Everglades Trip - Any recommendations on birding or other fun activities?

We’re headed to the Everglades in a few weeks— its an extended family trip that’s mostly adults and an eleven year old. Home base is Pompano Beach. Wondering if anyone has any recommendations on good birding locations with or without a tour guide or other fun activities/locations to explore. Last year we did a big Disney/Universal trip— this trip is supposed to be more back-to-nature   TIA

Shark Valley in the everglades is an excellent tour of the everglades.  It is right of the Tamiami trail.  It is a flat 15 mile circle.  you can either bike it, in which case you are up close with many cranes, herons, turtles and gators at your own pace. or, if thats too rigorous, take the tram and the guide will point out the wildlife.  Either way, you get immersed in the park.

I would also recommend Naples or Marco Island for a more relaxed brunch/shopping/beach locale for a day.  There's a great authentic 80 Year old BBQ shack just after FIU going from Miami to the everglades.  At some point I think there is also a crawfish/zydeco festival in the Everglades which is not to be missed.

Thank you @campbell29-- I'll check out your suggestions.

Yes--my son and I biked the Shark Valley loop last year, but you will also likely see things even just walking on it a bit. The bikes weren't so great, but it is perfectly flat, so it doesn't really matter. And you don't have to do the whole loop. You can bike out for a bit and turn around, if it's too far for the kid.

Not sure if you're willing to drive straight across the state (prob 2 or 2 1/2 hrs), but Babcock Wildreness Adventures is east of Ft. Meyers.  Old Florida history and ecosystems.  Lots of wildlife and birds.  Fun tour in old school bus with no windows.  Good for all ages.  

http://www.babcockwilderness.com/

http://www.babcockwilderness.com/#!about-us/cfvg

For a low-key exploration, check out Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in West Boynton Beach.  Several walking trails, nature center, and a very cool kayak/canoe trail (you can rent at the park) that takes about 3-4 hours to complete. (watch out for the alligators  )

Got back from our trip and want to provide an update in case anyone else is interested in the Everglades…

We did Shark Valley— would definitely recommend renting bikes. We should have done them earlier in the morning though— it was hot and there’s very little shade along the route. It was fun though and we passed many alligators. We had planned to do a tram ride too but two tour buses got there just ahead of us and bought up 100 tram tickets which then made the next available tram ride too late for us to do.

Also near Shark Valley is Miccosukee Indian Village. We did the guided tour which was really nice— lot of demonstrations and a little museum. There was also an alligator show performed by a guy in the water with alligators.

Billie Swamp Safari was fun. Its located on Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. They have animals you can see while riding a “swamp buggy” which goes on land and through water. They also do air boat tours. The air boat tours are especially nice here b/c you can see animals and vegetation— as opposed to most other air boat rides that basically take you through a tunnel of tall grasses.

Went to Miami to see the Biltmore Hotel (on my mom’s list), the Venetian Pool- an historic swimming pool (on my dad’s list) and Vizcaya which was really beautiful. Had plans to do more (Perez Museum) but ran out of time.

Went to a few parks for bird watching. Not much to mention here but the last day we were deciding between Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and chose Hugh Taylor because it was closer. Unfortunately our rental vehicle was broken into there in the parking lot (window was smashed). Two purses were stolen and we spent 3+ hours dealing with that. We had parked in the one shady spot far away from all the other cars which I guess we should not have done. Also I don't think the purses were well hidden. Police said thieves target rental vehicles— supposedly those plates all expire in June. To make a long story short— purses were found and we are now trying to figure out the easiest way to get them shipped back to us.

Oh, so sorry your trip ended like that. 

 If they really can't figure out a way to return your purses to you, let me know. I'm about an hour north, and could pick them up and mail them.

ril said:

Oh, so sorry your trip ended like that. 

 If they really can't figure out a way to return your purses to you, let me know. I'm about an hour north, and could pick them up and mail them.

Thank you so much for that offer! I overnighted shipping supplies with the help of Amazon Prime and created a Fed Ex account so I think I can schedule a pickup. We should be good. Thanks again!