Everglade rides
 

Tired Mom travelling with two teenagers...will be traveling from Miami to Naples via Alligator Alley...any must see sights or boat rides...thank you!

My first question -- where in Miami are you coming from? I'm a big fan of taking US 41, the Tamiami Trail between Naples and Miami. It is far more scenic and interesting. There is an Indian Village and Cultural center, some airboat rides or swamp buggy rides, the wonderful Clyde Butcher art gallery, and the smallest post office in the US (which looks like an outhouse), plus some nice little trails to pull off at and look at wildlife including the alligators. There's also a great little barbecue hut just west of Miami where you get real pit barbecue and sit outside at picnic tables. Alligator Alley is a bore, with not much except a couple of generic rest areas.

Thank you for the tip! Is an airboat ride a must? Kids love barbecue...by any chance do you remember the name of your recommendation?

So far as I know the place has no name. On top of the little red building are cut out letters making a sign that says "BarBQ". It's just east of the last real intersection and traffic light in western Miami suburbs. You'll see the big sign for the huge Indian resort and casino on your right, and then the barbq appears on your left. If your car windows are down, you can't miss it unless your sinuses are clogged.

I haven't done an airboat ride in years. It's noisy and fast. That's all I remember. But I did think it was fun.

Instead of an airboat, consider the Everglades National Park Boat Tours. The pontoon boats go into the Ten-Thousand Islands from the National Park Visitors Center in Everglades City.

Its much less expensive then the airboats and you see more wildlife.

We went out in March and saw many birds including eagles and osprey. An eagle even attacked an osprey nest. We didn't see manatees that day, but the dolphins played in our wake and the wake of other boats.

The tours Operate everyday: (239) 695-2591

Keith

Absoulutely agree with Patrick, US 41, the Tamiami Trail is a really good experience. Alligators on both sides of the 2 lane highway as opposed to Alligator Alley which is 4 lane and faster, so you see less.

Thank you! This info is what the doctor ordered.....How kind fodorites are!!!