Simply shy of the intense lights of Miami, the seashores of Fort Lauderdale and the enduring murals in Hollywood, the Everglades is a stunner of a spot to go to in South Florida. That being mentioned, it may be laborious to pinpoint just some of one of the best issues to do in Everglades Nationwide Park should you’re heading throughout for a brief journey.
It’s humorous, each time we’ve visited Southern Florida, we’ve at all times made the trouble to go to the Everglades. It’s a type of locations that’s so distinctive and with out sounding like an ecology-buff, it’s panorama and ecosystem is so distinctive to go to.
From alligators, unimaginable birdlife and huge swaths of unspoilt creeks to discover; you possibly can spend weeks in Everglades Nationwide Park and nonetheless not see all of it.
For this reason I needed to share a few of our prime spots we’ve liked visiting while in Florida.
Have a look, under, at one of the best issues to do within the Everglades. Have a completely enjoyable journey!
1.) Sawgrass Recreation Park
On the very northerly factors of The Everglades, Sawgrass Recreation Park is perched proper throughout the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Area.
Not solely that, it’s one of many best locations to go to should you’re primarily based in Fort Lauderdale (round 25-minutes from the town centre). Yeah, it may be near the town nevertheless it truly appears like one million miles away – you’re in complete wilderness while you’re right here.
When you arrive, head out on the Sawgrass Airboat Tour that’s a lot enjoyable! We liked it, particularly as we received to see a heap of alligators! Not solely that, the workforce is so educated and captivated with The Everglades – they actually made our expertise!
Getting peckish? Attempt a few of the freshly-fried gator tail bites, too! They had been scrumptious.
Learn extra: The way to discover Sawgrass Recreation Park
2.) Shark Valley
Round 50-minutes from Miami, Shark Valley is likely one of the greatest locations within the Everglades that’s inside simple attain of Miami.
As soon as right here, you possibly can discover the paths and the enduring Bobcat Boardwalk that’s completely beautiful on a stunning sunny day. Although, take a lot of water and sunblock with you – that humidity and mosquitos could be robust.
In case you fancy chilling, take the tram tour the place you’ll spot a heap of the locals, like; the turtles, regional birds which is nice to discover. After all, there’s a shed load of alligators, too!
Lastly, take the within the views from the Shark Valley Customer Heart that overlooks the entire area and actually permits you to see how a lot space the Everglades covers. Simply beautiful.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Florida
3.) Chokoloskee Bay
Chokoloskee Bay is about ten miles (16 km) lengthy and is a favorite spot for anglers and water sporters!
This place is filled with wildlife, pure magnificence, and exquisite waters which are too good to overlook. After all, when you’re right here, make sure that to attempt your hand at kayaking or canoeing, too.
In case you fancy much less of an upper-body exercise, hop on one of many boat excursions that depart from Chokoloskee most days. Oh, and that if its views you’re after, head to the Ernest Hamilton Observation Tower that’s proper on the bay inside Everglades Metropolis.
On the subject of Everglades Metropolis, should you do plan a little bit jaunt across the streets itself, you should definitely absorb a few of the beautiful spots alongside the best way. We liked seeing the Metropolis Corridor and popping into the Museum of the Everglades.
Afterwards, cease by the lovable Havana Café of the Everglades that’s proper on Chokoloskee Island. Their shrimp is so good and the Cuban treats are simply too good to overlook.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Fort Lauderdale
4.) Ernest F. Coe Customer Heart
Simply off Ingraham Freeway, heading to the Ernest F. Coe Customer Heart is likely one of the greatest issues to do within the Everglades for the close by trails.
Situated on the Homestead entrance of Everglades Nationwide Park, the customer centre has a heap of exhibitions, knowledgeable guides and rangers that’ll level you in the appropriate course for trails within the space.
Not solely that, however they’ll additionally level you in the appropriate course for houseboat leases while within the Everglades. That is good if you wish to prolong your keep on this beautiful a part of Florida.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Hollywood, Florida
5.) Lengthy Pine Key
If tenting is your factor, then you definately’ll simply discover Lengthy Pine Key the place for you. It’s probably the greatest issues to do within the Everglades should you’re a camper however need quieter spots to arrange your tent. You see, it’s a little bit less-known than a few of the greater tenting spots (making it a fantastic place to loosen up and see stunning views within the space).
Additionally, there’s a shed load of mountain climbing trails and an attractive lake surrounded by pine Rockland forest that’s completely pristine to go to. Considered one of our favourites is the close by Anhinga Trail that’s simply shy of Lengthy Pine.
That being mentioned, there are some beautiful trails simply off the camp space itself – the Long Pine Key Nature Trail is a should.
6.) Gumbo Limbo Path
The Gumbo Limbo Trail offers you a stunning glimpse of the distinct ecosystem of the Everglades and properly price following should you’re into your hikes.
A self-guided path, it showcases a hardwood hammock ecosystem that’s completely distinctive and unspoilt. Take within the views by the gumbo limbo bushes and maintain look ahead to the gators!
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Hollywood, Florida
7.) Mahogany Hammock Path
One other beautiful and self-guided path, the Mahogany Hammock boardwalk is the place you could find the most important residing Mahogany tree in all the US.
Nice for the entire household, this path is comparatively brief (0.5-miles lengthy) and completely simple and nice for those who require a extra accessible path to comply with.
Learn extra: Enjoyable issues to do in Miami
8.) Flamingo
Simply shy of Bear Lake, Flamingo and the Flamingo Visitor Center is likely one of the first ports-of-call you’ll make while exploring the shoreline round Rabbit Key Basin.
With campground services, mountain climbing trails (the Coastal-Prairie Path is epic), and kayaking routes, you’ll be in for a deal with when exploring the south coast across the customer centre itself.
Simply you should definitely maintain your eyes peeled for the majestic manatee that frequent the shores right here.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Jacksonville
9.) Royal Palm State Park
Royal Palm State Park was established in 1916 and is completely beautiful to go to when within the Everglades.
Not solely that, you’ll discover two of the most well-liked trails in the entire of the everglades; the Anhinga Trail, and the Gumbo Limbo Trail (each talked about earlier) that’s too beautiful to overlook.
Additionally, simply exterior the remit of the park, you’ve received Everglades Alligator Farm for his or her epic airboat rides and excursions by the glades.
Afterwards, head on over to Schnebly Redland’s Winery for his or her scrumptious varieties and tasting periods they provide. Yum!
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Port Charlotte
10.) Large Cypress Nationwide Protect
Roughly 50+ miles from the centre of Fort Lauderdale, Large Cypress Nationwide Protect is beautiful to go to!
Better of all, this space of the Everglades is wonderful to go to for ranger-led tours that absorb one of the best of the protect. These are probably the greatest issues to do within the Everglades if you would like extra of an ecological rationalization of the protect itself. They’re completely fascinating.
Not solely that, Large Cypress Nationwide Protect is an internationally recognised Dark Sky Site.
This implies it’s completely unimaginable to see constellations, planets and extra proper throughout the unpolluted skies of the park.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Florida
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