About the airboat tours of the everglades, some shops closed since Wilma.. I was down there a couple of days ago, and a one called "Alligator Park" which is the one I take all my relatives to, was opened. It's on Tamiami trail (sw8 st). Just so you have a definite solution incase something goes wrong.
A tip for the boat ride would be.. shades and suntan lotion! You'll get a 30 minute or so ride, and that's enought to get yourself a tan in Miami. Also, it will be a very windy ride, so preferable hats off and hairs tied or pinned. You might get those funky looking straps for your shades too. Besides, the straps work great for dive boats anyway.
Another trick I recently found out was.. If you want to see alligators, keep going west on Tamiami trail (sw8 st) untill you're surrounded by the everglades. Keep going and you'll see rest areas once in a little while. Go in one of them, and you'll see more alligators than you'd see on an airboat tour. I saw like 12 last time, compared to the average of 2 on an airboat. (Keep in mind my average comes from the Alligator Park tour specifically)
Also, I suggest this to everyone... if you're an animal kind of person, check out the everglades outpost, which is where they keep confiscated animals like white tigers and silver wolves. I got lucky last time and got to feed the white tiger (I climed into the feeding chamber) and play with the camel! Beware tho, the outpost isn't pretty because it's volunteer run = not rich. They run on your $7 or more donation. (http://www.evergladesoutpost.org/)
Feel free to PM me if you want more suggestions.
A tip for the boat ride would be.. shades and suntan lotion! You'll get a 30 minute or so ride, and that's enought to get yourself a tan in Miami. Also, it will be a very windy ride, so preferable hats off and hairs tied or pinned. You might get those funky looking straps for your shades too. Besides, the straps work great for dive boats anyway.
Another trick I recently found out was.. If you want to see alligators, keep going west on Tamiami trail (sw8 st) untill you're surrounded by the everglades. Keep going and you'll see rest areas once in a little while. Go in one of them, and you'll see more alligators than you'd see on an airboat tour. I saw like 12 last time, compared to the average of 2 on an airboat. (Keep in mind my average comes from the Alligator Park tour specifically)
Also, I suggest this to everyone... if you're an animal kind of person, check out the everglades outpost, which is where they keep confiscated animals like white tigers and silver wolves. I got lucky last time and got to feed the white tiger (I climed into the feeding chamber) and play with the camel! Beware tho, the outpost isn't pretty because it's volunteer run = not rich. They run on your $7 or more donation. (http://www.evergladesoutpost.org/)
Feel free to PM me if you want more suggestions.
