Hit the Road: Bird of Paradise

Florida is known for its must-visit getaways. Folks from far and wide flock to our state in search of sun, fun, and all the things that make Florida, well, Florida. So, when you learn that The New York Times listed only one Floridian location on its venerable “52 Places to Go in 2024” list, you’re likely inclined to think that the publication’s editors would have selected one of our luxe, pedigreed resort destinations.

Think again. Flamingo, Florida and its newly reopened Flamingo Lodge, located 40 miles west of the Homestead entrance to Everglades National Park, was the only Sunshine State location named among bucket-list-worthy places like Paris, Maui, and Singapore. (No other Florida destinations made the cut in 2025.)

Chalk it up to the spot’s unrivaled natural beauty and the unique experiences offered there. Set in the heart of the Everglades at the southernmost tip of the state’s peninsula, Flamingo Lodge is the national park’s only hotel, replacing the 1950s-era lodge that bore the same name and was destroyed by a series of hurricanes in 2005.

The rooms at Flamingo Lodge are perched atop pilings

Photo Courtesy of Flamingo Lodge

Constructed from eco-friendly shipping containers, the lodge boasts 24 rooms elevated on pilings to withstand sea level rise. Its restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it will even cook up your own fresh catch, whether it be grilled, fried, or blackened. There’s also a wine and beer program in partnership with Redlands-area wineries and breweries, resulting in the perfect spot to kick back over views of the Florida Bay with a refreshing tipple after a long day of adventuring.

Whether you’re a birder, a boater, or simply someone looking to get to know the Glades up close and personal, Flamingo Lodge lets visitors of all stripes connect with the famed River of Grass in comfort. At the Guy Bradley Visitor Center next door, learn about Florida’s natural treasures, and sign up for ranger-guided bird walks, mangrove marches, bicycle rentals, kayaking outings, and boat tours of the backcountry and Florida Bay—where you’re guaranteed to spot everything from saltwater crocs and manatees to osprey, anhinga, and more. Don’t miss the center’s nighttime stargazing sessions: Flamingo is the darkest part of South and Central Florida that’s reachable by car, and on a clear night, you can glimpse 1,500 stars or more. Compare that to the 30 or so that are visible on a good night in Miami, and you can see why Flamingo Lodge is the newest bright spot in the constellation of places that should be part of your bucket list.

flamingoeverglades.com/flamingo-lodge