Attractions and Places To See around Lake Wales - Top 7

Lake Wales offers several natural attractions. You can visit Bok Tower Gardens, known for its landscaped gardens and bird sanctuary. Lake Wailes Park features a scenic paved trail around the lake, home to rare plants and diverse wildlife. Further afield, Lake Kissimmee State Park provides 13 miles of trails for hiking and wildlife viewing, while Tiger Creek Preserve offers ancient scrub habitats and unique flora.

Absolutely! Families will enjoy Legoland Florida, a theme park with rides, a water park, and the separate Peppa Pig Theme Park. Bok Tower Gardens includes the Hammock Hollow Children's Garden, perfect for younger visitors. Don't miss Spook Hill, a unique gravity hill that creates an optical illusion where cars appear to roll uphill, which is a fun and mysterious experience for all ages.

Lake Wales is rich in history and culture. The Bok Tower Gardens features a historic 205-foot singing carillon tower. Explore Historic Downtown Lake Wales, showcasing Mission Revival and Mediterranean Revival architecture from the 1920s and 30s. The Lake Wales History Museum, located in a restored 1928 railroad station, offers insights into the city's past, complete with a historic pullman car. The Church of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Lake Wales Cultural Center, is another notable historic site with Spanish Mission style architecture.

The Lake Wales area offers various outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking trails at Bok Tower Gardens and Tiger Creek Preserve. Lake Wailes Park has a 2.3-mile paved trail perfect for walking or biking. For road cycling, there are several routes around Lake Wales, including loops around Lake Reed and Lake Hamilton. You can find more details on these routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Lake Wales guide.

Lake Wales is a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts. Bok Tower Gardens was established as a bird sanctuary and is home to various bird species. Lake Wailes Park is known for its diverse array of wildlife. Lake Kissimmee State Park is home to white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and sandhill cranes. Tiger Creek Preserve and SUMICA Wildlife Management Area also offer excellent opportunities for birding and observing native wildlife.

The best time to visit Lake Wales is typically during the cooler, drier months from late fall to early spring (November to April). During this period, the weather is more comfortable for exploring outdoor attractions like Bok Tower Gardens and hiking trails. Summers can be hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Yes, the region is known for its lakes. Crooked Lake, one of the largest lakes in Polk County, is popular with anglers and offers public access via parks and boat ramps. Lake Wailes Lake is also a popular spot for boating and fishing. Additionally, Camp Mack on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes provides access to excellent bass fishing and airboat rides.

The Lake Wales Ridge is a significant natural feature, forming a backbone in Central and South Florida. It hosts some of North America's most diverse and unusual biological communities, including scrub habitats with a high concentration of rare and endangered plants. This elevated landscape contributes to the unique ecosystems found at places like Tiger Creek Preserve.

Visitors frequently praise the tranquil beauty and spiritual enrichment found at Bok Tower Gardens. The scenic views and opportunities for gentle recreation at Lake Wailes Park are also highly appreciated. The unique optical illusion at Spook Hill provides a memorable and fun experience, while Legoland Florida is a hit for its family-friendly entertainment.

Beyond the attractions, Lake Wales offers unique cultural and dining experiences. Chalet Suzanne is an iconic restaurant known for its gourmet cuisine and rich history. The Lake Wales Arts Council enriches the community with arts education and performance events, and the city has established the first 'Arts, Culture and Entertainment District' in Polk County within its historic downtown, featuring local restaurants and shops.

Yes, for a taste of Florida's cowboy history, you can visit Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Located nearby, it offers a rodeo every Saturday night and opportunities for glamping and other outdoor activities, showcasing the area's ranching heritage.

Yes, Lake Wailes Park features a 2.3-mile, 12-foot-wide paved trail around half of the lake, making it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Many areas within Bok Tower Gardens are also designed to be accessible, though some paths may be unpaved.