The 22 best restaurants to try in Everglades National Park (2024)

We had a fun time! I swear this alligator wanted to Jump into our boat!! He was so curious & came right up to our boat! Our tour guide was awesome too! He was very informative & he gave us a fast and fun time!! We only seen about 2 alligators during our tour so I don't know if I will take a tour again, I seem to find a lot more gators hiking through the Park! But if you have never taken a tour, I would try it out it if I was you, every tour will be different!! Have fun!! I really liked the huge lily pads everywhere too!! I snapped a ton of pictures! I also took some cool videos but they will not upload to here..bummer!Also the lady putting on a show with the snake was so cool, she had tattoos all over her body so if you see doing a show while you are there, be sure to stop and sit down, she will teach you a ton in a little amount of time! I was impressed with her!! She was cool to watch with her snake and to learn from too!! She makes holding a snake look easy!!

This was our third airboat tour here, and we return year after year because it's usually a great experience.This year's visit wasn't as fun as it had been in the past, but it had nothing to do with the tour guide and everything to do with our fellow passengers who were rude, loud, and disrespectful. Apparently, even the gators thought so, as we didn't see a single one. 😂Each time we've visited, we've had excellent, knowledgeable guides who seem to really enjoy their jobs. The captive alligators used in their wildlife show seem content and well cared for. Because we were on the last boat of the day, we didn't take the time to wander through their nature hike, but we've done it in the past and found it to be beautiful.

10/29,23 we were boat #6 sorry I forgot the guides name but he was amazing, took us up to a group of gators and learned a lot about trees and environment here🤩 we had a blast ✔️ that off bucket list. Bring cash and there's a pretty good restaurant on property too that sells food alcohol and a souvenir shop. A must visit when in the everglades of Florida. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Very interesting airboat tour with knowledgeable guide. We were able to spot a couple of alligators. However, we had to wait for private tours to leave before it was our turn. So be prepared to bring some time!

We loved the tour. I encourage you to visit them.But, please the tip asking is crazy. The girl who make you pay for your ticket asking you to leave a tip is really bad taste, you sell me 4 ticket for 10sec transaction and ask me a least 15% on 130$ pass...Tip asked everywhere, tip your captain, tip the guys who hold the small aligator for ya.I am not a cheap guy but when you try to push me your not gonna get a penny.

Very knowledgeable and hilarious boat captains! We took our 4 kids late March and they loved it! Saw quite a few gators and they even had a show after the tour. They provide ear muffs so bring a spray Lysol or something. They also take a picture prior to and it’s $15 for a photo or $20 for a photo and magnet. We opted for both obviously!

We had a ton of fun! Doug was our chauffeur & guide and he was absolutely fabulous! He shared with us a ton of interesting facts, with a healthy doze of laughs in between. We especially enjoyed the airboat drifts from the rear seat and were happy to observe 5 alligators in the wild up close. We also had a chance to interact with other staff at the compound (Carlos!) and they were all extremely helpful and pleasant to talk to.Another big highlight for us was being able to come close to the huge gator that was basking in the sun right beside the dock. And the chance to pet/hold the small gator (aka Gucci). Overall a very pleasant experience. Couldn’t have asked for better!

This is true Florida. Every bit of this place is perfection.Our tour was postponed due to rain, so we hung out on the premises for close to two hours. Had great conversations with the staff, saw some alligators in captivity, and had a good time. If the boat ride never happened beyond this, I would have still been happy.Finally though, the rain quit and we went out on the airboat. It was fantastic. We saw some birds, gators, iguanas, and our guide took time to tell us about everything.This should be as important to Florida as Disney, especially because these guys were all just over the top cool.

ANIMAL ABUSE PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE!Multiple animals being abused at the Coopertown establishment. There is a 2 year old alligator in a 5x2 (if that) wood box. It is locked closed at all times. They only take the alligator out to be pet by all the visitors likely coating it in sunscreen, oils and perfume. They don’t rinse it off after and put it directly back into the water in its little box likely leading to it soaking in all those oils and harmful chemicals. We asked how long the alligator is in there and they said “until 5 years old or when it’s 5 feet long, whichever comes first”. We also asked why they keep it in that little box and not a bigger cage or if it ever comes out and they said word for word, “it stays in there because until it produces eggs it is of NO USE TO US, so we keep it in there because it doesn’t need more room”.There is a large yellow Bermese python in another tiny enclosed wood box. Only enough room for the snake to remain coiled up with no straw, no stimulation, nothing. Just wood. Unsure if it was even alive as it didn’t move. The turtles are in a tiny cage with just enough for a small shallow pool that is absolutely full of algae. The turtle shells are also coated in algae as well likely from not being able to go much place else than the shallow algae pool. There is an adult alligator in another small enclosure with one shallow pool that also takes up majority of the cage. The pool is also full of algae. There are two other adult alligators on the property which they say one is 80 years old. Every cage is small, unclean and lacking any stimulation. These poor animals are suffering and the staff could care less! We asked what they do with the animals later on and they said they’re giving them to “researchers”. This means these animals are abused their entire lives, it’s criminal. This place needs to be shut down. Please file a complaint to the state noting the things you see if you do attend.

