Hotels near Everglades National Park

An hour from the city, Everglades National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, a vast slow-moving River of Grass teeming with alligators, manatees, wading birds and the elusive Florida panther. It is the ultimate day trip from Miami and a complete contrast to the beaches.

Visitors can walk the boardwalks of the Anhinga Trail for near-guaranteed alligator sightings, paddle the mangrove creeks by kayak, or take an airboat ride at the park's edge. The Shark Valley tram road and observation tower give a sweeping view over the sawgrass plain.

Pro Tip: Go early in the morning or near dusk when wildlife is most active and the heat is bearable, and bring strong insect repellent. The Anhinga Trail near the Coe Visitor Center is the single best short walk for spotting alligators up close.