Floridiana Magazine

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What to Do in Lake Wales, Florida

Known as the Crown Jewel of the Ridge, Lake Wales sits in the center of the state, just off Highway 27 and State Road 60. With its historic roots, its quirky qualities, and its persona of a small city with a hometown atmosphere, Lake Wales is a true Floridiana find.  Whether you are taking a trip into downtown, visiting the tower on the hill, or participating in any number of festivals and celebrations, nostalgia and culture abound.

Lake Wales History

Lake Wales was first settled in 1911 by a group of businessmen known as the Lake Wales Land Company.  These individuals purchased 5,000 acres around Lake Wailes, named after land agent Sidney Wailes. The Lake Wales Land Company saw the property as ripe for a turpentine and lumber industry, as well as growing citrus crops.

Lake Wailes

By the time Lake Wales was incorporated in 1917, it was already on its way to becoming a thriving town, with a school, some paved roads, and a newspaper.

Part of the charm of Lake Wales is its downtown area which is recognized as a National Historic District.  A walk around town reveals evidence of the old charm. Informational signs are strategically located to provide information about the area and the numerous buildings restored to the splendor of the 1920s and 30s.

City of Murals

Another way to enjoy the history of Lake Wales is through the 21 murals scattered throughout downtown.  The earliest mural was painted in 1942 and hangs inside the lobby of the Post Office on West Park Avenue.  Harvest Time Lake Wales measures 14 feet by 5 feet and depicts the area’s citrus industry.  A second indoor mural is at the Lake Wales Public Library and portrays animals that are native to the area in their natural environment.  The library mural was painted by Tom Freeman, who also painted many of the other murals around town.  Freeman, a former teacher, is also the subject of a mural funded and painted by his students.

Tom Freeman Recognition Mural

Another local artist, Lisa Moore, has not only painted some of the murals, but was also commissioned to do restoration work on some of the older murals around town.  On one of our visits, we found Lisa working on the Downtown City Mural on East Stuart Avenue.

The Lake Wales murals are part of a statewide trail that connects mural towns with mural enthusiasts. A map of the murals’ locations, as well as descriptions about them can be found at the Lake Wales Mural website.

Lake Wales Museum

Like other old train depots around Florida, the Atlantic Coast Line Depot has been transformed into the Lake Wales Museum.  The museum offers a look back at the history of Lake Wales.  Starting with its inception in 1911, exhibits depict the people, places and events that have shaped the town. Take a step back in time and learn about the history of the railroad, the turpentine industry and the postal service. There are also special exhibits that are set up throughout the year.  Before you leave the museum, make sure to head outside and tour a refurbished Seaboard caboose.

Other Things to See and Do in Lake Wales

Bok Tower and Gardens

You can’t visit Lake Wales without making a trip to Bok Tower and Gardens, located atop Iron Mountain.  Founded by Edward W. Bok, the gardens opened to the public in 1929 and now features nearly 50 acres of lush gardens filled with palms, ferns, oaks and other trees. Seasonal plants also provide splashes of color to the grounds.

The centerpiece to the gardens is the 205-foot Bok Tower.  Known as the Singing Tower, it houses one of the finest carillons anywhere in the world. With 60 bells, the tower rings out with concerts every day at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Also, on property is the Pinewood Estate, a 20-room mansion built in the early 1930s. The estate is open for tours, but make sure to check the website for blackout dates before you plan your trip.

Spook Hill

Do cars really roll uphill?  That’s for you to decide when you visit Spook Hill in Lake Wales.

If you want to know more about Spook Hill, click here.  Or even better, drive to Spook Hill, park your car on the white line, put it into neutral, and see what happens!

How to find it: From U.S. 27, take State Road 60 west to Alternate U.S. 27, north past Central Avenue, then east at first traffic light (North Avenue). Then turn left on one-way street to Spook Hill.

Struthers’ Honey

Struthers’ Honey is one of those places you have to visit.  Situated about 15 minutes east of Highway 27 along Highway 60, this honey store operates on the honor system.  That’s right.  There is usually no one inside to take your money.  Only shelves full of honey and honey-based products, and a cash box.  If you are lucky, you will be there when one of the family members stops by to replenish the shelves.  Struthers’ Honey opened for business in 1935 and may be the oldest honey store in Florida working off the honor system.

