Overview

Bok Tower Gardens is situated on Florida’s highest peninsular point. It has a wonderful 205 foot tower with 57 bells that play to the public every day.  The tower itself stands in a fabulous landscape of over 200 acres with magnificent woodland gardens which offer a good variety of tropical plants and gives visitors the opportunity to see some central Florida wildlife.

A good site map can be obtained at the gate and this will help you find a quiet relaxing area for those who are looking for peace and solitude whilst at the same time enjoying the tower bells.  The white garden is a popular backdrop for weddings, there is a grove of live oaks and a reflection pool that mirrors the tower itself.  Just find a bench, sit quietly and admire the stunning views. 

With 20 rooms, the property’s Pinewood Estate is considered to be one of the state’s finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture.

The tower and gardens have nonprofit status as an educational institution.  They operate a program for fourth graders as well as an adult Garden Campus with 60 programs offered to the public.  Included are day tours, classes, workshops and slide lectures.

There is also a café and gift shop to buy your souvenirs.

The address of Bok Tower Gardens is 1151 Tower Boulevard, North of Lake Wales, Florida 337853.  It is also a National Historic Landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History

It was in 1869 that a young Edward William Bok (born 1863 – died 1930) arrived in Brooklyn, New York from Den Helder, in the Netherlands.  At the tender age of 13 he left school to work as an office boy and free lance writer to earn money to help his struggling family.  He wrote many reviews and also edited a church newspaper.  By the time he had reached age 22, his own company called Bok Syndicate Press, was selling women’s features to newspapers.  In 1889, at age 25 he was hired as the editor of the very popular women’s magazine called The Ladies Home Journal.  It was here that he enjoyed a brilliant career lasting 30 years.  By the turn of the century his magazine was the most popular in the country and Mr. Bok had amassed a fortune.

He retired in 1919 and in 1922 he purchased a large tract of scrub and pine land on Iron Mountain, a 298 feet prominence located near Lake Wales.  Advise in his youth by his mother to “Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it”, Mr. Bok now had both the time and the money to carry out his mothers wishes.  It was his desire to do nothing less than to create an American Taj Mahal.  His book of that same name carries this dedication to the tower’s designer: “To Milton B. Medary, for his architectural conception of a Tower with no ancient, medieval or modern precedent and of surpassing beauty, nativeness and originality…”

Gardens

Frederick Law Olmsted, Junior designed the beautiful gardens at Bok Tower.  It contains acres of ferns, palms, oaks, pines, and wetland plants.  It should also be mentioned that Mr. Olmsted also designed New York Central Park. The plantings also include bunya-bunya trees, camellias, tree ferns, creeping fig, yaupon and dahoon holly, Asiatic jasmine, justica, crinum.and spider lily, wax myrtle, date and sabal plams, papyrus, philodendron, blue plumbage, and horsetail rush.  The site is a haven for more than a hundred bird species, the most prominently featured of which is the group of swans, who tend to stay near the reflection pool.

Although the gardens provide an assortment of native wildlife including birds, reptiles, and butterflies, the gardens also are well known for a large population of squirrels that show no fear of humans and often can be hand fed.

Singing Tower

The Singing Tower is the centerpiece of the gardens, and was designed by Milton Medary.  It was built at the highest elevation of the site, south of a reflection pool that allows the water to reflect its full image.  A 60 bell carillon is set within the 205 foot tall Late Gothic Revival tower.  Construction on the tower began in 1927 and was completed for the dedication of the gardens in 1929, when it was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge.  The tower is 51 feet square at its base, changing form at 150 feet high to an octagon with 37 feet sides that include sculptures designed by Lee Lawrie.  The tower is surrounded by a 15 foot moat that serves as a Koi carp fish pond.  It is built of pink Etowah marble and gray Creole marble, mined in Tate, Georgia, and Florida native coquina stone, from Daytona Beach, Florida.

Although the tower’s interior is not open to the public, it contains the Anton Brees Carillon Library, said to be the largest carillon library in the world.

Inside the bell chamber is a playing room that houses a clavier, or keyboard, that is used for playing the carillon bells. Recitals are given daily from the 60 bell carillon set.

Pine Ridge Trail 

The Pine Ridge Nature Preserve and Trail is a Longleaf Pine turkey Oak habitat.  Pine communities similar to this one used to cover millions of acres in the southeastern United States.  However, over the years, these have gradually disappeared and are now in danger of totally disappearing.  However, a small portion has been preserved in the Pine Ridge Nature preserve.

