Florida holds a special place in my heart; it’s where my grandparents had winter homes that I visited every year, where I fell in love with the magic of theme parks, where I received my undergraduate degree, and where I had my first “big girl” job in my early 20’s. All that to say I’ve explored countless corners of the state and could easily play tour guide Barbie for anyone visiting. But there’s one corner of the state that I’d barely touched; an area that most tourists dismiss when creating their Florida itineraries. And that wild corner of Florida is the Everglades.
Stretching across over 1.5 million acres of subtropical wetlands, the Everglades are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Home to alligators, manatees, and vibrant bird species, it’s a place where lush sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests meet, creating a haven for wildlife and a tranquil escape for nature lovers. During our “Great Florida Road Trip of 2025,” my partner and I spent one day exploring what the Everglades have to offer. I gained an immense appreciation for the untouched Florida wilderness.
Whether you’re visiting Florida for the first time, the 100th time, or even if you live nearby, the Everglades are a must-see experience to appreciate the state to its fullest. Come with me as I share the perfect one-day itinerary for Everglades National Park including the top things to do, places to stay, and things to eat.
Where to Stay Near Everglades National Park
The Everglades make an awesome day trip from various vacation hubs in Florida including Miami, Naples, and the Florida Keys. This itinerary primarily focuses on the east side of the National Park, making Miami an ideal location for an overnight stay.
I’ve previously stayed at the W Miami Downtown which offered comfortable rooms and a central downtown location, albeit with some road noise on lower floors. I’ve also heard incredible things about The 1 Hotel South Beach. If you’re popping over to the Everglades for a quick day trip before a cruise, you could easily get away with a more economical option like the Holiday Inn at the Port of Miami. The proximity of the Everglades to Miami also opens up the opportunity to visit Biscayne National Park on a separate day as part of your adventure.
Alternatively, Naples offers a convenient location on the Gulf side of the state and is optimal for exploring more of the Everglades' backcountry and western entry gates. If you want to replicate my itinerary, note that a Naples stay would require additional driving through Alligator Alley. Some accommodation options include the Hilton Naples and Staybridge Suites Naples/Marco Island.
We paired the Everglades with a road trip to the Florida Keys (More itinerary info to come on that soon!). As such, we opted to stay overnight at the Hampton Inn in Marathon. For us, the distance between the National Park and the hotel was convenient for our trek towards Key West. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this hotel and appreciated the lovely pool area, the complimentary breakfast, and the updated décor. The tiki bar in the pool area absolutely pops off (Shout out to our iconic bartender Troy who made this stay a blast!). Despite arriving skeptical of the chain, I’d highly recommend this hotel for a quick overnighter. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience in the northern Keys, Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada is one of my all-time favorite hotels (though it’ll run you a pretty penny).
I firmly feel like the Everglades can be accomplished in a single day, but if you’re looking to pack more time into the park, you may opt to stay in the affordable area of Homestead. There are plenty of main-chain options like Hampton Inn and Suites in Homestead and Holiday Inn Express in Florida City at very reasonable prices.
One Day Itinerary for Everglades National Park in Florida
Morning: Drift Away on an Early Morning Airboat Tour
If you’re planning a visit to the Everglades, you’re probably considering going on an airboat ride. I’m here to let you know that airboat tours are worth it! There are countless airboat tour operators in South Florida, but only a select handful are permitted to operate within the boundaries of the National Park. We opted to tour with Everglades Safari Park to optimize our time spent in the park proper. Located just 30 minutes outside of downtown Miami, this airboat tour destination offers frequent tour departures and 40-minute excursions deep into the Everglades, plus an animal exhibit and presentation.
We arrived at the Safari Park around 9:30 am with tickets we purchased online. Online, the park touts tour departures every 20-30 minutes, but we waited over 45 minutes for our departure due to a slow tourist day (We visited in early January). Ear plugs were provided as part of the ticket price. Each tour boat seats around 45 guests and we were lucky enough to snag a seat in the front row of the boat. Within 30 seconds of our departure, we spotted our first gator lying in the sun on the safari park’s property.
During our 40-minute trip, we enjoyed drifting through the mangroves and waterways of the glades at high speeds, stopping frequently to spot alligators, great blue herons, and box turtles along the shores. Following the tour we watched a bit of the alligator presentation which runs around 30 minutes. If you plan to explore the park, enjoy the presentation, and ride the airboat, plan to spend around 3 hours here.
EmmExplorer Extras:
Try your best to snag a seat in the front row of the airboat to enjoy unobstructed views of the Everglades.
Bring your own binoculars to enhance your gator-viewing experience.
There is limited cell phone service in the Everglades. Ensure your car has GPS enabled, or download offline maps to your cellphone. If you purchase your tickets to the safari park in advance, have a screenshot of your tickets saved on your phone to access without service.
