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Coopertown Airboat Rides & Restaurant
Categories: Active Life Amusement Parks Restaurants Amusement Parks, Restaurants [Edit]
22700 SW 8th StCoopertown, FL 33125
(305) 226-6048
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Coopertown Airboat Rides & Restaurant
17 reviews in English
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Review from Jay H.
Miami, FL
1/18/2012
Hungry after biking fifteen miles in Shark Valley? Ignore the tourist trap across the street, and head east towards Coopertown. Not only is it a dive the size of a bedroom, but akin to some backwoods horror movie. The entire floor was ran by a socially challenged sixteen year old with an impressively horrible attitude. Seriously, how is this real? I've never had so many awkward moments with a server, but it only added to the fun. We got burgers because we weren't in the mood for any reptiles or amphibians, and they weren't bad. Upon check out, help yourself to one of the numerous trinkets fashioned from gator claws.
"Coopertown: Population 8" -
Review from Jamie L.
12/10/2011 1 photo
I am a Miami Native.
I love the Everglades. And counting Alligators on Alligator Alley and Tamiami Trail.
I am ALL FOR the touristy, stick-your-head-in-a-gator's-mouth-and-make-the-So ccer-Moms-from-Iowa scream gimmick. Why? Because I bring any and all visiting Soccer Moms from Iowa here.
Also: I am no longer a resident of Miami, and so when I return, dammit, I want some Touristy Crap to do!
I loves me some high-speed airboating through the sawgrass, with cotton wedged in my ears and nearly-fatal encounters with the sharp blades of "grass."
I, too, will squeal at the sighting of snakes and alligators and pig frogs and even egrets. WooHoo.
But when the Airboat Operator snarkily says "Okay, this is the part where you jump out and go wading!" .... Well. That's me. Jumping out and thigh-deep in Muck and Marl. (True Story. See Photo!)
Anyhow, if you want (and aren't offended by) an "Olde Tyme" look at Miccosoukkee and Calusa life in the Florida Everglades, and want to see some gators, or eat some gators, (Or frogs legs... did you know the Miccosoukkee call Whites "Frog Eaters"?) or buy beaded crafts or fly at the speed of crazy on top of 3 inches of water... CooperTown is for you. -
Review from Marqus R.
As it says in my profile, I have a passion for eating frog legs. Don't ask why; it might be some sort of latent sexual manifestation that neither of us cares to hear about much less elaborate on.
The point here is that being a frog legs aficionado, I couldn't wait to once again try the frog legs at Coopertown Restaurant. One of the reasons being that they do in fact come from the Everglades, wild, hunted by locals and sold to the restaurant. I far prefer the local frog legs as compared to those imported from the likes of Bangladesh. Maybe the local mosquitoes are better feed for the frogs than whatever flies in Bangladesh, but those hunted locally in the United States always seem more succulent than do the imports.
As is, however, typical in the South, they only come prepared one way; breaded and deep fried which is certainly not the "cuisses de grenouille" preparation I am accustomed to in French or Cajun cuisine. But, in these parts it will have to do.
My half pound of frog legs of course came breaded and deep fried but, though greasy, perfectly done, preserving their texture and subtlety of taste.
I also tried their alligator which was also rather good, but as far as their burgers or other such food, my recommendation would be to avoid it. After all, their specialties are the frog legs and the alligator.
The restaurant is, to say the best for it, dive-y right down to the point of being somewhat seedy, disorderly, disorganized and unkempt.
As for the tour boat ride part of it, I didn't go and hence have no idea. I was only there for the food. -
Review from Brenda S.
Thousand Oaks, CA
1/30/2012
It was so cool to get up close to the alligators. Coopertown's staff made us feel comfortable and secure. Stop by Florida's visitor center and pick up a free Miami visitor guide with a coupon for Coopertown airboat rides.
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Review from shelby B.
Sacramento, CA
1/11/2012
I couldn't have had a more spectacular experience here at Coopertown. We arrived in Miami late afternoon to warm heavy storms. When we got to Coopertown we boarded the last airboat and barely made it. The guide was so cool and super fun, i am sad that i dont remember his name. The experience is beyond words but i can say that everyone should experience this magical side of nature that you can experience in no other way. amazing. spectacular. all adjectives positive and great.
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Review from Danny H.
Fairburn, GA
7/26/2011
I will preface this by saying I am a tourist, and I wanted to do tourist things, like seeing alligators in their natural habitat, and then eating them like a man does to assert his position on the food chain. That being said, I read all the reviews after my trip to south Florida, and experience at Cooper Town airboat rides, and they do not deter me from giving me the four-star rating that I think they deserved.
