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Lake Wales is a small city in eastern Polk County, Florida. The city is in the middle of a long, narrow region known as the Lake Wales Ridge. The Lake Wales Ridge was the first part of the Florida Peninsula to rise above sea level, beginning as a series of small sandy islands not unlike the Florida Keys today. It is a unique environment from its surrounding and home to several endemic species, such as the gopher tortoise and scrub jay. The city of Lake Wales lies at the southern foot of Iron Mountain—the second-highest point on the Florida Peninsula at 295 ft (90 m)—and is home to famous Bok Tower Gardens and its Singing Tower. Near the center of town lies Lake Wailes. The city is small, but much of the rural area extending east and southeast of town is considered as part of Lake Wales and included in this guide.
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Sitting atop Iron Mountain, Bok Tower Gardens consists of 250 acres of botanical gardens, a 205 ft (62 m) Singing Tower with carillon bells, Pine Ridge Trail, Pine Ridge Estate, and a visitor center. The site was commissioned by Edward Bok to transform the prominent, sandy hill into "a spot of beauty second to none in the country". Noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. laid out the site to include 1,000 large live oaks, 10,000 azaleas, 100 sabal palms, 300 magnolias, and 500 gordonias, as well as hundreds of fruit shrubs including blueberry and holly. The Singing Tower, set atop the summit of the hill, is a mix of Gothic Revival and Art Deco style. It contains a 60-bell carillon set, with music every half-hour and full concerts at 1PM & 3PM daily (the Easter Sunday recital draws a huge crowd), and contains the largest carillon music library in the world (although not open to the public). The Pine Ridge estate is a 1932 mansion kept in original decor and open to the public. The mansion is especially beautiful when decorated for Christmas and the winter season. Adjacent to the gardens are 50 acres of native habitat have been set aside, with a nature trail coursing through. Enter between 8AM-9AM on Saturdays for half-price admission. Picnics are ok in designated areas with your own food (there is also a cafe). Personal, non-commercial photography is ok, but commercial photographers must contact Rita Horton at +1 863 734-1214 or email rdhorton@boktower.org. Bok Tower Gardens is a popular wedding location.
The district is bounded by the U.S. 27A (Scenic Highway), Central Ave, Market St, and Orange Ave. It contains 16 historic buildings. The Dixie Walesbilt Hotel (or Grand Hotel) dates to 1926. Abandoned and neglected for the last couple of decades, the interior is even more ornate. It's now being rennovated and looking gorgeous. The hotel will be restored to its prior glory.
Displays for visitors to learn about the local citrus industry. Samples of fresh juices. Open seasonally, October until Memorial Day.
The city's historic railroad station has been restored and transformed into a museum featuring displays/exhibits from the city's history, its industry, along with an old caboose.
Non-profit community theater producing plays, musicals, & other productions throughout the year. Check website current/upcoming productions.
A nearly 6000 acre park located on the banks of the third largest lake in Florida. Offers 13 mi (21 km) of nature trails (walk, horse, mountain bike), picnic facilities, & camping pads. Fishing in Lake Kissimmee is excellent, especially on boat (although canal-side fishing opportunities exist). Cow Camp is a living-history demonstration of life in frontier Florida. Airboat tours of Lake Kissimmee (including some sections of the park) are also popular, but must be booked through an outside operator (see "On the water" section below), not through the park office or from within the park. Airboats are prohibited from being launched at the park's boat ramp or operate near the park's boat ramp/marina area. Airboat tours launch from nearby boat ramps and pass through limited sections of the park (mainly Lake Kissimmee, but not creeks/marshes leading away from the lake).
Boat ramp, picnic tables, shelters/pavilions, & campsites available.
A short hiking trail leads to a shaded oak hammock, great for birders to settle in for great bird watching. Bank fishing is permitted at a small pond near the entrance. Look for alligators, deer, otters, a wide variety of birds and even the elusive Florida panther. A picnic table is available, but there are no restrooms.
A 4031 acre tract of land along Lake Weohyakapka, although there is no direct access to the lake. A terrain of pine flatwoods & marshes. A hiking trail runs 2.1 mi (3.4 km) along a former railroad line, roughly 6 ft (2 m) above the surrounding landscape with little shade. A campsite trail runs 2.2 mi (3.5 km) roundtrip through oak hammocks to the campsite. An equestrian trail runs 4.8 mi (7.7 km) round-trip through a few different environments. All trails are great for mountain biking. Primitive campsites are available as are equestrian trails. Both activities require a special-use permit available by calling +1 863 534-7377.