Lunch: Try a Taste of the Locals
What better way to decide if alligator tastes like chicken than to try it for yourself? Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population and eating alligator is very common in the state. As a result, it’s not difficult to find a place to enjoy alligator meat near the Everglades. Popular preparations include grilled, gumbo, burgers, sausages, and my personal favorite, gator bites. The Everglades Safari Park conveniently offers a no-frills café with gator on offer. Alternatively, you could explore dining at Cajun Boil or Walk-On's, both located conviently between the National Park and the city of Miami.
Afternoon: Take a Lap on the Shark Valley Loop
An underrated gem in Everglades National Park is the Shark Valley Tram Tour departing from the Shark Valley Visitor Center. This two-hour narrated tour takes visitors around a 12-mile loop through the National Park, explaining the park’s history and ecology while spotting wildlife along the way. The narrow loop allows riders to get within feet of full-grown gators. The trip also includes a 20-minute pit stop at an elevated viewing platform overlooking the expansive swamp land. We loved our tour and enjoyed spotting countless alligators, stunning birds, one of the two crocodiles in this area of the park, and even a group of newborn gator babies! The narrator was engaging and informative, making for an insightful journey into the National Park. If you’re only visiting for a day, I think this is the best way to learn about the area in a condensed amount of time. The tram ride costs $33 per person plus park admission and tickets can be booked online.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money or participate in a physical activity, visitors may bike around the Shark Valley Loop. Bikes are available to rent through the Tram Tour company at the visitor’s center for $26. Personal bikes can be brought in as well. Biking allows visitors to get extremely close to alligators without any barriers, so it's not advised to bring young children on the trail. Plan to spend three hours biking and stopping to view wildlife and explore the lookout tower.
EmmExplorer Extras:
If you’re biking, you can park your car on Tamiami Trail Rd, bike .25 miles into the park, and save $5 per person on National Park entrance fees.
Be sure to eat before taking the tram tour as food is not allowed on board.
Sit in the back row of the tram to score some extra legroom!
There is limited shade on both the biking trail and on the tram tour. Wear a hat and sunscreen and stay hydrated if visiting in the warmer months.
If you’re visiting during the wet season (May to September), expect an afternoon shower to occur during your trip. For this reason, I recommend visiting between January and April for cooler temperatures and infrequent rainy afternoons.
Expect to wait around 30 minutes in line to enter the National Park on busy holiday weekends and the spring break season between January and April.
Mid-Afternoon: Extra Exploration Around the Park
If you’re seeking more adventure, there are a few convenient trails located near the Shark Valley Loop to explore. Bobcat Boardwalk is a .2-mile elevated trail through the mangroves. We didn’t spot too much nature on the trail but enjoyed our quick walk to stretch our legs after our tram tour. Ottercave Trail, located near the observation tower, offers .3 miles of unpaved walkways (We opted out of this trail due to muddy conditions).
If you’re already tuckered out from a long bike ride or a long day in general, consider popping by the Shark Valley Visitor Center gift shop to pick up a souvenir, or chat with a park ranger to learn more about the surrounding area.
Dinner: Enjoy Some Local Cuisine
If you’ve read my blog before, you already know I’m all about food! If you’re staying in Miami, consider choosing a restaurant infused with Cuban flavor like the Michelin Guide Chug's Diner. Or if you’re headed south toward the Keys like us, swing by the Green Turtle Inn in Islamorada for the best lobster macaroni and cheese you’ll ever eat. Regardless of where you’re headed, consider ordering a seafood dish for dinner; Florida’s surrounding oceans are rich with delicious fish. My favorite Floridian delicacies include mahi-mahi and grouper.
EmmExplorer Extras:
Planning a stop in Miami? Check out the Infatuation’s list of the top restaurants to visit. This is my favorite place to find restaurant recommendations!
Calculating the Cost of One Day in the Everglades
Here are my hard costs from this exact itinerary so you can get a rough estimate of the price of this experience. Costs are for two people traveling over MLK Weekend in 2025:
Activities
Everglades Safari Park Airboat Tour: $94
Shark Valley Tram Tour: $66
Entrance into Everglades National Park: $35
Food
Lunch at Everglades Safari Park: $50
Dinner at the Green Turtle Inn: $150
Drinks at the Hampton Inn TIki Bar: $40
Transportation & Accommodations
One Day of Car Rental (Mid-Sized Sedan): $148
One Night at the Hampton Inn Marathon: $280
Gas (Estimated): $25
GRAD TOTAL: $848
Wrapping It Up!
Whether you’re crossing National Parks off of your bucket list, killing time before a cruise, or looking for an off-the-beaten-path excursion in Florida, the Everglades offers a unique experience to any itinerary. Even after living in Florida for four years, I learned so much about the state and enjoyed every second of our adventure into the untouched swamp of the South.
Will you add the Everglades to your next Florida vacation? Or are you still wondering if the stop is right for you? Drop any questions you have in the comments and I’ll get back to you.
If you’re planning a Florida trip soon, consider checking out the blog posts linked below for more inspiration! Until next time, keep on exploring!
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