Stetson Mansion in DeLand ranks in TripAdvisor's top 10. Who else made the list?

Katie Kustura, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·2 min read
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Stetson Mansion in DeLand has done it again.

The historic home received recognition this month from TripAdvisor as part of the annual Travelers' Choice Awards.

Stetson Mansion ranked No. 8 on the list of the top 25 attractions in the United States.

The only other Florida destination to make this year's list: The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West.

The DeLand mansion is owned by JT Thompson and his partner Michael Solari who, for more than 15 years, have hosted historic tours and special holiday events while maintaining a private residence upstairs.

In February the couple announced the historic tours, which included access to a few of the third-floor rooms, would end after April.

They said the mansion would reopen each holiday season for the Christmas Spectacular.

Facts about Stetson Mansion

Stetson Mansion, pictured here in July 2022, received recognition from the travel website TripAdvisor. The historic DeLand home ranked No. 8 on best attractions in the United States.
Stetson Mansion, pictured here in July 2022, received recognition from the travel website TripAdvisor. The historic DeLand home ranked No. 8 on best attractions in the United States.

Located at 1031 Camphor Lane, the mansion:

  • Was built in 1886.

  • Includes 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a schoolhouse and a carriage house.

  • Is just under 10,000 square feet.

  • Sits on a 2.3-acre property.

Former home of university's namesake

Famed hatmaker John B. Stetson, for whom Stetson University is named, had the mansion built to serve as his winter home.

In this 2022 file photo, guests take a tour of the Stetson Mansion. The historical tours ended in April, but the owners said the mansion would reopen each holiday season for the Christmas Spectacular.
In this 2022 file photo, guests take a tour of the Stetson Mansion. The historical tours ended in April, but the owners said the mansion would reopen each holiday season for the Christmas Spectacular.

Stetson was known for throwing lavish parties at the mansion where he also reportedly hosted Henry Flagler, Baron Frederick DeBary, President Grover Cleveland and King Edward VII.

Top 10 attractions in the US on TripAdvisor's 'Best of the Best' list?

  1. Empire State Building, New York City, New York

  2. Central Park, New York City, New York

  3. Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

  4. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, New York City, New York

  5. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana

  6. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York

  7. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado

  8. Stetson Mansion, DeLand, Florida

  9. Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada

  10. USS Midway Museum, San Diego, California

Tours worth rating on TripAdvisor: Visitors react

TripAdvisor's annual Travelers' Choice Awards are based on reviews and ratings from the public.

Stetson Mansion has received more than 5,300 reviews in which visitors rated the experience 5/5 points.

Recent visitors described it as "completely enchanting" and an "unbelievable piece of history."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stetson Mansion in DeLand recognized by travel site TripAdvisor