Lake Wales Vacation Rentals

Plan your Lake Wales getaway

When you’re picking where to stay, think about the kind of downtime you want between outings, a spot with outdoor space, a place that makes it easy to cook, or room for the whole crew. Each home is unique, so check the listing photos, amenities, and House Rules to confirm details like parking, pet-friendly policies, and anything you plan to use daily (laundry, WiFi, or air conditioning).

Things to do in Lake Wales

Start with Lake Wales’s signature stops, then layer in an arts or park break to keep the trip balanced. These are easy, named plans you can build around, especially if you’re traveling with family or prefer a relaxed itinerary.

Bok Tower Gardens

This is the Lake Wales must-do, a scenic, unhurried outing built around landscaped gardens and the historic Singing Tower. Plan to take your time here, it’s ideal for strolling, taking photos, and letting the day feel calm and intentional.

Best for:

• Couples and friends trips that want a slower, scenic day
• Families looking for an easy, outdoor outing
• Travelers who like gardens, history, and peaceful walking paths

Spook Hill

Spook Hill is a quick, quirky stop that takes about as long as you want it to. It’s a fun roadside detour for families and curious travelers, best paired with a bigger plan like Bok Tower Gardens or an in-town lunch.

Best for:

• A short “we have to see it” moment
• Families with kids who like novelty stops
• Adding something memorable without adding a big time commitment

Lake Wales Arts Council

For a dose of local creativity, the Lake Wales Arts Council is a great add, especially when you want an indoor stop or you’re planning around events and classes. Check what’s on while you’re in town, it can be a nice way to round out a garden-and-park itinerary.

Best for:

• Travelers who like galleries, exhibits, and small cultural stops
• Rainy-day or midday breaks from the sun
• Visitors who enjoy checking out local events

Lake Wales Little Theatre

If your group enjoys live performances, Lake Wales Little Theatre is a fun way to spend an evening without driving into a larger city. This is a calendar-based plan, so it’s worth checking show dates before you build your nights around it.

Best for:

• A planned evening activity beyond dinner
• Couples and adult groups
• Travelers who like community theater and local arts

Crystal Lake Park

Crystal Lake Park is an easy, low-planning option for downtime. Bring snacks, stretch your legs, and let kids burn some energy, it’s a simple way to keep the trip feeling relaxed between your bigger stops.

Best for:

• Families who want playground and picnic time
• A low-key afternoon reset
• Quick outdoor breaks close to town

Where to eat in Lake Wales

Lake Wales dining is best approached with a practical mindset, one sit-down dinner, one quick local spot, and a nearby backup if you’re out exploring. These picks keep things easy without defaulting to chains.

L'incontro Italian Restaurant

A solid in-town choice when you want a sit-down dinner with a classic Italian menu and a more relaxed pace. It’s a good “end of day” spot after Bok Tower or an arts outing.

Good for:

• A planned dinner night in town
• Couples and smaller groups
• Travelers who want a slower meal

Locorrito

When you want something casual, fast, and local, Locorrito is a great option for burritos, bowls, and tacos. It’s easy for families, and it works well on busy days when you’re heading in and out between stops.

Good for:

• Quick lunches and casual dinners
• Customizable meals for groups
• A reliable, low-fuss option

Duke's Brewhouse (nearby, Winter Haven)

If you’re spending the day around Winter Haven attractions, Duke’s is a convenient nearby place to land for wings, beer, and a sports-bar vibe. Keep it in mind as a regional option rather than a Lake Wales go-to.

Good for:

• Groups who want a lively meal
• A post-attraction dinner in the Winter Haven area
• Casual nights with sports on TV

Zest Bar and Grill (nearby, Bartow)

Zest is a helpful nearby backup if your plans take you toward Bartow, or if you’re looking for another casual dinner option outside Lake Wales. It’s an easy bar-and-grill style stop that works well for mixed tastes.

Good for:

• A dinner stop when you are already exploring nearby towns
• Groups that want familiar comfort food
• A casual, no-pressure meal

Lake Wales local tips

A few small choices can help your trip feel more “Lake Wales” and less like a generic Central Florida stop.

• Make Bok Tower Gardens your main anchor, it’s the signature outing, and the Singing Tower is part of the same visit.
• Treat Spook Hill as a quick detour, then pair it with a larger plan like Bok Tower, Crystal Lake Park, or an in-town meal.
• If you want arts programming, check the Lake Wales Arts Council and Lake Wales Little Theatre calendars before you arrive so you can plan an evening around what’s on.
• Keep theme parks as a day trip, not the whole identity of the stay. Lake Wales is a good fit when you want quieter nights and a slower pace.
• Each home is unique, so confirm day-to-day essentials in the listing, especially parking, pet policies, and anything you will rely on like laundry, WiFi, or air conditioning.

Day trips from Lake Wales

Lake Wales is close enough to bigger family attractions that you can plan one theme park day, then come back to a calmer home base. These are best approached as full-day outings with an early start.

LEGOLAND Florida (nearby, Winter Haven)

This is the main family day-trip option from Lake Wales, with enough rides and experiences to fill a full day. It’s a great way to give kids a headline attraction while keeping the rest of your stay relaxed and low-key.

Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida (nearby, Winter Haven)

For families with younger kids, Peppa Pig Theme Park is a simpler, more age-targeted outing. It can be a better fit than a bigger park day if you want shorter lines, shorter walking distances, and a more preschool-friendly pace.