Nestled between the tourist traps of Fort Lauderdale to the North in Miami to the South, Hollywood has many options for entertainment and culture for its residents and tourists alike.
Originally called “Hollywood by the Sea”, it has been frequented as a major metropolitan city in South Florida by those trying to get away from the superficial nature of South Florida. It’s a sleepy, cozy city that many young urban professionals, families, and those from all paths of life call home.
Unless it’s raining, you can find tons of great outdoor activities, trendy restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. In this space, we’ll list out the 24 fun activities and attractions in and around Hollywood Florida.
1. Hollywood beach broardwalk
Compared to Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hollywood Beach is quirky and alternative. With less people and crowds, the beach is more accessible and spacious.
Due to a rise in development, there are better restaurants now than ever before. If you start from the limits of Hallandale Beach to the South, it’s a 4 Mile broardwalk, all the way up to the limits of Dania Beach to the north.
Along this 4-mile stretch, you’ll see plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops, and parks. I don’t know about you but I love to check out new businesses, whether it’s a shop selling arts and crafts or a new restaurant. Rent a bike and cruise through the 4-mile broardwalk.
There’s also great people watching along the beachside broardwalk. If you find a restaurant that you like, pull up a chair and watch all of the different people passing by. You’ll see out-of-towners working on their tan; locals taking a break from their daily lives and enjoying the beach, those trying to find a new adventure, and other curious and friendly beach-goers.
Hollywood beach boardwalk/ Flickr
2. Hollywood North Beach Park
Towards the north of Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, on the west side you start seeing less buildings and more trees providing breezy shade.
On the eastern side of the boardwalk, we have a beachfront paradise, a lot less crowded than the more popular part of the beach. In Hollywood North Beach Park, you can bring your family, rent a space in the park near a grill and have an afternoon barbecue. While the food is grilling, take a stroll on the sand, take a dip in the water, or play a beach volleyball game.
The park is really taken care of by the City of Hollywood so it’s really clean. The bathrooms are conveniently located in the middle of the park and they’re always well kept. The park itself reminds me a little bit of the Florida Keys with wooden walkways and plenty of shade, the beachfront just a few steps away.
Hollywood North Beach Park/ Flickr
3. ArtsPark at Young Circle
What used to be a big circle of land, mainly frequented by the homeless, has turned into a vibrant city center that offers tons of activities and events.
Located in the middle of downtown Hollywood, the park is surrounded by Young Circle. Within the arts park you have lots of green space with nicely cut grass. It’s a tranquil location that you can take a nice walk through.
You can sit down on park benches and rest along the many fountains. There are multiple playgrounds for kids. And of course there is lots of art; there are art shops offering things like glass art, modern art, arts and crafts and much more; there are monthly concerts that bring in tons of different crowds to enjoy festivals and other musical art.
The City of Hollywood has been developing this part of Downtown and you can tell it takes care of it very well.
ArtsPark at Young Circle/ Flickr
4. Topeekeegee-Yugnee Park (TY Park)
A personal favorite of mine, TY Park is absolutely huge. There are tons of activities to do for children and adults alike. You can have a picnic or rent one of the pavilions to have a barbecue.
The tables within these pavilions are all highly maintained by park services. Amenities such as stores and bathrooms are conveniently located throughout the park. There are trails so that you can enjoy nature and breathe in some fresh air. In the middle of the park, there’s a big lake to sit down and relax next to.
You can even rent some paddle boats and enjoy the view from the lake. Throughout the park there are various playgrounds and even water slides for children to enjoy.
You can bring your dog and dog owners are always asked to pick up after themselves and their furry friends. Overall, it’s a great space for nature lovers and families.
Topeekeegee-Yugnee Park (TY Park)/ Flickr
5. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino
It is one of the biggest casinos and entertainment complexes in Florida, and perhaps the USA. From highly exclusive restaurants and establishments to big ticket concerts, there is something for everyone at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino. For this reason, it is considered one of the best things to do at night in Hollywood fl.
The casino itself is top of the line, offering blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, slots, and all kinds of poker. There are talks that the Seminole Tribe will start offering sports betting, if that’s your thing. When you get tired of winning big, cash in your chips and have a night out at one of the many high-end clubs.
Check out the Seminole Hard Rock Comedy Club for some laughs as many of the nation’s top comics pass by.
Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino/ Flickr
6. Nick’s Bar and Grille
A bit south of north of the Hollywood beach band shell, you’ll find Nick’s Bar and Grille. This restaurant is a staple of Hollywood beach. Offering raw oysters and clams, shrimp baskets, and other American cuisine, this bar and grille is a must-try on Hollywood Beach.
