Planning a trip through South Florida? Make time in your schedule to discover all the best things to do in Hollywood, FL. Known for its beautiful beaches, endless art galleries, and a stunning Atlantic Ocean backdrop, Hollywood is a must-see beach town for any traveler sliding along Florida’s East Coast.
Located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood has more than just pristine beaches. Walk along the palm tree-lined Hollywood Boulevard or explore the city’s art & cultural centers. The retro architecture combined with the modern amenities gives Hollywood a classic, fun feel that’s perfect for any age.
Not sure what to do on your ultimate South Florida holiday? Start planning your tropical vacation with this complete guide to the best places to visit in Hollywood, FL!
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all our other attractions guides and our Florida Travel Guide for more ideas on where to go, when to visit & what to do!
Where to go
Hollywood Beach
A trip to South Florida isn’t complete without spending time splashing in the turquoise water of Hollywood Beach. The city’s biggest public beach, Hollywood Beach has everything you need to enjoy the Floridan sun. At Hollywood Beach, you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists enjoying the huge range of watersports and outdoor activities available.
Along the boardwalk, you’ll find places to rent beach equipment or beach chairs for your lazing pleasure. On the beach, you can also try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or surfing. The gentle waves are perfect for beginners and children if you’re traveling with the entire family.
Topeekeegee Yugnee Park
Tired of the beach and want to spend the day exercising or having a picnic? Topeekeegee Yugnee Park is one of the most-visited places in Hollywood, FL. While it doesn’t have much nature and wildlife, TY Park is a large green space perfect for playing sports, reading a book in the shade, or grilling out with friends and family.
This urban park also has a few walking trails suitable for any age. Most of the trails at TY Park are paved and of easy to moderate difficulty.
Put on your jogging shoes and head to the Memorial Fitness Zone to work on your beach body. Or cool off from the scorching Florida sun at Castaway Island Water Park. Filled with deep and shallow swimming areas, the water park also has water slides and a lazy river for tubing.
Hollywood Beach Boardwalk
For a daytime or evening stroll along the beach, Hollywood Beach Boardwalk has easy ocean access and endless beach amenities. Also called the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, the promenade is pedestrian-only. The paved boardwalk is the top place to go in Hollywood, FL, for jogging, walking, sightseeing, and rollerblading.
Built up an appetite? Choose from over 50 different restaurants along the boardwalk. Most of the boardwalk’s eateries have daily specials for drinks and kids’ meals.
RELATED: Most Popular Beaches in Hollywood, FL
After filling your stomach, spend time perusing the around 30 different shops and boutiques around the area. Make sure to head to the boardwalk at least one of the evenings during your stay in Hollywood to enjoy live music and street performances.
West Lake Park
Settled along stunning mangrove swamps, West Lake Park is a natural oasis and one of the coolest places to see in Hollywood, FL, for outdoor adventurers. The marina offers boat docking and boat rentals. Spend the afternoon out on the lake with some snacks and cold drinks. If you have a fishing license, you can fish from the pier and use the marina services to clean and prepare your daily catch.
Kayaks and canoes can also be rented from the visitor center to explore the waterways and the mangrove shorelines. Climb the five-level observation tower for a stunning aerial view of West Lake Park and the nearby Anne Kolb Nature Center.
Hollywood North Beach Park
More than just a beach, Hollywood North Beach Park has 56 acres of beachfront activities. As it’s conveniently located next to the boardwalk, you can park your car and explore both areas on the same day.
Don’t forget your fishing license in the hotel: Lifeguards and local state patrol workers are known to check for licenses if they see you fishing from the pier at North Beach Park.
Stop in the little cafe near the fishing pier for small bites to eat and cold drinks. If you get bored with swimming and fishing, you can also visit the turtle exhibits nearby.
Charnow Park
If you happen to be in Hollywood for a special event, Charnow Park is one of the city’s top destinations for banquets and family reunions. The park has a fully equipped kitchen; you can get meals catered or cook and prepare them yourself.
During the daytime, venture to Charnow Park to let the kids play in the interactive fountain. If you didn’t bring along their swimwear, there’s a large playground for them to frolic, too. You can also enjoy a family lunch in the park, getting some shade under one of the many covered picnic tables.
While Charnow Park is a nice quiet place to visit, there isn’t much to do besides let the kids expend some energy and have a packed lunch under one of the pavilions. It’s a great place for some downtime to slow down on your South Florida itinerary.
Cinema Paradiso
Downtown Hollywood has a huge arts & entertainment district and Cinema Paradiso is at the very heart of it. The movie venue is small and intimate with shows going on year-round. Book your ticket to enjoy an American indie film or one of the many international films on offer.
With its prime downtown location, Cinema Paradiso is within walking distance of over 80 restaurants with choices from over 43 countries. Before or after enjoying one of the films, you can easily grab some dinner or go restaurant or bar hopping to try its wide range of international cuisines.
Holland Park
Looking to spend a quiet afternoon in nature? Holland Park is perched on the coast, with dazzling clear ocean views. While you’ll struggle to fill a full day of activities at the park, it’s a quaint area to visit with friends or take the kids to play. If you’re traveling solo, grab a book or take away from a nearby cafe and luxuriate in a relaxing afternoon by yourself.
Climb the waterfront observation deck to get a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Hollywood skyline. If you have a boat, Holland Park has several boat ramps to launch into the water. Stay cool under one of the shaded pavilions or rent bicycles and go for a spin down one of the paved trails.
Anne Kolb Nature Center
If you’re only spending one day in Hollywood, visiting the Anne Kolb Nature Center is non-negotiable. Frequented by residents and tourists, the nature center showcases a coastal mangrove wetland. It sprawls across 1,501 acres, featuring a variety of walking and kayaking trails.
