By Lauren Tjaden

Spanning over 128 square miles, the Miccosukee Indian Reservation is divided into three sections west of Miami and Fort Lauderdale: Tamiami Trail, Alligator Alley and Krome Avenue.

You can dance with Lady Luck at Miccosukee Casino & Resort, heralded as South Florida’s gaming pioneer; watch a riveting alligator show where a tribe member balances his chin atop the gaping jaws of one of these carnivorous beasts at Miccosukee Indian Village; or experience a thrilling ride through the Everglades aboard a Miccosukee Airboat.

Here's how to discover more about these and other only-in-Florida escapades you can enjoy at the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.

Miccosukee Casino & Resort
 

Miccosukee Casino & Resort, with gaming, entertainment, and leisure, is located 17 miles west of Miami International Airport, on the edge of Florida Everglades.

The Resort offers 302 elegant guest rooms and suites designed with comfort and luxury in mind.

Featured amenities include a high-stakes Bingo Hall, a 20-table Poker Room, more than 1,800 slot machines, 24-hour dining options, and live entertainment.

The resort’s second floor offers over 20,000 square feet of space, ideal for corporate events, private parties, and wedding ceremonies. Banquet and catering services can accommodate up to 1,200 guests. 500 SW 177th Avenue, Miami; (305) 925-2555

 

Miccosukee Golf & Country Club
 

Located close to but not on the Krome Reservation, the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club hosts a slew of LPGA and PGA events, including the Miccosukee Championship. The Mark Mahannah-designed course is regarded by many to have the finest layout in all of South Florida. 6401 Kendale Lakes Drive, Miami; 305-382-3930

 Watch a riveting alligator show where a tribe member balances their chin atop the gaping jaws of one of these carnivorous beasts at Miccosukee Indian Village.
~Alex Gore

 

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.

Miccosukee Indian Gift Shop

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.

Village Museum

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.

Alligator Demonstrations

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.

Miccosukee Airboats

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.

Events

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.

Alligator Alley Section of the Miccosukee Indian Reservation
 

With a land area of 127 miles, the Alligator Alley section of the reservation is by far the biggest of the three parcels it encompasses. It’s located at the westernmost part of Broward County, at it county line border with Collier County. You can refuel at the Miccosukee Travel Plaza on the way through, a conveniently located affair with gorgeous outdoor scenes that span entire walls. The Plaza features a Dunkin Donuts, retail offerings, electric charging stations and 26 gas pumps for both cars and semis. 47801 W State Rd 84, Ochopee; (954) 217-9942

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