Despite having an estimated population of only 616 residents in 2009, Everglades City offers visitors a variety of attractions and sights to enjoy. The town is located in southwest Florida in the heart of the Florida Everglades and features the Gulf of Mexico on its western border. The abundance of rivers, creeks and untouched estuaries makes Everglades City an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. Kayaking, fishing, airboat tours and hiking are all available nearby.
Everglades National Park consists of nearly 2,400 square miles of protected wilderness and offers many different activities for visitors. Visitors can tour parts of the park alone by hiking along one of the many trails or opt for a guided tour led by a park ranger. Boat tours of the Ten Thousand Islands operate every day and give visitors the opportunity to see dolphins and manatees in their natural environments. There is much to see in Everglades National Park, so consider camping there to take advantage of everything.
Everglades City sits on the Gulf of Mexico and provides fishermen with the opportunity to catch some highly prized fish from either land, a canoe or a boat. Fishing charters leave from the docks of Everglade City and are available for deep sea fishing or backwater fishing in the Ten Thousand Islands. Anglers travel to the area to catch snook, redfish, grouper and tarpon in the warm waters of the Gulf. If you’d prefer to fish on your own, canoe rentals are available from local businesses in the area.
During the first weekend in February each year, Everglades City’s population swells for the Everglades Seafood Festival. This event celebrates the Florida lifestyle and offers festival goers delicious seafood cooked by area restaurants, live music and a fair. Local artists sell arts and crafts. Due to the influx of attendees, hotels in Everglades City fill up quickly each year, so make reservations early to ensure accommodations.
The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are dotted with tiny mangrove islands and miles of pristine canals accessible only by small watercraft. Local guides are available for private tours through the maze of canoe trails. Both kayaks and canoes can be rented through local shops in Everglades City, but be careful navigating these waters alone -- it is quite easy to get lost if you are unfamiliar with the area. Since most of these islands are inaccessible to larger boats, paddlers are able to reach tiny beaches on the Gulf of Mexico for the ultimate private beach experience.
This remote area of Florida has a rich history that can be explored at the Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City. The museum features art and antiques, but be sure to take in the Storter Collection, which tells the story of southwest Florida through unique sketches and paintings. Walking tours are offered most days to show visitors the historic buildings of this quaint Florida town. Call ahead to learn of any events being offered and ask about the hours of operation. The museum is not open on Sundays or Mondays.
