The Everglades
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Everglades - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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21. Museum of the Everglades
At this Collier County museum, you can learn about early Native Americans, pioneers, entrepreneurs, and anglers who played pivotal roles in southwest Florida development. Exhibits of artifacts and photographs, as well as a short film, detail the tremendous feat of building the Tamiami Trail across mosquito-ridden, gator-infested Everglades wetlands. Permanent displays and monthly shows rotate works by local and regional artists in the Pauline Reeves Gallery. The small museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is housed in the 1927 Laundry Building, which was once used for washing linens from the Rod & Gun Club until it closed during World War II.
105 W. Broadway, Florida, 34139, USA239-252–5026Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
22. Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
The welcome center on the preserve's western side has abundant information and educational features, as well as restrooms, picnic facilities, and a 70-seat auditorium. An outdoor breezeway showcases an interactive Big Cypress watershed exhibit, illustrating Florida's water flow. It's a convenient place to stop when crossing from either coast. Love manatees? The boardwalk overlooking the canal behind the welcome center can be a good spot for viewing the intriguing mammals. (Legend has it that they were once mistaken for mermaids by thirsty or love-starved sailors.)
33000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, Florida, 34141, USA239-695–4757Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
23. Nine Mile Pond
Located just off the park's main road 11 miles north of Flamingo, this marked kayak trail leads through freshwater marsh and mangrove tunnels that make it a favorite spot for paddlers. You can rent a kayak or canoe at the Flamingo Marina or go on a ranger-led tour from the Flamingo Visitor Center. Don't be shocked if you see an alligator or two swimming nearby. In fact, be surprised if you don't.
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24. Oasis Visitor Center
The big attraction at the Oasis Visitor Center, on the east side of Big Cypress Preserve, is the observation deck for viewing fish, birds, and other wildlife, such as gators. The native plants in a small butterfly garden attract winged wonders. Inside the visitor center, you'll find an exhibition gallery, the Florida National Parks Association bookshop, and a theater showing an informative film on the swamp. (Leashed pets are allowed, but not on the boardwalk deck.) The off-road vehicle permit office is also located at the Oasis Visitor Center.
52105 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, Florida, 34141, USA239-695--4111Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
25. Ochopee Post Office
A must-see for a souvenir photo, the smallest post office in the United States is a former shed for irrigation pipes on the Tamiami Trail. Blink and you'll risk missing it. You can support this quaint and historical outpost by purchasing a postcard of the little shack and mailing it off to a history buff. You can also mail packages and buy money orders here.
38000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, Florida, 34141, USA239-695–2099Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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26. Pa-hay-okee Lookout Tower
For expansive views of the River of Grass and a chance to glimpse Everglades wildlife, walk the short Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail, which ends at a covered observation tower. Take your time here, look around, and tune into the silence of this immense landscape. It's really something.
Everglades National Park, Florida, 33034, USA305-242--7700 -
27. Royal Palm Information Station and Bookstore
Just a few miles past the park entrance, this is an ideal stop if you have limited time to visit the Everglades. When you arrive, note the medallion attached to the building's wall, which pays tribute to members of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs who donated the 4,000 surrounding acres in 1916. At the small bookstore, you’ll find nature guidebooks along with a limited inventory of souvenirs and snack items, while just outside in a covered pavilion, rangers present talks on the park’s history and wildlife. The park's Pine Island Trails (Anhinga Trail, Gumbo Limbo Trail, Lone Pine Key Trails, Pineland Trail, Pahayokee Overlook, and Mahogany Hammock Trail) are also around the visitor center. As always, arm yourself with insect repellent.
Everglades National Park, Florida, 33034, USA305-242–7237 -
28. Schnebly Redland's Winery
Homestead's tropical bounty is transformed into wine at this flourishing enterprise that started producing wines with lychee, mango, guava, and other local fruits as a way to eliminate waste from family groves each year. Over the course of a few decades, the winery expanded to include a tasting room, a full-service restaurant, and a lush plaza picnic area landscaped in coral rock, tropical plants, and waterfalls. It's also home to popular beer brand Miami Brewing Company.
30205 S.W. 217th Ave., Homestead, Florida, 33030, USA305-242–1224Sight Details
Rate Includes: Weekend tours $16 per person -
29. Shark Valley Observation Tower
At the halfway point of the Shark Valley loop or tram tour, you’ll see (and likely be persuaded to scale) the observation tower, which, at 50 feet, is the highest accessible point in Everglades National Park. From the summit you’ll be able to see roughly 20 miles in any direction; do the math and that's 1,600 square miles of Everglades goodness. As you take in the River of Grass in all its subtle glory, observe waterbirds as well as alligators and maybe even river otters crossing the road. The tower has a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the top. If you don't want to take the tram from the Shark Valley Visitor Center, you can either hike or bike in, but private cars are not allowed.
36000 S.W. 8th St., Miami, Florida, 33194, USA -
30. Shark Valley Visitor Center
If Flamingo feels too far away, Shark Valley can provide an idea of the Everglades through educational displays, a park video, and informational brochures. Books and other goods, such as hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, and postcards are available, along with restrooms. Park rangers are also available, ready for your questions. Provided the valley isn't flooded, this is where you'll find the two-hour tram tour and Observation Tower.
36000 S.W. 8th St., Miami, Florida, 33194, USA305-221–8776 -
31. Ten Thousand Islands
A surreal landscape by any measure, the Ten Thousand Islands are a 35,000-acre chain of islands and smaller mangrove islets south of Marco Island. The Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a magnet for kayakers, naturalists, birdwatchers, and photographers thanks to the refuge's proliferation of fish, birds, and other wildlife. Finding your way through the islands can be confusing, so the National Park Service recommends that visitors consult NOAA Charts #11430 and #11432. While the northern islands lie in the national refuge, the lower islands lie within Everglades National Park and are best accessed by boat tours leaving from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. If you're driving from Naples, you can also park at the Marsh Trail, the best spot for accessing trails. Kayaking and hiking are popular activities for day visitors, who may spot endangered species such as Florida manatees, peregrine falcons, and Atlantic loggerheads.
815 Oyster Bar La., Everglades City, Florida, 34139, USA239-657--8001 -
32. Tropical Everglades Visitor Center
Managed by the nonprofit Tropical Everglades Visitor Association, this pastel-pink information center with teal signage offers abundant printed material, plus tips from volunteer experts on exploring South Florida, especially Homestead, Florida City, and the Florida Keys.
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33. Turner River Paddling Trail
Spanning Big Cypress National Preserve to the north and Everglades National Park to the south, this moderately difficult paddling trail winds through almost 10 miles of Turner River marked by cypress, sawgrass prairie, and mangrove trees. Save at least five to seven hours for a full trip. If you're in Big Cypress, you can access the trail on U.S. 41 west of Turner River Road. If you're accessing from Everglades City, enter at the NPS Gulf District Ranger Station or Chokoloskee Island. Moderate. There are four additional paddling trails within Big Cypress.
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