South Trail is the main attraction in the Anne Kolb Nature Center. South Trail offers both a walking trail and a paddling trail. Bring your kayak or canoe and launch it through the mangroves for a spectacular adventure on the waterways. For some easy hikes that are perfect for the whole family, grab a park map and head to the Mud Flat Trail, Fishing Pier Trail, or Lake Trail.
The Anne Kolb Nature Center also has a small aquarium and an observation tower.
Downtown Hollywood Mural Project
Hollywood might seem like just a small beach town, but its art scene is what draws many people to the popular South Florida destination. The Downtown Hollywood Mural Project features artwork from both local artists and international artists.
Visit the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project to appreciate artwork from artists including The London Police, Jessy Nite, and Ernesto Maranje. Most of the murals are within walking distance of each other making it easy to gaze around and take photos. The street art encompasses many different topics, from politics to Floridian culture.
Put on some comfortable walking shoes and stroll at your own pace or take a guided walking tour to learn more about the history of the murals and the artists who created them.
Art and Culture Center Hollywood
Want to learn more about Hollywood and its diverse history? The Art and Culture Center Hollywood is a must-see for art & history buffs. The gallery offers rotating visual art exhibitions, showcasing local artists, as well as permanent exhibitions.
Along with art galleries, the Art and Culture Center Hollywood also features open dialogues, live stage performances, and educational activities. Check its official site to see what’s on while you’re visiting Hollywood. The center almost always has a guest speaker or special show that might be worth checking out, depending on your interests.
ArtsPark at Young Circle
For some fun in the middle of Downtown Hollywood, head to ArtsPark at Young Circle. Nested at the heart of the city, the large visual arts pavilion hosts weekly concerts and events. The events include everything from major bands to local singers performing acoustic music.
Try taking a few salsa dancing classes or meandering through the art gallery. During the weekend, you can sit in on a glass-blowing demonstration and nightly musical performances. You can also attend a few educational exhibits about art and preserving the art community in Hollywood.
Jefferson Park
If you’re from Florida or have spent a lot of time in the Sunshine State, you’ll know how Floridians love a friendly game of bocce. Take a jaunt over to Jefferson Park to play some outdoor games with friends or join in on a game with locals.
At Jefferson Park, you can let the kids run around on the playground while you sit under some shade on a bench and relax. There are also well-lit tennis and basketball courts, perfect for playing any time of the day.
Yellow Green Farmers Market
Looking to soak up local vibes while in Hollywood, FL? Check out the Yellow Green Farmers Market. More than a typical farmers market, this popular local hotspot features stalls selling both fresh produce and locally made goods. It’s almost like a small outdoor village, separated into three sections. You could easily spend half a day exploring its eclectic stalls.
At the main farmers market section, you’ll find local produce, freshly-baked bread, pastries, and handmade crafts from local artists. There’s live music going on throughout the day as well as yoga and dance classes in the mornings and evenings.
Enjoy antique shopping or gathering collectibles? Head to The Nest section of the Yellow Green Farmers Market. Or, if you’ve built up an appetite, check out the Tikis, nestled outside the back of the market, that sell fresh food. Grab a table and enjoy the sunshine while you have a snack or sip some fresh lemonade.
Anniversary Park
Located in Downtown Hollywood, Anniversary Park is a great place to sit down and unwind after a long day of shopping or exploring the art galleries. With palm trees and oak trees lining the park’s grid, the scenery is beautiful. It’s one of the top points of interest in Hollywood, FL, for visitors looking to sit and relax.
Make sure to bring the kids along: The playground at Anniversary Park is large with tons of slides. Instead of natural grass, the playground is covered with padded grass cushions. It’s a fantastic play spot for younger children.
To end your day in Hollywood, walk to one of the nearby restaurants or ice cream shops.
Hollywood Hot Glass
Interested in learning about glassblowing (or just want to see a demonstration or two)? Hollywood Hot Glass is one of the coolest tourist attractions in Hollywood, FL, offering workshops for every age.
Spend an hour working hand-in-hand with professional glass-blowing instructors. You even get to make your own piece and take it home with you as a souvenir. Don’t have a lot of time? Their most basic workshop option lets you make your first piece in just 20 minutes!
After partaking in the fun activities, hit the collection shop. Browse through its interesting collections, with plenty of custom pieces to choose from. If you happen to be visiting during the holiday time, Hollywood Hot Glass offers a special gift shop with specially crafted pieces just in time for Christmas and New Year.
John Williams Park
For some easy hiking around Hollywood, meander along the paved paths at John Williams Park. The nature trails through Sheridan Oak Forest add on a little difficulty, but they’re still suitable for a trek if you’re traveling with young children and small pets.
Want to see some native Florida wildlife? John Williams Park is a hotspot for spotting deer and other animals. Bring the dogs to the play area or spend a few hours with the kids at the playground.
Besides recreational activities and hiking, there isn’t much to do at John Williams Park. But since parts of Hollywood can get pretty crowded, the park is a great place to blow off some steam and take a break from the hustle and bustle of a South Florida family vacation.
Recommended places to stay for sightseeing
Sun Beach Inn
Located steps from Hollywood Beach, this boutique inn offers some of the best value in the city. All the modern suites come equipped with kitchenettes and free WiFi.
Hollywood Beach Marriott
Perched on the beachfront, the Hollywood Beach Marriott is the perfect choice for mid-range travelers looking to explore the Atlantic shores. Besides the spacious modern rooms, guests will enjoy a host of luxurious amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and hot tub.
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
For the ultimate in luxury, look no further than this luxurious oceanfront resort. Guests will love cooling down in the resort’s three pools and relaxing at the massive spa. End the evening with a chill-out session on your own private balcony, with incredible views over the Atlantic or the Intracoastal Waterway.
