We're in Miami this weekend, and Mrs. PTravel and I thought it might be interesting to visit the Everglades tomorrow.

We're interested in driving to or through it (is that even possible), doing a little not-too-strenuous hiking, and maybe even hiring an airboat driver.

We're not interested in wildlife shows, package tours or anything that is likely to involve children.

Has anyone any suggestions?

2 good choices: the Royal Palm visitor centre west of Homestead (south of Miami) is a great place. Go in the morning and there will be no tour busses and the like. You'll see large alligators really up close and personal, as well as turtles and all sorts of birds.

Alternatively, drive west on the highway that skirts MIA on the south side and go to the Shark Valley visitor centre. I'd rent a bike and ride anticlockwise. Again, you'll see large alligators very close and personal.

FWIW, southern Florida is pretty much dead flat except for highway overpasses.

Never been to the Royal Palm place so can't comment on that.

But have been to Shark Valley and rented a bike. I can vouch for the fact you'll get to see alligators up close and personal, and I saw a few snakes too!

Shark Valley also has at least 2 deer, or at least they looked like deer, might have been a related type animal). Saw them munching on some grass just off the trail. No gurantee that one of the big gators hasn't had them for a snack yet but....

If you do go, go early. The parking lot seems large but last time I was there, people were parking out by the main road and walking in because there was no parking left in the lot. Although at this time of the year that might not be a problem.

Also, if you like to hike, you can hike around the entire thing instead of renting a bike, but just make sure to dress properly and take enough water.

I agree with the above. he street is 8th street, also known as Tamiami Trail or Highway 41. It goes across the top of the Everglades to the other side of the state. There are several places along it to get out and explore, but do bring your gear - bugs are bad this time of year, as are gators And it will be HOT and HUMID.

I did this about a week ago... went to Gator Park right off SW8th/Tamiami/US41


There were plenty of signs for other parts off the road. So the options are endless.


I did the full tour/airboat ride which only took about an hour and a half total, no more than that.

But got to see plenty of alligators up close, some turtles, and went pretty fast in the airboat (the driver started spinning out at speed, he thought it was funny meanwhile I'm thinking I'm getting eaten alive if we flip the damn thing and everyone's in the water)


It was really cool. I'd recommend it!


--Russ

PS. Try the alligator tail/frogs legs meal, costs as much as the show/boat ride but its a cool thing to try especially for the first time.

Somewhat related; I'll be more in the Fort Lauderdale/Plantation area (and driving from Orlando and back) and am interested in seeing the Everglades and taking an airboat ride. Any suggestions for a location/operator that would be convenient to where I'll be?

Thanks!

We just took Bob W from Alaska out to an airboat ride behind Deerfield Beach out at the end of Loxahatchee Road and had a pretty good hour on the water. If that location is convenient for you, let me know and I'll find the link and give you some details.

When are you going to be down here?

Monitor; thanks for the reply. Was it this place?

http://www.evergladesairboattours.com/

(I used the info you provided to deduce this).

I think this should work out for me. I'll be in South Florida just after The Freddies and have April 24 free. I take it you were happy with the operator?

That is the place. I would recommend it because it is in a place at the end of civilization without distractions such as petting zoos and other exhibitions which are keyed to the kiddie trade.

I think that the operator was pretty good although he was full of some of the misconceptions about science and about life that permeate the backwoods. Make no mistake about it, this is a boat tour run by a backwoodsman and he does help you see things that your eyes might not have caught.

It really is going to be full of FTers around here at the end of April so I think that there need to be lots of parties put on the schedule for those of us who do not care to try to stay awake through the Freddies.

Great thread and thanks for the insight...

Its quite ironic that I'll be in warm Florida while monitor+1 will be in frozen Alaska at the same time

4th time or so to Florida, flying into MIA, heading to Naples for first couple days, then driving down to Marathon for the seafood festival... however we have an extra day between the two, so were looking into checking out the Everglades again. (Last time I was in the swamp I think I was under 5...)

Side note... saw CO was codesharing on a Cessna 402 RSW-MTH... very tempting to fly this (to add to my flight memory) but its $150 OW and then I'd be separated from my family driving down (not really fair) oh well... it'll be a fun trip anyway!

Yes, but we will not be that frozen because we will be drinking down BOB W's wine garage the entire time that we are there (as soon as we figure how to get oa load of it on the train to Fairbanks). We are also adapting and getting a bit acclimated by spending the 10 days before Alaska in the Northeast and Midwest.

And then we will be back to Fla almost directly and will have plenty of time there to warm up while you will need to go on back and be thrust into the frost for another few months.

Back on topic. If you look around the website of that airboat company, there is a discount coupon which may or may not be honored by the extremely disagreeable woman who sells the tickets out of a trailer nearby. Her attitude is ameliorated by the pleasantness of the boatmen, some of whom have that proper scruffy backwoods never-took-a-shower look to them.

The company sounds pretty , however is a little far north for what my family wants to do (although STS-119 is launching on Wed night, so I'm tempted to run up there to see it blast off... I saw STS-123 last year (another night launch) and one back in 94 or so) - we don't want to be driving constantly (although FL isn't that big of a state )

Update

Had a great trip with plenty of sunburn (apparently one must cover all their body with sunscreen...)

Drove US41 MIA-APF and saw plenty of gators , stopped at the free Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park at the west end of the state. Note, this is a single lane highway and can be slow with an oversized Semi Truck in front... but its free (no pesky tolls- which dollar coins work great for )

The return to MIA we took I-75 to speed things up, overnighted in TPA, and drove to MTH, using the Florida Turnpike as I-95 was clogged... diverting at the terminus of the Florida Turnpike in Florida City to Biscayne National Park (Free) a vastly underutilized park that apparently is 95% under water... stayed there 30 minutes and continued to MTH for the Seafood Festival - Yum!