If there are better options on the Everglades, then they can certainly take a lesson from Cooper Town, and learn to advertise better. By the time I got out of civilization and cruising into the swamps of US-41, Cooper Town was the first billboard and third billboards I saw for any sort of tourist attractions along the road, and it's conveniently the first option heading westbound on US-41. I heard of both Cooper Town and Gator Park, but the desire to actually eat gator prompted me to choose the former, and frankly, I don't think I made a poor choice.
Cooper Town is easy to get to, and I enjoyed my experience there. Checking in was easy and painless, and I got to see some gators, in captivity, but most importantly, in their natural habitat, swimming in the channel. Having never been on an airboat before, I enjoyed the experience a lot. The occasional whip from fallen plant matter or splash from the swampy water does not bother me. Seeing a gator up ahead floating by, and it's decision to stare my party down was enthralling, and exciting to see a gator in its natural habitat being all territorial and defensive was far cooler than seeing one in captivity being all meek and probably drugged up.
And afterward, trying gator meat was a lot of fun; some say pork, but I think it really does taste kind of like chicken, but with a slightly chewier consistency.
As far as satiating my tourist needs, I couldn't have gone wrong with Cooper Town. I saw gator, I ate gator, and I road on a boat down the Everglades. Is there somewhere better? I certainly don't know, but would I do Cooper Town again, if I were ever back in the area? Sure, why not? -
Review from michael w.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
3/25/2011
I go to the Everglades alot. I've been to Everglades City, Flamingo and to ENP. This place is the worst.
It was my second time on an airboat, the first was down the road at gator park, which was an amazing time. We decided to try a different ride though the Everglades. This place doesn't compare to Gator park. It was dirty, had no exhibits, a huge gator was trapped in a small swimming pool...thats sad and the airboat ride was weak. The guide had no personality, we only went up an down the canal, and never even turned it up to see what it's like on an airboat....we went straight to gator park for another ride...plus at gator park they give you earplugs...not cotton -
Review from East Bay R.
Pleasanton, CA
7/20/2011
This review is for the airboat ride only, and I want to preface it by saying that I rode it during the offseason in July. Perhaps it's a more interesting ride during high season.
This has been rated the best airboat ride year after year?? Aside from the experience of riding an airboat for the first time, there was very little to recommend for the $22 it cost to ride up and down one canal in less than 40 minutes! We only saw couple of alligators from a distance (we even saw alligators for free walking back over the bridge after the ride and in other areas in the Everglades), and the operator didn't even bother to pull in closer or linger. He also didn't provide very much information about the everglades or about alligators.
I felt ripped off! For about $6 more, I went on a 3-hour snorkeling trip (1.5 hours in the water) to Sombrero Reef with Spirit Snorkeling in Marathon. Now that's value!
Coopertown should shut this ride down during the offseason or discount by half. It's just not worth it!! -
Review from Jay W.
2/22/2011 1 photo
Unfortunately I missed out on the airboat tour because I came late day, but I did make it in time for a late lunch. Naturally, I ordered the alligator and frog legs combo which hit the spot for this hungry traveller!
Can't really describe it any other way, so if you're wondering, the taste and texture of alligator is like pork, and frog legs is like chicken. Both are fried, but they were juicy and didn't taste like frozen meat, so the quality is there and the price is right. It took a little while longer to cook than what I had expected and one of my frog legs seemed undercooked, but hey, look around you... what do you expect?!?
Great price and decent food. Would definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area... -
Review from Toy L.
4/18/2011
We decided to act like tourists for one day. I've always wanted to get on an airboat. Sue me, I love Miami Vice. You don't really see much in terms of wildlife. A few strategically placed gators and LOTS of dragonflies. Afterwards there is a short animal demonstration which consisted of some guy bringing out a few local animals (i.e. scorpian, snakes,skunks). I wasn't really feeling that guy because he wouldnt stop long enough for us to take decent pics. The best part was the small little shack of a restaurant that sold some delicious "gator" bites. Not sure if it was really gator, but they were still blaze. All in all it was still a decent experience.
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Review from Marina R.
Miami, FL
7/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Umm yeah do not eat here! Do not listen to the waitress whatever she says the burgers are not great, they are not even remotely good. Be prepared to also share whatever you are eating with a flock of flies.
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Review from Lynh N.
Anaheim, CA
Get the sample combo. It comes with about 12 pieces of alligator tail and 2 pieces of frog legs. It's the perfect amount for a snack and tasting. They were both really good! The batter is good and not too batter-y.
