Travel Back in Time

Ignite nostalgia and journey down memory lane on your next vacation.

During the time that Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was designing Florida’s historical landscape garden, Edward W. Bok decided he wanted to add something to the site that would pay homage to his Dutch homeland. As a child in the Netherlands, Bok was charmed by the majesty and melodies of old world carillons. He decided that one of these “Singing Towers” would be the perfect addition to the Gardens. He envisioned a majestic Tower that would serve as the focal point of the Gardens and provide a permanent home for a world-class carillon. The carillon at Bok Tower Gardens was the first and today is one of only three in the state of Florida.

Bok Tower Gardens’ Singing Tower stands 205-feet tall and is surrounded by a 16-foot-wide moat. It serves as a visual centerpiece of the Gardens and provides a permanent home for the world-famous carillon.

Since its launch in 1997, the I-Ride Trolley has become an iconic part of Orlando’s International Drive experience. Designed to evoke the charm of vintage streetcars, these colorful trolleys were introduced to make navigating I-Drive easier for visitors exploring the area’s shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Initially created to reduce traffic congestion and enhance the tourist experience, the I-Ride Trolley quickly gained popularity for its affordability, convenience, and nostalgic appeal. With multiple routes and over 100 stops, the service connects key destinations like ICON Park, SeaWorld, and the Orlando Premium Outlets.

Over the years, the trolleys have been updated for comfort and accessibility, but their classic charm remains. Today, riding the I-Ride Trolley feels like stepping back in time, offering a unique, relaxing way to experience one of Orlando’s busiest corridors. It’s more than transportation; it’s a beloved tradition that keeps visitors moving with a smile.

A step into the Tiffany Chapel is a step back in time. In 1893, Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibited a chapel interior at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago that brought him international acclaim few American artists enjoyed at the time. It was installed in the Tiffany & Co. pavilion in the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. From above, light filtered through the intense colors of leaded-glass windows as its first visitors entered another world of intricate, reflective glass mosaic surfaces.

Today, visitors continue to feel enveloped and dwarfed through its massive architectural forms at the Morse Museum where the masterpiece has been reassembled and restored to be admired as it once was when it initially shocked the world.

Osceola History, located just minutes away from popular Orlando attractions, was founded in 1949 as the Osceola County Historical Society with a mission to collect, preserve, and share Osceola County’s history, promoting the area’s cultural and natural heritage. Since its founding in 1949, Osceola History has grown exponentially. It now consists of two locations: The Welcome Center & History Museum and Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek. The Welcome Center & History Museum is a free indoor museum that features dioramas showcasing the history and habitats of Osceola County, as well as interactive displays and scavenger hunts.

Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek is an outdoor museum that features authentic and replicated structures from the pioneering days. Both museums are open daily from 10 am – 4 pm and are closed on major holidays.