Made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods home to hundreds of animal species, the Florida Everglades are a thing of immense natural beauty -- and a little mystery, too. On a recent trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to visit my family, I jumped at the opportunity to experience one of the area’s biggest tourist draws -- an airboat tour. After some research, I easily settled on a tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park. Not only was it close to our lodging in Deerfield Beach and top-rated, but it was also affordable for our group of five, and the website reassured me that it was safe to take my two-year-old. Let's embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure to see alligators in the wild, shall we?

Covering 1.5 million acres of Florida wetlands, Everglades National Park is perhaps the country’s most famous wetland, and you can easily explore it here at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

Previously used as a fishing camp, Sawgrass Recreation Park opened as a one-boat airboat attraction in the 1970s. It has since become one of South Florida’s top tourist destinations, in addition to expanding its animal rescue, education, and conservation efforts within the Everglades.

Sawgrass Recreation Park has the largest fleet of airboats in the United States and is open 363 days each year, offering two airboat tours every hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Upon check-in, you were given a wristband with a number corresponding to your specific tour group and ear plugs to make the journey more comfortable. We waited approximately 30 minutes for our tour to start, enjoying the scenery and browsing the Gator Emporium at the souvenirs, snacks, and beverages available for sale.

When our group was called, we made our way to the dock, grabbing a life jacket for my toddler along the way (they are required for children under age six), and were seated at the back of the airboat.

Our guide introduced himself, gave us a few ground rules, and off we went.

As is to be expected in July, it was a stifling hot day, but as soon as the airboat started, the whir of the motor – and the wind as the airboat skimmed the glassy water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour – was a welcome respite from the heat and humidity.

During the tour, we learned about the Everglades ecosystem, American alligators, and other animals that inhabit the area.

Did you know that alligators are ectothermic, meaning that they rely on external sources of heat to maintain their body temperature? They love the Florida heat, and when temperatures fall below 70 degrees, they stop feeding as they are unable to digest what they consume. In the 50-degree range, alligators become inactive or dormant.

Our tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and engaging.

He also made sure to maneuver the airboat for prime alligator viewing no matter where you were sitting on the boat.

Speaking of which, we saw not one but two American alligators on this unforgettable tour.

Both alligators were fairly close to the boat and didn't seem to mind that we were in their space.

After the airboat returned to the dock, we were greeted with the sight of a baby alligator lounging in the weedy shoreline before exploring the attached Animal Sanctuary.

Home to more than 50 reptiles that have been adopted and rescued, including alligators, crocodiles, tortoises, snakes, and iguanas, the sanctuary allows visitors to take a walk on the wild side.

My two-year-old daughter was especially excited when a friendly worker brought a baby alligator out of its enclosure (not pictured).

Safely held by the worker with its mouth loosely taped shut as a precaution, my adventurous little girl loved being up-close-and-personal with the baby alligator and excitedly told everyone, "I pet an alligator" for the rest of the weekend. It was an experience I hope neither of us ever forgets.

For an idea of what to expect on this unforgettable air boat adventure, check out the video we filmed while there.

From my experience, an airboat tour with Sawgrass Recreation Park is easily one of the coolest experiences in the Fort Lauderdale area. Visit the Sawgrass Recreation Park website to learn more and make a reservation.

To discover more incredible boots-on-the-ground adventures across America from our team of local travel experts, check out all of the articles in OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers series. What destinations would you like to see featured next on OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers? Tell us where we should go next on our nominations page.