Going to try to do the Everglades on the only day we have available on our early May trip through Miami and down to the Keys. In researching things like airboat rides and visitor centers, I got more and more confused. While this 1 day request for information is probably not what the experienced Everglade travelers want to reply to, at least we can get a small taste of the area with your assistance. Any help will move me past the confused area. Thanks

I saw those “Everglades tours” being offered out of Miami, and it didn’t seem as if you really made it into the park itself (hiking the Anhinga or Gumbo Limbo Trails, for example). If memory serves, these got you into an alligator farm and on an airboat ride, neither of which you can actually experience as part of the park. I passed, but maybe that’ll be of interest to you.

We just drove part way into the Everglades when staying at Ft. Lauderdale a couple of years ago. It was very interesting.

Visiting Everglades National Park from Miami is simple: drive down US Highway 1 towards Homestead and Florida City. When you get to that basic area, follow Highway 9336 into the park, stopping at the Visitor Center to learn which places have what interests you. I strongly recommend walking the Anhinga Trail to see alligators (likely) and a variety of birds. As time permits, continue to drive down the park road, stopping at any point that interests you.

Note that air-boat rides are so disruptive to animals, and so destructive of plants, that they are banned within the Park itself. If you want to experience this thrill ride, or see alligators within a zoo setting, you'll have to visit outside the Park.

I would head west on the Tamiami Trail/rt. 41, stop at the VC and either take the tram on the 15 mile route or bike it
Go to this link for information:

https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm

This is from the link that emalloy provided:
"Your first decision in visiting the Everglades is which entrance to use; there are three and they are hours apart from each other. If you want the opportunity to observe the heart of the everglades you can either enter through Shark Valley in Miami or the Main Entrance of the Park in Homestead. However, if you are looking to explore the Gulf Coast, then you should plan to take a boat trip at the Gulf Coast in Everglades City."

That should be the starting point for your decision making.

if you decide on the Shark Valley area, there are a number of airboat rides north of the Everglades National Park ( I believe they travel into Big Cypress National Preserve - none go into the national park). In May, you should be prepared for heat/humidity and bugs. I'd stock up on some good quality bug repellant.