Top Reasons to Go to the Everglades

Gator spotting: This is ground zero for alligator viewing in the United States, and odds are you'll leave having spotted your quota.

Cool kayaking: Do a half-day trip in Big Cypress National Preserve or Biscayne National Park, or grab a paddle for the ultimate 99-mile Wilderness Waterway.

Backwater boating: Tour the swampy Everglades' backwaters with a guide, and you'll learn firsthand about Florida ecology.

Abundant birdlife: Check hundreds of birds off your list, including—if you're lucky—the rare Everglades snail kite.

Swamp cuisine: Want to chow down on alligator tail or frogs' legs? Or how about swamp cabbage, made from hearts of palm? Better yet, try stone crabs fresh from the traps.

Tropical flavors: The farmland surrounding the Everglades is rich in fruits like mangoes and strawberries. Stop in Homestead to pick your own or try a smoothie.