1 FL Site Among Top 52 Places Worldwide To Visit In 2024: NYT List

HOMESTEAD, FL — If you're searching for a memorable destination to take your next trip, look no further than Flamingo Lodge in Florida's Everglades. The New York Times recently included the site on its list of top 52 places to visit in 2024.

By earning a spot on this year's list, the renovated lodge in the national park joined famed cities including Paris, Maui, Grenada, Brasilia, and Vienna, as well as other destinations, like Tsavo National Park in Kenya, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and the path of totality for the coming solar eclipse.

Check out the full NYT list here.

In the Times description included with the travel list, writer Patricia Mazzei called the rebuilt lodge on Flamingo Bay — destroyed by two hurricanes in 2005 — a welcome spot for visitors who don't want to camp.

"The vast beauty of the Florida Everglades is perhaps best appreciated at night, when the national park is all constellations and creatures. But for those who don’t care to brave the elements (or the mosquitoes) while camping outside or in an R.V., it has been impossible to stay anywhere with air-conditioning … (but) that changed in November with the reopening of the Flamingo Lodge, now elevated and made out of sturdy shipping containers. A renovated visitor center and restaurant have been built to better withstand sea level rise caused by climate change.

"The return of the beloved facilities, along with glamping “eco-tents,” has given birders, stargazers and anglers a reason to reconnect with the outpost of Flamingo, on mainland Florida’s southernmost tip and less than two hours by car from Miami."

Here's what the National Park Service says in part about Flamingo Lodge:

"The recent renovations incorporate energy efficient features while meeting Florida building code for coastal high hazard zones. The park placed special emphasis on preserving the unique features of the Mission 66 architecture with its distinctive pink color and Miami Modern elements.

The original Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant was a popular visitor spot for nearly 40 years. The new lodge features a total of 24 rooms, constructed from durable shipping containers and raised off the ground by stairs. This includes eight two-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to six guests, 12 one-bedroom suites suitable for up to four guests and four studios designed for two guests.

For more information on overnight stays and other guest services, visit https://flamingoeverglades.com/flamingo-lodge-restaurant/ or call 855-708-2207."

Learn more about Everglades National Park atnps.gov/ever or follow the park on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.