Lake Wales, FL Road Trips

The city was first surveyed in 1879 by Sidney Irving Wailes, who changed the name of a lake—then known as Watts Lake—to Lake Wailes. The city was incorporated in 1911 as Lake Wales (the lake remains known as Lakes Wailes). In the 1920s, the town became a popular winter home for affluent residents from northern states. This resulted in the construction of many historical buildings which remain today in downtown and also in the construction of Bok Tower Gardens. Lake Wales' climate is much the same as the rest of Central Florida (except coasts). Summers are hot and humid, with highs around 90-95°F (33-35°C) and lows around 74-78°F (23-26°C). During the summer, onshore winds from both coasts travel inland, heat up, rise and build into thunderstorms, usually along a rough line. Lying in the center of the state, the lines of storms (each called a "seabreeze") sometimes collide, resulting in strong thunderstorms with frequent lightning and tornadoes (small EF0-1s, not like the powerful tornadoes in the Plains states), over 50 mph winds, and hail possible. Strong storms are usually preceded by cooler winds caused by the rain-cooled air (cold air sinks) rapidly flowing away from the storm. The temperature after a strong thunderstorm passes can drop from 95°F (35°C) to 75°F (24°C) and since the storms can be fairly small, you can drive 5 miles and the temperature will drop/rise 20°F (10°C) between rain-cooled and surrounding areas. Winters are mild, with highs in the 70s (°F; 21-27°C) and lows in the 50s (°F; 10-15°C).

1 Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, ☏ +1 863 676-1408. Open daily, 8AM-6PM (last entry at 5PM).. Sitting atop Iron Mountain, Bok Tower Gardens consists of 250 acres of botanical gardens, a 205 ft (62 m) Singing Tower with carillon bells, Pine Ridge Trail, Pine Ridge Estate, and a visitor center. The site was commissioned by Edward Bok to transform the prominent, sandy hill into "a spot of beauty second to none in the country". Noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. laid out the site to include 1,000 large live oaks, 10,000 azaleas, 100 sabal palms, 300 magnolias, and 500 gordonias, as well as hundreds of fruit shrubs including blueberry and holly. The Singing Tower, set atop the summit of the hill, is a mix of Gothic Revival and Art Deco style. It contains a 60-bell carillon set, with music every half-hour and full concerts at 1PM & 3PM daily (the Easter Sunday recital draws a huge crowd), and contains the largest carillon music library in the world (although not open to the public). The Pine Ridge estate is a 1932 mansion kept in original decor and open to the public. The mansion is especially beautiful when decorated for Christmas and the winter season. Adjacent to the gardens are 50 acres of native habitat have been set aside, with a nature trail coursing through. Enter between 8AM-9AM on Saturdays for half-price admission. Picnics are ok in designated areas with your own food (there is also a cafe). Personal, non-commercial photography is ok, but commercial photographers must contact Rita Horton at +1 863 734-1214 or email [email protected].

Lake Wales lies on the edge of an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. All these parks lie several miles to the east of town, off S.R. 60. Lake Kissimmee State Park is the most popular park and offers many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. The area is home to dozens of species of birds for birding enthusiasts to check out. The lakes and swamps are home to thousands of alligators. Alligators are largely nocturnal and are usually hard to spot during the day as most lay hidden in vegetation or submerged in lakes, but they can sometimes be seen sunning themselves on shore or—with a careful eye—submerged and barely sticking the top of their head out of the water. Airboat rides are a great way to view the animals of the marshes and swamps and are probably the best bet for spotting alligators, which may be hard to find from shore (be careful of how close you get!). KICCO Wildlife Management Area, stretching south from Lake Kissimmee along the Kissimmee River, is a great destination for hunting, be it deer, feral hogs, wild turkeys, ducks, or small game and has camping sites as well as trails/roads suitable for hiking and mountain biking. KICCO also contains 13 mi (21 km) of the Florida Trail, a 1400 mi (2100 km) wilderness backpacking trail across Florida, from the Everglades to Pensacola. Lake Rosalie Park, North Walk-in-Water Creek, & SUMICA are county-operated parks on environmentally sensitive land tracts which the state has purchased to save from development (under the Florida Forever program).

Al's Place, 1530 N Scenic Hwy, ☏ +1 863 676-5552. Lunch M-Sa, dinner W-Sa. Don't miss the Saturday Fish Fry. 1 Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, 3100 Canal Rd, ☏ +1 863 439-2031. Lunch & dinner daily. Chow down on seafood and steak in a country atmosphere. Features specialties like gator. 2 Melanie's Seafood Company, 120 E Park Ave, ☏ +1 863 356-3246. Breakfast & lunch M-F. Crazy Fish Bar & Grill, 802 Henry St, ☏ +1 863 676-6361. Lunch Tu-Sa, dinner M-Sa. Fresh seafood. L'Incontro, 35 S.R. 60 W, ☏ +1 863 676-7400. Lunch & dinner daily. Italian cuisine. 3 Sizzling Grill, 21400 U.S. Hwy 27, ☏ +1 863 676-4898. Lunch Su-F, dinner daily. Woody's Bar-B-Q, 19501 US-27, ☏ +1 863 678-1844. 11AM – 9PM. BBQ chain with ribs, prime rib, steak, or chicken.

