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Florida, United States

Everglades

Give it a full day from Homestead: Royal Palm boardwalks, the drive to Flamingo, and an airboat or tram ride on the north side. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 3 activities and 3 outdoor spots from our curated routes.

Plan Everglades with friendsBrowse 9 places
Everglades, Florida, United States
Places
9

1 See · 3 Do · 3 Outdoors · 1 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Miami Beach Getaway

Best season
Nov – Apr

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

30°C / 87°F avg high

Coolest month
January

22°C / 72°F avg high

Wettest month
June

about 203 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Everglades

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Everglades in Everglades National Park.

  • Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in EvergladesPhoto: SH H · Google
    See

    Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

    Main park entrance with exhibits and ranger info on what's active that day.

    Tip Ask rangers which trails have the best wildlife that week.

    • Everglades National Park
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Everglades across Flamingo, Shark Valley and Tamiami Trail.

  • Flamingo Marina in EvergladesPhoto: Catie · Google
    Do

    Flamingo Marina

    End of the park road on Florida Bay; boat tours and kayak rentals, with manatees and crocodiles often in the marina.

    Tip Check tour times at the marina; kayaking is best in winter.

    • Flamingo
    • $$
    • 2.5 hr
    • Dec–Apr
  • Shark Valley Tram Tour in EvergladesPhoto: FFKDTP1 · Google
    Do

    Shark Valley Tram Tour

    Two-hour narrated tram on a 15-mile loop to an observation tower, with gators along the canal.

    Tip Reserve tram seats in winter; you can also bike the loop.

    • Shark Valley
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Dec–Apr
  • Coopertown Airboats in EvergladesPhoto: Christina Burnham · Google
    Do

    Coopertown Airboats

    Family-run airboat rides on the Tamiami Trail since 1945, through sawgrass and hammocks.

    Tip Combine with Shark Valley, 10 minutes west.

    • Tamiami Trail
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Morning

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Everglades. All 3 are free to visit.

  • Anhinga Trail in EvergladesPhoto: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Anhinga Trail

    Short boardwalk at Royal Palm where alligators, anhingas and herons are often a few feet away.

    Tip Dry season (Dec–Apr) is best. Cover your car with a tarp; vultures pick at rubber.

    • Royal Palm
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Dec–Apr, early morning
  • Gumbo Limbo Trail in EvergladesPhoto: John L · Google
    Outdoors

    Gumbo Limbo Trail

    Shaded loop through a hardwood hammock next to the Anhinga Trail.

    Tip Bring bug spray, especially in summer.

    • Royal Palm
    • Free
    • 20 min
    • Morning
  • Pa-hay-okee Overlook in EvergladesPhoto: Cameron Skaggs · Google
    Outdoors

    Pa-hay-okee Overlook

    Raised boardwalk over the river of grass with wide sawgrass views.

    Tip Good for late-day light on the drive back from Flamingo.

    • Main Park Road
    • Free
    • 20 min
    • Late afternoon

Eat

1 place to eat in Homestead, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Robert Is Here Fruit Stand in EvergladesPhoto: Edee-Jo Egts · Google
    Eat

    Robert Is Here Fruit Stand

    Family farm stand since 1959 near the park entrance; get a key lime or mamey milkshake.

    Tip Stop on the way in; it opens 8am most of the year.

    • Homestead
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Morning

Drink

1 bar or café in Redland for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery in EvergladesPhoto: Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery · Google
    Drink

    Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery

    Tropical-fruit wines (lychee, guava, mango) and craft beer in a garden setting near Homestead.

    Tip Good stop for a tasting on the drive back to Miami.

    • Redland
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Afternoon

How to fit Everglades into a trip

Everglades is stop 2 of 3 on our Miami Beach Getaway route. Follow it as-is or lift Everglades into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Everglades month by month

Average daily highs run from 22°C / 72°F in January to 30°C / 87°F in August. June is the wettest month, with about 203 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Everglades weather and the best time to visit →

Near Everglades

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Everglades questions, answered

How many days do you need in Everglades?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Everglades. On our Miami Beach Getaway route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 9 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Everglades best known for?

Give it a full day from Homestead: Royal Palm boardwalks, the drive to Flamingo, and an airboat or tram ride on the north side. Standouts on our list: Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center (Main park entrance with exhibits and ranger info on what's active that day); Anhinga Trail (Short boardwalk at Royal Palm where alligators, anhingas and herons are often a few feet away); Gumbo Limbo Trail (Shaded loop through a hardwood hammock next to the Anhinga Trail).

When is the best time to visit Everglades?

Our Miami Beach Getaway route is best Nov – Apr. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (30°C / 87°F), the coolest in January (22°C / 72°F) and the most rain in June (about 203 mm).

What are the best things to do in Everglades?

Start with Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Anhinga Trail, Gumbo Limbo Trail, Pa-hay-okee Overlook and Flamingo Marina. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 1 sight, 3 activities, 3 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 bar or café.

What is near Everglades?

The closest destinations in our guides are Key Largo (about 51 km / 31 mi), Bahia Honda & the Lower Keys (about 78 km / 49 mi) and Miami (about 88 km / 55 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Everglades with your crew

Open the Miami Beach Getaway route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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