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Guess what. There are a lot of places in South Florida that I’ve never visited, even though I’ve lived here most of my life. Join me as I explore my beautiful hometown as a native tourist.
| Sawgrass Recreation Park |
| 1006 U.S. 27 |
| Weston, FL 33327 |
| 954-389-0202 |
| www.evergladestour.com |
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Every grade-schooler in South Florida boards the big, yellow bus and takes a ride out to the Everglades for a field trip. In my case, we went to the Miccosukee Indian Village where we took an airboat ride and watched alligator wrestling. I hadn’t been to the Everglades since, so when my friend Jeremy (above) came to town, I thought it the perfect opportunity to revisit the River of Grass. Seeing as he was flying out the same day, I skipped Miccosukee and opted for Sawgrass Recreation Park, on the edge of Broward County in Weston.
At a Glance
The Everglades is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Spanning about 5,000 square miles in southern Florida, it’s also the slowest flowing river in the world. The headwaters start at Lake Okeechobee and make the trek southwest into Florida Bay, in a trip that could take months to complete. The Everglades mainly comprises sawgrass marshes, mangrove swamps, and hardwood hammocks, and it supports hundreds of plant and animal species including alligators, the endangered manatee and Florida panther, and various birds. Efforts to restore and preserve the Everglades continue as it faces threats from development, non-native and invasive species, and pollution.
Pros
- The Everglades is creepy and can kill you, yet it sustains us and is absolutely magnificent. You will not find a place like it in the world, so sit back and enjoy it.
- Captain Deb is the Chuck Norris of airboat operators. She was incredibly knowledgeable, respectful, and passionate about the environment. She also had Jeremy and me in stitches. You know who has physically bumped alligators for some reason that I still can’t ascertain? Captain Deb. You know who kills invasive species of snakes, probably with her bare hands? Captain Deb. You know who leads the nighttime Everglades tours, which I’m sure will scare the shit out of you? You guessed it.
- The Florida Resident Annual Pass is automatically awarded when you pay full price for an airboat ride ($19.50+tax for adults). The pass entitles you to FREE 30-minute airboat rides for an entire year from the date of purchase, plus a 10% discount on store merchandise, night tours, and boat rentals.
- The on-site exhibit has a wide variety of reptiles and “swamp yard” animals on display, including baby alligators, turtles, pigs, peacocks, ducks, and more.
Cons
- I found the big cat areas depressing, although they looked clean and the manager has assured in online reviews that the enclosures exceed state of Florida requirements.
Tips
- Hang on to your Florida Resident Annual Pass. You’ll need it every time you visit to take advantage of the free airboat tours.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water, and snacks. After an hour, you probably won’t want to be without any of them.