Shark Valley, Everglades

Shark Valley, in the north of Everglades National Park in Florida, lies about 30 miles (48 km) west of Miami on the Tamiami Trail (US 41). A paved, flat loop road 15 miles (24 km) long leads through sawgrass prairie, freshwater marsh and hardwood hammocks. Halfway round stands an observation tower with panoramic views, completed in 1964 and a good 70 feet (21 m) high. Along the way you will often see alligators, herons and other waterbirds; according to Lonely Planet, man-made borrow pits attract alligators, turtles and birds, and alligators sometimes sun themselves on the road. Keep your distance from the animals.

You can cover the loop on foot, on the guided tram tour or by bicycle; bicycles can be hired on site. Lonely Planet calls the two-hour tram tour the easiest and most popular way to experience the Everglades. For the bike ride, allow at least two to three hours. Two short trails branch off: the roughly 300 m (330 yd) Bobcat Boardwalk and the Otter Cave Trail, just under 500 m (about 550 yd) long.

The best time to come is the dry winter, roughly mid-December to mid-April, when many animals can be seen; in summer it is hot and the trails can be flooded. Bring plenty of water, and on winter weekends you should reserve hire bicycles.