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure through the captivating Everglades, where wildlife encounters, thrilling airboat rides, and the discovery of legendary treasures await!🐊🐢🐟🐧🪷🪻🦅...!!!The Everglades tour is one of Miami's most famous attractions, providing an opportunity to explore the diverse ecosystem of the Everglades and encounter its fascinating wildlife, such as alligators, birds, turtles, and more. The highlight of the tour is the thrilling airboat ride, which features boats equipped with propellers above the water's surface, allowing them to glide through the extensive and picturesque marshlands. Surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and a variety of bird species, the experience is truly fantastic. While on the tour, you might also discover a unique and legendary fruit that adds to the charm of this paradise. The Everglades tour is located just around 35 minutes from Miami, and we recommend planning for approximately 4 hours to fully enjoy the experience.

Very informative and educational.All personnel were very helpful and friendly.Very small but well maintained enclosures.The air boat was the best ever.We got a lot of info about the Everglades and met some of the famous local inhabitants.I would suggest anyone looking to see alligators in the wild to choose Coopertow.

Our experience at Coopertown was an absolute blast. I was initially a little reluctant to go here as some other places seemed to have bigger packages or higher rated reviews, but I don’t see how they could’ve been any better than Coopertown. The guides here are extremely funny, helpful and knowledgeable about everything. We got to ask lots of questions and learn about alligators and the Everglades. Our guide was constantly making the tour entertaining with jokes, boat maneuvers and interesting facts about the places we visited. We also got to try gator meat! Would recommend to everyone

We had a great time! The boat ride is phenomenal and the location is easy to get to. Not too far from Miami. It’s first come first serve, and we went at 12:30 on a Sunday, so we did have to wait about 45 minutes. But there was an animal show going on, so it wasn’t too bad. Definitely recommend if you like wildlife!

If you actually want to learn about the amazing ecosystem which is the Everglades, take this tour. If you just want to hurry up and see captive alligators then don’t.Our tour operator Sam was so great. You can tell he really cares about preservation and educating people on how humans can be kind to the Everglades. He answered all our kids questions (there were a lot). We stopped along the way to discuss all kinds of species and yes, we saw three alligators enjoying the sun!

This was an amazing experience. Angel hosted an animal show before the ride. Very informative. My second time on an air boat. Lou made it such a great ride with twists and turns. He was very knowledgeable and tried to make the ride worthwhile. I was amazed. Also was able to take a close picture with the small gator and almost hold in my hands. This was great!! We also stopped by the restaurant to try gator bites and frog legs. Amazing. And great price overall!

Friendly staff with a welcoming atmosphere. There was a short introduction and demonstration of some of the wildlife you could encounter prior to getting on the boat. Pilot was informative and although we didn’t see and crocs or gators during our trip due to the heat.

It was a great day. Staff was very professional and friendly and the experience lasted the right amount of time. We learned a lot and enjoyed the boat ride and we were able to watch alligators both in captivity and in their natural habitat and another local fauna as well. The most important: no alligator show. We ate the the restaurant after and food was delicious

Second time in 5 years at Coopertown and so glad I brought the family back. Wonderful (funny in a dad joke kinda way) boat captain. Made the marsh flats fun and adventurous with boat turns and speed! Saw a few gators and told the family a ton of great facts and lessons on the area. We had a Groupon which made it feel worth the value and enjoyed the wildlife exhibits out back for more info from the crew. Loved that they provide war gear and even when busy we didn’t wait long. Absolute must do on the way to the Everglades NP.

