Are you ready for a whirlwind adventure through Florida's hidden gem? I'm your host, Al Filozian, and I'm stoked to guide you through the delightful city of Lake Wales, a treasure trove of history, captivating landscapes, and thrilling activities. We'll meander through the world-renowned Bok Tower Gardens, visit the historic train depot, and indulge in unique shopping experiences at the Ridge Art Association Gallery, and that's just the beginning!
As we continue our journey, we'll unravel the mystery at Spook Hill and bask in the grandeur of the Pinewood estates. We'll immerse ourselves in the city's rich cultural heritage at the Lake Wales History Museum and thrill at the prospect of air boating tours through Florida's enchanting swamps and marshes. If that's not enough, we'll also explore the state's cowboy heritage at Lake Kissimmee State Park. Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or an adrenaline junkie, this episode has you covered. So fasten your seatbelts, folks, we're off to explore Lake Wales!
Are you ready for a whirlwind adventure through Florida's hidden gem? I'm your host, Al Filozian, and I'm stoked to guide you through the delightful city of Lake Wales, a treasure trove of history, captivating landscapes, and thrilling activities. We'll meander through the world-renowned Bok Tower Gardens, visit the historic train depot, and indulge in unique shopping experiences at the Ridge Art Association Gallery, and that's just the beginning!
As we continue our journey, we'll unravel the mystery at Spook Hill and bask in the grandeur of the Pinewood estates. We'll immerse ourselves in the city's rich cultural heritage at the Lake Wales History Museum and thrill at the prospect of air boating tours through Florida's enchanting swamps and marshes. If that's not enough, we'll also explore the state's cowboy heritage at Lake Kissimmee State Park. Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or an adrenaline junkie, this episode has you covered. So fasten your seatbelts, folks, we're off to explore Lake Wales!
Located near the very center of Florida's peninsula, lake Wales offers visitors beautiful views of miles of rolling hills, prestigious groves, and the city is accessible by the US Highway 27 and also on Stip Road 60. Hey guys, my name is Al Filozian. Welcome to the Island Vacation Travel Podcast. Again, my name is Al Filozian. I am the owner of Island Vacation Travel Agency and also Island Vacation Travel Podcast. We're going to take a deep dive into a beautiful city in Florida today by the name of Lake Wales. Hope you guys are excited. I am excited to tell you a little bit about this place. It's a little secret place that I found for my wife and it's just an absolute blessing to visit and see and know. Actually, right, the historical stuff about it is just amazing. Nestled in the heart of central Florida, lake Wales and it's a hidden gem that many people are not aware of right Now. Today you're going to be taking a quick journey for this charming city and you also are going to undercover all the hidden treasure it has to offer. Okay, sorry, I said offers. I'm so excited today to tell you about this place. We have the podcast back. I hope you are subscribing. I will forget to share and like we're just going to discuss a little bit of stuff today, a little bit about the place that I stay, why I decided to stay here, and you guys will understand why I chose central Florida and why I represent Central Florida so much right Now.
Speaker 1:Lake Wales is a small city located in Pope County, florida, with a population of just over 16,000 residents. This city sits on the shores of Lake Wales and a natural freshwater lake covered an area of about 1,460 acres, could it be, but pretty small compared to America. The city was founded in 1911, a long time ago by the Lake Wales Land Company and it's quickly became a hub for citrus production. So a lot of orange trees actually out here well, not anymore. They had a lot of citrus groups back in the day and they kind of just started disappearing as soon as I started getting there. There's just a few left. But there is some stuff out here where they produce orange juice and all that kind of stuff. Today it's still an important part of Florida's agriculture industry and also with acres of orange growth, as I said, and citrus processing plants surrounding the city. So you still can see some history out there. That's where the revenue, a lot of revenue, actually came from in the past and right now too.
Speaker 1:One of the most iconic landmarks in Lake Wales is actually Bok Tower Gardens. That's another historical landmark, and this beautiful garden was founded by Edward Bok. It was a Dutch immigrant who wanted to create a sanctuary for birds and peaceful retreat for people. Always a good thing, always a good thing. And it's still there right now.