Brochure KICCO comprises more than 7000 acres of wildlife-rich land along a section of the Kissimmee River which has been channelized. The land is open for recreational use year-round, although hunting seems to draw a large portion of visitors during established hunting seasons. The Florida Trail runs for 13 mi (21 km) through KICCO. Vehicle access is subject to quotas and a Vehicle Access Authorization is required to enter (available online or by calling +1-800-250-4200 Ext.3333). The main road is great for biking. Features an 8 mi (13 km) trail for hiking/biking through oak hammocks. Camping is available and requires a special use permit. Hunting requires a special-use permit (available here) and is subject to strict quotas and behavior; check the website for limits and regulations.
Tandem skydiving experiences. CRW, Formation Skydiving (FS), Freeflying, Wingsuiting, Swooping and Accuracy on offer for experienced skydivers. Accelerated Freefall Program is offered to prepare for your first solo skydive.
Cruise local waters on airboat. Tours are two hours (many other airboat tour operators only offer 1-hour tours) birding tours, alligator tours (best between Dec-Mar), and nature tours. Call for pricing and reservations.
Airboat tours. Must call for reservations and pricing.
Airboat tours on the Kissimmee River lakes, with departures at 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, & 3PM (weather-permitting). Personalized sunset cruises available (appointment only, inquire at office). One-person rides $100, two-person rides $50/person, otherwise $40/person (up to 14 passengers). Children (6 & under): $20. Reservations not required, but appreciated. Pontoon boats are available for full-day ($200; 8AM-4PM) or half-day ($125; 8AM-Noon OR Noon-4PM). Also available are 14ft Jon boats for full-day ($100; 8AM-4PM) or half-day ($75; 8AM-Noon OR Noon-4PM).
Airboat tours along the shores of Lake Kissimmee. Adults $30, children $15 with discounts for guests staying at the resort.
Non-guests at the park can rent motorless boats for $20 daily, $80 weekly, or $160 monthly. Motor boats are available to rent for $80 daily or $320 weekly.
Professional fishing guides. Book a trip to catch that trophy bass you've always wanted on any of the great bass-fishing lakes of Eastern Polk County, such as Lake Kissimmee, Lake Hatchineha, Lake Walk-in-water, or Crooked Lake. Offerings include 4-, 6-, or 8-hour trips with all the tackle, rods, soft drinks, and snacks you'll need.
On the shore of Lake Rosalie. Pontoon rentals. Bait & Tackle. Fishing guides. (Website not working as of Nov 2012)
Take an airboat or swampbuggy ride through Florida as nature created (1 hour tours: Adults $25, children $15). Eight-passenger pontoon boats are available to rent ($65/hour) for use on the Kissimmee River. Fishing excursions may be arranged in advance by calling the marina. Fishing licenses, bait, & tackle are available at the marina shop.
Semi-private, 2 18-hole courses. Slope rating: 126. USGA rating: 70.2. Golf club rental & lessons available. Restaurant.
Held in March. A community parade full of floats, Krewes, and plenty of free goodies passed out along the way. Food trucks and arts and crafts can also be found in a stationary location.
March
This festival, held along the shores of Lake Wailes, features dozens of vendors, exhibitors, food stalls, entertainment, and a juried art competition.
Don't miss the Saturday Fish Fry.
Chow down on seafood and steak in a country atmosphere. Features specialties like gator.
Fresh seafood.
Italian cuisine.
BBQ chain with ribs, prime rib, steak, or chicken.
Kitchen/efficiencies available. Pool. Pets allowed. Handicapped access. Wi-fi internet access (for a fee).
Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi internet access.
Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi internet access.
Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi internet access.
31 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Tent camping permitted. Handicapped access.
265 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Tent camping permitted. Pool. Wi-fi internet access (for a fee).
102 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Pool. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi available.
22 sites. Hookups, laundry, & showers available. Tent camping permitted. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi available.
65 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Tent camping permitted. Free wi-fi available.
90 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Pool. Tent camping permitted. Handicapped access. Wi-fi available (for a fee).
35 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Pool. Tent camping permitted. Free wi-fi available.
118 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Pool. Tent camping permitted. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi available.
110 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Handicapped access.
By bus
Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT, +1 863 534-5500) provides public bus service in eastern Polk County.
By train
Lake Wales lies close to the Amtrak Silver Star & Silver Meteor routes, but does not have a station.
By air
The nearest commercial airport is Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in Lakeland, about 45 minutes away, which has service from Avelo Airlines to a few destinations.
By bus
R.R. 17) to Babson Park and Frostproof. Route 30 connects the Eagle Ridge Mall to southeast Winter Haven (including Legoland) and downtown Winter Haven. Route 25 runs from Lake Wales Plaza to Bartow.
By taxi
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lakeland · Regional · LAL
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