Miccosukee Indian Village and Miccosukee Airboats
The Tamiami Reservation, 40 miles west of Miami in western Miami-Dade County, contains 75,000 acres, making it notably smaller than the Alligator Alley section. Nonetheless, it’s the center of most tribal operations as well as the Miccosukee Indian Village and Miccosukee Airboats, where you can scream across the Everglades on an airboat ride; get a peek at the tribe’s unusual way of life at the Village Museum; nosh on ‘Gator bites’; and tremble at an amazing alligator demonstration. Mile Marker 36, US-41, Miami, FL 33194; 305-552-8365.
Scoop up treasures crafted by natives around the world and bring home a memento of your trip with a special gift created by Miccosukee Tribe members.
Since opening in 1983, the Museum has provided visitors with a view into the Tribe’s distinctive lifestyle. It celebrates Miccosukee history and culture through historical documents, archival photographs and original artifacts
Permanent exhibits showcase the early life of the Tribe as they customized their routines to the Everglades; rotating exhibits showcase historical and contemporary Native American, First Nations and Aboriginal life.
Miccosukee Village proclaims, ‘We don’t “wrestle” our ‘gators—we love them and hope that you’ll learn about them through our demonstrations.’ Watch, spellbound, as a brave tribe member demonstrates centuries-old traditions and rituals. This translates to a show where you’ll see the demonstrator resting his quivering chin against the open jaws of the alligator or inserting his head into its toothy mouth—something no theme park or ride can compete with.
The Miccosukee discovered long ago how to capture gators for food and wares like their hardy skin. As time has moved forward, the tribe has flowed with it, now focusing on conservation and education about the alligator’s role in this rare setting.
Your trip won’t be complete without an excursion into the magnificent “River of Grass” aboard an airboat, with the deafening roar of the motor and the wind ripping through your hair as you speed past the sawgrass. The adrenalin-laden adventure is punctuated by blissful silence at a variety of stops, where expert guides reveal secrets of the Everglades, providing a glimpse into traditional Miccosukee life. Along the journey, you’ll discover a typical hammock-style camp that’s been owned by the same family for over than 100 years.
Check out the calendar to find what’s happening when you’re in the area, including events like tribe’s signature Arts and Crafts Festival, held in late December each year.
