The welcome center is located right next to the park lot, and has a gift shop and cafe. We did not eat at the cafe, but we brought our own picnic lunch instead. They have plenty of tables set up outside around the cafe, and there is no eating in the actual gardens. The welcome center has a neat little movie to watch and has several exhibits about the natural wildlife that lives in the area and the tower.
We went on a Sunday, so there was no concert, but they do play recordings of the concerts from the tower everyday and we were able to witness that. It was extremely neat. The kids thought the tower was pretty cool, but I think they were rather bored, because you can not enter the tower, all you can really do is walk around and admire the gardens. They do have a really cool "Window" that allows visitors to sit inside an enclosed shed and look out at the wildlife that inhabits a pond, and the boys did enjoy that.
All in all, my husband and I really liked it, but it is definitely not for the older kids. Babies might find it relaxing to walk around and nap, but the lack of action might be a bit too dull for most children. This would make a great "date spot" though, if you can get away from the kids!
http://boktowergardens.reachlocal.net/