Speaker 1:The gardens feature a 205 foot tall singing tower sorry about that with it surrounded by beautiful gardens filled with flowers, shrubs and trees from all over the world. So it's not just only from Florida, not just from America, it's from all over the world, and the towers are amazing. They're actually singing. It's a great place to visit, and the tower also houses one of the largest carolines in the world, which produces beautiful music throughout the day. Right, so it's not just like a one-time thing, you can actually visit it like anytime during the day and you will actually have some beautiful carolines right there. So that's something amazing to visit, and if you're a natural level if you're a nature level, sorry about that then Lake Wales is the perfect place for you. It's just, it's nature. If you love nature, lake Wales is a place for you.
Speaker 1:The city, surrounded also by several state parks and natural reserves, including Lake Kissimmee State Park and also the Even Air Force range, and I mean the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, as well as also right around the corner. These parks offer a variety of outdoor activity, including like hiking, camping, fishing, bird watching. That's one of the reasons why I like out here to do a lot of stuff outside Lake Kissimmee State Park, and it's particularly popular for its air boating tours, and so if you're all into air boating, that's the place you actually go, and if you know about air boating, you definitely know there which takes visitors on a thrilling ride through like swamps and marshes all throughout Florida. So, yes, you will see gators. Yeah, that's something that's in Florida. Man, that's regularly Florida.
Speaker 1:Another hidden gem in Lake Wales is like the Depot Museum. The museum is housed in the historic train depot that was built in 1928 at first sight place, and it's actually pretty cool, just like and Bogdav is pretty cool too and served as the city transportation hub for many years. Right today, the museum features exhibits and aircrafts that tell the story of Lake Wales history from its founding to the present day. Visitors can also explore, like the museum's collection of antique cars, trains and also memorabilia, so you think they're gonna sell to you. But you could go check it out as well as learn about the city's famous residents, such as musician Brian Parsons and, if you don't know, research right. That's what this is all about, man.
Speaker 1:Now, if you're looking for a unique shopping experience, then I mean you just need to check out the Ridge Art Association Gallery and gift shop. You get some cool stuff out there, and the gallery features a collection of artwork from local artists, including paintings, sculptures and also poetry. That's some of the beautiful thing about being in the countryside you could actually get a lot of handcrafted stuff, so that's why you go pick that up right as the Ridge Art Association Gallery and gift shop right big ups to them. Visitors also purchase like unique gifts such as jewelry, and also like home decor made by local artisans. The gallery also has also those regular events, including art class and workshops, where visitors can learn new skills and techniques from experienced artists.
Speaker 1:So if you've been picking up like art as your new hobby which sounds like a great idea that would be the place you'd actually go and visit, right? So I mean, no trip to Lake Wales would not be complete without like a visit to also the historic Charlie's Suzanne's restaurant and inn. Right, the restaurant was founded like 1931, as you could tell like everything is actually old out there, but it's in pristine condition to take care of the stuff, so people could get a chance to come and visit when they visit central Florida and that was like in 1931 by Bertha Henshaw and quickly became a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The restaurant menu features a variety of delicious dishes, including, like a famous soup of the bee which is served in a terrain at each table, and the restaurant also has one an on-site in and where guests can stay in one of the beautiful decorated rooms and enjoy a charming and atmosphere of the property. That's something I might go out and get some content as well to put up on our channel, our YouTube channel, which you need to check out island vacation travel channel, right, that's just some of the stuff that you could actually do when you're in Lake Wales and we're going to take a little bit deeper dive, right, take a deeper dive as to just stuff you could actually do while you're moving around there.
