A Day In Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beachside Boutique Suites
609 N. Ocean Drive, Suite 31
Hollywood, FL 33019
(754) 400-9132
www.hollywoodbeachside.com
The Hollywood Beach boardwalk is flanked by blocks of quaint boutique hotels, making the Hollywood Beachside Boutique Suites an ideal place to stay. The hotel is located on Ocean Drive directly across the street from great local restaurants and the intracoastal waterway, and the boardwalk is a five-minute walk in the opposite direction. The rooms are spacious and resemble a condo with a full kitchen, living room and bedroom and the price is affordable with room rates ranging from $66 to $110. Car rentals are not necessary, since everything is nearby and guests can opt for the trolley or the taxi to save on parking fees. If you're looking for a luxurious five star hotel, the Westin Diplomat is down the street and features ocean views and amenities galore, but you will pay considerably more and it's a further walk from the boardwalk.
Le Tub
1100 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 921-9425
www.theletub.com
Before her CBS morning anchor position, Gayle King was hitting the road with GQ magazine and "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to find the best burger in America. Imagine the neighborhood's surprise when Le Tub, a rustic restaurant decorated with novelty toilet seats, took the top prize. Have a seat on the deck overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and take a bite out of the Sirloin Burger made with never frozen ground sirloin and spices slow cooked to perfection. If you're in the mood for pizza, try Capone's next door for the best Chicago-style pizza in South Florida and visit Florio's on the boardwalk for a taste of how South Florida does New York-style pizza.
GG's Waterfront Bar & Grill
606 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 929-7030
www.ggswaterfront.com
A visit to South Florida isn't complete without savoring one of the sea's salty delights. GG's Waterfront is also on Ocean Drive and serves lobsters and more, but you have to try the locals favorite, the Florida stone crabs. During stone crab season, people flock to GG's to crack some claws and get their neat clothes dirty. If you're on a date, obviously stone crabs are not recommended, but GG's has a nice ambiance, elegant interior and waterfront exterior that make it the perfect date night. It's also open for brunch, lunch and dinner so you always have an excuse to eat seafood.
The Bike Shack
101 N. Broadwalk, Suite 135
Hollywood Beach, FL 33019
(954) 925-2453
www.aabeachservices.com
The broadwalk is all about family togetherness and the best way to do that is by renting a bike. The Bike Shack sells three types of bikes: the banana bike, the beach cruiser and the limo bike. The banana bike is a lowrider, three-wheel chopper-style bike for one and the beach cruiser is a standard two-wheel bike. The limo bike seats four people and makes you feel like you're in an episode of "Full House," but it's fun for young children who haven't gotten too cool for their parents yet. If you're looking for more extreme beach rentals, head to Hollywood Beach Trikke for trikkes, kangoo jumps, Segways and inline skates.
Downtown Hollywood
Hollywood Blvd. & Harrison St. between N. 19th Ave. & 21st Ave.
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 924-2980
www.downtownhollywoodfl.com
There aren't many shopping opportunities on the Hollywood Broadwalk, so the best option is to pay $1 and hop on the trolley to downtown Hollywood. There are boutique shops like Bonita's of Hollywood that can turn any girl into Sophia Vergara with its curve-hugging dresses and sexy silhouettes. Coco Palm Beachwear and Souvenirs sells adorable trinkets, beach shirts and perfect reminders of your day on the beach and there are even more sights and sounds to see. Downtown Hollywood is truly where downtown meets small town.