The airboat ride was cool. We got to see a 6 ft alligator. The navigator was nice and let us sit there for a long time to take pictures. After we got back, they let us hold a 4 ft alligator!!! That was awesome. I'd definately recommend coming here. -
Review from Jenny C.
1/31/2010 2 photos
DH and I were looking for a place that served gator tail and frog legs after our visit to the Everglades National Park and we found Coopertown Restaurant along the way.
After going on a 15mile bike ride at the park, we were both starving so we each ordered a Catfish sandwich and shared the gator tail and frog legs combo.
Our food took forever and I was feeling so lightheaded from hunger and wishing they made my food faster! We were the only customer there so we didn't know why it took them a long time to cook our food... Half an hour later (thank god!) the lady finally brought out our order.
The catfish sandwich was big with a side of thick cut fries and a cup of coleslaw. I didn't care for the coleslaw and fries but the catfish was very moist and tasty. The gator tail was ok, same consistency as pork chops but DH liked it much more than I did. The frog legs were awesome, soft and tender and I liked it more than the gator tail. They had some kind of southern style seasoning to it which we both liked.
The old lady serving us was really nice and chatted with us while we ate so I forgave her for the slow service after my tummy was full. Lol -
Review from natassia s.
Daly City, CA
11/13/2008 1 photo
I went to Gator Park down the street for the airboat tour, but came by Coopertown for the restaurant since they were offering gator meat!! The restaurant service was horribly slow and horribly unfriendly. Must be the Southeast "charm"! I had the gator meat and frog legs combo - came out drenched in oil. Is this how these types of meat are prepared?? But anyways, tastes like chicken. Would not come back to Coopertown though.
Listed in: miami beach / key west
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Review from Sarah D.
10/29/2009 1 photo
I wish there was a way to rate to restaurant and the airboat rides separately. The food is ok but the ride is amazing! I had a sandwich because there wasn't much in the veggie/non greasy department. It was ok, i just prefer things a little lighter for lunch. The hubby had the catfish sandwich. His recommendation is to put the slaw that comes with it on the sandwich along with some Tabasco. As for the ride, it was a supreme blast. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and funny. I was expecting a cheesy tourist experience but instead I was awed and deeply enamoured with the scenery and wildlife. This is a total must do. My recommendation is skip the restaurant unless you are really hungry and head for the boats.
Listed in: South Florida/Keys
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Review from Julie H.
Irvine, CA
1/7/2008
What kind of boat can you take on a river that is at times no more than 6 inches deep and flows at a rate slower than a foot a day? Use an airboat! The airplane engine and propeller-powered boat is the centerpiece of Coopertown Airboat Rides. Coopertown is purported to be the birthplace of the airboat. However true that may be, one is quickly struck with the impression that the captains, tour guides, and caretakers at Coopertown have certainly been doing their jobs for quite some time.
We visited Coopertown on a Sunday afternoon and the "city" of Coopertown, normally population eight (8!) had blossomed to easily forty that day - mostly tourists angling to get a tour of the Everglades on the strange-looking airboats and hopefully a camera full of alligator photos. There are at least four large alligators on the premises in cages for viewing, photographing, and general ogling, as well as a posse of smaller alligators that we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hold (my dry winter "alligator" skin has no relation to how actual alligator skin feels).
Half the fun of visiting Coopertown is stuffing cotton balls (graciously offered by your tour guide) into your ears and piling into a boat for a loud, speedy jaunt around the Everglades ($18/person). Wind blowing your hair, sawgrass threatening to, um, saw your hand and face off if stuck outside the boat in motion, an airboat ride is a breezy, fun trip. Our tour guide piloted and provided information about the Everglades, alligators, and everything in between. We spied numerous flowers, eagrets, and, yes, even a few alligators. What really enthralled a few of the other tourists on the tour with us, however, were the sounds our tour guide would make when we were stopped, hoping to spot alligators. A weird, guttural-meets-dolphin sound emanated from his throat, emulating a baby alligator in distress. While no alligators swam to heed the call, two of my tour companions continued to imitiate this sound the rest of the weekend (far, far away from any alligators).
Coopertown Airboat tours are a fun way to indulge in the less glitzy but no less authentic Floridian experience. If you're still left wanting more after a boat trip, try the restaurant / gift shop for fried alligator tail and a "lucky" baby alligator foot. -
Review from John C.
Citrus Heights, CA
11/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
by far the best airboat tour i have ever been on. i dont know if all the tour guides do it but our guide would stop the boat and get out to show us different things. amazing place. once its all done you get to hold a 2 year old alligator.