Orange Blossom Revue

Towns across Florida are known for their festivals and events.  In Lake Wales, the Orange Blossom Revue is one of those.  The event got its name from the impact of the citrus industry in Central Florida.  Held in early December every year, the Revue hosts barbeque competitions, regional musicians, arts and crafts, and craft beer featuring Florida breweries.  The weekend is full of fun activities for everyone, not just the locals.

Lake Wales Mardi Gras

Who would think a Mardi Gras celebration would be held in a small city like Lake Wales?  In 1984, the celebration began in Lake Wales in memory of Vinton Davis who owned Vinton’s New Orleans Restaurant.  Davis is said to have loved carnivals, especially Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  The Lake Wales Mardi Gras celebration is usually held the first weekend of March.  What’s billed as “A Festival for Florida” features live music, a parade, a 5k run and plenty of fun for the entire family.

There doesn’t have to be an event to visit Lake Wales.  This small city with a hometown atmosphere offers many opportunities to learn about its history, get a taste of some of its culture, or enjoy its natural beauty.

Lake Wales is located about 54 miles southwest of Orlando off U.S. 27 and Highway 60.  Please watch our slide show for more pictures from our trips to Lake Wales.

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Take a Drive on the Wild Side

It’s hard to imagine someone living in the city relishing a two-hour, eleven-mile drive.  But what if that drive steers you away from the clogged highways and winds through a wildlife paradise?  Whether you are looking for a leisurely way to spend the day or a chance to see Florida’s wildlife up close, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is well worth the time.

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (LAWD)

From the moment you enter the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, the melody of Mother Nature replaces the sound of the city.  On both sides of the single-lane, hard-packed shell road, birds wade along the shoreline, alligators glide through the water, and osprey circle overhead. It is a photographer’s playground and a wildlife lover’s wonderland.

 

The wildlife drive is part of the larger Lake Apopka Loop Trail, which covers more than 20 miles and includes hiking and biking opportunities.  Even though the speed limit on the drive is 10 miles per hour, many of the cars actually go slower than that as they take in the views out of their windows.  Pull-over areas provide drivers a place to get off the road to take a look around.  With patience and a keen eye, the views are spectacular!

In addition to the pull-over areas, a small parking area by the historic pump house offer an opportunity to view Lake Apopka, the fourth largest lake in the state.

The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Avenue, and is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from sunrise to sunset.  There are a couple of areas where you can choose between two roads.  Both end up at the same place but offer different views.  Since you can’t loop back around, you’ll have to save the other roads for another visit.   The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive Audio Tour, accessible with a smartphone or other electronic device, provides guests with an overview of points of interest along the trail.  Good for the entire family, the drive is slow and peaceful and, best of all, it’s free!

Enjoy some of the scenes from a recent visit to the drive.  Better yet, go out and see for yourself!

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A Florida Destination Sure to Drive You “Batty!”

There’s no doubt if you’ve been outside just after sunset you have seen a few bats flittering here and there.  No big deal.  If you’re like me, you might duck when one flies too close to you, but you don’t think much about them other than that quick flyby.  But, did you know that Florida is also home to the world’s largest occupied bat houses? In fact, they have become quite the nightly attraction.

Bats, Bats and More Bats!

As the sun starts its descent for the day, a crowd gathers along Museum Road at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville.  Lined up along a fence just across from Lake Alice, they position themselves near two bat barns and a bat house.  They are waiting for the nightly exodus of the 400,000 bats.

Three types of bats dwell in the structures.  The Brazilian free-tailed bat is the most common one you will see, but you can also catch a glimpse of the Southeastern bat and the Evening bat.  Each night these bats may travel as far as 25 to 30 miles from their home and consume about two and a half billion insects – that’s 2,500 pounds of bugs!

Let the Show Begin

About 15 – 20 minutes after sundown, a few bats will start to emerge in search of food and water. Within minutes, what looks like a river of bats can be seen along the treetops, many heading out toward Lake Alice.