This habitat is an ecosystem typified by the overstory of Longleaf Pine and a dense groundcover of perennial grasses.  Visitors can experience this natural habitat on a three quarter mile trail that begins at Window by the Pond and ends at the parking lot.  There are many shaded benches along the route which serve as places for relaxation and time to think.  Along the trail, you will see a bog garden, an open glade and a sand hill forest community that is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

Pinewood Estate

Pinewood was built between 1930 and 1932 under the original name of “El Retiro”.   Taking a tour through the magnificent Mediterranean style Pinewood Estate lets you experience the luxurious lifestyle of C. Austin Buck, a 20th century industrialist who was vice president of Bethlehem Steel Co. in Pennsylvania.  Pinewood was his winter home.   The estate covers around eight acres of Bok Tower Gardens and is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.   The mansion has 30 rooms and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mediterranean style architecture in Florida.  From time to time, special musical performances are features at Pinewood Estate.  

Events

Throughout the year, there are numerous events designed to draw visitors to the Gardens.  These events include various concerts featuring folk music, jazz, orchestras, and the carillon bells of the Tower.  The most popular is the semi annual Concert Under the Stars, given in the evening once in the Fall and once in the Spring.  The event draws hundreds of visitors to the large field in front of the Tower for an outdoor picnic; and features music from both the symphony orchestra and carillon bells.

Bok Sanctuary is open daily and an admission fee is charged.  It comprises the gardens, the Singing Tower with its carillon bells, Pine Ridge Trail, Pinewood Estate, and a visitor center.

The atmosphere is great with a very friendly staff.  Your hostess will take you up to the display case and ask if you would like to choose your own steak.  As you pass by, you’ll see the yummy rolls being cut and shaped right before your eyes and your hostess will pick up a steaming basket full fresh out of the oven to leave with you after she has shown you to your table. While you’re waiting to order, snack on buckets of peanuts and keep your eyes open because at any time, you might see the wait staff break into a country line dance!

We love to start out with a spicy cactus blossom (a hand-battered whole onion, deep fried and served with Cajun horseradish sauce) or the Cheese Fries (steak fries with melted cheese and bacon).

There are many fabulous entrees, great steaks of course, but also ribs, BBQ chicken, pulled pork as well as seafood choices plus even a County Vegetable plate if you happen to have vegetarian in your party.  Probably the very best value is the 8 ounce sirloin steak dinner - only $10.99!! Dinner includes a fabulous salad with all the fixings topped off with hard boiled egg, shredded cheese and croutons (the house dressing is fabulous!), potato (try the sweet potato with brown sugar and marshmallows!) and those warm fresh made rolls that I already mentioned with cinnamon butter!!

I prefer the Dallas filet - 6 oz only $15.99! This one melts in your mouth.

For you guys with the big appetites, there’s a larger Dallas filet or see if you can handle a 16 ounce New York Strip, Sirloin, Rib-Eye or Prime Rib. 

For the kiddies, there is a great kid’s menu with prices starting around $2.99.  And for middle aged kids, there’s a Ranger Menu including a choice of sirloin steak, chicken or ribs.  All kid’s meals include a beverage and a side.

Save room for dessert – my favorite is Granny’s Apple Classic, but often times, I’ve got to have chocolate and the Big Ol’ Brownie is just the ticket!

We all agree that Texas Roadhouse offers truly extraordinary food and at the best prices besides!

Old Town in Florida is located just off highway 192 in Kissimmee, Florida just 3 miles away from the main entrance to Disney and just a few miles away from Universal Studios and Sea World, Old Town is also very close to hotels. In Old Town you will find dinning, shopping and entertainment for all ages there is also a fair which caters for all ages.

Dinning available at Old Town

KFC – offers you your chicken burgers and mini fillets, chicken strips, popcorn chicken along with side orders like mash potato, potato wedges, corn on the cob, coleslaw, Mac and cheese, home style biscuits.

A & W American food- offers you the well-known food that the whole family love with food like burgers and fries with root beers also served. They offer something the whole family will enjoy.

Blue Max Tavern- the Blue Max Tavern serves lunch and dinner on a daily basis. A full menu is available on arrival. They also have karaoke every night of the week. There is also a pool table and a full bar. Open until early hours of the morning most nights.

