If you have read any “Top Ten Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale” lists, you have inevitably come across the suggestion to visit the Florida Everglades—and we wholeheartedly agree. We recommend that on your next trip to Fort Lauderdale or the South Florida area that you take some time to explore the Everglades.
Made up of sub-tropical jungles, swamp lands, and saw-grass prairies, the Everglades are a unique vacation destination that you can’t find anywhere else. What can you see and do at the 1.5 million acres that make up the Florida Everglades? The Everglades is home to a variety of outdoor activities (that we mention a little later on) as well as many exotic and domestic birds and animals.
We recommend that you begin your Everglades adventure at the Everglades National Park, which makes up about a seventh of the entire Everglades. If you drive about an hour south of Fort Lauderdale near the town of Homestead, Florida, you can begin your journey at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center. The visitor center is open every day of the year from 9 am to 5 pm and offers you educational exhibits, films, brochures, and more to prepare you for your Everglades trip. The Ernest Coe Visitor Center also has fun souvenirs you may want to purchase and take home.
Note that if you are coming from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport you can find affordable Florida car rental companies that will get you ready to go to the Ernest Coe Visitor Center and the Everglades National Park in no time. To save more time and money, you may even want to book your cheap car rental online before you come.
Activities you can enjoy within the Everglades National Park include the following:
- Hike or bike one of the many trails within the park.
- Camp at one of the frontcountry or backcountry camping locations. (Be sure to check the NPS website online before you come for more details and preparation advice for camping in the Everglades.)
- Bring your rod and reel to enjoy both saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities. Note that to fish in Florida you will need a valid fishing license.
- Go boating on Florida Bay, Whitewater Bay, or the Ten Thousand Islands area. You can also canoe or kayak in these areas as well as on the canoe and kayak trails within the Everglades. Be sure to call the Everglades state park or go on their website to find out more about marinas, boat fees, water trail maps, safety advice, and more before you drag your boat to Florida.
- Take a guided tour via tram or boat; be sure to call ahead for most current reservation and pricing information.
No matter what outdoor activities you decide to enjoy within the Everglades, be sure to take along plenty of water, clothes in case the weather changes, and mosquito spray to combat the many insects that inhabit the swampy lands.
But don’t let the pesky insects deter you from visiting this Florida landmark. Every adult and child needs to visit the Florida Everglades at one time in their lives, and your next vacation could be just the right time. Be sure to check out the NPS’s Everglades National Park website for up-to-date info and more exciting Everglades opportunities.
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