 

Bat History at UF

Just where did these bats come from?  The first bat house was built in 1991 to provide a new “home” for a colony of bats that were left homeless after a fire destroyed Johnson Hall in 1987.  Two-thousand bats that once lived in the hall then inhabited the concrete bleachers at two of the athletic fields on campus. The smell, the stains and the close proximity to spectators prompted the athletic association to take action.  After the first house was built, the bats were captured and relocated.  However, they didn’t stick around.  It took three years before bats permanently moved into the house.  As the bat population continued to grow, the first bat barn was added in 2010 and the second in 2017.  The original bat house, said to be deteriorating, will be removed at some point in time.  While it’s estimated 400,000 now occupy these dwellings, they can hold up to 750,000.

If you’re curious about what bats do during the day, the University of Florida provides a livestream from inside the bat houses.  Click here.

Fast Facts

  • The best time to view the bats is spring through early summer, when temperatures are above 65 degrees.
  • The bats will not come out if there are high winds, heavy rain or cold temperatures.
  • Bats eat many types of bugs, including moths, beetles, mosquitos, flies, and gnats.
  • Do NOT touch a bat if it lands on you or falls to the ground. Bats can carry a number of diseases, including rabies.  A phone number is provided at the bat houses for you to call if a bat is on the ground.

Caladium Festival Lake Placid, Florida

Florida is home to many festivals, ranging from the absurd to the logical.  By definition, festivals celebrate something unique about a community or its culture.  For the central Florida town of Lake Placid, that uniqueness is its designation as “Caladium Capital of the World” and 2018 marked its celebration of the 28th Caladium Festival.

History of the Caladium Festival

The idea for the Caladium Festival came from the Highlands County Tourist Development Commission as a way to promote the industry and, at the same time, create an event to bring visitors into town.  With the help of Carolyn Phypers of Happiness Farms and Dot Bates of Bates Sons and Daughters Caladiums, the first festival was held in 1990 at the warehouse at Happiness Farms.  Small in scale and mostly informational, it involved a steak dinner cooked by the Highlands County Cattlemen and served by the Cattlewomen, industry talk by caladium growers, and bus tours to the fields.

After that first festival, Carolyn, Dot and their families expanded on the event by moving it downtown to Stuart Park and added in arts and crafts, entertainment and food vendors.  From its first year with about 100 visitors, the event has grown to tens of thousands.

The Caladium Festival Today

Happiness Farms and Bates Sons and Daughters both continue to play a major role in the Caladium Festival.  Bates sells potted plants, while Happiness offers up bags or boxes of bulbs.  What once sold out on the second day of the festival is now selling out on day one.  Folks have found out if they come early, they are sure they get their preferred plants. Both growers donate their net proceeds to the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce to continue funding the festival.

Bus Tours of Caladium Fields

To get an up-close view of the caladium fields, bus tours are offered at regular intervals throughout the festival. (We might also add the buses are air-conditioned!)  The tours, led by local growers, offer up a lively discussion of the industry as well as question and answer sessions on a wide range of topics.  Out the bus windows, rows upon rows, acres upon acres, showcase a kaleidoscope of colors.

 

After a drive by the fields, the bus makes a stop in one of Lake Placid’s neighborhoods to see a home landscaped with caladiums.  At one time, entire neighborhoods would get involved with planting caladiums.  They were given the bulbs free of charge if they would plant them in time for the festival. These plants, with their heart-shaped leaves and vibrant colors, are easy to grow and brighten any yard.

 

These bus tours are very popular and certain times often sell out, so visitors are advised to buy tickets in advance of the show to secure a seat.

While the caladiums are the stars of the show, there is so much more to the Caladium Festival.  A walk along Interlake Boulevard or any of the side streets surrounding Stuart Park provides a glimpse at booths featuring arts and crafts, plants, and other specialty items.  In addition, there is also a variety of food vendors and entertainment acts.

Clowns

In a community known for its clown college, it’s also a given that Toby’s Clowns will be on hand to offer up their skills of face painting and balloon artistry, and at the same time, a lot of smiles to kids of all ages.

Car Show

For those who are interested in cars and motorcycles, the Caladium Car and Bike Show is a must see.  Billed as the largest auto show in Lake Placid, De Vane Park turns into an outdoor showroom for new and old cars and bikes.  A walk up and down the rows can reveal some pretty cool cars and a link to the past.

