Flamingo Visitor Center
Flamingo Visitor Center
Flamingo Visitor Center
3.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Visitor center in the village of Flamingo.
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3.5
232 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
62
Average
62
Poor
38
Terrible
12
Ananda L
Provincetown, MA44 contributions
Feb 2020
My son and I visited Shark Valley in Feb 2020 and had a fabulous time, but we wanted to see manatees too. The park ranger suggested we try Flamingo for there had been reports that the manatees were still around. And they were!! As soon as we parked our rental car we saw them lumbering around the harbor. It was such a wonderful experience. And, if you don't lose your receipt from the first visitor center ( as I did :( ), entry is free within seven days of your last park visit!!! We rented kayaks and tooled around the harbor and then switched to the canal and saw alligators- adult and babies, birds, and tons of mangrove trees. The wind was on our back heading out so we left extra time to paddle back. We were out for about 3 hours and a tandem cost us around $48 to rent for 4 hours. We also saw osprey. It was worth it!
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentTraveler1225
Wesley Chapel, FL625 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
The visitors center and restrooms are under construction but there are restrooms located next door in a trailer and behind the marina. On property there is a small marina and a store. You can rent different types of boats and get fuel if needed. There was plenty of parking, a lot of people where causally eating lunch throughout the area. We were able to walk around the marina and were pleasantly surprised in what we were able to see. Manatees floating around, a 14 foot crocodile sitting on a log and a large osprey nest with the mommy bird perched up there! Some of Florida’s finest in their natural habitats was awesome. We also enjoyed the short walk down to the bay and took in the beautiful water views. This stop was the highlight of our day.
Written 31 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrel B
New Cumberland, PA153 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The visitors center was destroyed twice by hurricanes and is being rebuilt over a period of several years. Bathrooms are outside in another trailer. The Park Rabgers are doing their best.
This area has Mangroves and crocodiles. So does Everglades City an hour or so west of Miami. Didn't go there because the roads were almost at a standstill with crowds visiting the annual Seafood Festival.
The Flamingo Visitor Center is also an hour drive from the park entrance near Homestead.
This area has Mangroves and crocodiles. So does Everglades City an hour or so west of Miami. Didn't go there because the roads were almost at a standstill with crowds visiting the annual Seafood Festival.
The Flamingo Visitor Center is also an hour drive from the park entrance near Homestead.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CheapWorldTraveller
Kapalua, HI91 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We did a few days on a houseboat and loved it!! All the boats are new and well-stocked with cooking gear. Staff was helpful showing us boat operation and getting out on the water. Generator rental is optional. We rented one and barely used it since the refrigerator is propane operated, the stove has 3 gas burners, and there is a gas grill. We didn’t need the AC. I think the boats sleep 6, but there wouldn’t be much privacy with that many folks on board.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
autumn d
2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The reviews for this place are so mixed I wanted to add my perspective. I learned thru other parts of the part that Flamingo area is the place to see crocs and manatees, two things I was unable to find other places in the park or Miami. The visitor center is now open and is amazing/beautiful but is only a short stop in your time here in my opinion. Walk by both marinas, behind the restroom/fish grinder near the waters to see the wildlife. If you are a little patient you may be rewarded. Try to avoid walking on grassy areas to help avoid mosquitoes and wear long sleeves with lots of bug protection! (picardin seemed to work best)
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liz-TA
High Wycombe, UK95 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
This was our first visit to the Everglades National Park and I would like to mention Park Ranger Roxanne. We visited the Flamingo Park Visitors Centre where we met Roxanne. She guided us on which trails to walk, which to avoid, where to see certain birds and wildlife and where the mosi’s were!! We had the most brilliant day following Roxanne’s guidance and saw a crocodile (or possibly an alligator 🤷♀️), lots of manatees, birds and more. Thank you for your guidance Roxanne, you made our day so much more enjoyable.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Djanachapuis
Kuwait26 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Amazing place, found so many manatees playing in Marina. Very helpful and pleasant lady at visitor center gave us all information needed, and more. Worth to come and witness manatees; crocodiles were less active that day (we came at 2 pm) but person (Beret?) at kayak dock told us all about them, we ve spotted could of them at the surface. Very pleasant stuff, beautiful place, worth driving! Be aware of mosquitoes, don’t walk on a grass like we did)))
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen
Covington, KY253 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Was able to watch manatees sleeping and playing in the marina. Park rangers offering information about local wildlife. Great place to sit and just enjoy the bay. There was a beautiful Osprey with babies in a nest that seemed to enjoy watching us as much as we did her! I highly recommend Everglades NP to anyone! Take your time explore, walk around take it in! One truly amazing place! Can’t wait to take my adult children to it!
