some were leaving their morning yoga class. You first come to the visitors center, gift shop and cafe. We saved those for the end and ventured on in to the gardens. Using a map, we followed the main walkway around the grounds. There is plenty to see. The gardens are very natural Florida. Palm trees, brush, unique plants, bushes, flowers, berries. In the milder weather, under the shade of the palms we walked leisurely. Taking in the beauty around us. There are a mix of walking trails. A main paved one and some unpaved off-shoots. You can get lost in this Florida paradise. Another cool aspect is that you're technically on a mountain. Florida is mostly at sea-level. Bok Tower Gardens sits on Iron Mountain, which is about 295 feet above sea level. Not a lot but it makes for views unlike anywhere else in Florida. The tower itself is stunning. Beautiful color and architecture. Surrounded by a moat with Koi fish. It's a singing tower so it plays music at 1pm and 3pm. Bells chime on half-hour intervals we noticed as we walked around. If you visit the museum/visit center, you can pictures inside the tower. Tower entry is reserved for donors only and they do not do daily public tours due to safety issues. We would have loved to tour the tower, even if it's a one-time fee with a time-slot for an individual tour. There is also a mansion on property. The historic Pinewood Estate is usually opened to visitors but since the pandemic, has been closed. All in all, this is a perfect day trip. A unique and historic location filled with beautiful plants, a stunning tower and displays of the best nature Florida has to offer.

A treasure for Central Florida! After an easy drive from our home near Winter Garden, we arrived at this wonderful park perched on the top of a hill overlooking the land. Driving towers the garden from Hwy 27, I was on awe of the sheer size of the tower. We made it to the Tower in time to hear the 1pm concert of the bells. What a treat! We fed them giant Koi fish in the pond that surrounds the base of the Tower ($0.25 for a handful from the provided machine), strolled the paths through the garden, and let our 5 year old explore all the wonders in the children's garden. There is a Café, gift shop, plant shop, and museum the highlights all the park has to offer. If you're in the area, you will not be disappointed by taking the time to visit this gem.

As soon as you get to the entrances... You feel that connection with nature! Between the view, the smell and the sounds. It's astonishing. There is more than enough parking! Entrance pricing is reasonable and very much worth it! As soon as you walking in... You can feel that nature connection. They have a cute shop where you can find just about everything to make this trip memorable! Of course there is a shop for a variety of drinks and food. There is so much to do and see! It's a great place for a family outing, weeding, picture shoot, engagement, proposal you name it! You can even sit! Mediate!

While staying in Orlando for a few days we decided to drive over for a visit. So glad we did. It was a beautiful October day with a light breeze which made strolling thru the garden very enjoyable. There were lots of cars in the lot, but the way the paths wind around, it never seemed busy. The map is a good thing to pick up so navigating the winding trails can cause you to go on circles a bit. The grounds are very well kept and signage make identifying different plants easy. They had a display when we came in if what was in bloom. The tower is never far away, but it isn't always easily seen due to the way the plants are. Be sure to have quarters if you want to feed the fish that are in the pool around the base of the tower. Bug spray is a good idea as well as the mosquitoes found us everyone we stopped to look at something. The have a very nice Cafe/ restaurant that made a light lunch easy after spending a couple of hours here. My wife and I found our visit worth the traffic from Orlando to get here. It was peaceful and relaxing and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Over all great time! Used AAA discount. A bit pricey. A little off the beaten path. Bring big spray. We saw a dead snake. I actually loved the plant and gift store!! Really nice people and staff.

FL in the summer has unpredictable weather although I could've been better prepared had I checked it prior to making the two hr. drive from Tampa but a lil rain never hurts anyone especially when the thunderstorm dies down - BRING AN UMBRELLA just in case! I would reserve +2 hr. Or more for exploring. I love the botanical gardens. They have a children's play area (it's large & includes a fairy garden), wetlands w/a small boardwalk, air plant/succulent section, vegetable garden, Japanese peace shrine, endangered plant species garden, a Welcome center + museum w/a gift + plant & Cafe shop + outdoor kitchen for cooking lessons, etc. Pinewood Estate is an additional $10/person w/a mandatory Entrance fee off$15/person & $5/dog. A bell organ started at 5pm & 5:30pm played a bunch of tunes - nothing like having music in the background while running for a rain shelter when it lightnings.

So peaceful and magical. If you live in Central Florida, Bok Tower Gardens is a must. It's only about one hour away from Orlando. My boyfriend and I decided to make it a day trip and enjoyed ourselves. The flowers were beautiful, there were spots where you could sit and picnic and what made it even more enjoyable was The Singing Tower. At 1 & 3 pm, there is a carillon concert and it is just so magical. There are so many activities you can do. You visit the Pinewood museum, you can bird watch, you can hike..or you can simply enjoy the carillon..there is basically something to do for everyone There is also a small cafe on site with a full menu (sandwiches, snacks, salads) and limited alcohol beverages. We really enjoyed our day trip and the perfect weather made it a perfect day date. I highly recommend!