Southwest Florida is home to many lovely attractions, from the charming architecture of Naples to the little beach islands carefully hidden away like precious gems in Marco Island. But there is also another place in this robust region that is very much blessed with a vibrant sub-tropical element and that is the Everglades. If you are out to seek a place of adventure that would bring you close to nature with all its thick forests and mysterious swamps, complex waterways that run for miles on end under a cathedral of mangrove trees; then the Everglades is perfect for you.
To start your journey you will want to go to The Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Visitor Center. This free center will be the gateway throughout the biomes that you’ll see and experience through hiking and kayaking. Boat tours can take you to the spots thick with saltwater mangrove and a maze of rivers and streams. Kayaking is also wildly popular and you can rent kayaks in the center too. You are sure to see lots of birds such as herons, hawks and more. There may also be bottlenose dolphins during this excursion which is a welcome addition.
Kayaks are favored for their lightweight sleek design which makes them very silent in the water. But if you favor bigger, badder, louder and more mechanized forms of touring the swamps then there are airboats available to make trips for you. These bad boys are specifically designed to navigate the shallow waters and the ancient grassy swamps of the Everglades.
Now that you’ve had your dose of all that’s green, why don’t you head down the Everglades City for you to appreciate the rich history the place has? The Everglades has over 2000 years of history and all of that are captured for your viewing experience in the Museum of the Everglades. The Museum is in itself a piece of history because it was one of the region’s first buildings. Because of this, the museum is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Speaking of historic places, the Ochopee Post Office is one. It is one of the oldest post offices in the state and the smallest in the entire United States. This nifty little office is located just south of State Road 29 on the Tamiami Trail and is still very much in operation. Hundreds of nostalgic folk stop by the post office every week to get the Ochopee post mark on letters and post cards and take lots of pictures in front of the tiny building that go straight to social media.
The Everglades is a land of history and natural wonder. People never fail to experience the beauty and joy that this part of the region brings. Whether you’re a first time visitor or an experience kayaker who wants to go hardcore kayaking for more than a week straight deep in the wilds or a pro-angler looking to catch some high adrenaline fishing experience, there is always something to see here.
