Top Six Most Frequently Asked Questions
Additional questions listed below
ADMISSION/HOURS
What is the price of admission? What are your hours?
Bok Tower Gardens is open every day of the year from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. with the last admission at 5 p.m. Rates subject to
change without notice.
General admission rates are:
Adults: $10
Children (ages 5-12): $3
Children (under 5): Free
Members: Free
Group rates are available with preregistration of
20 or
more.
Saturday admission rate: On 8-9 a.m. on Saturdays, the admission rate is now 50 percent off general admission.
DIRECTIONS
How do I get to the Sanctuary?
From Orlando, Take I-4 West
From Tampa, Take I-4 East
Proceed on I-4 to Exit 55.
Take Exit 55 and proceed south on U.S. Highway 27 for
approximately 23 miles. Proceed two traffic lights past Eagle
Ridge Mall. Turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. At the
caution light, turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also
known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn
left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A).
Proceed on Burns Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you’ll see a
main entrance sign to Historic Bok Sanctuary. Turn left and
proceed to the entrance gate.
From
Highway 60 East or West:
Go to Lake Wales and proceed north on U.S. Highway 27. Turn
right on Mountain Lake Cutoff Road. At the caution light, turn
right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic
Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn left (east) onto
Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). Proceed on Burns
Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you’ll see a main entrance
sign to Bok Tower Gardens. Turn left and proceed to the
entrance gate.
From Vero
Beach, Take Highway 60 West:
Go to Lake Wales. At Buck Moore Road (the intersection just past
WalMart), turn North (right) onto Buck Moore Road (also known as
17-B). Turn between SunTrust and Walgreen’s. Proceed
approximately 1.3 miles. At the stop light, turn West (left)
onto County Road 17-A (also called Burns Ave.). Proceed on CR
17-A approximately .7 mile to the entrance of Historic Bok
Sanctuary on your right.
WEDDINGS
Do you allow weddings at the Sanctuary?
Yes, Bok Tower Gardens is a popular wedding site and is
listed in "100 Best U.S. Wedding Destination" published in 2006.
Sanctuary weddings are limited to 100 attendees.
You may find more information by
clicking here. Please contact the Wedding Coordinator by e-mail or by calling 863.676.1408, ext. 2250.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Do
you allow formal photography at the Sanctuary?
If you would like to take bridal,
wedding, engagement
or
other professional photographs at Historic Bok
Sanctuary but are being married elsewhere, we offer
a wedding photography package for a $150 fee. This
fee includes admission for up to eight, including
wedding party, photographer and assistants.
Pre-registration is required. For assistance,
please contact our Wedding Coordinator at
863.676.1408, ext. 2250, or
rdhorton@boktower.org.
MOBILITY CONCERNS
Do you have wheelchairs or mobility carts available?
Wheelchairs: We have one wheelchair, three adult strollers and five small
children strollers. They are available free for visitors to use
on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check in the Tower &
Garden Gift Shop upon arrival.
Mobility Carts: We have four
single-passenger electric personal mobility carts available to
rent for $6 for one (1) hour or less, $20 for four (4) hours and
$40 for an entire day. They are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Arrangements are made in the
Tower & Garden Gift Shop.
BELLS
When can I hear the bells?
Carillon concerts are featured daily at 1 and 3 p.m. Visitors
usually can hear clock music selections at 9 a.m. and every
half-hour following.
BROCHURE
Is your
general brochure available online?
Click here to view the general brochure.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Listed Alphabetically.
Accommodations
Can you recommend nearby accommodations?
Admission/Hours
What is the price of admission? What are your hours?
Bells
When can I hear the bells?
Bloom
What's in bloom?
Edward Bok - The Man
Who was Edward Bok?
Brochures
Is your general brochure available online?
Café
Do you have a place
that sells lunch and snacks on property?
Children
Do you offer
fun activities for children?
Credit Cards
Which credit cards do you accept?
Directions
How do I get to the Sanctuary?
Donations
How can I make a donation to the Sanctuary?
Gift Shop
Can I order something I saw in the gift shop?
Group tours
I am interested in booking a group. Who do I need to
speak to?
Inside the Tower
Is the Tower open for visitors?
Mobility Concerns
Are the paths easily accessible by wheelchair, walker or
electric cart?
Do you have wheelchairs or mobility carts available?