Coopertown Original Airboat deserves a solid 5-star rating in my book. The staff is incredibly friendly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. They start your adventure with a brief introduction and a fascinating wildlife demonstration before you hop on the boat.On a scorching hot day, our boat guide not only kept us comfortable but entertained us with his friendly and humorous nature. Throughout the approximately 40-minute ride, he kept us laughing with his jokes. We embarked on our journey around 3.45 pm, which happened to be the last ride of the day. Despite the odds, we were lucky enough to spot 3 crocodiles towards the end of the tour, adding an exciting twist to the experience. Plus, we got to soak in the natural beauty of the Everglades.It's worth noting that encountering crocodiles isn't guaranteed; it depends on your luck and the weather. However, the overall boat experience was undeniably fantastic. Coopertown Original Airboat provides convenient parking for cars and portable restrooms, although they could improve by offering water for handwashing, as they only provide paper napkins.We didn't book through Groupon; instead, we paid a straightforward fee of $28, along with an additional $8 per person for a national park entry fee. This was a worthwhile investment for the memorable adventure we had.

Such a fun experience and awesome to learn all about the everglades. The boat captains are very knowledgeable and also funny! I highly recommend going to the boat ride and the animal show after. The educator in charge of the show is really an amazing lecturer and makes it an awesome show.

For those brave (and responsible) enough to bring their dogs to the Everglades Coopertown Airboat Tours allows pets on board! The parking lot was under construction but first impressions aren’t always everything. There are only porta potties on site. On to the next thing…After paying for the tour, we checked out the restaurant which had a really fun menu including alligator, frog legs, and catfish. We did eat after the boat and the food was delicious! Now back to the boat tour… After you pay, there’s a little photo set up stand that you can purchase later. Then you get to see the marsh and rest of the facilities. There’s a neat little gift shop. Before your tour there’s a brief show on alligators and local wildlife. The boatride was so peaceful! My dog really enjoyed it and sat in the seat besides me. We were given headphones for the noise. Our tour guide was super friendly and very knowledgeable. This was a great experience and highly recommended!

Went in January 2024.This place was a blast.Sam was an awesome tour guide. Great gift shop, saw some gators, affordable price, dope weather.The ride was quite smooth - if you are someone that generally struggles with motion sickness you will be just fine here!It'd be nice if they have flush toilets, but I'm not sure if any other airboat tours nearby have that... so I see that as more of a neutral than a negative.Highly recommend.

Having been on other airboat tours, I'd recommend this for families with small children. The alligators were plentiful and the guide funny and informative. For the teens we had with us who were looking for a bit more whipping through the water and fast turns, they were a bit disappointed.

Great experience! Really enjoyed it and so did our kids. I expected it to just be a speeding trip through the Everglades, but it was way more than that. Yes, zipping through the Everglades was super fun, but we also got to stop and see wildlife including several alligators and got to learn about the ecology and hydrology of the area. Our pilot was very enthusiastic to tell us about what we were seeing and was also very funny. Totally worth the stop and enjoyed it very much!

We took my mother in law here and had a great time. We sat second row back and could see everything just fine. We were fortunate to see 10 alligators that day. Sometimes you don’t get to see any. Our guide was fun and knowledgeable and the boat went just fast enough to put smiles on our faces and not scare mom. I have tried others but enjoyed this one very much. They provide ear covering but they are not cleaned. I would recommend bringing your own ear plugs instead. Beautiful spot for photo op and they take a fun picture to take home. It was only $20 and you get a magnet too. Worth every penny such great memories.

We were there spontaneously today, and it was a really cool experience. Before taking the boat tour, you can listen to a roughly 15-minute lecture about the Everglades, especially alligators (I recommend listening to it, it‘s very interesting). The boat tour was a lot of fun. Our guide was very humorous and knowledgeable, and we saw over 5 alligators during our ride.

Wonderful experience in an airboat. We had a chance to touch the baby alligator 🐊. The kids enjoyed it. The staff was friendly, and the man who drove the boat explained very well and did a good job. Overall nice experience and must visit this place if you travel to Miami. For tickets, we got a good deal in Groupon.

Stopped in here on a Friday! Great experience! Coopertown is one of the original airboat companies in the Everglades. It was about a 30-minute drive from Miami, the main road inn has a lot of construction at this time, April of 2024. Business they are redoing the road, so this may be like this for some time.Once at the business, we walked up just before noon and bought tickets right there. They told us the next boat was leaving in approximately 30 minutes. You take a quick tourist photo, and then go to the back where they have a reptile exhibit. A few live Gators and a pen, along with a snake and a small alligator they bring out. It's very informative and laid-back, but a nice prelude to the actual boat ride.The main boat ride we bought was the 40 minute tour. It's a fairly large boat that seats approximately 20 people. The boat clips along at a very fast pace and it's a great, great time! Lots of funny jokes and good sites from your tour guide. Ours was Doug, who was great! We were fortunate to see several alligators along the way, which isn't always guaranteed.Some areas of the business are a little bit dated. But for me, it didn't detract from the overall experience. I was there for an airboat tour in the Everglades, which we got! Highly recommended!