Guess that means I should reply as well since I live in south florida. Most of my suggestions are for bird locations. Bird activity really peaked about a month or so ago so there is less going on now.Originally Posted by Local Hero
Sanibel is really nice, the beaches are all great there. Ding Darling NWR is good for birds, (they may be repaving the autotour when your here though. If so, then I would skip going here).
Loop road off of Tamiami trail in big cypress is really pretty and I highly suggest visiting. (don't forget to stop in Clyde Butchers photo gallery if you go here)Just past that on the same road is Shark Valley (part of Everglades national park) which usually has great wading bird activity and a observation tower that gives you a good view of the everglades.
Normally I would suggest Anhinga trail down in the other end of the national park but bird activity there has really slowed down in the last few weeks. Of course if you get there at sunrise you can get some good photos of alligators displaying and bellowing. Driving the rest of the park road is worth it if you have the time as well. Lots of spots to stop and look for birds if you like that sort of thing. Once you get all the way down to the end to Flamingo (1 hour drive from the entrance) there is a good chance of seeing Crocodiles and manatees in the marina.
I will disagree with the first suggestion and agree with the second suggestion. I use the boat ramp at holiday park a lot for work. The tours seem very informative and are probably great, but the place is always super busy and for a fun air boat ride, I would suggest one of the places on Tamiami Trail, the seem much better.For a more natural setting, get to the Everglades down in the Ft Lauderdale area. Holiday park is a good place. http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/ The airboat tour is touristy but I've been happy with it the few times I've gone. Good guides with good info.
If you're going south of Miami, you really should stop at Robert Is Here. It's an experience all to itself. http://www.robertishere.com/xcart/home.php The smoothies are totally worth it.
Robert is Here is very cool, and has a bunch of really strange fruits. With that said, it is only 5 miles from where I live and I have only been there twice because it is always packed with tourists and can be pricy.
St. Augustine is really great for architecture, as stated above. and I would highly suggest visiting there as well.
The keys are great, but you really have to dedicate an entire day to it in my opinion to make it worth it. But the keys provide an abundance of good photo opportunities (birds and landscapes)
Miami itself has some neat areas, but I haven't spent enough time there to have any specific suggestions. Key Biscayne is a good spot essentially in Miami, you can get some good cityscapes from here and there is a lighthouse as well.
Remember your sunscreen, and if you go into the everglades bring some good bug spray.
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