In the 1920s, a man named Joseph W. Young envisioned a city that would rival its Californian cousin. He bought swampland between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and called it Hollywood by the Sea. His dream? To create a movie-set town for the East Coast—complete with a central boulevard, man-made lakes, and Mediterranean-style mansions. What he got was hurricanes, mosquitoes, and bankruptcy. But somehow, the city thrived anyway—and today, Hollywood, Florida, remains one of the Sunshine State’s most delightfully odd destinations.
Nestled along the Atlantic between its louder neighbors, Hollywood moves at its own pace. It’s equal parts beach town, art colony, retiree haven, and international buffet. You’ll find paddleboarders in the canals, domino games in the parks, reggae from passing bikes, and ceviche joints next to kosher bakeries. It’s Florida—but bent slightly sideways.
Start at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk—yes, Broadwalk with a “b.” This 2.5-mile beachfront promenade has been voted one of America’s best, and for good reason. It’s a living, breathing people parade. Joggers. Families on rented surreys. Rollerbladers with Bluetooth speakers. All of them moving past cafes, ice cream stands, tiki bars, and an ocean that shifts from turquoise to silver depending on the light.
Grab a café con leche at CAFE CLUB by les artistes, then wander north. Stop and watch a beachside Zumba class in front of the Hollywood Beach Theater, where free concerts fill the air with Jimmy Buffett covers and steel drums. At night, the whole Broadwalk glows—twinkle lights in palm trees, laughter echoing from rooftop decks, and the smell of grilled seafood mixing with suntan lotion and sea salt.
If the beach is Hollywood’s front porch, Downtown Hollywood is its living room. Centered around Young Circle, the area pulses with murals, music, and mojitos. Don’t miss the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project, a walkable open-air gallery where walls come alive with color and commentary. You’ll see surreal fish, dancing elders, robot mangroves—sometimes all in one block.
Need a nature break? Head west to Anne Kolb Nature Center, a 1,500-acre mangrove preserve filled with boardwalks, paddling trails, and an observation tower that offers one of the best views in Broward County. Rent a kayak and glide through mirror-still water, where crabs skitter, herons stalk, and silence feels sacred.
For a taste of old-school weirdness, detour to Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (locals just call it TY Park), where you can walk around the lake, spot iguanas the size of terriers, or rent a paddleboat shaped like a duck. There’s even a water park—Castaway Island—where kids cannonball under a pirate flag and parents nap on lounge chairs under pines.
Hungry? Hollywood does food like it does everything else—eclectic, no-frills, and full of flavor. Start with Le Tub Saloon, a waterfront burger shack made from driftwood, toilets, and old boats. The burgers are massive, the fries are hand-cut, and the wait is part of the experience. Just bring patience and maybe a cold beer from the bar while you stare out at the Intracoastal and wonder how this place still exists.
Next, try The Taco Spot, a colorful beachside hole-in-the-wall with mahi tacos and mango slaw that somehow taste better barefoot. For a fancier night out, GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill serves seafood towers and steak au poivre beside yachts gliding through the canals.
For breakfast? Head to J28 Sandwich Bar, a tiny Peruvian café serving up pan con chicharrón, fresh juice, and espresso so strong it might alter your morning permanently.
If you’re staying overnight—and you should—Hollywood gives you options. The Hollywood Beach Marriott sits right on the sand with sweeping ocean views and an on-site tiki bar. The Diane Motel, a pink retro classic from the 1950s, offers budget-friendly rooms just steps from the beach and enough pastel to make your Instagram blush. For a boutique vibe, try Circ Hotel downtown—modern, walkable, and close to the nightlife without requiring earplugs.
Prefer to live like a local? Rent a canal-front cottage in North Lake and paddleboard from your backyard at sunrise. Or book a spot on South Surf Road, where everything smells like salt and sunscreen and the only real plan is not having one.
Some numbers for the road:
• Hollywood’s Broadwalk is 2.5 miles long, lined with over 50 restaurants, bars, and shops.
• The city is home to 7 miles of beaches, all public and all spectacular.
• Anne Kolb Nature Center spans 1,501 acres, one of the largest urban wetland parks in the U.S.
• Le Tub’s burger was once voted “Best in America” by Oprah’s O Magazine. (Yes, that Oprah.)
Local tip? Visit North Beach Park in the early morning. It’s quieter, the light is golden, and the sea grapes rustle like a soft applause. Walk the short boardwalk. Watch the ships roll by. Then grab breakfast across the street and plan absolutely nothing.
Hollywood doesn’t beg for attention. It just lives—with sunburned ease and sidewalk jazz. It lets the waves do the talking. It lets the stories seep in slowly, like coffee through a sock filter or rum through a coconut.
And when you leave, you won’t talk about the flashy things. You’ll talk about that old man feeding pigeons on the Broadwalk. The way your feet felt in the sand at dusk. The bite of lime on grilled fish. And maybe—if you’re lucky—how a place this quietly weird can feel so much like home.
