A 205-Foot Singing Tower Set Within 250 Acres of Olmsted-Designed Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens occupies 250 acres in Lake Wales, approximately 45 minutes north of Streamsong Resort. The centrepiece is a 205-foot Art Deco and neo-Gothic singing tower housing a 60-bell carillon, designated a National Historic Landmark. The surrounding gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., and they have been maintained continuously since their dedication in 1929.
The grounds combine formal plantings with native Florida woodland, and the transition between the two is handled with restraint. Paths wind through live oak canopies, reflecting pools, and cultivated garden rooms without the commercial overlay that similar properties sometimes adopt. The carillon plays daily, and hearing it from within the gardens rather than from a recording is the kind of experience that justifies the 45-minute drive from the resort.
For companions spending a morning away from the golf courses, Bok Tower is the most substantive cultural destination in the Streamsong orbit. It pairs naturally with a stop in Lake Wales or a drive through the surrounding citrus country. Admission runs $15 to $20 for adults, with children under five admitted free.
Located at 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853. Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry at 5 p.m. Adults $15 to $20; children under 5 free. Self-guided. Approximately 45 minutes north of Streamsong Resort. Morning visits recommended to avoid midday heat during peak season.
The combination of Olmsted landscape design and the Art Deco carillon tower in a single property. Bok Tower is the strongest cultural excursion within an hour of Streamsong and rewards a visit that most golf travelers overlook.