Bok Tower Gardens: A Scenic Oasis in Central Florida

Photo by: tripstodiscover

Located in Lake Wales, Florida, Bok Tower Gardens is a stunning 250-acre oasis of natural beauty and architectural wonder. The Gardens were established in 1929 by Edward Bok, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and philanthropist, who envisioned creating a peaceful retreat that would inspire visitors with the beauty of nature and the arts.

One of the main features of Bok Tower Gardens is the 205-foot neo-Gothic Singing Tower, which is the centerpiece of the property. The tower houses a carillon of 60 bells, which chime beautiful melodies throughout the day. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding gardens and countryside.

The Gardens themselves are a work of art, featuring an array of rare and exotic plants and flowers from around the world. The gardens are divided into several themed areas, including the Olmsted Garden, the Wild Garden, and the Mediterranean-style Walled Garden. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and admire the variety of plants and flowers, including azaleas, camellias, and magnolias.

In addition to the gardens, Bok Tower Gardens also features a visitor center with interactive exhibits about the history and ecology of the area. The center also has a gift shop and a café that serves fresh and delicious food made with locally sourced ingredients.

Throughout the year, Bok Tower Gardens hosts a variety of events and programs, including concerts, art exhibits, and workshops. One of the most popular events is the Sunset & Symphony Concert, which takes place in February and features a live orchestra playing classical and contemporary music as the sun sets over the Singing Tower.

Bok Tower Gardens is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature, art, and architecture. With its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and stunning Singing Tower, the Gardens provide a unique and memorable experience that is sure to inspire and delight visitors of all ages. So, if you’re in central Florida, be sure to make time to visit this hidden gem and discover the natural beauty and artistic wonder of Bok Tower Gardens.

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10 Best Things To Do in Tampa

Tampa Bay, Florida, is a vibrant and exciting city with plenty of activities for both tourists and locals. Whether you’re a fan of the outdoors, art, or simply relaxing, Tampa Bay offers something for everyone. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best things to do in Tampa Bay, Florida.

1. Tampa River Walk

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The Tampa Riverwalk is a paved, picturesque route that hugs the Hillsborough River for about 2.5 miles. Along the path, there are numerous restaurants, shops, parks, playgrounds, bike rental businesses, and popular sites like the Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children’s Museum that visitors may explore while walking, biking, rollerblading, and admiring public art. If you want to visit multiple museums and attractions along the riverwalk, there is a paid attraction pass available. The trail is open to everyone.

2. Armature Works

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For foodies and admirers of architecture, Tampa’s Armature Works Heights Public Market, a 22,000-square-foot industrial market, is the place to go. As a storage and maintenance facility for Tampa Electric’s streetcars in the past, the 1910 structure helped to create the urban vibe it exudes today. The property is conveniently reachable on foot or by using local parking lots because it is situated directly next to the Riverwalk. Opening hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. till midnight on Friday. up until Saturday midnight. It opens to guests at nine in the morning. to 9 p.m. Sunday. It’s free to enter. In the nearby lots, parking costs $5 to $10 (a deterrent for some recent visitors); there is also street parking accessible. Find out more by visiting the market’s website.

3. Busch Gardens

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Busch Gardens, a popular daytime activity in Tampa, spans 335 acres and features more than 200 animal species, live performances, restaurants, roller coasters, shops, and games. Did you know that Disney World, which is nearby, is really younger than Busch Gardens? Additionally, it is less expensive and has themed areas like the Edge of Africa as well as animal exhibits inspired by the Serengeti Plain and the Myombe Reserve (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg).

4. Florida Aquarium

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The Florida Aquarium, which is situated on the southern border of downtown Tampa, is home to a vast array of aquatic life, including at last count more than 8,000 different species. The maze of stingrays, moray eels, and sea turtles that reside here is said to take at least three hours to navigate, although there’s a strong possibility your kids will get bored with the excursion before then. Don’t forget to bring a towel! Young children will love the Splash Pad section, a zero-depth outdoor area with geysers, dump buckets, and spray zones for little ones.

5. Tampa Bay History Center

Photo by: Visit Tampa Bay

If you want to learn more about the first settlers of Florida, go to the Smithsonian-affiliated Tampa Bay History Center. The 60,000 square foot history center, which is ideally situated on Tampa’s waterfront, showcases 12,000 years of Florida history over three floors of exhibitions, educational films, and hands-on activities. The “Cuban Pathways” exhibit at the facility gives details about the immigrant communities in Ybor City and the cigar industry in Tampa. To brush up on your knowledge of the earliest European explorers and pirates to set foot in Florida, another option is to go to the “Treasure Seekers” exhibit.

6. Dinosaur World

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The fauna in Florida is well-known, but what about the creatures that existed before cougars and birds? This narrative is presented in Dinosaur World among numerous life-size dinosaurs. Dinosaur World combines entertainment and knowledge for children by offering events and facilities like fossil digs, gem excavation, a boneyard, and a museum with real fossils and animatronics. The main draw is exploring the realistic landscape and taking in the dinosaur replicas that resemble roadside attractions.

7. Tampa Theatre

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Visitors urge you to visit the magnificently opulent Tampa Theatre even if you aren’t in town to see a movie or a show. The location was regarded as one of the most spectacular theaters in the world when it was constructed in 1926. The interior, which was created by architect John Eberson, has a 1,400-pipe Wurlitzer organ and was built to resemble a garden with flowering vines and gargoyles. There are 99 lights on the ceiling that are designed to simulate stars in the night sky. Consider taking a tour in its place if you are unable to attend a show here.

8. Tampa Boat Tours

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Take a boat cruise around Tampa’s bay to really appreciate its coastal location. You can choose from a variety of tour options, such as dolphin cruises, sunset sails, and half-day excursions. Consider scheduling time for the Wild Dolphin Cruise if you already have plans to visit the Florida Aquarium. The 75-minute catamaran trip is part of the excursion, which leaves twice daily from the aquarium. The objective of the tour is to travel deep enough into Tampa Bay to watch the numerous bottlenose dolphins that reside there, but you might also see a variety of birds and the occasional marine turtle. Keep in mind that if you wish to add this activity to your visit, you must buy the aquarium’s combo ticket.

9. Bok Tower Gardens

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10. Tampa golf

Photo by: TPC Tampa Bay

Tampa is a terrific area to play a few rounds of golf because of the year-round great weather. The PGA Tour Champions event has been held at TPC Tampa Bay for more than 20 years, and it is one of the most well-liked courses in the area. Bobby Weed created the 18-hole course, while Chi-Chi Rodriguez served as the player consultant. Recent golfers commended the accommodating service and delighted in the as described difficult course. Find out which DATA BROKERS sell your