Town of Murals

Caladiums are also the topic of one of the many murals around Lake Placid since they play such an important part of the town’s history.  Nearly 50 murals in all are painted on the sides of buildings around town, each one depicting something different about Lake Placid, its culture or some of its prominent citizens.

(To read more about the murals of Lake Placid, check out our post “Town of Murals: Lake Placid, Florida.”)

Other Places to See

Visitors wanting to get out of the sun have a number of places they can visit, like the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce on Oak Avenue.  The Chamber has a lot of information about Lake Placid, along with the original prints of the murals.  The Lake Placid Mural Society is also housed in the chamber building.  Along Interlake Boulevard, one of the most popular locations is the Caladium Arts and Crafts Cooperative, which features unique items made by local artists and crafters.  Spread out over 10,000 square feet, everything from original paintings to quilts to year-round Christmas collectibles can be found here.  Yes, there are caladium themed items as well.  Main Street also has a lot of interesting shops and restaurants as well.

29th Annual Caladium Festival

If you missed this year’s festival, make sure to mark your calendars for the 2019 festival on July 26, 27, and 28, but don’t wait until then to visit this gem of a town.  Take a day, spend time taking in the murals, then head over to Henscratch Farms and Sugar Sand Distillery.  It’s a Florida trip definitely worth taking.

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Park Hopping with a Twist

by Diane Hodgman, Guest Blogger

Coming up with creative, low cost ideas to entertain young children can be challenging, even if you are a mom of five and a seasoned teacher. Each summer while I was off with my children (ages 6-25), I would do my best to make sure they had a fun experience of some sort. So, on a hot summer day this July, that was my goal – to find an activity I could do with my six-year-old daughter that would not break the bank.

The idea of park hopping came to mind. No, not the park hopping that requires huge sums of money to be spent. This plan actually included parks or playgrounds in Orlando and an attempt to visit ten in one day.  I first came up with a list of the ones we had been to before, as well as some that were new to us. My soon-to-be first grade daughter Isabella was on board with the plan, and our adventure began.

Dartmouth Park

Our day started at 10:00 a.m. at one of our regular parks, Dartmouth, in the heart of College Park. At Dartmouth Park there are a lot of trees, a walking path around the park and two designated play areas, one for younger and one for older children. A covered picnic area bench and a few scattered benches offer seating and a place to enjoy lunch or a snack. The play equipment is not covered, so it is extremely hot in the summer heat. Parking can be found along the two roads on each side of this park.  Even though there are no bathrooms, Publix on Edgewater Drive is a close walk for refreshments or bathrooms.

Parking:  Yes

Shade: No

Restrooms: No

At each park I took a picture of Isabella in front of the park’s sign.

Gaston Edwards Park

After Dartmouth, we moved on to our second park, Gaston Edwards Park, located on the edge of Lake Ivanhoe. There is a small parking area which is next to Mesa 21 Restaurant. The play area is colorful but designated for two- to five-year-olds.  The most shade at the park comes from the covered table.  A walking path and a volleyball net nearby provide additional activities, but there are no public restrooms.   There is however, a beautiful view of Lake Ivanhoe, which is a definite plus.

Parking: Yes

Shade: No

Restrooms: No

Orwin Manor Park

From there we drove down Orange Avenue, passing Florida Hospital East to Orwin Manor Park. I was unfamiliar with this park and was pleased to find street parking. This park does not provide much shade and the equipment was very hot. They do have a few benches to sit on.

Parking: Yes

Shade: No

Restrooms: No

Mathews Park

Next up on the list was Matthews Park, located in College Park off Formosa Street. Newly renovated, this park has some very fun equipment, but again, the summer heat makes some of it hard to play on, especially the swings. Isabella loved the climbing ropes here. This park has some musical-type of play areas and a handicap able swing. In addition, there is a large grassy play area and a basketball court, as well as a covered picnic table.  Parking can be found along the street next to the park. There are no bathrooms.