Written 10 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RachNorfolk
Norfolk855 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
Hello
We decided to spend the entire day exploring The Everglades and we first stopped off at the amazing Anhinga Trail which had a great visitor centre( About 15 miles from Florida City). The Royal Palm Centre had top notch facilities such as clean modern toilets and vending machines and a nice gift shop and the whole area looked clean and loved. The Anhinga Trail was bursting with wildlife and was my favourite part of The Everglades. We then done the Gumbo Limbo Trail through the trees at the same place and then went to Long Pine Key for a picnic lunch. After that we drove down towards Flamingo and stopped off at the Mahogany Hammock Trail which was a raised boardwalk through the trees which we enjoyed. We then carried on towards Flamingo and enjoyed the amazing scenery on the way. Flamingo is about 40 miles from the park entrance so a 80 mile round trip.
We arrived at the Flamingo visitor centre and was shocked how large the car park was and how empty it was. The visitor centre is quite a large building and it looked quite run down. The location is very nice, looking over the water and we saw white pelicans out on the water . We looked around the building and it all looked tired and run down and there was hardly anyone around. We went inside and there was nothing much in there. A small display and toilets which were old and past it. Half of the building was closed and full of rubbish or being used as a store room. Below this was a restaurant which was really run down. It was sort of caged in and there was a large truck which was the kitchen. One man was cooking and he was so behind with the orders people were having a go at the waitresses and walking out. One man said he had been waiting over an hour. I saw people on the table next to us yawning and they kept going outside and I overheard them saying they had been waiting 90 minutes.
This restaurant looked like a make shift one and was very rustic indeed. We decided to eat here as we were really hungry and did not know of anywhere else to get food at this time. Our food did not take too long( 30 minutes) and was ok. I had a burger and fries and hubby had the same. $8 each. It was very plain and just ok. It filled a hole. We then saw the waitress take someone some key lime pie which looked really nice, so we asked for that at $5. It was really nice. Drinks were ok prices too. So the food was average, not awful and not great, just ok. Did it's job( key lime pie was good though). The people in this make shift restaurant looked like they were working hard but there was not enough staff to cope. Quite a few people were turned away as the pile up got so bad. Waitresses were telling people there was a very long wait.
After our meal we went for a walk and saw benches near the water and some people were eating picnics. We then went over to The Marina which was empty of boats and saw a small shop which sold sandwiches and drinks and snacks. We bought 2 beers and sat on the picnic tables out front and enjoyed them.
We found the whole area kind of strange. It was like a ghost town and felt neglected and unloved. Maybe they have run out of funding and it has become run down from lack of money. I can imagine 15 years ago it was very nice. The make shift restaurant needs sorting and the main building needs tidying up.
I really enjoyed driving down to Flamingo, but the visitor centre is not really worth going to. I did not do any walks here so cannot comment on them. We did pass a lovely lake on the way down about 2 miles from the visitor centre which looked worth stopping at. I still think driving down is worth it as the scenery is stunning. But do not expect much at the actual visitor centre and restaurant. Bring your own picnic if you can. Hopefully more funding will be given to the centre in the future and they can sort it all out. Seems a shame it has got so tatty and run down.
