A
coastal city of over 130,000 residents located in Broward County, Hollywood
is nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport abuts the city, while Port Everglades, the second busiest cruise port
in the world, is partially within its municipal boundaries. Interstate 95, the
Florida Turnpike, Tri-County Commuter Rail, and two major railroads cut through
the city in a north-south direction. Miami International Airport and the Port
of Miami are less than twenty-five miles away, providing further opportunities
for Hollywood residents and companies to have access to the global marketplace.
Hollywood, in Joseph Young's vision, "will be a city for everyone - from the opulent at the top of the industrial and social ladder to the most humble of working people."
Hollywood is home to the 1,500-plus-acre Anne Kolb Nature Center and Marina, a recreational dreamland with trails, canoeing, fishing and boat tours. Hollywood Beach presents a entirely different beach scene from Fort Lauderdale, with its so-called Broadwalk lined by beach shops and sidewalk cafes with a French-Canadian flair contributed by its wintering residents.
The coastline here is lined with a five-mile Broadwalk, a 27-foot wide thoroughfare with its own cycle path that parallels the palm-fringed beach. However, there are three distinct areas of Hollywood Beach. North Beach is a haven for shell seekers and families in search of quieter amenities. Three parks, one run by the city, one by the county, and one by the state, create plenty of access to picnic areas, showers, playgrounds, an observation tower and restrooms. Central Beach, considered the bustling center, has boutiques, outdoor cafés and live entertainment. It’s perfect for people-watching. South Beach is the residential area of the city. There are many small bed-and-breakfasts, as well as some high rises and hotels.
The southernmost beach in the area, this small town features a mile of unspoiled coastline. At this public beach, you can rent chickee huts, and relax and watch the ocean. There are concession stands, a playground, bocce ball courts, restrooms and showers.
Between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Dania is home to a children’s hands-on art museum and the state-of-the-art IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, where you can even reel in a virtual tarpon. Downtown is known for its antique shops. But the coliseum of shopping adventure in the area is undoubtedly Sawgrass Mills, counting more than 400 brand-name stores plus family play areas, restaurants, movie theaters and other attractions.
Head west for the old Florida side of things. At Sawgrass Recreation Park, jump aboard an airboat for a look at Everglades ecology. The Everglades is Seminole tribe territory. Learn about native culture at the fascinating Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (meaning “learn” in Seminole tongue) or on a swamp buggy adventure with Billie Swamp Safari.