Florida Everglades advice
 

We will be staying in Key West for 7 nights in late March. For the remaining 3 nights we have before flying home from the Miami airport, we would like to visit the Everglades. Should we stay in Flamingo at the Flamingo Lodge, or stay on Marco Island or Naples? The Keys are a long drive from Marco and Naples, but I am concerned the Flamingo Lodge might be undesirable for 3 nights?? Also is 3 nights too long there? Our kids are 8 & 10. Thanks for any help!

look into the Everglades Hostel <BR>1-800-372-3874 <BR>www.evergladeshostel.com <BR> <BR>2 private rooms <BR>and several bunkbeds, too

3 nights is probably too much for the Everglades. While I think the glades are worth a visit, two days and one night should cover it pretty well. I don't know much about Everglades City, but you are correct about the Flamingo Lodge. This place is mostly used by fishermen who spend the weekend down at Flamingo and shouldn't be thought of as a "resort/vacation" hotel.<BR> Also, as to the above poster, unless you are a young backpacker on an EXTREMELY limited budget, don't even consider the everglades hostel. It is in a questionable neighborhood (although the Mexican restaurant right next door is one of the best in the Homestead/Florida City area). I checked out their website and got a chuckle looking at the photos of the facilities. I drive past that place every weekend and they found the exact photo angles that hide the nearby project housing.

i've driven through the everglades several times and down to Flamingo once.....really, i don't see the attraction....maybe i'm just a jaded floridian. the boat tour at the state park in everglades city was OK.

I lived in Naples for 2 years - 97-99 and I went on several very good Everglades tours, however, you probably can see most of the good tours (at the national parks) in one day if you start early and then I would take the other 2 days and relax in Naples or on Marco Island. Both nice locations. I would not stay in the everglades themselves, I imagine such accomodations would be a bit remote. <BR> <BR>

Try the hostel ONLY if you enjoy a <BR>bohemian lifestyle. I would agree with Larry about 3 nights being too much in the Everglades. 2 would be plenty. Don't miss the Ranger talk at the 1st visitor center after the main entrance. Saw plenty of alligators, birds, snakes and turtles to make any kid happy as can be. There is more driving in the Everglades than what you realize so make time for it. $10 entry fee is good for 7 days.