North Lake Estates RV Resort

Established in the 1930s for the Seminole tribe, the Brighton Reservation (15 minutes’ drive) is anchored by the Seminole Casino Brighton, with slot machines and table games where you can gamble 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are also dining options and live music concerts. At Gatorama Inc. (25 minutes), the motto is the ominous ‘Fast hands or no hands’. Wild encounters here go beyond alligators and crocodiles to include pythons and tortoises; there’s also a small pool where the kids can get their hands on a baby gator. The twice-daily feeding shows are pretty thrilling, too. Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area (25 minutes) is the place for wildlife watching – from wading birds and raptors, to river otters and alligators. Canoe or paddleboard along the cypress-lined creek, hike the shaded trails or get a permit to fish for catfish and tilapia.