Wondering what’s at the Ernest F Coe Visitor Centre?
The first place you will likely hit when you enter the Everglades National Park is the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. This centre holds a wealth of information about visiting the Everglades National Park.
What to see at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center
As you approach the entry to the Everglades National Park you will likely come across the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Is it worth stopping? Decide for yourself below.
To be honest we didn’t mind a brief stop there and it was quite relaxing. I think if you were traveling with kids or wanted some more information about the National Park this is a great place to stop. There are also things like toilets available at the centre which is always nice.
We did notice some people stopping to have their lunch there are there is quite a large carpark in the area, especially if they were traveling with a van.
See more – Best Hiking Trails in the Everglades.
What is at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center?
The centre is a wealth of information about the the fragile eco-system of the Everglades National Park.
It is an interactive learning centre which is perfect for families with kids as it answers a lot of questions they may have such as: what animals live in the everglades, what does an alligator eat, how big do alligators grow and more.
Even though we don’t have kids of our own we enjoyed a brief visit to the centre as it was a really nice introduction to the area.
Another plus is that it is air conditioned!! Always a win on a very hot summer day.
You can find out more info on the center on their website here.
Are there walks from the Center?
No, there are no walks starting from the visitor centre.
The closest walks are Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail just 5 minutes down the road.
There is a lovely outdoor area with rocking chairs. We also managed to spot a particularly cool lizard in the outdoor area of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
They can also provide you with some information on the Shark Valley trails while you are there.
Is there an entry fee?
No, the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center falls just outside the gates of the Everglades National Park where you are required to pay a $25 (per vehicle) fee.
If you could possibly do this as a nice free addition to an airboat tour if you didn’t want to pay to enter the main gates of the National Park.
What other facilities are at the Centre?
We liked that a ranger was accessible at the centre for any questions you might have about visiting the National Park at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
There is free water, toilets and parking outside the centre.
While there is not a tonne to do at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, we would recommend a quick educational stop to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center especially if you are bringing children to the Everglades.
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