Coopertown Airboats

The original commercial airboat operation on the Tamiami Trail, opened by John Cooper in 1945 when the road was still a rough two-lane through nowhere. Three Cooper brothers — John, Jay, and Marion — came down from Melbourne looking for better frog hunting; John was the one motorists spotted running the sawgrass in his flat-bottom, and the ride business grew out of that. Family-run ever since. The sign at the drive lists "Coopertown, Population 8" — a nod to the family, not a legal count (Coopertown is unincorporated Miami-Dade, not an actual municipality). Small gift shop, a diner serving gator tail and frog legs, and a rack of airboats out back.

What to order

The 40-minute shared airboat ($29.95 adult, $18.95 child) is the standard — no reservation, boats leave when they fill. Roll in before 10a for cooler air and better wildlife; longer private runs (1, 1.5, 2 hr) need a phone booking ahead.

Hours

Daily 9a–5p · last airboat 4:30p