I had been wanting to visit Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida for a while. I did that over Christmas weekend and it did not disappoint.
Combine a great landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr, a man of means and vision, Edward Bok, a rural setting up on a raised bluff (rare in Florida) and a desire to create a place of beauty and respite, and you get Bok Tower and Gardens.
I’d previously only seen one Carillon, at Duke University. This one in Lake Wales is equally impressive, and in my opinion, more attractive on the exterior.
Located in orange grove country southwest of Orlando and east of Lakeland and Tampa, going to Bok takes a little planning, but it is definitely worth it.
PS- most areas are dog friendly. It costs $5 additional to bring in a canine friend.
EOCF - Eye on Central Florida 