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 Resort & Gaming, 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 Resort & Gaming
Close to the bustling city of Miami, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is sited on Krome Avenue, the smallest parcel of the reservation, which encompasses 55 acres. The resort offers a comfortable hotel with ample amenities; and its casino, billed as South Florida’s gaming pioneer, promises blockbuster thrills with over 2,000 gaming machines, poker and bingo. 500 SW 177th Avenue, Miami; 305-222-4600
Casino
Feeling lucky? Here’s what you can find at Miccosukee Resort’s casino, a non-smoking facility with smoking areas outside the buildings.
Gaming Machines - Try your luck on any of the casino’s blistering hot machines- over 2000 of them- from beloved classics to cutting-edge innovations bursting with special effects, bonuses and rewards.
For an exclusive experience, up the ante in exclusive rooms like Hidden Gems or the ritzy High Limit Room.
Poker- Not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well, poker offers a unique thrill. The Miccosukee casino’s poker room wears a whole new look, providing an ideal place to play.
Bingo
A South Florida mainstay since 1990, you don’t need experience to play this classic game of chance that rewards winners with generous payouts.
Dining and Nightlife
Café Hammock - Enjoy time-honored favorites like meatloaf, steaks and chicken picatta in the heart of the casino’s gaming action at this casual restaurant with a sophisticated twist.
Martini Bar - Chic yet comfortable, the Martini Bar provides an ideal place to kick back with a cocktail, sample small plates and enjoy live entertainment throughout the week.
Bravo Bravissimo! - This casual eatery invites you to dig into traditional Italian fare paired with wines from its extensive list.
Empeeke Aaweeke International Buffet - Indulge in Empeeke Aaweeke’s tempting à la carte breakfast menu and international buffet, where you can let your taste buds explore cuisine from around the world.
And there’s more! Check out all of Miccosukee Resort’s dining options (located on the tab at the top of the page).
Accommodations
Perched on the outskirts of the vast, mysterious Florida Everglades, the Resort offers rooms dedicated to your comfort with a stunning backdrop of the surrounding ecosystem. Every room comes equipped with Wi- Fi, premium cable programming, pay-per-view, an in-room safe and flat screen TV, and executive and Deluxe rooms are available with upgraded amenities and services.
Resort Amenities
Miccosukee Resort delivers a spa designed to spoil you; a kids club that will keep your whole gang smiling; and a pool that’s bound to make a splash.
Pa-Hay Okee Salon & Spa- Manicures, massages and me-time, oh my! This full-service spa boasts a menu brimming with indulgent offerings. For a special treat, try the ‘Hint of Heaven’ package, complete with a Swedish massage, mini-facial, manicure, pedicure, blow dry and lunch buffet.
Club Egret - Reserved for children ages 12 and under, this play center is packed with colorful toys as well as tunnels and tubes made for climbing, crawling and sliding.
Pool & Fitness Center - Take a dip in the indoor pool; bubble away your cares in the jacuzzi; or let off some steam in the sauna. If you want to catch some rays the outdoor patio will do the trick. When you’ve had enough sun, the chickee huts provide shade and cool relief.
Teen Arcade - The 13-plus crowd will adore this cool arcade that features popular games, comfy seating and pool tables.
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; 786-510-5896
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.
Our Little Shack
Become a food warrior at The Village’s kicked-back eatery with a Buffalo Burger, Gator Bites, or Frog Legs, or opt for familiar fare like burgers and fries.
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
