We'll be joining family in western Florida for Thanksgiving this year (on the coast, near Sanibel), and have a couple extra days beforehand.

Half of the family (me and one kid) want to fly into Miami and spend the time in the Everglades area; the other half (husband and one kid) aren't so interested; and the youngest kid doesn't do great with long car trips.

I'm thinking flying into Miami, and spending the night nearby, maybe in Homestead. (I'm getting a veto on Miami with kids.) Spend the next day visiting the Everglades area, with a night in Everglades City. Some time in that area, then on to meet up with the family.

Any suggestions for whether those are good overnight spots, and things to do? I've done some research, and have a list started myself - but I'm just not sure.

Also, we've done lots of wonderful things in the Sanibel area on previous trips there - boat trips to islands; boat trips with scientist types who scoop up water creatures and point out birds; some canoeing; etc. Will the Everglades be a lot like that, or is there enough more for the whole family to enjoy the time spent there?

Thanks!

Why are you getting veto'd on Miami with kids?

Miami has so much more than Everglads City.

Miami Sea Aquarium
Venitian Pool
Monkey Jungle
Miami Children's Museum
Parrot Jungle Island
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Miles and miles of beaches
Vizcaya
Duck Tours
Biscayne Park
Crandon Park

I can't even fathom the thousands of restaurants in Miami and all of the shopping.

Lexma90
We enjoyed Angina Trail in the Everglades. It is a boardwalk about one mile long above a bizillion aligators. I can't imagine any kid not liking it. We also really enjoyed the airboat rides

We stayed overnight at the Ivey House Inn, a bed and breakfast in Everglade City last Easter on our way to the Keys. It really is a very interesting Inn, not what you would consider your average B&B. They have a pretty little courtyard that is enclosed and screened to keep the bugs at bay, with a nice pool. My kids were intrigued by the area and the airboat rides. Be prepared, there isn't much to Everglade City.

cd, forgive me for pointing this out, but I think the trail you meant is Anhinga Trail. Anhingas are large dark birds that have no oil glands and must spread their wings out to dry. They sort of resemble big vultures in the trees with their wings spread out.

I think I'd have a heart attack if I tried to master the "Angina" trail!

I keep wanting to rent bikes at Shark Valley and ride the trail there -- about 2 or 3 hours, but it keeps getting put aside -- maybe this year!!

Everglades city is a tiny town that seems lost in a time warp. There is the old and kind of funky Everglades Inn, and there was and I guess still is a B&B in the old bank building. But the Everglades boat trip was the biggest snore ever!

Crossing the Tamiami Trail you must keep your eyes open and make a quick stop at the Ochopee Post Office, the smallest working post office in the country -- it looks like an old fashioned outhouse!

Patrick
You are so right, it is Anhinga Trail. Thanks for the correction. I knew it was named after the bird, I just couldn't remember what the birds name was.