Lake Wales: Culture, History and Unique Experiences

Lake Wales in Florida combines historical stories, art, events and unusual experiences with a varied daily itinerary. Families and other travelers can choose between culture, activity and distinctive local traditions. When searching for a vacation rental in Lake Wales, it is worth first identifying your own priorities: Should the trip focus mainly on museums and theater, outdoor excursions, events or a mixture of these?

Culture, Theater and Living History

A good place to start is the Lake Wales History Museum. Admission is free. The museum features permanent exhibitions on local history and local industries, as well as a railroad display with a caboose and seasonal exhibitions. It is housed in a building constructed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1928. This combines specific exhibition content with a historic building.

The performing and visual arts are also part of the city’s character. Since its founding in 1978, the Lake Wales Little Theatre has continuously presented live theater performances. The season runs from September through June and includes five productions. The Lake Wales Arts Center offers classes, workshops and events in painting, sculpture, ceramics, music, theater and dance. The Michael Crews Gallery presents changing seasonal exhibitions. The Arts Center is located in the former Church of the Holy Spirit, a Spanish Mission-style building with a central dome, bell tower and arched entrance.

Murals, Special Places and an Unusual Street Phenomenon

Anyone who wants to explore Lake Wales independently can use the free “Florida Stories: Walk Lake Wales” app. It offers a self-guided tour of eleven historic buildings in the downtown area. Two murals provide additional chapters of the city’s history: The Founding Fathers Mural at 65 W. Central Avenue depicts the four founding fathers of Lake Wales in front of a city map. The Passion Play Mural at 130 E Stuart Avenue commemorates the winter performances of the Black Hills Passion Play at the Lake Wales Amphitheater.

Another distinctive experience is Spook Hill. The public road is listed in the National Register under reference number 100003585. Cars parked at the foot of the incline appear to roll uphill. Those who enjoy unusual attractions will find an easily remembered highlight for their own exploration in Lake Wales.

Cycling, Views and the Sound of the Carillon

The Lake Wales Trailway is a 2.3-mile-long and 12-foot-wide paved path. It is suitable for cycling, walking, skating and other fitness activities. The path offers views of Lake Wailes Lake and Bok Tower. This makes it possible to combine an active stay with scenic impressions without focusing the trip exclusively on museum visits.

Another distinctive attraction is Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark. The 60-bell carillon of the 205-foot-tall Singing Tower plays 30-minute concerts daily at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. These fixed times can be taken into account when planning your day. At Lake Wales Airport, Jump Florida offers tandem skydiving and an Accelerated Free Fall program—a distinctly different way to shape your stay.

Events with Their Own Traditions

Lake Wales Mardi Gras has been a city tradition since 1984. The two-day, family-friendly event includes festivities at the lake and a Mardi Gras parade. The annual Lake Wales Arts Festival showcases works by more than 70 visual artists and craftspeople. The festival also includes an annual Tasting Trail with beer or wine samples at five beverage stations.

These different formats can help you choose the right time to travel: Theater enthusiasts can include the season from September through June, while the Arts Festival and Mardi Gras each provide their own event highlights.

The Right Base for Planning Your Trip

Lake Wales is suitable for a trip in which you want to alternate between culture and activity. If historic buildings, museums and murals are your main focus, you can organize your days around the downtown area and cultural institutions. Those who prefer to stay active can include the Trailway, views of Lake Wailes Lake or an offering at Lake Wales Airport in their plans. Bok Tower Gardens and the carillon concerts provide another clear highlight. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, you should therefore first decide which of these experiences should take up the most space during your stay.

Additional Destination Pages for Your Search

If you would like to expand your accommodation search to include other destinations, you can also view the pages for Polk City, Davenport, Winter Haven, Fort Meade, Bartow, Haines City, Lakeland and Auburndale.

For the overarching travel overview: Polk.