Speaker 1:Don't forget, like Bob Tower, bob Tower was actually one of those places where it was kind of like the first set of stuff out here concerning like tourists and to attract people to be in a peaceful place to enjoy summer. So let's just dive into top things to do in Lake Wales. Right, lake Wales, known as Crown Jewel of the Ridge, which is very important. When you had that kind of statement, you know it's very important, like Imperial of Polk County sent Lucius, like the Helen of the West, that's places like Royal families value. So that should tell you a lot about there.
Speaker 1:Crown Jewel of the Ridge is a wonderful and little town bursting with pride and, for good reason, located like just southwest of Lake Legoland Florida Resorts I mean Winter Haven, so it's not too far from Winter Haven, which is where I stay, which is where we are right now. And Lake Wales is the home to the Bob Tower, the world famous Bob Tower, built atop Iron Mountain. Now around it doesn't have many mountains, so when you see this it's actually beautiful, so very. It's something serene and something very amazing that you should check out, and one of the highest points in Florida, at 295 feet above sea level. And I'm Westgate River Ranch Resort and over there is the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi. So all this is just around the corner activities and places to visit.
Speaker 1:You can enjoy Bob Tower Gardens and the National Historic Landmark as I told you all, that's one of the most famous places around here and enjoy lunch at the blue Palmeiro Cafe, as well as an afternoon caroling concert, and that's right on the very same premises as Bob Tower, so you could have a whole day just chilling for your grandkids or your family, yourself, whatever you want to do you. As you can see, it's an amazing experience. Also, you can enjoy championship rodeo and enjoy every night, every Saturday night at Westgate River Ranch. That's the dude rodeo where you watch professional cowboys and cowgirls compete in like trick riding, barrel racing and also bull riding. Right, you can also hire like a fishing guide and catch like large mouth bass and black crappies on Lake Kissimmee too. So you, that's around the corner. That's a few stuff you could also do.
Speaker 1:One thing about Lake Wales that I found out very quickly while I drove around there is that there are some beautiful murals out there, and I would advise everybody to just go on a tour around Pocon and go and take a mural tour, which is something we're going to do for our channel. You can take a selfie during a mural tour while exploring downtown. There are a few beautiful murals and I have something to say about murals Wherever people paint murals, it actually means that people care about their town. So just a note from my travels. And you could also explore Tiger Creek Preserve and, with hardwood, swamps, hammocks, oak shrubs and wild grass, habitats in search of like a rare plant and animal. That's the kind of stuff you could find out there. You could visit Spook Hill. That's another cool thing, a cool phenomenon that you probably want to check out. I'll talk a little bit more about that.
Speaker 1:You could actually park your car right in the line that's across the road and then you put your car in neutral and experience a mysterious force that seems like defying gravity. It's actually like make the vehicle move up. It's worth magnetism, but it's something to experience. And you could also tour Pinewood estates. It's also a 20-room Mediterranean style mansion at Bok Tao. You could go back in December to experience Pinewood annual holiday open tour. That's something that also takes place in December every year. And you could schedule an airboat tour like of alligated cove tours or alligated unlimited airboat tours, and I'm pretty sure there are a few more If I didn't mention you guys. Big ups to you too. Those airboat tours are actually nice.
Speaker 1:You can see all kinds of stuff and get to the middle of Florida to see what the wildlife is like, what's really out there. You could also go bird birding at Sumika Wildlife Management Area and that surrounds a wobbler's film and the A and B on the lookout for like Huron, sand Hill Cranes and also like there are wild turkeys running around, so you could see all those different types of things while you would be watching at Sumika Wildlife Management Area. So that's a few places you can see that there's nothing to do out in Lake Wales. So this is what I'm doing this for I'm trying to share with everybody what's out here. Why am I out here? I know a lot of people are moving out here, so a lot of people should be tuning into this to know what's going on and what's out in Lake Wales and Poe County.
