Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales

Bok Tower Gardens is a world-class garden that is worth the drive from Orlando in the north. If coming from the south, it feels like the garden is in the middle of nowhere and the drive is quite boring but still worth it.

The children's garden makes this a lovely place to bring kids. Many activities are set up in a shady, wooded area (spray a little lemon eucalyptus oil on your arms and legs to deter mosquitoes). There is a giant statue of logs like pick-up sticks that kids can climb. A music area has beautiful chimes to play. A sand pit is wrapped by a giant snake sculpture. Small fairy houses sit among plants. A huge spiderweb beckons kids to come climb. And best of all there is a water pump that kids can pump (try for a good while before it starts working) to make a river over pebbles, creating a water play area. Next to it is a kitchen area with pots and pans and all manner of fun toys. There are also tree stump stepping stones, and eggs to climb inside. It's a kids paradise!
The gardens are situated on a hill! This is rare in Florida! There are views all around, and a wonderful breeze coming up off the valley. Look up at the wispy Spanish moss hanging from the huge oak trees, bending in the breeze. Huge sloped lawns abound.
At the entrance there is an attractive visitor's center with colorful flower plantings, fountains, and some creative, unusual planters. The visitor center has exhibits about Edward W. Bok's childhood in Holland and how he built the tower which has carillon bells just like those you hear in Holland! Kids can borrow a bag with binoculars, magnifying glass, and nature books, and my daughter enjoyed using these.
Check out the tropical and silvery trees around the endangered plants garden, and stand on the large sundial. This area is landscaped beautifully, with long purplish grasses. Walk the raised boardwalk on a hill and climb in little tunnels- kids love this.
Window to the Pond is a little shed with a huge window looking out on a pond. This is a nice idea because you can sit there meditating on the view without worrying about an alligator leaping out at you!
Walk up the hill to the tower and, in fall, you pass a mass of incredible white and blue flowers!
At the top of the path you come to the nicest part of the gardens, a huge lawn dotted with moss-hung oaks overlooking the valley where rows of orange trees make pleasing patterns. Here you find the gothic pink marble tower with a moat around it and some pretty ironwork gates. The gold door to the tower is gorgeous. The tower is so clean! How do they keep it spotless on the outside?! The colorful art deco design at the top is unique. Come on a sunny day for the best views of the tower. There was a wedding taking place when we were there- what a serene place to have a wedding.
Pinewood Estate is the Spanish-style house on the property. You can pay a little extra to see it. I didn't like it because it is dark inside, with imposing furniture and darkest wood and tile everywhere.
The formal gardens in the front of the house are nice, especially the plants that look like orange coral, and the plants with long stalks dotted with purple spheres. The side gardens, entered through two cute archways, are romantic. These lead out to the back of the house where you can see an amazing lawn with views. These can be seen without paying to enter the house. 
The carillon plays every half hour and there are concerts daily at 1 and 3pm. I expected elegant melodies to ring out over the valley, but the carillon sounds jumbled, with too many notes, and no clear melody to follow. That was the case even at the International Carillon Festival, when I visited.
Slightly down the hill from the tower is a wonderful pond full of water lilies. These are the biggest water lilies I've ever seen and were the highlight of my visit! Their flowers are just glorious. As are the palm trees and tropical foliage all around. 
Plan to stay for lunch because the cafe is in a lovely outdoor setting looking out on a lawn bordered with bright flowers. When we were there, a violinist was playing while everyone ate. The prices for a sandwich are very reasonable and the food is delicious. Try the sweet potato fries!
The towns around the gardens (to the south and east) are basic and the landscape is ugly- dry, flat, with plenty of nothingness. So the drive out will not be a highlight. But once you pull into the road to the gardens, you are immersed in the most delightful smell- orange blossoms (come in spring!). I had no idea orange blossoms smelled so lovely! The scent is floral, not citrus. This was a memorable part of visiting the gardens and our kids loved the it! Fall is also a nice time to come, when many flowers are in bloom.
If you stay in this town overnight, spend a fun day the next day at Legoland!

Directions

Bok Tower Gardens are located at 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales FL 33853, call (863) 676-1408.
Exit the Florida Turnpike at Hwy 60 west and drive for 43 miles. This is not nice scenery. Turn right on Buckmore Rd and drive 1.5 miles, then left on Burns Ave, and then right on Tower Blvd. You pay at the entrance gate and then drive to the parking lot.
Open daily 8-6, with last entrance at 5. Daily free carillon concerts at 1 and 3.
Pinewood Estate house open Mon-Sat 12-4, and Sun 1-4.
Admission to the gardens is $15 for adults and $5 for children 5-12 years old. It is $7 extra ($5 extra for kids) to enter the Pinewood Estate house.

Click on map for interactive view