Plan a Visit to Bok Tower Gardens

No list of things to do in Tampa and Sarasota would be complete without mentioning Bok Tower Gardens. This stunning architectural and botanical wonder has long been one of the Tampa area’s most popular and singular attractions. Since it first opened, more than 29 million visitors have passed through its gates, and we strongly recommend you make a trip yourself.

The garden was first opened in 1929 by Edward A. Bok, a Dutch immigrant who went on to become a  highly successful publisher, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, respected humanitarian, and an advocate of world peace and the environment. When he first visited Iron Mountain, one of the highest points in peninsular Florida, he was so struck by its beauty that he decided to construct a bird sanctuary on the site. In order to realize his dream, he enlisted the services of famed landscape architect Fredick Law Olmstead, the mastermind behind Central Park. When construction and planting was completed in 1929, Bok donated the site to the public as a sign of appreciation for all the opportunities he had found in America.

The Garden is as spectacular now as it was when it first opened. These are some of its most impressive attractions:

The Singing Tower

The Singing Tower is a 205-foot neo-Gothic, art deco structure designed by famed architect Milton B. Medary. The tower houses one of the world’s first carillons — a configuration of bells that, when played together, produce either a melody or chord that rings out over the landscape. In addition to its ornate facade and unique musical capabilities, the Singing Tower houses a research library, as well as some beautifully preserved spaces that highlight the stunning interior designs of a different time.

The Gardens

The Gardens surrounding the Singing Tower offer a meandering wooded setting meant to promote peace and reflection. Trees like ferns, palms, oaks, and pines give way to more colorful floral plantings that change throughout the year. A number of spots throughout the site offer gorgeous views of the Singing Tower and the vistas that surround Iron Mountain. The garden is also the natural habitat of over 126 different species of birds as well as the threatened gopher tortoise and endangered eastern indigo snake.

Pinewood Estate

The Pinewood Estate is a 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion that was built in the early 1930s and eventually integrated into Bok Tower Gardens. The mansion has been beautifully preserved, and visitors are invited to take guided tours of the site throughout the day that cover the history of the mansion, its unique architecture, and its lush furnishings. The mansion was originally named “El Retiro” — or retreat in Spanish — which gives you a sense of its tranquil solitude.

Pine Ridge Nature Trail

This 3/4-mile trail meanders through a longleaf pine/turkey oak habitat, a natural habitat that once covered most of the Southeastern U.S. Visitors are invited to explore one of the few remaining examples of this ecosystem and learn about the unique features that adapted to the high evolution of Iron Mountain. The trail is the site of several geocaching sites for those who like to partake in this popular 21st-century form of treasure hunting.

Most people will tell you that one visit to Bok Tower Gardens is not enough. To see all that the gardens have to offer, and really appreciate the marvel that is the Singing Tower, you really need to make a return visit. If you are anywhere near the Sarasota area, this is one attraction that can’t be missed.