jdm said:
We have the Hampton Inn in Doral through easyclick for our one night stay when we arrive. Great rate, free breakfast etc. I couldn't find any availability in the areas you mentioned and in the end, dh said he'd like to just get somewhere quickly after our long drive to the airport on this end and then flying all day. We've switched our rental car from Alamo to National so we'll be going from National to the Hampton Inn. Looks a little far (11miles) but I'm hoping it won't be too difficult to navigate?
Whichever rental car company you use, they are all located in the same general area -- just east of MIA.
Your Hampton Inn could be either
just to the northwest of the airport, or
somewhat northwest of the airport on the Florida Turnpike Extension. I'm guessing you are at the one at NW 116 Avenue and 41 Street (the Turnpike location). PM me with the address of the Hampton Inn and I'll give you directions. Either one is easy to find.
We haven't decided when to see the Everglades. On our way down or on our way back up. We won't have a lot of time but would at least like to spend an afternoon or morning. Definitely want to do a airboat ride. At least the kids do, they look scarey to me. Especially if surrounded by alligators. No thanks!!
If you can give me any input on some ideas on the Everglades, where to go exactly, airboat places. Educational ideas where the kids can get some history (they are missing school for this one and have to come back with knowledge!) etc., that would be great.
I could have pm'd you, but seems there is some interest on these boards for the Everglades and if we have a resident ranger, well heck! Others are probably interested in any info you can give.
I tell people all the time, "If you have only a half-day to see the Everglades, come to Shark Valley and take the Tram Tour." Shark Valley is the
northern entrance to Everglades National Park -- located on US 41, 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike (about 35-40 miles west of downtown Miami).
It's not for nothing that we call Shark Valley "The Crown Jewel of the Everglades." If you need any further reference, it's where the rangers go on our days off!
The Shark Valley Tram Tour is a two-hour, 15 mile trip directly into the heart of the "River of Grass." You'll see the classic Everglades landscape of sawgrass and tree islands (my wife calls it the "Calvin Klein landscape" because it's khaki and green), lots of beautiful birds, and a
bunch of alligators, including babies. It's nesting season, so you'll also see a lot of baby birds. At the halfway point, the tram stops at an observation tower where you can go 50 feet above the Everglades for a great panoramic view.
The tram is narrated by a naturalist, either from NPS or from the tram company, so you'll get a lot of information in a short amount of time. Trams start at 9 AM and run every hour, on the hour, with 4 PM being the last tram. There is a $10
per car entry fee to the park, and the trams are $14 adult, $13 seniors 62 and over, and $8.50 for kids 12 and under.
On weekends especially, reservations are strongly recommended, but the tram company does not take reservations for the 11 AM, 12 noon, and 1 PM trams -- those are first-come, first-served, so you need to be there an hour ahead of time to be confident of making the one you want. For reservations, call 305-221-8455 between 9 AM and 4 PM.
The concession also offers bicycle rentals at $6 per hour. It takes about three hours to bike the entire 15 mile loop, so the tram is both cheaper and more informative.
Also, at 2:15 PM each day, there is a "Shark Byte," which is a 30-minute naturalist presentation (by a ranger or NPS volunteer) about an Everglades topic. When you figure out your exact plans, PM me and I'll give you the topic for the day you are visiting. Chances are, the program will be about one of our endangered species -- probably either the Florida Panther or Wood Storks.
Between the Florida Turnpike and Shark Valley, you will pass six airboat tour operators, and there is another just past SV. We are not allowed to make recommendations, and to be honest, they are all about the same. They are all about 20-30 minutes long, VERY loud, and usually pretty cold because of the wind chill. They are pretty safe -- I've worked at Shark Valley for five years and do not remember any airboat accidents involving a commercial tour operator.
Don't worry about the alligators on the airboat rides, you're going to be walking within 15 feet of them at Shark Valley...sometimes closer. They won't bother you.
If you have kids, stop by the SV visitor center and pick up Junior Ranger books. They can do some of the activities on the tram, and when you get back, one of us will check their books and award them an official Everglades National Park Junior Ranger badge! We usually do a "swearing in" ceremony, which is a great photo op that yields pictures to embarrass them with for the rest of their lives! There is no charge for the Junior Ranger program, and the kids love it. Also, most weekends through April 2, one of our volunteers does a "Kids Walk" at 11:15 AM and 1:15 PM -- VERY popular program for the kids, and well worthwhile.
Also for the kids, the Miccosukee Indian Cultural Center is right next door to Shark Valley. That's where the other airboat tour is, and they have a mock Indian village, alligator wrestling, and a museum, plus the obligatory trinket shop.
As we like to say,
"The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. Experience your America!"