Canadians and locals come from all parts of the world to try “Nick’s famous New England clam chowder.” The mojitos, and other drinks, at the bar are perfect with the bartenders taking their time to make the cocktails.
They have live music on certain nights and their kitchen is open until late night. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the breeze as you enjoy an ice cold beer and get to know some locals that pass by on their bikes.
Nick’s Bar and Grille/ Flickr
7. West Lake Park
Home of the iconic Hollywood Water Tower, which can be seen for miles around Hollywood, this park is an outdoor urban mangrove jungle offering a plethora of activities to do alone or with the family.
With 47,800 feet of beachfront space and 20,600 feet of mangrove shoreline along waterways, there is plenty of space to kayak, bike, hike, or paddle through. Boasting basketball courts, hiking paths, a marina, a picnic area, playgrounds and various volleyball courts, there are tons of activities to do in this enormous park.
The entrance costs $1.50 except on Sunday when there is a $3 charge. The park is open from 8am to 6pm. Pets are welcome, an added plus but of course patrons are asked to clean after themselves and their furry friends.
West Lake Park/ Facebook
8. Upper deck Hallandale
A couple of blocks south of Hollywood, in Hallandale Beach, you can find Upper Deck near the northeast corner of Gulfstream on Hallandale Beach Boulevard. It has a breezy patio with plenty of fans to keep cool and a spacious interior. The food is great and the sports are always on.
The baked oysters are to die for and the menu is fresh and savory. Sit at one of its two huge bars and you can start up a friendly conversation with many sports fans. The outside patio was recently renovated and now boasts over 20 TVs with prime furniture to enjoy the latest sporting events.
There isn’t a seat outside that doesn’t have a view of one of the many huge TVs. The inside is really comfortable too with a huge projector on major sporting event nights.
Upper deck Hallandale/ Facebook
9. Le Tub
Even before Oprah’s review stating this place has her favorite burger, Le Tub has been a Hollywood staple for a long time. Yes, the burgers are great.
The view is absolutely spectacular, especially at sunset due to it being on the intercostal side, or west of the Atlantic shore. Come early because this place is usually packed. The olde’ Florida vibe and the burgers are part of the experience. In this place, even before the recent fame, the client isn’t always right. The burgers can take a bit to be served.
The waiters and waitresses, and I used to talk to some of them personally, are told to mind the restaurant’s business over the customers’ whims. That’s the way it should be. There are tons of establishments to choose from. If you choose Le Tub, but the quality of the food, and the fantastic view, over the, perhaps, the off-putting attitude of the workers.
Le Tub/ Flickr
10. Hard Rock Stadium
Let’s go Dolphins! There are simply so many things to do in South Florida that going to an NFL game might be an afterthought. Hard Rock Stadium doesn’t only host NFL games, though.
In 2022, it will be hosting a Formula 1 race and the Miami Open among an A-list of concerts. The stadium itself is state of the art and has hosted 5 super bowls. Miami Dolphin games are lots of fun.
Get there early and enjoy some of the tailgate BBQs. Throw the ball around with your friends while the game starts. Once the game time comes around, get ready for an amazing NFL experience.
Hard Rock Stadium/ Flickr
11. Gulfstream Casino
One of the best free things to do in Hollywood Florida for adults – a must see for anyone interested in horse racing. It’s a huge complex with live shows and of course, all sorts of gaming available in Florida, open all year.
It’s been a premier gaming complex since its inception in 1939. Races run from December through October. It was dubbed “the track by the sea” due to its spacious and scenic views attracting horse players from all over the world.
The casino also offers poker, craps, blackjack, sports betting, and of course horse wagering. Admission is free but they offer VIP suites to enjoy the races. It’s conveniently located on US1 and Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Gulfstream Casino/ Flickr
12. The Village at Gulfstream
The Village at Gulfstream is a trendy, impressive open air shopping center. It’s definitely upscale with premium entertainment and restaurants. It’s part of Gulfstream but a destination in itself.
The Gulfstream complex is huge and the Village is part of it. Overall, Gulfstream is a must see for anyone in the area. I recommend going to Yard House which offers over 100 beers from all over the world.
The Village at Gulfstream/ Flickr
13. Aventura Mall
Upscale, intimate, and beautiful, this mall is one of the best in the entire nation. With tons of parking, and pretty much any store you can think of.
From the numerous major department stores, to small but not to be overlooked boutiques, there is window shopping, and even real shopping, for all.
Come on Sunday and find plenty of parking so that you can have a nice stroll through the enormous mall, which combined with its luxury stores and over 4 big name department stores, can be put up against any mall in the US, or even the world.
Note: This is located 10 mins drive away from Hollywood, but it still one of the most popular malls for Hollywood locals.