Old Town chip shop- is a British style fish and chip shop that offers English style fish and chips and home baked pies and mushy peas. They also offer a range of alcoholic drinks along with soft drinks.

Old Town fun fair- fun spot

Old town fun fair has rides and enjoyment for the entire family. Some of the rides that are on offer are the happy days family go-karts, tea cups, frog hopper, wave swinger, Ferris wheel, merry-go- round, Bumper cars, laser tag, a kid’s roller coaster. All rides require tickets to ride most rides are more than one tickets value ticket packs are available which makes the rides work out cheaper than buying tickets separately.

Though if you plan to ride the fair all day then buying a wristband works out a lot cheaper. 

Live music at Old Town

Old Town also offers live music throughout the year they have about four or five live bands in a month. The bands play on a Saturday night during the Saturday night cruise (with the old cars)

Weekly events at Old Towns

Thursday night is bike night- on a Thursday night is biker night where all bikers are able to come and show off their bikes whether you have a Harley Davison or a chopper come along to Old Town on a Thursday night for a night of fun.

But things are possibly changing.  Whilst the USA will most likely continue to be associated with the National Football League, ice hockey, baseball and basketball, there is a definite sign that cricket is making inroads.

There is a long history of cricket in the States – whilst today the big international rivalries are perhaps between England and Australia, or India and Pakistan, the first ever international cricket match was between USA and Canada, way back in 1844.

Since then other sports have dominated – but that may be about to change.  At the time of writing (April 2010), a series of international matches is being planned between New Zealand and Sri Lanka – to be staged in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  And there is already a thriving cricket league in Florida.

My local club, Tunbridge Wells Borderers, play in the East Sussex League in England, but also try and play in a variety of overseas locations.  And 2008 saw the club visiting Florida to take on a couple of local sides – Silver Spring Shores and Poinciana.

The two local teams consisted mostly of expatriates from the Caribbean, and proved to be excellent hosts.  Although their hospitality was restricted to ‘off the field; - the home teams won both matches by a comfortable margin.  The wonderful Florida weather sapped the energy of the visiting English team in temperatures seldom seen on the cricket fields of England.

But, in spite of the defeats, Florida proved to be a wonderful venue for a cricket tour.  The hosts hospitality and the Florida weather provided the backdrop as the English cricket team spent their time as tourists, enjoying golf, the theme parks, plenty of shopping……and, of course, the fabulous choice of restaurants.

Our touring party stayed in villas.  This proved to be much more cost effective than hotel rooms, whilst giving us the luxury of private pools, plenty of space and the convenience of self catering.

As you drive into the park you will find a small car park and there is a Historical account of the invasions/conquering of Florida.

The park staff will provide you with a free ferry ride across to an island where the small fort of Metanza can be found. It is located there to protect one of the routes to St Augustine.

When we visited there were even three guys dressed in military costume who gave you an account of how life was in the Fort during the time Florida was owned by the Spanish.

The kids will love it. A small ferry trip across the river and then some history as well

If you are on the way home from a park with the kids and you’ve been drenched wet through on the water rides, you probably want somewhere quick and easy. The Golden Corral was always our choice for those times, a vast array of food, buffet style with something for everyone, from meat, potatoes and veg to pizzas and burgers for the kids, with a fantastic assortment of desserts and cakes this is real value for money for about $12 per adult. They also do a great buffet breakfast if you want to fill up before your day out and the whole family can eat without breaking the bank.

Shoneys is another good option for the buffet breakfast or dinner. The choice of steakhouses is also vast and probably depends how far you want to drive. Mannys Chop House at Haines City do a great meal but beware the wait time can be 2 hours. You can call ahead but you will still have to wait and the place is always packed. For me, you can get a good steak elsewhere without all that waiting.

We like Longhorns on the 192, the Texas T’oniion is our favourite starter followed by Flo’s filet. We ate at a Longhorns out at Cocoa Beach once and it wasn’t as good so they do vary. The Outback is always good too.

We like the Bahama Breeze at Buena Vista, the menu is varied and the restaurant is really nice. We also like the Olive Garden there will be one of those close to wherever you stay. Don’t bother with a starter - you will get endless soup or salad and breadsticks, followed by a good selection of pasta, chicken, seafood and steak dishes. wherever you eat you will always get far too much