Speaker 1:You could also stop at the Lake Wales History Museum if you're somebody that's a history buff, and learn more about the history of Lake Wales and the railroads in Central Florida and then out why the area is known as the Lake Wales Ridge. It's an interesting story. Florida's Cowboy Heritage comes in Lake Wales. Experience a live history demonstration of Lake Kissimmee State Park, cow County. That sounds interesting. That's not going to be something I probably need to go check out. I haven't seen anything like that yet, but there's all kinds of stuff going on here, like cattle out there and all kinds of stuff. I'd be the piece of land with some cows and sheep and stuff out there and bees. That's what's really out here, if you like that kind of settled life.
Speaker 1:Formally, the Catholic Church, the Lake Wales Ad Council, is a magnificent building, a physical, contoured, mission style building serotating art exhibits, plus attend concerts and workshops. Now, when you're in the world, you might need someone to stay and there are options around the place. So I'll just go into a little bit, a little detail. There's some recommended places. Where can you stay? You could go to a luxury place, like the Indian's have, a TP10, at the Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo. That's one of the places where there's all the activities the rodeo and all the bull ridings and all that kind of stuff, cowboys and everything. That very simple place you could actually stay. And it's at a TP here, something different, just amazing.
Speaker 1:Check this out. And there are different types. There are bathrooms and everything in there. They're beautiful. One of those days I'll get a chance to go down there and have to get some content so I could share with you guys. You could also bring your RV or book a luxury cottage at Resorts at Canopy Oaks. Check out Camp Mac, a die-heavy lodge, marina and RV resort. That's a lot to say in what word? Right? That's where you can fish, you can camp, you can eat, take a nature tour, go on an airboat ride you know just a few things kayak or kind of stuff. And if you're feeling romantic, they offer sunset cruises. That's all nice. That's all nice, that's all nice.
Speaker 1:If you're on a shop, don't forget to stop by Florida's Natural Crews Store. Yep, like I told you all, there's a few more surprise stuff that you'll get out here. It's one of the favorite gift shops in the county. They offer an array of citrus-related gifts, food books and more. So, as I said, it's big on citrus and growth and all that stuff. So one of the few shops you could actually get some cool souvenirs. I'll say right, some antique in Aperylex reclaimed Indonook antique and collectibles and all about antiques. That's something that's big out here. Fruit shops and all kind of stuff. You get some cool stuff out here. Yeah, some very cool stuff out here.
Speaker 1:For restaurants, don't forget to check out Crazy Fish Bar and Grill. Right, it has been rated among the top five most popular restaurants in Florida by Urban Spoon. Big deal, right. You could also dine at Le Contre restaurant, nobby's Steak and Seafood, Mani's Original Chop House or Egg House oh, that's all highly rated by where I get my ratings from Trip Advisor, so you could check that out for yourself if you want to make sure. Right now, you could also experience Cherry Pocket Steak and Seafood Shack. That's what a chef cooks a signature dish like oyster scraps.
Speaker 1:Alligator yes, I did say alligator. They cook alligator hair and you'll be surprised how it tastes. Yes, I have tasted it. I'm a kid from the island, but I have tasted alligator bites at Harveys yeah, in Lake Alfred beautiful place, so, and I'll talk about them sometime. But, yeah, all this can be done All prepared fresh once ordered right now. If you'd like more information, you could also check out the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce for a bit more information online.
Speaker 1:So I just wanted to share a bit of information about stuff to do out in Lake Wales. Man, it's a beautiful place. Our hair you'd be surprised. I've brought the treasure and to you guys so you don't have to go explore too much and get lost. I wanted to just make it my duty to also share what I found out about this place that is special, that I think is special, that people should know.
Speaker 1:And today, that's all we have time for today and we hope you enjoyed and learned a lot about Lake Wales, florida, in Central Florida, that's, in Pope County. Thank you all for tuning in to today's episode on island vacation travel podcast. Be sure to join us next time for more exciting travel destinations and tips. We'll be trying to put up a new podcast episode ever single week and we'll be mixing it up different countries, different places, different topics and so remember to subscribe, share like, give us some comments, give us your opinion on the podcast, and also to subscribe to our podcast for more travel inspiration. And until next time, have a travels to you guys, guy, and you have a good one.