Lake Wales Bird Sanctuary
Bok Tower Gardens: Florida's Majestic Singing Tower and Sanctuary
Lake Wales, Florida, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published · Updated
Why it’s cool
Perched on one of Florida’s highest peaks, this sanctuary features a 60-bell carillon housed in a stunning Art Deco tower. It blends world-class landscape architecture with a unique musical library and daily bell concerts.
High atop Iron Mountain, where the Florida landscape reaches a rare peak of 295 feet, sits a monument to quiet beauty and orchestral sound. This lush bird sanctuary was the vision of Dutch immigrant Edward W.
Bok and his wife, Mary Louise Curtis Bok, who sought to transform a winter retreat near the Lake Wales Ridge into a permanent gift for the American public.
Why It Stands Out
The centerpiece of the estate is the 205-foot "Singing Tower," a masterpiece of neo-Gothic and Art Deco design. Architect Milton B.
Medary collaborated with legendary sculptor Lee Lawrie, known for the Atlas statue in New York, to adorn the structure with intricate stone carvings. The tower’s base features a massive brass door depicting the Book of Genesis, the work of master metalworker Samuel Yellin.
Inside, the tower houses one of the world’s most impressive carillons, a massive 60-bell instrument that fills the gardens with music. Beyond the bells, the site serves as a global hub for campanology, hosting the largest library dedicated to carillon history, scores, and recordings.
The surrounding landscape was curated by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the same mind behind the Biltmore Estate, ensuring the greenery feels as intentional as the architecture.
Before You Go
Visitors can hear the 60-bell carillon ring out across the grounds twice daily, with scheduled performances in the early and mid-afternoon. While the gardens are a place of serenity, they are also family-friendly; the Children’s Garden offers interactive spaces like a sandpit and a water play area.
If you are traveling with pets, dogs are permitted on the grounds for a small fee. Note that while wandering the gardens is included in general admission, passing through the ornate brass door of the tower requires an additional fee.
The gardens are located roughly 23 miles south of I-4 along Highway 27, just past the local mall.
Questions worth answering
When do the bells actually ring?
The carillon fills the air twice every day. You'll hear the 60-bell instrument perform once in the early afternoon and again later that same day.
Can we bring our dog to the grounds?
Dogs are welcome to join you for a walk through the sanctuary. We just ask that you pay a small fee for their entry.
What's the story behind the tower's design?
Milton B. Medary designed the neo-Gothic structure, which sits 295 feet above sea level. It features stone carvings by Lee Lawrie and a brass door by Samuel Yellin, though we should mention that entering the tower costs extra.
How do we find the entrance from the highway?
Drive south on Highway 27 for about 23 miles until you pass the Eagle Ridge Mall. From there, it's a few quick turns off Mountain Lake Cut Off Road and Burns Avenue to reach the gate.
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