FAQ
Bok Tower Gardens is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) with the last admission at 5 p.m. Rates subject to change without notice.
- Adults: $20
- Children (ages 6-17): $10
- Children (5 and under): Free
- Dog admission $10
- Members: Free
- El Retiro Tour admission is an additional fee and can be purchased for $10 adults, $5 child (ages 6-17), children 5 and under are free. Member rate for El Retiro is $7.
- Group rates are available with pre-registration of 20 or more.
El Retiro at Pinewood is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Day after Thanksgiving - April 30) and Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (May 1 - Thanksgiving).
General admission and an El Retiro tour ticket is required to visit the estate. Tour tickets can be purchased at the Entrance Gate or the Visitor Center.
If you are a member of another participating garden or cultural institution, we are honoring the reciprocal admission agreement. Please present your membership card upon arrival at the gate for complimentary admission.
Discounted admission tickets can be purchased at the Visit Central Florida Welcome Center located at 101 Adventure Court, Davenport, FL. AAA members will receive a $3 discount on combo admission by presenting a valid membership card. We are offering free admission to active members of the military.
Daily visitors cannot go inside the Singing Tower. Brass Door level members and above are invited to Founder’s Room tours. The Singing Tower was built to be a musical instrument and was not intended for public visitation. As there is only one door used for both entering and exiting, safety regulations prohibit daily public tours of the Tower.
From Orlando, take I-4 West
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 stop sign, 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 will see the main entrance sign to Bok Tower Gardens. Turn left and proceed to the entrance gate.
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 stop sign, 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 will see the main entrance sign to Bok Tower Gardens. 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 stop sign, 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 will see the 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 stoplight, turn West (left) onto County Road 17-A (also called Burns Ave.). Proceed on CR 17-A approximately .7 mile to the entrance of Bok Tower Gardens on your right.
The Singing Tower carillon concerts are at 1 & 3 p.m. daily with short selections played on the hour and half-hour. The carillon schedule features historic recordings from the Anton Brees Carillon Library collection by carillonneur Milford Myhre and William De Turk for the summer months until mid-October. The carillon schedule features live concerts by Geert D’hollander mid-October through mid-May, Thursday to Sunday. Concerts can be heard throughout the Gardens and there is no additional ticket required.
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.
AFTER HOURS PHOTOSHOOTS ARE NOT PERMITTED.
Bok Tower Gardens is a no drone zone. Due to strong safety concerns and protection of our National Historic Landmark, drone flight or photography (or flight of unmanned, and/or remote controlled aircraft of any kind) originating from or flying over Bok Tower Gardens property, is strictly prohibited, except in collaboration with Bok Tower Gardens’ Marketing Department and with express written permission.
We encourage our visitors to make the most of the day by bringing a camera to take photos. Photography is allowed in all areas of the Gardens during regular operating hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last admission at 5 p.m. Visitor, artistic, and portrait photography is permitted anywhere on the grounds for personal, non-commercial use. Any parties who wish to take personal, non-commercial photography for bridal, wedding, engagement, birthday, reunion, or family portraits by professional photographers on the grounds of Bok Tower Gardens may do so with regular paid admission. Portrait photography may not block, disrupt or hinder visitor access or circulation of paths and walkways. Glitter, confetti, and balloons are prohibited.
Bok Tower Gardens is committed to making the garden experience accessible to all who visit, and we are working to make our facilities and grounds more accessible. However, due to the historic nature of the gardens, some areas may present challenges to persons with disabilities. Most areas are accessible. The incline leading up to the Tower is paved and most of the pathways are mulched.
We highly encourage our visitors to bring their own wheelchair or mobility cart to the Gardens, if needed. We have several mobility carts for rent for $10 per hour, $30 per half day and $60 for a full day. Mobility carts are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrangements are made at The Shop at Bok. Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
Yes. Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden offers fun ways for children to discover the natural world.
Enjoy a stroll with your four-legged friend. Admission for dogs is $10 per animal per day. All dogs must remain on a leash during their visit. Dogs are not permitted inside Hammock Hollow, the Alexander Discovery Center, El Retiro, the Blue Palmetto Cafe, or at ticketed special events, weddings and receptions.
Listed below are guidelines that must be followed at all times:
• All dogs must be dog-friendly, adult-friendly and child-friendly.
• All dogs must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash. For safety reasons, retractable leashes are not permitted and dogs must not be left unattended.
• Dog owners/handlers MUST pick up and properly dispose of their dogs’ waste.
• Dogs must remain on paths and lawns only. Do not allow your dog to dig, enter ponds or engage in excessive barking.
*Bok Tower Gardens reserves the right to revoke admission for any dog and its owner from the premises. Owners/Handlers will not hold Bok Tower Gardens and/or any associated parties responsible for any injury and/or incidents that may occur.
Yes, outside food and beverage are permitted during our daytime operations. Limited outdoor seating is available at the Outdoor Kitchen, and in the picnic areas. We recommend visitors bring a blanket or table covering for the outdoor tables. Visitors may also use picnic blankets in the Gardens. Outside food and beverage is prohibited during our evening special events.
Yes, 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 Blue Palmetto Café which is located near the Visitor Center.
To fully enjoy the true essence of the Gardens through its many experiences – a historic Olmsted landscape garden, the majesty and music of the Singing Tower carillon, El Retiro at Pinewood 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 would have allowed more time in their schedule for a longer stay.
Yes, Bok Tower Gardens is a popular wedding site and is listed in “100 Best U.S. Wedding Destinations. You may find more information on our Weddings page. Please contact rdhorton@boktower.org.
Please email our Group Sales Representative at programs@boktower.org or call (863) 734-1222.
Yes, we encourage school groups to make reservations to visit. Check out our Education pages for program information and contact.
Yes! Please visit Volunteering at Bok Tower Gardens to find out more information and submit your application.
Bok Tower Gardens accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.
If you need lost & found assistance, please go to the Visitor Center for assistance or call 863-676-1408.
“Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” Originally, these were the words of Mr. Bok’s grandmother, but were adopted by Edward Bok.
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 tend to become increasingly aggressive, always expecting a treat.
Yes, we have several partner accommodations listed for those visiting Central Florida.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Bok Tower Gardens is unable to provide financial sponsorships or program advertising in support of fundraising events. However, we may be able to provide ticket donations to your event. Ticket donation requests must be made through email or fax, and received by the Gardens a minimum of six weeks prior to the event in order to allow sufficient time for review and processing. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, we can not guarantee full consideration of a request that is submitted with less time. While each request receives careful consideration, we regret that we are unable to accommodate all organizations that ask for our assistance. Please email requests to receptionist@boktower.org or fax to 863.676.6670 (Attn: Receptionist; Ticket Donations)