We decided to spend the entire day exploring The Everglades and we first stopped off at the amazing Anhinga Trail which had a great visitor centre( About 15 miles from Florida City). The Royal Palm Centre had top notch facilities such as clean modern toilets and vending machines and a nice gift shop and the whole area looked clean and loved. The Anhinga Trail was bursting with wildlife and was my favourite part of The Everglades. We then done the Gumbo Limbo Trail through the trees at the same place and then went to Long Pine Key for a picnic lunch. After that we drove down towards Flamingo and stopped off at the Mahogany Hammock Trail which was a raised boardwalk through the trees which we enjoyed. We then carried on towards Flamingo and enjoyed the amazing scenery on the way. Flamingo is about 40 miles from the park entrance so a 80 mile round trip.
We arrived at the Flamingo visitor centre and was shocked how large the car park was and how empty it was. The visitor centre is quite a large building and it looked quite run down. The location is very nice, looking over the water and we saw white pelicans out on the water . We looked around the building and it all looked tired and run down and there was hardly anyone around. We went inside and there was nothing much in there. A small display and toilets which were old and past it. Half of the building was closed and full of rubbish or being used as a store room. Below this was a restaurant which was really run down. It was sort of caged in and there was a large truck which was the kitchen. One man was cooking and he was so behind with the orders people were having a go at the waitresses and walking out. One man said he had been waiting over an hour. I saw people on the table next to us yawning and they kept going outside and I overheard them saying they had been waiting 90 minutes.
This restaurant looked like a make shift one and was very rustic indeed. We decided to eat here as we were really hungry and did not know of anywhere else to get food at this time. Our food did not take too long( 30 minutes) and was ok. I had a burger and fries and hubby had the same. $8 each. It was very plain and just ok. It filled a hole. We then saw the waitress take someone some key lime pie which looked really nice, so we asked for that at $5. It was really nice. Drinks were ok prices too. So the food was average, not awful and not great, just ok. Did it's job( key lime pie was good though). The people in this make shift restaurant looked like they were working hard but there was not enough staff to cope. Quite a few people were turned away as the pile up got so bad. Waitresses were telling people there was a very long wait.
After our meal we went for a walk and saw benches near the water and some people were eating picnics. We then went over to The Marina which was empty of boats and saw a small shop which sold sandwiches and drinks and snacks. We bought 2 beers and sat on the picnic tables out front and enjoyed them.
We found the whole area kind of strange. It was like a ghost town and felt neglected and unloved. Maybe they have run out of funding and it has become run down from lack of money. I can imagine 15 years ago it was very nice. The make shift restaurant needs sorting and the main building needs tidying up.
I really enjoyed driving down to Flamingo, but the visitor centre is not really worth going to. I did not do any walks here so cannot comment on them. We did pass a lovely lake on the way down about 2 miles from the visitor centre which looked worth stopping at. I still think driving down is worth it as the scenery is stunning. But do not expect much at the actual visitor centre and restaurant. Bring your own picnic if you can. Hopefully more funding will be given to the centre in the future and they can sort it all out. Seems a shame it has got so tatty and run down.
Written 20 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
btmoriarty
Weehawken, NJ9 contributions
We recently planned a visit to the Everglades, with one day to get a brief introduction. Having read a number of reviews on Trip Advisor, we determined that it as worthwhile to visit Flamingo after visiting some of the notable trails along the way. Unfortunately, as noted in some reviews, the visitor center remains effectively a ghost town. If you only have limited time to visit, concentrate on other destinations rather than Flamingo.
Written 6 December 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife will be on a one day trip into the Park going to Flamingo. We are interested in a boat tour ( multi passenger with guide ) and also a multi person vehicle tour with guide. Any ideas ?
Thanks
Written 25 January 2020
Hello - we are going to visit the Everglades for the first time next weekend. We are coming from the Gulf side and spending 1-2 days in that part of the Everglades exploring thoroughly. We are wondering if we should drive across, down south through Homestead and then to the Flamingo Visitor Center. Is it very different over there than the rest of the Everglades for us to add on the extra hours to visit Flamingo Center? What would we see there that we wouldn't see in the rest of the park? Thank you for your help!
Written 9 October 2015
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