Can I reserve a wheelchair/mobility cart?
Mr. Bok
What is the
famous quote attributed to Mr. Bok?
Pets
Do you allow pets in the gardens?
Picnics
Do you allow picnics?
Pinewood Estates
Is the historic mansion open for tours?
School Trips
Can I bring my class to Historic Bok Sanctuary?
Shuttle to the Tower
Is there a
shuttle to the Tower?
Squirrels
Can I feed the squirrels?
Time Recommended for Visit
How long does it take to
experience the Sanctuary's offerings?
Volunteer Opportunities
How can I become a volunteer?
Weddings
Do you allow weddings at the Sanctuary?
Accommodations
Can you recommend nearby accommodations?
Please contact the Greater Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce at lakewales.chamber@verizon.net or 863.676.3445 for local accommodations
recommendations and other things to see and do in the area.
Admission/Hours
What is the price of admission? What are your hours?
Bok Tower Gardens is open every day of the year from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. with the last admission at 5 p.m. Rates subject to
change without notice.
General admission rates are:
Adults: $10
Children (ages 5-12): $3
Children (under 5): Free
Members: Free
Group rates are available with preregistration of 15 or
more.
Saturday admission rate: The 8-9 a.m. on Saturdays, the admission rate is 50 percent off general admission.
Bells
When can I hear the bells?
Carillon concerts are featured daily at 1 and 3 p.m. Visitors
usually can hear clock music selections at 9 a.m. and every
half-hour following.
Bloom
What's in bloom?
To see the Garden's bloom schedule click here.
Edward Bok - The Man
Who was Edward Bok?
Click here to learn
more about Mr. Bok.
Brochures
Is your general brochure available online?
Click here to view the general brochure.
Café
Do you have a place that
sells lunch and snacks on property?
Yes, the Blue Palmetto Café features a wide assortment of lunch and
snack selections. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, the
Blue Palmetto Café is located near the Visitor Center and is open
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Children
Do you offer
fun activities for children?
Yes, the Garden features many enhancements
that offer fun ways for children to discover the natural world.
Upon arrival, check in the Visitor Center for
assistance.
*check out complimentary themed reading baskets
*explore a vine-covered tunnel
*explore the gardens in search of rubbing posts and create
"rubbings" using special paper
*secret garden areas with Florida capstone rocks
*play in a large sandbox with toys
*enjoy a picnic
*step inside a fort-like "basket"
*tell time from a "human" sundial
*view wildlife in a garden and at Window By The Pond
*enjoy a fly-by-garden with plants that attract butterflies and
more
Credit Cards
Which credit cards do you accept?
Bok Tower Gardens accepts American Express,
Discover, Master Card and Visa.
Directions
How do I get to the Sanctuary?
From Orlando, Take I-4 West
From Tampa, Take I-4 East
Proceed on I-4 to Exit 55.
Take Exit 55 and proceed south on U.S. Highway 27 for
approximately 23 miles. Proceed two traffic lights past Eagle
Ridge Mall. Turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. At the
caution light, turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also
known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn
left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A).
Proceed on Burns Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you’ll see a
main entrance sign to Historic Bok Sanctuary. Turn left and
proceed to the entrance gate.
From
Highway 60 East or West:
Go to Lake Wales and proceed north on U.S. Highway 27. Turn
right on Mountain Lake Cutoff Road. At the caution light, turn
right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic
Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn left (east) onto
Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). Proceed on Burns
Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you’ll see a main entrance
sign to Bok Tower Gardens. Turn left and proceed to the
entrance gate.
From Vero
Beach, Take Highway 60 West:
Go to Lake Wales. At Buck Moore Road (the intersection just past
WalMart), turn North (right) onto Buck Moore Road (also known as
17-B). Turn between SunTrust and Walgreen’s. Proceed
approximately 1.3 miles. At the stop light, turn West (left)
onto County Road 17-A (also called Burns Ave.). Proceed on CR
17-A approximately .7 mile to the entrance of Historic Bok
Sanctuary on your right.
Donations
How can I make a donation to the Sanctuary?
Please e-mail the Membership &
Development department with your
request.
Gift Shop
Can I order something
I saw in the gift shop?
Please e-mail the Gift Shop with your request.
Group Tours
I am interested in booking a group. Who do I need to
speak to?
Please e-mail the
thowarth@boktower.org or call
(863)734-1209.
