Living here

Things to do in South Florida

Where locals actually eat, shop, take the kids and spend a Saturday — from Miami-Dade to Martin County. Filter by who is coming with you, what day it is and what you feel like spending.

22 ideas
Dining$$

Le Tub Saloon

Hollywood · Broward

Quirky Intracoastal burger joint decorated with bathtubs, famously ranked among the best burgers in America.

WeekdaysWeekendsEveningsAges 15-17
Dining$$

Sugar Reef

Hollywood · Broward

Caribbean-inspired seafood restaurant right on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

WeekdaysWeekendsEveningsAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
Dining$

Taco Beach Shack

Hollywood · Broward

Laid-back beachfront taco and margarita spot along the Broadwalk.

WeekdaysWeekendsEveningsAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
Dining$$

Giorgio's Grill

Hollywood · Broward

Mediterranean and seafood restaurant on the Broadwalk known for its rooftop bar and belly dancers.

EveningsAges 15-17
Bars & Nightlife$$

Hollywood Beach Tiki Bar

Hollywood · Broward

Beachfront tiki bar right on the Hollywood Broadwalk with frozen drinks and ocean views.

WeekendsEvenings
Shopping$

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk Shops

Hollywood · Broward

Beachside stands and boutiques along the 2.5-mile Hollywood Broadwalk promenade.

WeekendsEveningsSeasonalAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
ShoppingFree

Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk & Shops

Hollywood · Broward

Monthly evening art walk through Hollywood's Young Circle-area shops, galleries and boutiques.

EveningsWeekendsAges 15-17
Shopping$$

Oakwood Plaza

Hollywood · Broward

Retail power center off I-95 with big-box stores and outlet-style pricing.

WeekdaysWeekendsAges 10-14Ages 15-17
Attractions$$

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hollywood · Broward

Massive casino, guitar-shaped tower, live entertainment and shops on the Seminole reservation.

EveningsWeekends
Attractions$

Anne Kolb Nature Center

Hollywood · Broward

Observation tower, boat tours and trails through mangrove estuary at West Lake Park.

WeekdaysWeekendsAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
Attractions$

TY Park Observation & Water Recreation

Hollywood · Broward

Lakeside park with paddle boats, water play area and shaded picnic groves.

WeekdaysWeekendsAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14
Arts & CultureFree

Hollywood ArtWalk

Hollywood · Broward

Monthly evening art walk through downtown Hollywood's galleries, studios and Young Circle.

EveningsWeekendsAges 10-14Ages 15-17
Arts & Culture$

Art and Culture Center/Hollywood

Hollywood · Broward

Contemporary art museum and black-box theater near Young Circle with rotating exhibitions and film series.

WeekdaysWeekendsRainy dayAges 10-14Ages 15-17
Outdoors & BeachesFree

Hollywood Broadwalk

Hollywood · Broward

2.5-mile paved beachfront path lined with cafes, bike rentals and street performers.

WeekdaysWeekendsEveningsAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
Outdoors & Beaches$

West Lake Park

Hollywood · Broward

Mangrove estuary park with kayak rentals and a butterfly garden inside Anne Kolb.

WeekdaysWeekendsAges 5-9Ages 10-14
Outdoors & BeachesFree

North Beach Park

Hollywood · Broward

Undeveloped natural beach and dune area popular for surfing and quiet walks.

WeekdaysWeekendsAges 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
Kids & Family$$

Dave & Buster's (Hollywood)

Hollywood · Broward

Arcade games, sports bar screens and prize counter inside the Seminole Hard Rock complex.

EveningsWeekendsAges 10-14Ages 15-17
Kids & Family$$

Bowlero Hollywood

Hollywood · Broward

Modern glow-lane bowling with bumper rails for kids and a full arcade.

WeekendsEveningsAges 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17
Sports & Events$$

Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club

Hollywood · Broward

Championship 18 designed by Robert von Hagge with elevation changes rare for South Florida.

WeekdaysWeekendsAges 10-14Ages 15-17
Sports & Events$

Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Run

Hollywood · Broward

Festive holiday-themed 5K along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk each December.

WeekendsSeasonalAges 0-4Ages 5-9Ages 10-14Ages 15-17

How a week usually looks here

Weekdays

Beaches and parks are nearly empty before noon, museums are quiet, and restaurants that need a month's notice on Saturday will seat you at 6pm on a Tuesday. Libraries run free story times for little ones, and breweries do trivia midweek.

Weekends

Green markets and art fairs on Saturday mornings, boats out by ten, dinner on Las Olas or Atlantic Avenue, and live music downtown. Book attractions online the night before — walk-up lines are the only real hassle.

Season (November–April)

Everything doubles: polo in Wellington, the Kravis and Broward Center seasons, street art fairs, the boat show in autumn and Art Basel in early December. Traffic and reservations get tighter, so plan ahead.

Summer & rainy afternoons

Storms usually pass in an hour. Keep an indoor backup on the list — a science museum, an indoor mall, a go-kart park — and swim in the morning, not at three in the afternoon.

Choosing between neighborhoods? Where you land decides how much of this you actually do on a weeknight. Compare the areas, look up schools or ask me what a normal week looks like in the area you're considering.

Hours, prices and seasonal dates change — check the venue before you drive. Tell me if a favorite spot is missing and I'll add it.