May 3, 2018

Weston, Florida: Sawgrass Recreation Park; things to do

Sawgrass Recreation Park  

1006 N. US Hwy. 27, Weston, (954) 389-0202; www.evergladestours.com. 

Though this family-owned and -operated attraction is located way out there, the experience is well worth the journey.  A visit to Sawgrass Recreation Park includes a 30-minute airboat tour through the swamp grass of the Florida Everglades.  Though the fastest they go is 40 m.p.h., it feels more like 100 m.p.h., so hold on to your hat!  The amiable guides pass along some history and do their best to get you up close to the native wildlife.  Our captain took us to a fabulous spot where he stopped the boat and let us enjoy viewing several alligators, plenty of grackle birds (which are nicknamed “sky rats”), and some big turtles.  After, we toured the facility’s Exotic Wildlife exhibit--a small zoo that displays pythons and iguanas as well as the famous 1,000-pound alligator known as Cannibal.  We also saw the endangered Florida Panther in several hues, plus a too-cute big-eared fennec fox.  Also in the complex, the Gator Grill snack bar serves up gator tacos.  This is a popular shore excursion tour with cruise ships.

speeding airboat at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
speeding airboat at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



driver/guide at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
driver/guide at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



tour group at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
tour group at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



alligator plus grackel bird at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
alligator plus grackel bird at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



alligator at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
alligator at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



bird resting on sawgrass at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
bird resting on sawgrass at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



sea turtle at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
sea turtle at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



python in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
python in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



iguana in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
iguana in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



sign description of Cannibal the alligator in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
sign description of Cannibal the alligator in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park
in Weston, Florida



Cannibal the alligator in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
Cannibal the alligator in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



yawning black panther in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
yawning black panther in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



fennec fox in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida
fennec fox in zoo at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston, Florida



Things to do in nearby Fort Lauderdale.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


7 comments:

  1. Your posts are easy reads-simple, to the point, with good photos. I can see why Sawgrass Recreation Park is a fave of cruise ship excursionists.

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  2. What a great attraction!! The air boat ride as well as your up close animal and bird viewing. Great post!! I must get back to Florida and revisit some of the fun and educational attractions offered there!

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  3. I think we have some of those grackle birds aka “sky rats” in Ontario too! Fortunately no alligators - I'm terrified of them :)

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  4. What a wonderful variety of animals at Sawgrass Recreation Park - I can see why it is so popular!

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  5. A great way to see wildlife up close. I recently read about concerns about airboat safety after a death in Florida.

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    Replies
    1. Oh dear. I wonder where and how it happened. I hate to see anything change on these boat tours because they are so much fun as is.

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  6. Very nice to see these animals. I really enjoyed. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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