1 Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, and RV Resort, 14900 Camp Mack Rd, ☏ +1 863 696-1108, toll-free: +1-800-243-8013, fax: +1 863 696-2924. Kitchen/efficiencies available. Pool. Pets allowed. Handicapped access. Wi-fi internet access (for a fee). 2 Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Wales, 22900 U.S. Hwy 27, ☏ +1 863 734-3000, fax: +1 863 734-3010. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi internet access. 3 Holiday Inn Express, 2953 Ridge Way, ☏ +1 863 949-4800, fax: +1 863 949-4811. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi internet access. 4 Rodeway Inn - Lake Wales, 19071 U.S. Hwy 27, ☏ +1 863 676-7964, toll-free: +1-877-747-8713, fax: +1 863 676-2569. Complimentary breakfast. Pool. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi internet access. 5 Bud's RV Park & Marina, 1700 Tiger Lake Rd, ☏ +1 863 696-2274. 31 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Tent camping permitted. Handicapped access. 6 Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, and RV Resort, 14900 Camp Mack Rd, ☏ +1 863 696-1108, toll-free: +1-800-243-8013, fax: +1 863 696-2924. 265 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Tent camping permitted. Pool. Wi-fi internet access (for a fee). 7 Camp'n Aire RV Resort, 15860 U.S. Hwy 27, ☏ +1 863 638-1015, toll-free: +1-888-446-1015, fax: +1 863 638-2508. 102 sites. Hookups, dump station, laundry, & showers available. Pool. Handicapped access. Free wi-fi available. 8 Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak, 3100 Canal Rd, ☏ +1 863 439-2031, fax: +1 863 439-1861. 22 sites.

Lake Wales is located at the crossroads of U.S. 27 and State Road 60. U.S. 27 is a heavily-traveled 4-to-6-lane divided highway running north/south through the center of the peninsula, heading south to Sebring & Miami and running north to Clermont, Ocala, & Gainesville. State Road 60 runs east-west across the center of the state from Clearwater, Tampa and Brandon in the west to Vero Beach in the east. Lake Wales is easily reached from the Orlando/Kissimmee area by taking Interstate 4 west to U.S. 27 (exit 55) and heading south about 25 mi. Take Interstate 4 east and exit on the Polk Parkway east (exit 27). Follow the parkway for 10 mi (toll: $1.25/car cash or $1/car with Sunpass) before exiting onto U.S. 98 (exit 10). Head south to Bartow, follow U.S. 98 left at the traffic light as it joins S.R. 60 east (Van Fleet Drive), stay right after turning and at the second traffic light, follow the signs to remain on S.R. 60 east to Lake Wales (U.S. 98 goes straight at light and continues a couple hundred feet to an intersection with U.S. 17). Take either U.S. 27 north or take Florida's Turnpike north to SR 60 and head west. Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT, ☏ +1 863 534-5500) provides public bus service in eastern Polk County. Route 30 connects the Eagle Ridge Mall to southeast Winter Haven (including Legoland) and downtown Winter Haven. From the Eagle Ridge Mall, Route 35 runs south through Lake Wales, continuing on to Babson Park and Frostproof. Route 25 runs from Lake Wales Plaza to Bartow. Adult/youth fare is $1.50/ride with no free transfers.

Car is by far the easiest way to get around town and pretty much the only way to reach the various nature parks east and southeast of town. There is only one rental car agency in town: 1 Enterprise Rent A Car, 21450 U.S. Hwy 27, ☏ +1 863 678-0933. Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT), ☏ +1 863 534-5500. A bike rack located on the front is available to put your bike at no additional charge. All regular buses are equipped with a wheel chair lift. Adult/youth fare is $1.50/ride with no free transfers. Seniors (65+) and the disabled ride for $0.75, with proof and no free transfers. Children under 7 ride free with an adult. A day pass for adults costs $3 (or $27 for a 10 pack) and is good for 24 hours from activation on bus. Senior/disabled day pass costs $1.50 (or $15 for a 10 pack). Weekly ($12) & 31-day passes ($47) are also available. Route 35 is the only route through town, running from the Eagle Ridge Mall south to downtown Lake Wales, then east along S.R. 60, through some neighborhoods, before heading south along Scenic Highway (S.R. 17) to Babson Park and Frostproof. Route 30 connects the Eagle Ridge Mall to southeast Winter Haven (including Legoland) and downtown Winter Haven. Route 25 runs from Lake Wales Plaza to Bartow. Checker Cab Co., ☏ +1 863 665-8151. Serves all of Polk County.

Emergency, ☏ 911. 4 Lake Wales Police Department, 133 E Tillman Ave, ☏ +1 863 678-4223. Polk County Sheriff, ☏ +1 863 533-0344.