Visiting the Everglades and Key West
For Thanksgiving weekend last year, we wanted to do something a little different, so we booked an Airbnb and headed toward the southernmost point of Florida. We knew we wanted to bring the dogs, so exploring the outdoors was the focus of our trip, even though the Miami area has plenty of trendy clubs, stores, and other fun spots to check out.
Our first stop was an airboat tour in the Everglades. Since Everglades National Park is a protected area, the airboat tours run along its border. We got to see untouched nature, which felt almost otherworldly. The tall sawgrass hid most of the water, so it felt like we were floating over land. We even spotted a couple of alligators on our tour, which made it even more exciting. A cool fact about the Everglades is that it’s the only ecosystem in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side. Another fact our guide was proud to share is that the Everglades aren’t a swamp, as many people think, they’re actually a slow-moving river covered in grass, often called the River of Grass.
After a day full of excitement spotting birds and gators, we headed back to our home away from home and snuggled up with the dogs, ready for another bucket-list outing: heading to Key West.
The drive to Key West was long, but I hardly noticed because I was mesmerized by the scenery. We drove over the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, elevated above gorgeous blue water, I was tempted to jump in! Once we arrived, we had lunch and wandered around Duval Street, saw the Ernest Hemingway House, and dipped our toes in the water at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. It was a lovely day, and I can’t wait to go back to Key West in the future.
The next day was the last of our trip. We headed back to Tampa but stopped at Biscayne National Park along the way for a walk. The park was beautiful, and it was inspiring to see the work being done to protect the surrounding mangroves, coral reefs, and wildlife. Since the park is mainly water, it’s a great place to rent a kayak, go diving, or take a boat to fully experience its beauty.
Overall, this trip is one I’ll always remember. I’ve called Florida home for almost five years now, and I’m so glad I got to explore more of what it has to offer
Our first stop was an airboat tour in the Everglades. Since Everglades National Park is a protected area, the airboat tours run along its border. We got to see untouched nature, which felt almost otherworldly. The tall sawgrass hid most of the water, so it felt like we were floating over land. We even spotted a couple of alligators on our tour, which made it even more exciting. A cool fact about the Everglades is that it’s the only ecosystem in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side. Another fact our guide was proud to share is that the Everglades aren’t a swamp, as many people think, they’re actually a slow-moving river covered in grass, often called the River of Grass.
After a day full of excitement spotting birds and gators, we headed back to our home away from home and snuggled up with the dogs, ready for another bucket-list outing: heading to Key West.
The drive to Key West was long, but I hardly noticed because I was mesmerized by the scenery. We drove over the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, elevated above gorgeous blue water, I was tempted to jump in! Once we arrived, we had lunch and wandered around Duval Street, saw the Ernest Hemingway House, and dipped our toes in the water at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. It was a lovely day, and I can’t wait to go back to Key West in the future.
The next day was the last of our trip. We headed back to Tampa but stopped at Biscayne National Park along the way for a walk. The park was beautiful, and it was inspiring to see the work being done to protect the surrounding mangroves, coral reefs, and wildlife. Since the park is mainly water, it’s a great place to rent a kayak, go diving, or take a boat to fully experience its beauty.
Overall, this trip is one I’ll always remember. I’ve called Florida home for almost five years now, and I’m so glad I got to explore more of what it has to offer