Top Things To Do in Lake Wales
Lake Wales, known as the “Crown Jewel of the Ridge,” is a wonderful little town bursting with pride, and for good reason. Located just southeast of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven, Lake Wales is home to Bok Tower Gardens, built atop Iron Mountain, one of the highest points in Florida at 295-feet above sea level, and Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River.
Activities & Places to Visit
Explore Bok Tower Gardens, a national historic landmark, and enjoy lunch at the Blue Palmetto Café as well as an afternoon carillon concert.
Enjoy a championship rodeo every Saturday night at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, where you’ll watch professional cowboys and cowgirls compete in trick riding, barrel racing and bull riding.
Hire a fishing guide and catch large-mouth bass and black crappie on Lake Kissimmee.
Take a selfie during a mural tour while exploring downtown.
Explore Tiger Creek Preserve with its hardwood swamps, hammocks, oak scrub and wiregrass habitat in search of rare plants and animals.
Visit Spook Hill. Park your car at the white line, put it in neutral, and experience the mysterious force that seems to defy gravity.
Tour El Retiro, a 20 room Mediterranean style mansion at Bok Tower Gardens.
Schedule an airboat tour with Alligator Cove Tours or Alligators Unlimited Airboat Tours.
Go birding at SUMICA Wildlife Management Area. Sounds of warblers fill the air and be on the lookout for herons, sandhill cranes, and wild turkey.
Stop by the Lake Wales History Museum and learn about the history of Lake Wales, the railroads in central Florida, and find out why the area is known as the Lake Wales Ridge.
Florida’s Cowboy heritage comes alive in Lake Wales! Experience a living history demonstration at Lake Kissimmee State Park’s Cow Camp.
Formerly a Catholic church, the Lake Wales Arts Council is a magnificent building. Visitors can tour the “mission style” building, see rotating art exhibits, plus attend concerts and workshops.
Where to Stay in Lake Wales
Glamp in a Luxe Teepee or Tent at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.
Bring your RV or book a luxury cottage at Resort at Canopy Oaks.
Check out Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort, where you can fish, camp, eat, take a nature tour, go on an airboat ride, and more. And if you’re feeling romantic, they offer sunset cruises.
Shopping
Stop by Florida’s Natural Grove Store. It’s one of our favorite gift shops in the county, offering an array of citrus-related gifts, food, books and more.
Go antiquing at Relics Reclaimed, Inglenook Antiques & Collectibles, and All About Antiques.
Restaurants in Lake Wales
Discover why Crazy Fish Bar & Grill has been rated among the Top 5 Most Popular Restaurants in Florida by Urban Spoon.
Dine at L’incontro Restaurant, Norbys Steak & Seafood, Manny’s Original Chophouse, or Egg House – all highly rated restaurants on TripAdvisor.
Experience Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, where the chefs cook up signature dishes like as oysters, crab and alligator, all prepared fresh once ordered.
If you’d like more information about the city, then reach out to Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce online or in-person.
