How to spend a day in the Everglades, Florida

The Everglades in Florida is a must-visit destination in any Florida trip. Enjoy seeing alligators and other wildlife in this amazing habitat. Here’s how to spend a day in the Everglades, Florida. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please note that all sales are processed by the linked website, not Rays of Adventure, so you’ll be subject to their privacy policy.

What time of year should I visit the Everglades? 

My top tip for how to spend a day in the Everglades, Florida is to visit in spring or autumn. The Everglades can get very hot and humid, especially in the summer. So I’d recommend visiting in spring or autumn so you can avoid the worst of the summer heat. It’s just too hot to enjoy your day in the summer. I visited in March and it was still hot, but manageable enough to enjoy the day. 

What should I take to the Everglades? 

Be prepared for hot weather in the Everglades, even in spring or autumn. Make sure you take plenty of sun cream, a sun hat, sunglasses and plenty of water. Insect repellent can also be useful. 

I’d also recommend taking this great guide to Florida (affiliate) on your trip to the Everglades. It gives some great tips for the Everglades, including things to do and places to stay nearby. 

How to get to the Everglades 

The Everglades are only a 1 hour 30 mins hour drive from Miami. This makes it easy to spend a day in the Everglades as a day trip from Miami. Alternatively, you can visit the Everglades for a day on your way to another part of Florida. It takes about an hour to drive from the Everglades to the Florida Keys. So you could start your Florida trip with a day in Miami, then spend a day in the Everglades on your way to the Florida Keys. 

Top things to do in the Everglades in a day 

If you’ve got one day in the Everglades, I’d recommend you focus on two main activities. In the morning, do an airboat trip to see the wildlife from the water. And in the afternoon, take the Shark Valley Tram Tour for another chance to see the wildlife and enjoy the views. 

Air boat trip

If you’re wondering how to spend a day in the Everglades, Florida, I’d definitely recommend doing an air boat trip. These boats go really fast through the water, and stop when there are interesting things to see. The breeze you get from the boat is wonderful if you’re visiting on a hot, humid day. The air boats can get quite noisy, but you’re given ear plugs on the boats which help a lot. 

I loved seeing alligators in the wild from the boat. They’re so well camouflaged in the water, and they can lie so still. 

I was also lucky to see lots of birds on my trip as well. There’s a commentator on the boat who tells you what type of birds they are.

Just looking across the vast expanse of swamp and water was wonderful as well. The air boat trips give you a great flavour of the Everglades and should definitely be top of your list for the day. 

Shark Valley Tram Tour 

Another top tip for how to spend a day in the Everglades, Florida is to do the Shark Valley Tram Tour. This small land train takes you around the Everglades, giving you another chance to see wildlife and enjoy the views. You can find out more information and the prices and times here. 

It’s much more enjoyable to sit on the tram tour as it takes you around, rather than walking in the heat yourself. The tram will stop if there’s anything interesting to see, and will move slowly past it so you can get a good view wherever you’re sat on the tram. It doesn’t matter if you sit near the front or the back. There’s also commentary on the tram so you know what wildlife you’re seeing. I was lucky to see an alligator really close on the road. 

I also saw some interesting birds from the tram. Some of the birds are waders so you see them in the edge of the water, but there are also birds of prey as well like Turkey Vultures.

There’s an opportunity to get off the tram at one point and walk up to the top of a 45-foot high observation deck. It’s only a short 5-10 minute walk. The top is the highest point in the Everglades, so you get great views. You can also look down into the pool below and you might be lucky to spot a turtle. 

The tram tour is a really great way to enjoy the beautiful wildlife in this amazing part of the world, and a great way to end your day in the Everglades.

Enjoy dinner at Denny’s Diner

For a quick, easy dinner after your day in the Everglades, head to Denny’s Diner. It’s a perfect place to stop if you’re continuing your Florida road trip. Denny’s Diners are all across the USA, and always in a good location when you’re on a road trip. The double cheeseburgers are the best. It’s not fine dining, but if you just want something easy for dinner on your road trip, you can’t beat Denny’s. 

Enjoy your guide to how to spend a day in the Everglades! Remember to check out this great guide to Florida ready for your trip (affiliate). Florida has some other great destinations as well. Check out my guide to nearby Miami Beach, and also the nearby Florida Keys to continue your trip.