Everglades National Park

[rav]

decided to visit my BIL in Florida late February. we are flying down and renting a car. During the week I would like to visit the everglades and also go to the keys- take 2-3 days. need some suggestions on Hotels in the keys and by the everglades and any suggestions on what to see and do.

thanks

[JoeH]

tegu69 wrote:
I had to look up Shark Valley, been a long time since I was out that way, we always called it loop road, a bumpy dirt road. Anyway, there's a lot of suggestions for your "2-3 days". If you do get down to Key West there is plenty to do if you had more time and like history stuff, Ft. Jefferson (Dry Tortugas) is something to see. Also on your way down, as you are traveling over the new 7 mile bridge, take a good look at the old one. Imagine yourself on that bridge with your camper and meeting a semi going the opposite way.

Actually, Shark Valley and Loop road are two different places.... Shark Valley is a park property and Loop road is still the bumpy dirt road, sometimes underwater, that makes for a great drive.

[dcason]

Eat at Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key...try lunch there as there can be lines for dinner.

Great food...going again this year after we pick up daughter at airport.

[RockyRoadCamper]

Two campgrounds in The Everglades nat'l Park. With senior pass $8/nite total for 8 people. Tent camping at Flamingo is as good as it gets with a beautiful view of the ocean and islands. The ranger talks are tops, do the free 3-4 hour canoe tour in the mangroves, go to the evening ranger talk. Wonderful time. Chill out and see stars at night. The bird watching there is tops. have a good pair of binoculars, a bird book and a star book. Go on the 8 am daily ranger led birding walk. At the last stoplight before the main park entrance is Taqueria Morelia at 961 W. Palm Drive. The Mexican food is tops and very reasonable. Excellent.
South of Key Largo is the Wild Bird Center, a bird rehab. place. Wonderful for a donation. At Key Largo see the African Queen and do a walk all around that marina. Great time. And yes, do Mallory Square at sunset in Key West. Also tour the fort there. Ask local where the best food is at reasonable prices.And, that Flamingo tent site, see how much that view costs at a fancy hotel. Ha. Tour Ernest Hemingway's Home and the Truman winter home.....

[pjs1660]

after you see the key deer head towards no name key and hit the no name pub for a pizza For great Cuban food in Key West I suggest El Siboney My first trip to the Keys was in 1971 and my parents have been living on Ramrod key mm 27.5 for almost 30 years so we.ve been down a few times

[tegu69]

I had to look up Shark Valley, been a long time since I was out that way, we always called it loop road, a bumpy dirt road. Anyway, there's a lot of suggestions for your "2-3 days". If you do get down to Key West there is plenty to do if you had more time and like history stuff, Ft. Jefferson (Dry Tortugas) is something to see. Also on your way down, as you are traveling over the new 7 mile bridge, take a good look at the old one. Imagine yourself on that bridge with your camper and meeting a semi going the opposite way.

[NanciL]

kcandsting wrote:
We are heading to Flamingo for 5 days in February. Excited to go, we are taking our kayaks and bikes.

Paddle the Nine Mile pond canoe trail on a day that the wind is light for good underwater viewing.
then Paddle the Hells Bay Canoe trail
And if you are a hard core kayaker do the West Lake Trail out to Garfield Bight. You will be guaranteed to see a few of some humongous American Crocodiles. It is 17 miles out and back though so get an early start

Jack L

[kcandsting]

We are heading to Flamingo for 5 days in February. Excited to go, we are taking our kayaks and bikes.

[eluwak]

If you're military you can save a ton by staying on base in KW.

I loved week long trips to KW for Christmas when I was a kid. We'd boondock in the overflow lot at Trumbo Point. I'd second the train for your first time. There's really a lot to see while you're there.

[rav]

thanks! feeling warmer already- that or it's gone from -10 to -1. LOL

[AlabamaTraveler]

We stay on Little Torch Key at Parmers Resort. When we first stayed there in 1999, our room was $79 per nite. We have watched them gradually increase. The same room is now $169 per nite. That's still a bargain for that area.

[NanciL]

JoeH wrote:
Since you haven't been to the keys before, I suggest that after you go to Everglades National Park ... Shark Valley is pretty good for a 1/2 day view, then maybe hit Biscayne National Park for the other 1/2 day. Stay at any of the national chain motels in Homestead/Florida City for the night. Get an early start in the a.m. and start driving to Key West. As I mentioned before, it's a bit over 100 miles, so the distance isn't great, but traffic can be slow. There are lots of tourist things to see on the way to KW... just pick and choose some on your way down, and save a few for your way back. Some thoughts... ( MM is mile marker, that's how you get directions on US 1 in the Keys) for interesting art work by locals, check out Rain Barrel at mm 87, Robbies to check out the tarpon ( MM 77.5) is interesting, Pigeon Key to get some history on the overseas railroad (mm 47) Big Pine Key and the deer ( mm 30) , the old bat tower on Sugarloaf ( mm 17) .. then hang out in Key West for as long as you want or can. For a first timer, I suggest you take the touristy Conch Train... you'll get a good overview of Key West. For a place to stay, try Island City House.... it's in old town and is B&B with roomy accommodations for the price ( everything is pricey in KW). All kinds of cool things to do in KW, depends on your likes. PM me if you want specifics on activities or restaurants.

Good post, but: Biscayne National Park is 99 percent water, and unless someone wants to take a tour boat over to Elliot Key or is a paddler, it would be a complete waste of time to go there.
The only thing to see would be the small visitor center

jack L

[JoeH]

Since you haven't been to the keys before, I suggest that after you go to Everglades National Park ... Shark Valley is pretty good for a 1/2 day view, then maybe hit Biscayne National Park for the other 1/2 day. Stay at any of the national chain motels in Homestead/Florida City for the night. Get an early start in the a.m. and start driving to Key West. As I mentioned before, it's a bit over 100 miles, so the distance isn't great, but traffic can be slow. There are lots of tourist things to see on the way to KW... just pick and choose some on your way down, and save a few for your way back. Some thoughts... ( MM is mile marker, that's how you get directions on US 1 in the Keys) for interesting art work by locals, check out Rain Barrel at mm 87, Robbies to check out the tarpon ( MM 77.5) is interesting, Pigeon Key to get some history on the overseas railroad (mm 47) Big Pine Key and the deer ( mm 30) , the old bat tower on Sugarloaf ( mm 17) .. then hang out in Key West for as long as you want or can. For a first timer, I suggest you take the touristy Conch Train... you'll get a good overview of Key West. For a place to stay, try Island City House.... it's in old town and is B&B with roomy accommodations for the price ( everything is pricey in KW). All kinds of cool things to do in KW, depends on your likes. PM me if you want specifics on activities or restaurants.

[Doug_and_Cassi_]

Key West is a must. Spent the last four winters there and love it. Hotels, if you can get one, will be around $300 a night and up. Lots of good restaurants, just take your pick.

Air boat rides are not in the national park. Lots of them off US41 headed toward Naples.

[The_Painting_Te]

Take an air-boat ride. You'll find several available. We found a great hidden (?) beach on Marathon heading south, turn left at the Publix, and go to the end. Camp on!