Living in South Florida, I have easy access to one of the most fascinating ecosystem in the United States. I spend a few hours one afternoon enjoying the Everglades.

About an hour drive from Miami International (MIA) or Ft. Lauderdale Airport (FLL), Everglades Holiday Park offers a quick affordable way to explore a bit of natural Florida.

Arriving at Everglades Holiday Park you may be greeted by one of the proud residents that will have no problem ignoring you. I have a sense they think they own the place.

Holiday Park seems to be a "mom and pop" run operation and is often not very busy. This usually gives you an opportunity to stroll the grounds, relax or have some real alligator tidbits before you board your tour.

Your approximately one hour tour begins when you board an aluminum framed airboat powered by two V-8 Cadillac engines. A bit noisy so bring air plugs if you are noise sensitive or request a front seat. However, I think this is a part of the fun on an airboat ride.

This afternoon the weather is typical for a Florida summer afternoon, hot and humid with thunderstorm clouds in the distance. A few minutes after leaving the dock we enter a new world, the Everglades. The waters are calm and at some spots seem impassable, blocked by tall sawgrass.

For photos:
http://dmbtravelerusa.blogspot.com/2...verglades.html


Everglades Holiday Park is located at the intersection of Griffin Road and US27 both of which have convenient exits from Interstate 75 (Griffin Rd I-75S/US-27) and the Florida Turnpike (US27) . The park charges about $24 per adult with a 10% AAA or online coupon discount. Motorcycle riders get a 2 for 1 discount.

The park also has camping and fishing boat rentals available. http://evergladesholidaypark.proxy.voicestar.com/

I sort of agree with you. The Everglades are wonderful, but frankly I'd much rather go to Shark Valley for a more eco-friendly and less "tourist trap feel" than Holiday Park! That's hardly the real Everglades -- in fact the trip isn't into Everglades National Park at all! And the Everglades doesn't even allow airboats for some very good reasons.

I've never heard of a Cadillac Engine?

Really, spiro? They were the first mass produced V-8s. They are everywhere. But I'd rather be in the stillness of the Everglades on a less noisy and less damaging to the environment vehicle -- like a "Seminole Injun" powered boat! LOL

Where is Shark Valley, Neopatrick?

NeoPatrick,

You are correct but unfortunately most visitors (cruise ship passengers and the like) only have time for a brief "tourist" experience of the Everglades. Nothing beats the real thing!

I guess first you have to hear about a Cadillac before you can hear about a Cadillac engine. Neo, some of us might be carbon dating ourselves

Shark Valley is one of the closest points in Everglades National Park to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, probably as close or closer to Miami than Holiday Park is, but admittedly a little further from Ft. Lauderdale than Holiday Park.

Here's a website. There is much to do there. I keep threatening to go some day and rent a bicycle, but it never seems to happen.

http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/

One would really be carbon dating oneself to admit never hearing of Cadillac! LOL

LOL, I thought maybe you meant the Northstar engine on a Cadillac.

When we lived in South Florida we would go to the Everglades NP http://www.nps.gov/ever/ or the http://www.nps.gov/bicy/ Big Cypress Preserve at least once a month just to get away from the congestion of the greater Miami Area.

Bookmarking.