Answer: Visiting the Everglades with small children is possible, but it requires some planning to ensure it’s safe, enjoyable, and realistic for your 4-year-old and 20-month-old. The Everglades offers unique wildlife experiences, especially spotting alligators, but the environment can be challenging with toddlers if not approached thoughtfully.

Answer: Driving from Palm Beach to Sanibel gives you a great opportunity to experience the Everglades without deviating too far from your route. Since your ultimate destination is Sanibel, the most convenient and scenic entrance to the Everglades is via the Shark Valley Visitor Center or the Royal Palm area of Everglades National Park.

Answer: The Everglades National Park is a unique subtropical wilderness, and tent camping can be a wonderful experience if you plan around weather and insects. The best time for tent camping in the Everglades is during the dry season, which is cooler, less humid, and has fewer mosquitoes.

Answer: Staying in Florida City, such as at the Super 8 by Wyndham, is actually one of the most practical options if your main goal is visiting Everglades National Park. The town is located just north of the park's main entrance, making it convenient for early mornings or full-day trips. While Florida City doesn’t have the scenic charm of the Florida Keys or Miami, it serves well as a simple, budget-friendly base for exploring the Everglades.

Answer: For your airboat tour in Everglades City, you’ll find a variety of operators offering different types of tours, each with its own unique experience. Given your preferences—particularly avoiding alligator shows and focusing on wildlife and the natural beauty of the Everglades—here are some recommendations for your tour:

Answer: Both Florida City/Homestead and Everglades City are great starting points for exploring Everglades National Park, and each offers a unique experience. The decision largely depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for and what parts of the park you want to explore. Here’s a breakdown of both options to help you decide:

Answer: If you’re coming from Florida City and want easy, short hikes in Everglades National Park suitable for older adults or anyone with knee issues, there are several excellent options. Most are flat boardwalk trails, making them gentle on the knees and very accessible.

Answer: Taking a day trip from Key Largo to the Everglades National Park is a fantastic way to explore one of Florida’s most unique and diverse ecosystems. The Everglades are vast, so planning your trip with some key highlights and airboat tours in mind will help you make the most of your visit. Here’s a suggested itinerary and some tips to help you get the most out of your day:

Answer: If you’re planning to visit Shark Valley in Everglades National Park on February 15th and are looking for bike rentals, there are a few alternative options even if the recommended rental place is fully booked. Shark Valley itself has a bike rental facility at the visitor center, but as you noted, advance reservations often fill quickly. Luckily, there are nearby alternatives and strategies for midday rentals.

Answer: If you’re driving from Orlando to Miami and want to include an airboat tour in your itinerary, the best approach is to plan a stop in the Everglades region or its nearby tour hubs along the route. The Everglades are a vast area, but most airboat tours are concentrated around the southern and western edges of the park, near cities like Everglades City and Homestead.

Answer: Florida has three major National Parks that are often visited together by travelers: Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park (the latter is accessed by boat or seaplane from Key West). Planning a base to efficiently visit all three requires some strategic thinking because of the distances involved.

Answer: Cichlid fishing is a fun and exciting way to spend time outdoors, especially for a young angler like your grandson. In the Everglades National Park area, there are several options for fishing, but finding trips specifically targeting cichlids can be a bit more challenging since they aren't the primary species sought after in these waters. However, here are some suggestions to help you with your search:

Answer: If you are focused on the airboat experience in the Shark Valley area of Everglades National Park and want to avoid shows or handling alligators, there are a few operators and options to consider. Shark Valley itself is more known for its tram tours and biking paths, but nearby areas just outside the park have airboat tours on the Everglades’ waterways.