If you don’t have time to explore Everglades National Park from the inside, you can get a taste for the region’s wildlife at the Everglades Alligator Farm, located just on the skirts of the actual preserve. It started as a family-owned airboat attraction in 1982, but became a commercial alligator farm in 1985, when alligators were facing extinction and farming was permitted to try to save the species.

Since then, anyone from South Florida can affirm that alligators have beaten the odds. The alligator farm alone is home to more than 3,000 alligators, America crocodiles, Orinoco crocodiles, Nile crocodiles and caimans housed in pens or breeding ponds. Walk along the paths looping around the ponds for a look at the large reptiles, or make a stop at the Observation Deck for a better view of the "rivers of grass."

The larger breeding ponds provide a more natural setting for the gators and crocs with plenty of space and vegetation for females to nest in privacy. Once eggs are laid, they are taken to special incubation areas. Babies are kept in growout pens until they are about four months old—giving visitors the chance to see alligators of all sizes and ages.

There are hourly wildlife shows or feedings at the farm, so follow the announcements over the PA system to see the trainers at work. At the Alligator Show, watch handlers sit on top of gators, pry open their jaws, and demonstrate capture techniques. Hang around after the show for your chance to hold a baby gator. Alligator feedings are also held twice daily, so gather by the ponds to see the gators come up for a meal. In addition to alligators and crocodiles, the farm also has a collection of colorful, exotic snakes—large and small—on display at Snake Island or at the Snake Show, held three times daily.

Full admission includes an airboat ride through the sawgrass-lined canals surrounding the Everglades National Park. Have your camera ready, and hold onto it tightly as you zip over the shallow waters, propelled by a massive, loud fan (Note: Bring earplugs.) A guide will teach you about the Everglades environment and point out birds, fish, snakes, turtles and, of course, alligators.

Since the alligator farm is an Everglades attraction, expect it to be hot, muggy, and full of mosquitoes. Therefore, dress appropriately, wear bug spray and bring plenty of water.