Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Home to the largest concentration of native orchids in North America, Fakahatchee Strand is like discovering a secret garden in the middle of the swamp. The preserve protects a unique ecosystem called a strand—essentially a slow-moving river through a cypress forest. Walking the boardwalk here feels like exploring an alien planet where everything grows bigger and more exotic than anywhere else.
Tamiami Trail
This historic highway stretches 284 miles across southern Florida, but the section through the Everglades offers some of the most scenic driving in the state. Built in the 1920s, the Tamiami Trail opened up the Everglades to tourism and development, though it also disrupted the natural water flow. Today, it provides easy access to numerous hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and wildlife viewing spots.
