15 Best Things to Do in Hollywood (FL)

Hollywood in Florida may not be as famous as its namesake in California, but that doesn’t mean that you should give this city a miss in favor of a trip to Los Angeles. The city of Hollywood, Florida sits between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and there is a gorgeous beach here that means that this is the perfect destination for those who want to spend some time on the sand.

To that end, you will find an amazing boardwalk area that seems like it belongs to another era, as well as a wealth of beachfront dining and accommodation that will let you make the most of the sun and surf in this city. The beach is not the only thing that Hollywood has going for it however, and as you venture into town you will find amazing galleries, parks, and cinemas. If you love culture, then you won’t be disappointed by the wealth of events that center around art here such as public art installations and the ArtWalk that takes place every month.

Lets explore the best things to do in Hollywood:

1. Art and Culture Center of Hollywood

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood is a must-visit attraction for culture buffs and you will find a huge range of art related exhibits under one roof.

The center has a selection of galleries that feature rotating exhibitions and there are also stage performances of shows, dance recitals, and concerts, so make sure to check out what is on when you are in town.

2. Anniversary Park

If you are in the downtown area of Hollywood then make sure to swing by Anniversary Park where you will find some of the prettiest landscaping in the entire city.

The park is famous for its gorgeous foliage that includes leafy oak and magnolia trees that provide ample shade in the Florida heat, as well as spectacular bamboo groves and flower gardens.

As well as the flora and fauna on show, you will also find play areas for children of different ages and a range of game tables.

3. Cinema Paradiso

If you like art house films and independent movies then consider a trip to Cinema Paradiso.

This art house cinema has a range of unusual and low budget films and there is a small, intimate theater here that has a capacity of just 82 spectators.

If you love films, then make sure to check out local listings to see what is playing when you are in town.

4. ArtsPark at Young Circle

If you are travelling with a family then make sure not to miss the ArtsPark at Young Circle where you will find 10 acres of park lands with a huge array of things to do.

These include events such as musical performances, fountains, public art pieces, and gorgeous Florida landscaping.

There are also quaint cafes dotted around where you can rest and grab a bite to eat.

Several times a week, there are also live demonstrations of glass blowing held here throughout the day, so make sure to check local listings to see when these are scheduled when you are in town.

5. Sal Oliveri Veterans Park

The Sal Oliveri Veterans Park is known for being a great place to come if you have children and there are playground areas dotted all around the facility.

There are also walking paths that let you take in the splendor of the Florida scenery, but many people come here just to take in the amazing water feature in the center of the park.

The feature takes the form of a palm tree that sits in the middle of the park that has a surprise button that visitors can press if they fancy experiencing a cooling shower in the Hollywood heat.

6. Downtown Hollywood Mural Project

The Downtown Hollywood Mural Project is a must-see event if you love art and want to see some of the public art spaces in Hollywood.

The Mural Project is made up of over a dozen colorful murals that cover the walls of public spaces in the downtown Hollywood area, and if you come here as part of the ArtWalk (held on the third Saturday of each month) then you can actually see local artists working on fresh pieces in a live setting.

7. Hollywood Hot Glass

Many visitors to Hollywood may not realize that this city is the home of a long and illustrious glass blowing tradition which has been practiced here for centuries.

As such, if you visit the ArtsPark in the downtown area of Hollywood, you will get to see live demonstrations of how to blow glass and you can see objects such as sculptures, bottles, and bowls take form in front of your eyes.

As well as the Hollywood Hot Glass Studio, there is also an adjacent gallery where you can buy some gorgeous pieces of hand blown glass yourself as the perfect souvenir of your trip here.

You can also even take a glass blowing class here if you book in advance.

8. Hollywood Beach

Hollywood Beach sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami and is the jewel in the crown of the city of Hollywood.

The beach is covered in pristine sand and flanked by turquoise waters, and you can engage in a whole host of exciting water sports here or simply soak up the Florida sun and relax while reading a book.

As well as the beach itself, there are also an array of interesting attractions nearby such as cafes, restaurants, and shops, so you definitely won’t be bored with so much on offer.

9. Hollywood Broadwalk

Hollywood Boardwalk — Hollywood Broadwalk

The Hollywood Broadwalk is said to be one of the best beach boardwalks in the entire United States and has won awards for being one of the premium places to visit when you are in town.

With that in mind, make sure that you don’t miss the chance to check it out in person.

The broadwalk stretches for over 2 miles and is nestled close to the beach so that you get gorgeous views over the water as you walk along it.

The broadwalk has a range of seaside cafes as well as places to rent equipment for jet skiing and other water sports, and there is an old world charm here that harks back to a different era of seaside living.

10. Hollywood Bike Shack

When you come to Hollywood Beach, one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery is to hop on a bike and spend the day cycling around.

With that in mind, you need to head to the Hollywood Bike Shack where you can rent a range of bikes from single bicycles to three wheelers or surrey bikes.

The surrey bikes can seat up to six passengers, so this is the perfect choice if you are traveling in a group or with a family, and you can also rent beach chairs and cabanas which make the perfect place to relax after an active afternoon of cycling.

11. Waterfront Restaurants

One of the best things about Hollywood is that you are never far from the beach, and that also means that the city has a huge number of restaurants that are located right on the waterfront.

Another big draw here is that you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to dining, and you will find an eclectic mix of eateries from Turkish, to Greek, to Argentinean cuisine, to name but a few.

There are also all-American classics on offer like burgers and pizza, or you can just grab a sweet treat like an ice-cream while looking over the water.

12. Charnow Park

Anyone traveling with children shouldn’t miss the chance to come to Charnow Park which is the perfect place to bring little ones.

The park has a climbing wall that is built with younger visitors in mind and there is also a splash fountain that is the perfect place to cool off when the temperatures rise.

For adults, there are leafy pavilions where you can relax as the children play.

13. Water Taxi

Many locals will tell you that the only way to see Florida is from the vantage point of the water, so you really need to get a water taxi to see what all the fuss is about.

To that end, you can take a fabulous water taxi ride along the waterways around Hollywood and there are places to board all along the Florida coast, so you can jump on and off the water taxi and explore the area at your leisure.

14. Hollywood Jet Ski

If you want to make the most of the gorgeous Hollywood weather and the sun and surf in this part of the United States, then you need to get out on the water.

What better way to do that therefore than to take a fun and thrilling Jet Ski ride across the ocean waves? At Hollywood Jet Ski, you can rent your own Jet Ski so that you can do just that, and you can rent equipment even if you are a novice jet skier.

15. John Williams Park and Sheridan Oak Forest

John Williams Park and Sheridan Oak Forest is known for being a hit with anyone who loves to get close to nature, and you can even camp here if you want to spend more time in the great outdoors.

The park has a range of facilities like picnic areas and pavilions, but the jewel in its crown is the Sheridan Oak Forest that is also located inside the park and which features a spectacular walking trail where you can explore the flora and fauna of Florida thanks to an array of educational signage.

Only in Hollywood for one day? Check out Becky’s How to spend 24 hours in Hollywood FL