The Everglades —
alligators, wetlands & wild Florida
The Everglades gave us a completely different side of Florida: vast wetlands, wildlife and an experience far removed from the cities and beaches. It was one of the most distinctive stops as our road trip moved towards Miami.
Not quite CSI: Miami — but loads of alligators!
We'll admit it: part of us half expected to arrive in the Everglades and find Horatio Caine standing dramatically in the middle of the wetlands putting on his sunglasses. Sadly, CSI: Miami did not materialise. 😂
What we did get was far better than simply looking at the scenery. We headed out across the water on an airboat, skimming over the wetlands and keeping an eye out for wildlife. And unlike our bear-spotting efforts in the Smokies, this time the wildlife cooperated — we spotted loads of alligators.
After the airboat ride, we went to an alligator-handler show, which was great fun and gave us the close-up encounter you can see in our own YouTube Short below. We also had photographs taken with baby alligators.
Then it was back towards Miami, where the day continued with our city tour — Star Island, celebrity homes, Cuban Miami and colourful wall art. Wetlands and alligators in one half of the day; Miami city life in the other.
Heading out across the wetlands was the real start of the experience and a brilliant way to see this landscape.
This time wildlife spotting paid off — we saw plenty of alligators out in the Everglades.
After the airboat trip we watched an alligator handler at close quarters, which was great fun.
We even came away with photographs from a close-up baby-alligator encounter.
Our Everglades photos
Our own photos from the Everglades, Florida.
Our alligator-handler show
After our airboat ride and alligator spotting, we watched the handler show. Here's our own Short from the experience — probably the closest we got to our imagined CSI: Miami moment!
Airboat first, alligator show afterwards
For us, the tour worked because it had two very different parts. First came the airboat ride out across the wetlands, where the landscape opens up and you can watch for alligators in their natural environment.
Afterwards came the alligator-handler show and the chance for a much closer encounter. That combination made the visit feel much more substantial than simply stopping at the edge of the Everglades for a photograph.
Flat, open and completely different from every other landscape we'd seen on the road trip.
Fast, noisy and great fun — and the part that really got us out into the Everglades.
We were lucky with sightings and saw loads during our experience.
We then headed back to Miami for our city tour, making it a very full South Florida day.
Compare Everglades experiences from Miami
If you want a similar day, look for tours that clearly explain whether transport from Miami, an airboat ride and any additional wildlife presentation are included.
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Explore nearby Miami from home
Miami is the natural city pairing for an Everglades visit and the final major stop on our road trip. Explore Miami virtually with Drive From Home before continuing to our own Miami guide.
Kennedy Space Center → Everglades → Miami
The Everglades formed part of the final Florida stretch of our wider New York-to-Miami road trip. After the airboat ride, alligator show and our baby-alligator photos, we headed back to Miami for our city tour later that day.
Our previous Florida stop — and a place we loved despite not being space buffs.
🌴 MiamiWhat we did next that same day: Star Island, Cuban Miami and the city tour.
🚗 Deep South Road TripFollow the complete New York-to-Miami journey.
🇺🇸 USA HubBrowse all our USA guides and journeys.