Bok Tower Gardens — Florida’s Hidden Retreat in the Hills

There are places in Florida that feel busy, loud, and built for crowds — and then there’s Bok Tower Gardens.

Perched on one of the highest natural points in Central Florida, the world seems to slow down. Palm-lined paths wind through carefully designed gardens while birdsong mixes with the breeze. Every hour, the deep, melodic bells of the Singing Tower drift across the hills, filling the gardens with music.

Many visitors say the same thing after arriving:

“I didn’t know Florida had places like this.”

Why Bok Tower Gardens Is Worth Visiting Today

Before you even think about history, Bok Tower Gardens wins you over with pure experience.

What you’ll love:

• Beautiful walking paths through lush gardens and shaded trails

• Scenic overlooks with rare hilltop views of Central Florida

• Wildlife everywhere — birds, butterflies, turtles, and more

• Perfect photo spots around fountains, flower beds, and stone bridges

• A calm, relaxing atmosphere that feels far from city life

It’s ideal for:

• Couples

• Families

• Nature lovers

• Photographers

• Anyone needing a peaceful break

You can explore for an hour — or spend half a day wandering slowly and enjoying the scenery.

And then there’s the highlight.

Every hour on the hour, the Singing Tower’s carillon bells fill the gardens with music. It’s one of those moments where everyone just stops and listens.

How This Beautiful Place Came to Be (The Story Behind the Gardens)

Before there were theme parks and highways, Central Florida was quiet farmland dotted with small settlements.

As railroads expanded in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Florida began growing quickly — bringing tourists, farmers, and new communities.

One man saw something special in these rolling hills.

The Vision of Edward Bok

Edward Bok was a successful editor and philanthropist who believed beautiful spaces could inspire peace and happiness.

In the 1920s, he purchased Iron Mountain — one of Florida’s highest natural points — and dreamed of creating a sanctuary where nature, architecture, and music would come together. Even during the hardships of the Great Depression, construction continued. Workers carefully shaped the gardens, planted thousands of plants, and built the towering Gothic-style Singing Tower from pink marble and coquina stone.

When it opened in 1929, Bok Tower Gardens wasn’t meant to be flashy.

It was meant to be peaceful. Nearly a century later, it still is.

Some Fun Facts about Bok Tower Gardens:

Carillon & Tower Facts

Photo by Andrew McQuaid on Unsplash

• The Singing Tower contains 60 bells cast by the famed John Taylor Bellfounders in England — a rare and prestigious foundry.

• Bells range from very small to extremely large — the biggest weigh over 11 tons.

• The tower stands 205 feet tall — the equivalent of a 20-story building — but only seven functional levels inside.

• A 30-minute carillon concert plays at least twice daily during peak season (often around 1 PM & 3 PM), and hearing it live is a standout visitor experience.

  
  

Gardens & Nature

• The gardens started on roughly 50 acres but have expanded to around 250+ acres of sanctuary, trails, gardens and natural lands.

• Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. — heir to the Central Park legacy — carefully selected plants to attract and sustain migrating birds and wildlife.

• Native plants include longleaf pine ecosystems and rare species that evolved on the ancient Lake Wales Ridge — a biodiversity hotspot.

• The gardens are still an active bird sanctuary, home to 100+ bird species and a great spot for birdwatching.

History & Personality

• Bok Tower Gardens was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in 1929 — weeks before the stock market crash — as a gift “for visitation by the American people.”

• Edward Bok’s handwritten purpose for the sanctuary was “a place of quiet and repose” where visitors could slow down, think, and reconnect with beauty.

• The inspiration for the tower’s design came partly from European Gothic bell towers, but adapted for Florida’s sun and climate.

• Inside the tower is the Anton Brees Carillon Library, dedicated to the art and history of carillon music.

🌞 Planning Your Visit (Quick Info)

Location:

 Lake Wales, Florida

Best time to go:

 Fall through spring for cooler weather and peak blooms

Typical visit length:

 1.5–3 hours

Good for kids? 

Yes — plenty of open space and nature

👉 Pro tip: Try to be there on the hour to hear the bells play.

Why Bok Tower Gardens Is One of Florida’s Most Special Stops

Florida is famous for beaches and theme parks.

But Bok Tower Gardens shows another side of the state — one that’s peaceful, green, and surprisingly scenic.

It’s a place where:

• You slow down

• You breathe easier

• And you connect with nature and history at the same time

Whether you’re road-tripping through Central Florida or looking for a quiet escape, this garden sanctuary is absolutely worth the stop.