Simply shy of the brilliant lights of Miami, the seashores of Fort Lauderdale and the long-lasting murals in Hollywood, the Everglades is a stunner of a spot to go to in South Florida. That being stated, it may be laborious to pinpoint just some of the most effective 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 may spend weeks in Everglades Nationwide Park and nonetheless not see all of it.
That is why I needed to share a few of our prime spots we’ve liked visiting while in Florida.
Have a look, beneath, at the most effective issues to do within the Everglades. Have a very 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 town centre). Yeah, it is perhaps near town however it really seems like one million miles away – you’re in whole 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 obtained to see a heap of alligators! Not solely that, the workforce is so educated and keen about The Everglades – they actually made our expertise!
Getting peckish? Attempt a few of the freshly-fried gator tail bites, too! They have been scrumptious.
Read more: How to explore Sawgrass Recreation Park
2.) Shark Valley
Round 50-minutes from Miami, Shark Valley is likely one of the finest locations within the Everglades that’s inside straightforward attain of Miami.
As soon as right here, you may discover the paths and the long-lasting 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 may be powerful.
If you happen to 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. In fact, 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.
Read more: Best things 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 stuffed with wildlife, pure magnificence, and delightful waters which are too good to overlook. In fact, when you’re right here, be certain to strive your hand at kayaking or canoeing, too.
If you happen to 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’ll want to soak up a few of the attractive spots alongside the way in which. 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.
Read more: Best things 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 finest issues to do within the Everglades for the close by trails.
Positioned on the Homestead entrance of Everglades Nationwide Park, the customer centre has a heap of exhibitions, skilled guides and rangers that’ll level you in the precise course for trails within the space.
Not solely that, however they will additionally level you in the precise course for houseboat leases while within the Everglades. That is excellent if you wish to prolong your keep on this beautiful a part of Florida.
Read more: Best things 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 the most effective 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 larger tenting spots (making it a fantastic place to calm down and see lovely views within the space).
Additionally, there’s a shed load of mountain climbing trails and a phenomenal lake surrounded by pine Rockland forest that’s completely pristine to go to. One in every of our favourites is the close by Anhinga Trail that’s simply shy of Lengthy Pine.
That being stated, 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 way of the gumbo limbo timber and maintain look ahead to the gators!
Read more: Best things to do in Hollywood, Florida
7.) Mahogany Hammock Path
One other attractive and self-guided path, the Mahogany Hammock boardwalk is the place you will discover 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 straightforward and nice for those who require a extra accessible path to comply with.
Read more: Fun things 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’ll want to maintain your eyes peeled for the majestic manatee that frequent the shores right here.
Read more: Best things 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 attractive to overlook.
Additionally, simply exterior the remit of the park, you’ve obtained Everglades Alligator Farm for his or her epic airboat rides and excursions by way of the glades.
Afterwards, head on over to Schnebly Redland’s Winery for his or her scrumptious varieties and tasting periods they provide. Yum!
Read more: Best things to do in Port Charlotte
10.) Massive Cypress Nationwide Protect
Roughly 50+ miles from the centre of Fort Lauderdale, Massive Cypress Nationwide Protect is beautiful to go to!
Better of all, this space of the Everglades is superb to go to for ranger-led tours that soak up the most effective of the protect. These are the most effective issues to do within the Everglades in order for you extra of an ecological clarification of the protect itself. They’re completely fascinating.
Not solely that, Massive 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.
Read more: Best things to do in Florida