Aventura Mall/ Flickr
14. Charnow Park
You have to come to this beachside park if you’re traveling with children. There is a spacious fountain so the little ones can play in, along with other playgrounds for them to enjoy while the adults sit down in the shade of the tables and benches.
If you like to play paddle ball or handball, there are six full sized adjacent courts next to the very ample, and affordable, parking lot.
Charnow Park/ Flickr
15. Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
If you are someone who is into arts and cultural exhibits, we would highly recommend going to the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood.
Admission costs only $7 so it is a relatively cheap activity to do in Hollywood. Inside there are tonnes to see with various different galleries to explore as well as different exhibits that come and go. There are also concerts held at the Center so be sure to check out what’s on during your dates.
Source: Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
16. Anniversary Park.
Hollywood Fl is known for having quite a lot of parks to explore. If you are not sick of parks yet, another cool one to check out is Anniversary Park.
It is one of the prettiest parks in downtown Hollywood and the gardeners take a real pride in their landscaping skills at this park. There are lots of flora and fauna to check out at the back including Florida oak, bamboo groves and Magnolia tress. They flowers are absolutely stunning in Spring if you find yourself in the area at that time of year.
You will see a lot of locals taking their kids to play in the park as there are also lots of playgrounds for children available here which is great if you are looking for activities to keep the little ones occupied.
Anniversary Park/ Wikipedia
17. Cinema Paradiso
Looking for a unique date idea in Hollywood fl, the Cinema Paradiso is always a good choice! If you are a bit of a hipster or like alternative stuff, you will love this place as it showcases independent and house films.
It’s a cool place to go because it is known for playing low cost films which don’t usually get showed. Lots of them are actually really good so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Cinema Paradiso/ Flickr
18. The Sal Oliveri Veterans Park
Another park in Hollywood thought of as one of the best things to do with kids in Hollywood FL as it has tonnes of playground areas and I mean tonnes.
It’s a nice play to go for the parents too as it has really lovely walking paths and a nice water feature in the middle of the park.
It is a well known local hangout so if you are new to the area and want to meet some locals (especially if you have kids) this is a nice place to go.
The Sal Oliveri Veterans Park/ Facebook
19. Downtown Hollywood Mural Project
The Downtown Hollywood Mural Project is a really fun place to go if you are an art fan and love outdoor murals.
In the mural is a collection of art by national and internationally recognized artists in different locations in Downtown Hollywood.Here is a map of where the art is located.
There is also a fun ArtWalk where you can see the artworks in action (held on the third Saturday of each month).
Downtown Hollywood Mural Project/ Flickr
20. Hollywood Hot Glass
Like Venice, glass blowing is a long tradition in the Hollywood FL area too and has been practiced in the area for years and years.
If you want to see demonstrations of this glass blowing tradition, we would suggest you heading to the ArtsPark which is located in the downtown area of Hollywood. Here you can see various objects made by blown glass.
There are various shops around the area including Hollywood Hot Glass Studio where you can buy some cool souvenirs or take a glass in the art of glassblowing.
Hollywood Hot Glass/ Facebook
21. Hollywood Bike Shack
One of the most popular activities for locals in the area is to go for a bike ride. If are traveling in the area and you don’t have your own bike to use, you can head to the Hollywood Bike Shack to hire one.
What’s cool about this shop is not only do they have normal bikes but you can also hire a “surrey bike” which can seat up to 6 passengers, so it is perfect for a group of friends.
Hollywood Bike Shack/ Facebook
22. Water Taxi
Another cool way to explore the city is by Water Taxi which is one of the most popular ways to get around for locals in the area.
It costs $30 for Adults or you can get an annual pass for $300 if you are planning to move to the area and use it all the time.
If you want to just jump on for a bit of a joyride, it takes 3 hours to complete the entire route around the Fort Lauderdale area which is a really nice and scenic way to spend the afternoon.
Water Taxi/ Flickr
23. Hollywood Jetski
If you are looking for a little bit more adventurous way to explore the area, why not rent a jetski?
One of the best parts of Florida and indeed the Hollywood region is that it is surrounded by water, which makes fun water sports like jet skis possible.
Hollywood Jetski/ Facebook
24. John Williams Park and Sheridan Oak Forest
Still wondering what to do in Hollywood Florida? The John Williams Park and Sheridan Oak Forest is always a good idea. This is a fan favorite for anyone who loves outdoors and nature activities.
It is also possible to camp overnight in this park which is pretty cool. Aside from camping, if you just want to visit the park for a day, there are lots of fun activities to enjoy including awesome walking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds.
John Williams Park and Sheridan Oak Forest/ Tripadvisor