Lake Wales is a rarity in today's condo-mad Florida - a small town that has no desire to change. While parts of the town have been overrun by strip malls, the downtown district remains intact, now a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street program. The downtown area is marked by its Art Deco architecture, built during the land-grab frenzy of the 1920s. Today, Historic Downtown Lake Wales plays host to several parades and festivals throughout the year, as well as a farmers market, specialty boutiques and over thirty restaurants. Lake Wales is also known for its whole-hearted embrace of artists and their work, and as a result, visitors to the downtown area can take in a series of murals, indoor as well outdoor, depicting the city's history.
