• Ranger-led tours, [3].

• Visit "Royal Palm / Anhinga Trail" is the best area for easily viewing wildlife, especially in the dry season. The 'glades are a vast, shallow, slow moving river of grass that extends from Lake Okeechobee in the North to Florida Bay and East to West almost the width of the state. During the dry season (winter through May depending on the year) it dries up except for the deeper places. From the main trail the Anhinga are two very productive wildlife areas as they stay wet all year long. If you bring children and child-like adults, please instruct them to walk quietly and keep their voices down so they don't scare the more timid animals. You will probably see alligators, great blue herons, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, garfish, bass, talapia (and other fishes), various turtles (hard and softshell), snowy egrets, tri-color herons, greenback herons, -- and you might see one or more of the following: deer, stilts, great white herons, bitterns, limpkins, purple gallinules, avocets, roseate spoonbills, ibis, woodstork, snail kites (Everglades kites), sandhill cranes (along the dry bed before you get to the Anhinga Trail), and many other species -- and if you are VERY lucky, a Florida Panther. Take your time, bring your binoculars and camera, and enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty. It is also fascinating to come during the night when the alligators feed. Ranger guided tours of the trail are available frequently and can be very interesting as they are usually very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and can help spot more wildlife than you would yourself.

• Visit "Eco Pond" and other trails Eco Pond used to be one of the best areas for viewing birds and other wildlife. However, the 2005 hurricane season transformed Eco Pond from a freshwater environment to a saltwater environment as well as significantly damaging the area. Thus, there is much less wildlife left. However, it is still possible to see some wildlife there as well as all the other trails found in the park. Wood Storks are often seen at Eco Pond (as of February 2007) and it is possible to see Southern Bald Eagles in the southern areas of the park.

• Shark Valley Tram Tours, +1 305-221-8455. A guided two-hour narrated tram tour along a fifteen-mile loop in the heart of the "River of Grass". Tours depart from the Shark Valley Visitor Center and provide a great opportunity to see wildlife, while escaping the heat and bugs of the wet season. Reservations are strongly recommended for the dry season. Bicycle rentals are also available here.

• Everglades National Park Boat Tours, Gulf Coast Visitor Center. +1 239-695-2591. A narrated boat tour of the Ten-Thousand Islands. Canoe rentals are also available to explore nearby waterways. Reservations are strongly encouraged during the busy dry season.

• Flamingo Lodge, Marina, and Outpost Resort, +1 239-695-3101. Offers boat tours through the Florida Bay and Whitewater Bay areas of the park. Reservations are strongly recommended during the busy dry season. The Flamingo Lodge and Marina sustained major damage due to Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. Boat rentals, lodging and restaurants are not currently available (2006). While some boat tours have resumed, visitors are strongly encouraged to phone for current schedules and pricing. This is also one of the better areas to see American Crocodiles, which are often found on the canal bank opposite the Marina store.

• Cypress Airboat Rides, +1 561-798-2884, [4]. Open year round. Explore this ecosystem on a heart pounding ride, or a more relaxed airboat tour.

• Fishing for tarpon, bonefish, redfish, snook, snapper, and sea trout. Separate Florida licenses are necessary for freshwater and saltwater. There are very few areas where fishing from shore is possible. If you want to fish, consider hiring a local guide. There are plenty of great Florida guides that will meet you in the Everglades for a day of amazing saltwater fishing, whether you want use a fly, conventional tackle, or bait. The back country is word renowned for snook and baby tarpon.

• Boating. Boat ramps within Everglades National Park are located at Flamingo, Little Blackwater Sound, and West Lake. Several commercial boat ramps are located in Everglades City and Chokoloskee. Note that there are closed areas, motor-restricted areas and no wake zones. See the Park's Boating Regulations.

• Water skiing and use of personal watercraft such as jet skis is prohibited.

• Florida Bay Approximately 85% of Florida Bay is inside of Everglades National Park. Access to boats and tours is available at Flamingo, inside of the park. There are over 200 islands referred to as "keys". It is a salt water body, at the south end of the Everglades, where fresh water meets salt water. The "floating logs" that you likely will see are more likely American Crocodiles or possibly American Alligators. They swim Florida Bay and to the islands.

By plane

The closest airport to the Everglades is Miami International Airport [2]. It is a hub for American Airlines, which has service within the United States and to the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.

By car

Two US Highways serve the Everglades from Miami: Route 41 which runs west, and Route 1 which runs south.

Everglades City has a few great seafood restaurants that serve local fare, including fried alligator.

• The Seafood Depot, 102 Collier Ave, Everglades City located in a train depot established in 1928. It has wonderful outside dining overlooking the mangroves and water of the backcountry. The food is plentiful and very affordable.

Key West Sunset Ale from the Florida Brewing Company

Landshark Lager from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville brand of food and drink