Inside the Tower
Is the Tower open for visitors?
The Tower has only one door that is used for both entering the
exiting; therefore, safety regulations prohibit general visitors
from entering the Tower. To learn more about the
Tower click here.
Mobility Concerns
Are the paths easily accessible by wheelchair, walker or
electric cart?
Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark dedicated
in 1929. Most areas are
handicap accessible. The incline leading up to the Tower is paved and most
of the pathways are mulched.
Do you have wheelchairs or mobility carts available?
Wheelchairs: We have one wheelchair, three adult strollers and five small
children strollers. They are available free for visitors to use
on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check in the Tower &
Garden Gift Shop upon arrival.
Mobility Carts: We have four
single-passenger electric personal mobility carts available to
rent for $6 for one (1) hour or less, $20 for four (4) hours and
$40 for an entire day. They are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Arrangements are made in the
Tower & Garden Gift Shop.
Can I reserve a wheelchair/mobility cart?
We encourage visitors to
bring their own wheelchairs or mobility carts, if needed. The
Garden's are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Arrangements are made in the Tower & Garden Gift Shop.
Mr. Bok's Famous Quote
What is the
famous quote attributed to Mr. Bok?
"Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you
have lived in it." These originally were the words of Mr.
Bok's grandmother, but were adopted by Edward Bok.
Pets
Do you allow pets in the gardens?
Although pets
are not allowed in the gardens, people often travel
with pets. The Sanctuary has a "pet pen" that we
describe as open-air, chain-link enclosed,
unattended with water available (you will have to
provide a water bowl). Arrangements are made
at the Tower & Garden Gift Shop. We ask for $10 and
provide a lock; when the lock is returned visitors
receive
$4.65 back so the fee is
only $5 plus tax. If the pet is a cat, bird or very small dog, special arrangements
can be made in the Tower & Garden Gift Shop. For further instructions at
the Gift Shop or 863.678.1159.
Picnics
Do you allow picnics?
We have designated picnic areas with benches for
your enjoyment. They are located just off the main parking area.
The south picnic area is located on the south side of the
parking area and features picnic-style tables and benches with
some shade. It is adjacent to some popular
family-friendly garden enhancements.
The west picnic area is located on the west side of the parking
area near the Visitor Center. It features picnic-style tables
and benches in a shaded area. Visitors are welcome to bring
their own refreshments or purchase them at the Carillon Café
which is located near the Visitor Center.
Pinewood Estate
Is the historic mansion open for tours?
Pinewood is open for walking tours. Upon arrival, please
check in the Visitor
Center for availability and tour times or call 863.676.1408.
School Field Trips
Can I bring my class to Historic Bok Sanctuary?
You will need to contact the Director of Visitor
Services & Education at 863.676.1408 ext. 2220.
Shuttle to the Tower
Is there a
shuttle to the Tower?
We do have a seasonal shuttle service that take visitors to the Tower.
However, during the annual Christmas at Pinewood holiday home
tour, the shuttle only transports visitors to Pinewood Estate.
Squirrels
Can I feed the squirrels?
For the safety of visitors and the well-being
of wildlife in their natural surrounding, we ask you not
to feed the squirrels. When visitors feed the squirrels, they
can become increasingly aggressive, expecting a treat.
Time Recommended for Visit
How
long does it take to walk through the gardens?
To fully experience the true essence of the
Gardens through
its many experiences - a historic Olmsted landscape garden, the
majesty and music of the carillon tower, Pinewood Estate mansion
tour, the museum exhibits, café, gift shop and more - we recommend that you plan
a minimum of three to four hours. Many visitors comment they
wish they’d allowed more time in their schedule for a longer
stay.
Volunteer Opportunities
How can I become a volunteer?
You will need to complete a volunteer application for
review by Visitor Services staff. You may contact the Volunteer
Coordinator by e-mail, by calling 863.676.1408, ext. 2224 or
by picking
up an application at the Visitor Center.
Weddings
Do you allow weddings at the Sanctuary?
Yes, Bok Tower Gardens is a popular wedding site and is
listed in "100 Best U.S. Wedding Destination" published in 2006.
Garden weddings are limited to 100 attendees.
You may find more information by
clicking here. Please contact the Wedding Coordinator by e-mail or by calling 863.676.1408, ext. 2250.
