An independent guide to Lake Wales and the Florida Ridge.
§ Polk County · 15.7 mi · ~25 min from Lake Wales
The town
Bartow is Polk County's government seat, but the reason to drive over from Lake Wales is the streetscape: wide brick-edged avenues under live oaks and block after block of Victorian and Craftsman houses that never got scraped for a strip mall.
It's an easy 25 minutes west on SR-60. Pair the Polk County History Center, housed in the restored 1908 courthouse, with lunch on Main Street for a solid half-day.
Coming up
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Nearby7:00 PM · Idlewood Venue, Bartow
Nearby: live music and dancing benefit for the Polk County Bully Project rescue.
Full details →Friday, October 16, 2026
Nearby6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Downtown Bartow
Nearby: monthly Friday Fest street party in downtown Bartow — music, vendors, and kids' activities.
Full details →Opens Saturday, November 7, 2026
NearbyHistory Center hours · Polk County History Center
Polk County: designer wreaths on display and up for silent auction through mid-December at the History Center. Free to view.
Full details →Friday, November 20, 2026
Nearby6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Downtown Bartow
Nearby: monthly Friday Fest street party in downtown Bartow.
Full details →Friday, December 18, 2026
Nearby6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Downtown Bartow
Nearby: holiday Friday Fest in downtown Bartow — music, vendors, and seasonal activities.
Full details →Places
Government & Public Services
250 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL
863-534-5888
Website ↗Professional Services & Insurance
245 S Central Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
863-533-7117
Website ↗Legal & Engineering
810 E Main St, Bartow, FL 33830
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24.1 mi from Lake Wales
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Lake Wales
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