Want to see the beauty of the Everglades through your car? That’s great because there are lots of opportunities to view and enjoy the natural landscape of the Everglades when not on foot. The historic Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) is the road that leads us to the vast marshes and rivers of the Everglades and this 100 year old highway and one end of the trail begins at downtown Miami. From the downtown area you would want to head west and continue for the next 20 miles and Bob’s your uncle, you’re at the threshold of the most well-preserved nature parks in the country.
20 miles from downtown Miami and you’d find yourself in Shark Valley. Shark Valley is considered one of the main entrances to the Everglades and the road that would take you to the Everglades National Park. The park’s visitor center is where you get all the information you need. Starting from Shark Valley, you’ll already get a glimpse on what to expect in the heart of the Everglades National Park. Shark Valley is already a trip in of itself. It’s 15 miles of paved road which is perfect for biking too, and on the side of the road, there you’ll see herons, swamp trees, hanging plants and even alligators. The alligators are already used to seeing humans so they would not object to a having their pictures taken. Aside from the natural wonders, west of Shark Valley there’s a Native American themed restaurant and gift shop you may want to check out.
Another awesome drive would be through what’s called the Loop Road. This is 26 miles of paved road that goes through Big Cypress Preserve and it would take something like two to three hours to complete the viewing. Historically, this has been the hiding place for people who got on the bad side of the law, but today, birds, deer, alligators and otters dominate the area. Great place to see some wildlife. While on the Loop Road we’d recommend for you to check out a local artist whose black and white photographs taken from the Everglades are sights to behold. His studio boasts many of his finest works and it truly captures the essence of the Everglades. Behind his studio is an overlook of a nice pond where alligators and a nice forest can be seen. If you press on further west, you should be able to reach the Big Cypress Preserve Visitor Center where you get a nice introductory film about the area, plus get to see the exhibits that highlight the importance of the place, and of course, a friendly staff who are more than willing to answer your queries regarding the preserve.
There are more things to see in the area, especially if you continue along the Tamiami trail. Should you wish to know more about the interesting places you might want to stop to while on the trail and more importantly, where this trail ends, visit our website and look for the Tourist Guide section. If not, check out our visitor center at 4th Ave South of downtown Naples, Florida. We welcome all tourists who want to know more about the Paradise Coast.