Parking: Yes

Shade: No

Restrooms: No

Princeton Park (College Park Neighborhood Center)

From Mathews Park, we moved along to Princeton Park next to Princeton Elementary School.  This park is enclosed and offered a lot of shade to children playing on the equipment, as well as a rubber mat surface. There is a public pool next to this park and a baseball field. Parking is on the streets and there are no restrooms. While at Princeton Park, Isabella found an old friend there and the two of them played together for a while, then the three of us went on to the rest of our adventure.

Parking: Yes

Shade: Yes

Restrooms: No 

Guernsey Park

At this point, we headed to our last park in College Park, Guernsey. This park is very colorful, but extremely hot with few shaded areas. There is a covered bench and a walking path with a short bridge, almost like a nature trail. They have a basketball court as well. Parking is on the street and there are no bathrooms.

Parking: Yes

Shade: No

Restrooms:  No

After visiting six parks, we were very hot and needed some shade and air conditioning. We headed to the McDonald’s on East Colonial between Bumby and Primrose. The girls had lunch and played in the spacious play area. This play area has been renovated and is clean with lots of seating.

Mitchell Nutter Park

After our lunch break, we headed to Mitchell L. Nutter Park (Audubon Park) off Maguire and Bennett Road, not far from Fashion Square Mall.  Finding parking for this park was tricky, but I found street parking around the corner to park. This park has a few creative pieces of equipment the girls found to be fun. A spider-like rope climb was their favorite. There are a few benches to sit on, but no restrooms here.

Parking: Yes, around the corner 

Shade: No

Restrooms: No 

Lake Baldwin Park

Close by is the Baldwin Park neighborhood, so we went to check out that park, which offers a parking lot, restrooms and a dog park as well. It is well shaded and has a rock climbing wall and large slide. The girls were able to play on all the equipment as it wasn’t hot.

Parking:  Yes

Shade: Yes

Restrooms: Yes 

Lake Eola Park

What is a trip to Orlando parks without a stop at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando?  Parking can be difficult to find, but we were lucky and found parallel parking close by. (There is a parking garage not far if you can’t find street parking.) This park offers a mile-long walking path around the lake, along with paid swan boat rides.  Large play areas are designated for both the younger children and older ones, all on rubber mats. Neither smoking nor pets are allowed within the enclosed playground area. There are restrooms nearby.  If you want snacks or drinks, there is a 7-11 close by as well as a Publix. In addition to the playground, If you visit on the weekend, you can enjoy the Farmer’s Market. This park has always been a favorite of mine. When my children were younger, I spent many hours walking strollers around the lake and feeding ducks and birds.

Parking: Yes, parking garage nearby

Shade: Yes

Restrooms: Yes 

Delaney Park

On our tenth stop, we drove to Delaney Park in the Delaney neighborhood. It offers an enclosed playground area close to restrooms, a large grassy area as well a baseball and softball field. The playground has a small amount of shade and seating on benches. Parking is along the streets nearby. The girls enjoyed the monkey bars and slides at Delaney Park.

Parking: Yes

Shade: Yes

Restrooms: Yes 

Community Playground, aka Castle Park

Even though we met our goal, we headed to Winter Park to the Community Park also known as the Castle Park. This is an all wooden park with quite a bit of shade, a lot of climbing, tire swings as well as a handicap accessible swing. There is a soccer field close by, a small pond to feed the many ducks around, restrooms and a designated parking area. Parents of small children should keep their eye on their children as there are some areas hard to see from one spot. This park is wonderful, and the girls had so much fun there.

Parking: Yes

Shade: Yes

Restrooms: Yes

Our day ended around 4:00 p.m. with a tired mom and exhausted little girls. It was a fun and inexpensive experience. In all, we drove less than 30 miles and spent less than $25 on lunch and snacks for the three of us. We could have picnicked as well, but I chose not to pack food that day. We made lots of memories that I was able to capture on my phone.

A special thanks to the cities of Orlando and Winter Park for their family-friendly parks.  We found these parks to be clean and well-maintained, although I would love to see more shade and more bathrooms, if possible.

We will continue to explore other parks around our beautiful city.

About the Author

Diane Hodgman is the mother of five, ranging in ages from 6 – 25.  As a long-time teacher, Diane spends the school year teaching middle school students.  During the summer months, she is able to spend time making memories with her children.