What are the Everglades?
The Everglades are tropical wetlands located in South Florida. About 20% of the Everglades are actually in the Everglades National Park, which is the third largest in the US (only Death Valley and Yellowstone are bigger).
What are the Everglades like?
It's an amazing place for four main reasons: a) it's a great place to spot alligators, as they lounge around in the canals and are relatively easy to find b) it's great if you like birds, as there's a long, long list of species that hang around the Everglades, from pelicans to egrets c) there's lots of other wildlife, including dolphins, turtles, and the Florida panther (otherwise known as the mountain lion) and d) if you grew up in the 1980s you maybe remember a TV show called Gentle Ben, which was set in the Everglades and featured a ranger travelling around on an airboat. You can live that dream and go on an airboat in the Everglades.
Where are the Everglades?
Florida, USA
When did we go?
February, 2019
How did we get to the Everglades?
Pete and I drove through the Everglades in 2007 on our first ever trip to the US - we stayed in Miami and then drove across to Naples on the I75, otherwise known as "Alligator Alley". We didn't stop though, so today I went back - I was in Fort Lauderdale with work and stayed on to join an Everglades Safari that picked me up from my hotel and lasted all day.
Worth noting
The whole safari was great but the airboat was the highlight for me, so definitely try and do that if you go.
Where were the Everglades in the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List 2015 edition?
442. They dropped by 39 places.
Do the Everglades deserve a place in the 2020 top 500?
Definitely. I would have expected it to move up the list, not down.
