How far is Bok Tower Gardens from Orlando?

Bok Tower Gardens is approximately 60 miles south of Orlando, near Lake Wales. The drive takes about 60-75 minutes depending on your starting point. Plan it as a half-day trip with at least 2 hours on the grounds.

What time are the carillon concerts at Bok Tower?

The carillon plays a full concert at 3PM daily. Additional shorter performances occur at various times throughout the day — check the Bok Tower website for the current schedule. The 3PM concert is the main event and draws visitors to the lawn around the tower.

Is Bok Tower Gardens good for kids?

Yes — especially for ages 2-10. The Hammock Hollow Children's Garden has water features, a butterfly garden, and climbing elements designed specifically for young children. The carillon bells are a unique experience that most kids genuinely find impressive. Teens may find it too quiet.

How much does Bok Tower Gardens cost?

Adult admission runs ~$15-20; children 5-12 ~$5-8; children under 5 are free. A family of 4 typically spends $50-80 for admission. The on-site café has reasonable prices for a tourist attraction.

Is there a children's play area at Bok Tower Gardens?

Yes — the Hammock Hollow Children's Garden is a dedicated area with water play features, a butterfly garden, sensory plantings, and a treehouse-style overlook. It's included with general admission and is well-designed for the under-10 crowd.

Bok Tower Gardens

Name: Bok Tower Gardens
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Orlando, FL, 33853, US
Telephone: +1 863-676-1408
Rating: 4.8

1 / 5

Rating

4.8(11,634)

Family of 4

$50-80 total: adult admission ~$15-20, child (5-12) ~$5-8; under 5 free; café on-site

Duration

2-3 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 2-10; parents and grandparents love it

About

Bok Tower Gardens is a legitimately special place that most Orlando visitors never find — a National Historic Landmark 60 miles south of the city, on Florida's highest point, surrounding a 205-foot Gothic and Art Deco carillon tower that rings its 60 bronze bells in a concert every afternoon at 3PM.

Edward Bok, a Dutch-American publisher, commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. (son of the Central Park designer) to create the gardens in the 1920s as a gift to the American public. The landscape reflects that intention — it's not a theme park garden but a serious work of landscape architecture, with reflecting pools, Spanish moss-draped live oaks, thousands of azaleas and camellias, and the tower rising dramatically from what amounts to a small hill in otherwise flat Florida terrain.

For families, the Hammock Hollow Children's Garden is the dedicated discovery zone: a water feature area where kids can get appropriately damp, a butterfly garden, sensory herb plantings, a treehouse overlook, and exploration nooks that feel genuinely adventurous at scale for young children. The carillon concert is the anchor of any visit — hearing 60 bronze bells played live from a 200-foot tower is something most kids have no reference point for, and they invariably stop and listen.

Practically: Bok Tower is a day trip from Orlando, not a quick add-on. Budget at least an hour each way. The grounds are beautiful but entirely outdoor, so visit October-April for comfortable conditions. Children under 5 are free, and the overall cost is modest compared to theme park alternatives. Bring a picnic to take advantage of the extraordinary outdoor spaces.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Available

Kid Meals

Limited

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Cool season (November-March) for comfortable temperatures and peak bird activity. The carillon bells play at 3PM daily — time your visit to hear the concert from the gardens.

Wait Times

No lines — self-guided garden walking

Nearby Food

Bok Tower has an on-site café with sandwiches, soups, and snacks. Lake Wales downtown (10 minutes) has additional dining options. This is rural Florida — plan your food strategy before you go.

Why Kids Love It

Bok Tower Gardens is anchored by a 205-foot Gothic and Art Deco carillon tower — 60 bronze bells that ring out across the gardens at 3PM in a daily concert that sounds like nothing kids hear anywhere else. The grounds are Florida's highest point (298 feet above sea level), with sprawling lawns, a moat around the tower, and a 1920s mansion (Pinewood Estate) that makes kids feel like they've stepped into a fairy tale. The children's garden section has a splash fountain area, sensory plants, and a treehouse-style overlook.

What Parents Say

“Ticket prices are reasonable too: $20 for adults, $10 for kids 6-17, and free for kids 5 and under.”

Google Review

Pro Tips from Parents

The carillon concert at 3PM is the marquee event — plan to be on the grounds at least 30 minutes early for the best listening spot.
The Hammock Hollow Children's Garden is a dedicated area with interactive water features, a butterfly garden, and climbing areas specifically for young kids.
Located 60 miles from Orlando — budget an hour each way; this is a half-day trip minimum.
Bring a picnic — the grounds have beautiful picnic areas under live oak canopy.
The tower itself is not open to enter (the bells are automated) but the exterior and grounds are stunning.

What to Bring

Sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottles
Picnic food
Camera
Bug spray

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$50-80 total: adult admission ~$15-20, child (5-12) ~$5-8; under 5 free; café on-site

Tips to Save

Children under 5 are free.
The garden café is reasonably priced for a tourist attraction.
AAA members may receive discounts.
The grounds are extensive — comfortable shoes and water are free savings on avoidable discomfort.