DAYCATION: BOK TOWER GARDENS ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’

Step back in time and take in Florida’s highest view from the shadow of a rare carillon tower in nearby Lake Wales. Nature- and music-lovers are always welcome, 365 days a year.

By Dean Blinkhorn

Photos courtesy Bok Tower Gardens

You’ll see the majestic art deco spire miles before you need to make the turn onto the aptly named Tower Boulevard, and if you roll down your car windows and listen carefully, you might even hear a few chimes from the 60 bells perched at the top. A short, meandering drive on the grounds is all that separates you from the modern world.

WHY GO? I’m a sucker for historic landmarks and Bok Tower is literally the biggest in the Sunshine State, towering—pun intended— over nearby Lake Wales from its 50-acre grounds and 205-foot perch. The sanctuary is lovingly preserved and you can spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the trails that meander through the lush canopy to the main attraction. The bell music that plays at regular intervals is the only interruption, albeit a pleasant one, to your verdant escape from modern-day Florida.

A LITTLE HISTORY: Well, actually there’s a lot of history at Bok Tower Gardens—and that’s exactly the point.

Edward Bok was an author and writer and would famously helm The Ladies’ Home Journal for over 30 years as editor. During that time, he not only amassed a fortune, but he championed causes that were well ahead of their time, like women’s rights and environmentalism. The tower would ultimately become his gift to his adopted state, but during his lifetime, it was his sanctuary from bustling city life. In 1930, he died within sight of his tower and is now buried, at his request, just outside of its massive brass door at the end of the long mirror pool.

As you would expect, the complete history of the tower is fascinating, but can’t all be explained here. When you go, be sure to spend some time watching the short video and touring the historical exhibits before making the short trek to the tower itself.

INSIDER’S TIP: To borrow a phrase from Ernest Hemingway—like Bok, another Florida expatriate—you are “for whom the bell tolls,” so take your time meandering through the intricately planned gardens surrounding the spire. Take pictures, watch the fourlegged and two-winged residents, and imagine what life was like for Edward Bok and his family from that same crest of land over a hundred years ago. Of course, it’s not called the singing tower for nothing. Every 30 minutes, the bells will remind you of their melodic presence and there are concerts at 1 and 3pm daily from recordings made from these very bells. If you check the website carefully before your visit, though, you may get a rare treat—a live concert from resident carillonneur Geert D’hollander. We plan on returning for that reason alone soon, perhaps when the grounds are once again decorated for the season and Christmas music fills the air.

WHERE TO SHOP: Like any respectable tourist attraction, the gift shop will probably snag a few of the bills from your wallet. We added a refrigerator magnet to our collection and perused the fantastic selection of local plants and books.

WHERE TO EAT: Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by the selection and quality of the offerings of the on-site Blue Palmetto Café. Nestled within the main visitor center, this charming spot boasts many tables inside but also an outdoor seating area that affords your first glimpse into the lush, manicured grounds. When we chose a spot, a family of herons posed nearby and the overhead fans stirred the mild morning air.

Choosing what to eat was difficult. The salad selections take up the entire left side of the menu and each features fresh ingredients and a nice blend of veggies, meats, and nuts with fresh dressings, including a tangy blueberry pomegranate. They also make an assortment of sandwiches and wraps to order.

After leaving the grounds, we opted for a nearby dinner recommendation from a veteran employee of Bok Tower Gardens, always a good idea. Crazy Fish Bar & Grill is at the intersection of Hwy. 60 and US Hwy. 27 and is well worth the few minutes it takes to get there. All the fish is extremely fresh—as in just unpacked and prepped from the boat—and the service is fast and friendly. Go for the catch of the day and be sure to split a large bowl of the gumbo or chowder. Lots of locals had stopped by for an early dinner, and everyone knew each other by their first names. Again, always a good sign.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: With a two-hour drive each way, you probably won’t need much in terms of diversions, but an authentic slice of Old Florida is just a few minutes from your ultimate destination. The Davidson of Dundee Citrus Candy & Marmalade Factory has been stopping traffic for decades for good reason—all the candy is made on-site and they give tours when a crowd gathers, well worth the extra 10 minutes or so. They’ve been featured on the Food Network (a nearby TV plays the segment), so you have a good excuse to make this sweet part of Florida history is a nostalgic detour and might even give you some unique gift ideas.

Also nearby is the kid-friendly Legoland attraction, on the site of the former Cypress Gardens. Unless you plan to spend the night, however, I’d recommend getting your plastic toy overload on another trip.

HOW TO GET THERE: You might be tempted to just go straight down US Hwy. 27 south to Lake Wales, but unless you plan on leaving really early, take the Florida Turnpike instead because the traffic snarls around The Villages seem to get worse each year. This way, you skip all that and really won’t see much congestion at all until you cross US Hwy. 192 and exit in Clermont. From there, you’ll be rewarded with a nice stretch of orange groves that line the road, just like it was statewide decades ago.