I was completely unplugged during my Thanksgiving cruise through the eastern Caribbean, I didn’t even take that many photos. Considering most of our time was spent on the beach and not exploring the ports, I didn’t bring my camera on most days. We returned to port in Ft. Lauderdale at 7 a.m. but didn’t have a flight home until 5 in the evening so we decided to find something to do to kill the hours.
In the morning we went to Everglades Holiday Park where we took an airboat out on the everglades to look for alligators. We only saw one which my dad and husband joked was fake, but I wasn’t putting my hand in the water to find out!
Another highlight of the park is catching the Gator Boys show. I am not sure how popular this show was prior to their show on Animal Planet, but they certainly are big now. And while one of the main stars, Paul Bedard, was around, Chris Murray was the one who was tasked to perform for the crowd the day we went.
I just wonder if he wore those glasses before the show became famous?
Our next stop was the Flamingo Gardens Botanical Collection & Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary in Davie which is thirty minutes down the road from Ft. Lauderdale. I think it is a relatively unknown spot (which is not a bad thing). The park was not too crowded and parking was free (unheard of!). We only had time to spend an hour, but it did give Mr. Misadventures and I an indication that we would definitely want to return. We have been to Ft. Lauderdale three times in the past four years so returning is not out of the question.
I definitely recommend this spot. The park is on 60 acres of land and there is plenty to see including animals, birds and beautiful gardens. We took a tram tour around the property (you can walk too) and spotted a whole bunch of turtles.
And lots of beautiful birds. I like this photo because the water looks a bit Monet-ish.
Of course a highlight of the park is the flamingos. They are so easy to get great photos of, their colors are spectacular!
As we exited the park to head to the airport, we spotted this guy as well.
This is a park full of things to discover and I would consider it a hidden treasure, one that I plan to explore more of in the future!
Check out this AFAR Wanderlist for other fun things to do in Florida.
Wow, my sister lives in Fort Lauderdale and I’ve never heard of that wildlife sanctuary! I’m definitely making her take me there next time I visit. The part of the Everglades she’s usually taken me to is Shark Alley, which is basically an area where you can park and walk around some paths – not much else. That said, the variety of birds are way cool, and the gators rarely fail to make a showing. The first time I went, we probably saw 15 or so, and they were just RIGHT there next to the path. Crazy! Looks like you had a fantastic time! Now I’m itching to go visit my sister….
LOVE me some pink flamingos!
@Katie, wow looks like I need to check out Shark Alley. Flamingo Gardens was a really fun spot, you should definitely check it out.
@AndiP, they never take a bad photo!
We are so pleased that you had such a good time while you were here and we welcome you back the next time you are in the area. Please share since we are such a small non-profit, we don’t have a big ad budget.
@Claudia, my pleasure, it is a wonderful park!
I have this weird fascination with alligators, as in I want to see one out in the wild every time I’m in Florida. It’s pretty much my opposite reaction to sharks =)
@Kristin, my number one fear in life is sharks.
I will have to check this out wneh I go down this winter! Thanks for the info!
The airboat must have been a fun ride.
It’s so easy to forget that Florida has OTHER great places to explore and visit! Thanks for the reminder!
The flamingos & peacock are beautiful!! I must write this place down & eventually take my boys there on a trip. They love animals!
Gorgeous photos. Those flamingos really pop.