Everglades City Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Everglades City? This comprehensive guide covers everything from top attractions to do's and don'ts, where to stay, and transportation options.


Introduction to Everglades City

Everglades City is a gem of Southwest Florida located in the Gulf Coast on the edge of the sprawling Everglades National Park. Everglades City provides access to many opportunities to explore natural wonders, from intriguing mangrove swamps to birding trails and swamp walks. This charming city also features the authentic history of The Ten Thousand Islands, a lifestyle where residents lived on boats and oysters. Nowadays, Everglades City features several cultural landmarks and an abundance of outdoor activities.

List of Places to Visit in Everglades City

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Museum of The Everglades: The Museum showcases the rich history of Southwest Florida through exhibits that highlight the Tequesta Indians, early pioneers, and the arrival of the Tamiami Trail. The museum is an active part of the Cultural Center that offers a diverse range of artistic and cultural experiences for people of all ages.

  • Everglades Historic Society Museum: This museum showcases the history of Everglades City and the nearby Ten Thousand Islands, starting from the early Calusa Seminole Indians up to the 20th century. The exhibits display around 10,000 years of the area’s unique history.

Natural Attractions of Everglades City: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Everglades National Park: This place is a paradise of natural wonder comprising of a large subtropical wilderness in the southern Florida region. Everglades National Park is the third-largest National Park in the United States and home to some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes. Visitors here can explore the park’s abundant wildlife, subtropical forest, and colorful mangrove swamps.

  • Big Cypress National Preserve: This is another fascinating destination that provides ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore, featuring towering cypress trees and diverse ecosystems with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Visitors can take boat and airboat tours or hike on the trails.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Everglades City

  • Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk: This is a 2,500-foot boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible and surrounded by over 7,000 acres of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The unique ecosystem of this preserve is home to rare orchids and bromeliads.

  • Kirby Storter Roadside Park: This park gives you a look at one of the rarest natural environments around, the Big Cypress Swamp. Keep an eye out for alligators lurking in the waters.

Best Things to Do in Everglades City: Activities and Tours

  • Airboat Rides: An airboat ride is one of the most exciting things to do in the Everglades city. It’s an excellent way of exploring the backside of the Ten Thousand Islands and observing the area’s unique flora and fauna.

  • Fishing: Everglades City is renowned for its great fishing opportunities. The area has several fisheries, making it a perfect place for fishing enthusiasts. They can catch Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Trout, and many other species.

Week-Long Itinerary for Everglades City

Day 1:

Upon arriving, head towards Naples and experience the scenic drives to the Morningstar Fishers. Enjoy fresh seafood and mingle with locals.

Day 2:

Take a full-day tour of the Everglades National Park and experience its unique flora and fauna and wildlife watching.

Day 3:

Start the day off with a visit to the Big Cypress National Preserve and experience biking trails, and swamp walks. Later, tour the Trail Lakes Campground to see the Tamiami Trail’s wilderness and crown it off with a time-saving airboat ride.

Day 4:

Visit the Museum of the Everglades to learn about the town’s rich history and The Ten Thousand Islands before exploring the nearby local artwork and craft shops.

Day 5:

Take a kayaking trip through the vibrant mangroves along the coast and relish in the fantastic bird watching opportunities.

Day 6:

Visit Brick and Mortar for fantastic antique shopping in restoring the environment or an eco-product store for gift shopping.

Day 7:

Take a fishing trip along the coast and experience fishing for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Trout, you name it.

Food and Drink Scene of Everglades City

Must-Try Dishes

  • Stone Crab: Stone Crab is a favorite Everglades City dish. Delicious and succulent, it is cooked and served differently by the restaurants. Some serve it chilled, while others serve it hot with various dipping sauces.

  • Everglades Gumbo: This is another classic Everglades City dish. It’s essentially a seafood chowder that includes crawfish, clams, shrimp, sausage, okra, and chicken slowly cooked in a deep and flavorful soup.

Local Beverages

  • Keylime Pie Martini: A cocktail that contains coconut rum, vanilla vodka, lime juice, pineapple juice, and key lime pie filling, this delicious beverage will put a smile on your face.

Where to Stay in Everglades City: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

  • Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee Island: This place provides a relaxing and welcoming environment with recreational activities such as shuffleboard, boat rentals, fishing charters, and more.

  • The Ivey House: This place provides comfortable accommodation with great service and access to activities like kayaking, bird watching, bike rentals, and more.

What to Buy in Everglades City: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Oyster Jewelry: The tradition of the oystering goes back to the 1890s, and it is a unique practice of Everglades City and the surrounding areas. Shops here offer oyster jewelry pieces such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more.

  • Stone Crab Souvenir: The industry of stone crab fishing is one of the oldest sources of livelihood in Everglades City. You can buy a stone crab souvenir as an excellent reminder of your trip to this place.

Local Culture and Customs of Everglades City

Everglades City is an exciting place with a fascinating history, rich culture, and unique customs. The locals are amicable and welcoming to strangers. They have the love for nature in their blood, and their customs and traditions are deeply rooted in nature itself. They hold strong family values and promote diversity and ethnic tolerance.

Best Time to Visit Everglades City

The best time to visit Everglades City is in the winter months from December to April. The weather is pleasant, making outdoor activities enjoyable, and the bugs aren’t as bad as in the summer months.

Do’s and Don’ts of Everglades City

Do:

  • Wear lightweight clothing and sunscreen to stay cool.
  • Carry a mosquito repellent if you’re out during the evenings.
  • Keep your camera handy for some excellent nature shots.

Don’t:

  • Don’t touch the wildlife. Always look from afar.
  • Don’t greet a local with a fishing rod on their porch.

Safety and Health

Safety in Everglades City

Everglades City is a safe place when it comes to crime. However, visitors need to be careful of the wildlife and strictly follow the guidelines when they are out in the wilderness. Remember always to exercise caution when boating and on the water.

Health in Everglades City

It is essential to protect yourself from mosquito bites, as mosquitoes in the Everglades City can carry the West Nile virus or Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Visitors should also stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun.

Getting to Everglades City: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Everglades City

  • Southwest Florida International Airport
  • Miami International Airport

Bus Stations Near Everglades City

  • Greyhound: Naples, FL (NAP)

Other Options

  • Car rentals offer flexibility and great deals to explore the area.

How to Get Around in Everglades City

The best way to get around Everglades City is by car, as the city features a large area of over 100 square miles. Visitors can also rent bikes or use the local transport services.

Where to Go Next from Everglades City: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  • Naples: Head towards Naples, located a short hour’s drive from Everglades City, for beaches, shopping, and highly rated restaurants.

  • Sanibel Island: This island offers excellent beaches, shelling, and a variety of outdoor activities.

Conclusion

Everglades City is a fascinating place with an abundance of natural and cultural attractions for visitors. From the rich history of the Ten Thousand Islands to exploring the National parks’ scenic farmland, and the abundance of wildlife, you will never run out of things to do and places to see. Planning a visit to Everglades City is an experience like no other!