Bok Tower Gardens Part 2: Pinewood Estate Holiday Home Tour

It may be snowing across the country, but here in Central Florida, ’tis the season to visit the botanical gardens. Did you know that Bok Tower Gardens is the perfect place to ring in the holidays? Nestled in Lake Wales between Orlando and Tampa, Bok Tower Gardens is an idyllic garden and bird sanctuary. I’ve visited Bok Towers in the summer, but this time I decided to return for their Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate.

Located on the grounds of Bok Tower Gardens, Pinewood Estate is a 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion. From November 26 through January 6, Pinewood Estate is completely decked out for the Holiday Home Tour.

Each year, the house is decorated in a different theme for the holidays. This year focused on Christmas in the 1940s, post-World War II. No two years are alike, and hidden throughout the home are several Pinewood Estate squirrels. As you walk through each room, you’ll learn about the history of the home and the family who lived there.

I loved all of the elegant details laid out in each room, especially in Lucy Buck Fox’s bedroom. (Don’t forget to check out her bright pink bathroom!) With Christmas trees in nearly every room and beautiful glass ornaments, the house is well worth exploring.

In addition to Christmas tours, Pinewood Estate offers musical afternoons  on select dates in December and January.

Know Before You Go

The house is a beautiful place to visit year-round, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning January 29, you can take one of the regularly scheduled historical tours of the home, learning more about its architecture and interior design.

Visiting Pinewood Estate for the Holiday Home Tour was a fun holiday experience. I look forward to seeing how Bok Towers continues the festivities in 2019!

What are your favorite holiday homes and traditions in Florida? Sound off in the comments below!