Hollywood, Florida with Kids
I wanted to take my 4yo Albi on a Mommy-and-me trip to the beach and since it was February, there were only a few US options to choose from.
I decided on South Florida, and more specifically Fort Lauderdale area. I’ve been to Miami numerous times but never to neighboring Ft. Lauderdale. I’ve heard so many people rave about Hollywood Beach, so I figured this was the perfect time to check it out.
I’m so glad that we did because it was an absolute blast!
It’s a very artsy, Old Florida type of town. It’s the perfect location for an easy, laid-back beach vacation. You can do as little or as much as you want to do.
While there are plenty of things to do and see around town, you can just stick to the beach/Broadwalk area and easily have a great time.
So, if you’re looking to go to Hollywood, Florida with Kids, read on for all the details you’ll need to get your trip planned. (Or feel free to email me for help!)
Best Time to Visit Hollywood, Florida with Kids
Since it’s South Florida, you’ll get beach weather year-round. However, the best time to visit is November – March.
If you’re trying to escape the winter weather and want to stay stateside, this is your spot. Winter temperatures are in the mid- to high- 70s. The temperatures are perfect, but this is also when “snow birds” flock down. This means that higher crowds and depending on the week, higher prices.
Another great season to visit is Spring. Temperatures are still great- in the 80s- and if you stay away from Spring Break weeks, the crowds and prices will be reasonable.
Fall is the shoulder season. The temperatures are in the 80s- but, it’s hurricane season (June 1 – November 30) and still the rainy season. Temperature-wise, it’s mild and since school is back in session, the crowds are smaller. You can really luck out with a great vacation if the weather obeys!
Summer brings hot temperatures (up to the 90s) and high humidity. The rainy season is also from June – September. Coupled with summer break of school, this season is peak heat, peak crowds, and peak prices.
Where to Stay in Hollywood, Florida with Kids
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
We stayed here and I can’t recommend it enough! Read my review of the resort here.
It has numerous types of rooms—standard, junior suites, and multi-bedroom suites. The resort is FULL of family friendly amenities and it’s directly on the Broadwalk, in the middle of the action. Beachside, multiple pools, Kid’s Club, on-site restaurants, free bike rentals, live entertainment, even their own app!
Check out the rooms and book here.
Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood
This was my second choice for our trip and am planning to stay here when I visit again!
Another amazing option for families. There are standard rooms and one-bedroom suites. Infinity pools, a beachside lagoon, dip+slide kids splash zone, six restaurants, and complimentary daily water rentals, bike rentals, and group fitness classes! (The only downside is that it’s a little removed from the action as it’s on the other end of the Broadwalk.)
Check out the rooms and book here.
Also directly on the Broadwalk, in a prime location, the Marriott offers both standard rooms and suites. The resort is beachside, there’s a large pool area with a jacuzzi, bike rentals, an on-site restaurant and beachside bar.
Check out the rooms and book here.
How to Get to Hollywood, Florida with Kids
These are the two closest airports to Hollywood, both major international hubs:
FLL – Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, about 20 minutes and 8 miles away from Hollywood. All of the major airlines fly to FLL. The airport serves 75 different destinations, domestic and international, with 300 daily flights so won’t have an issue finding a flight here. Very easy to get through too!
MIA – Miami International Airport, about 30 minutes and 20 miles away from Hollywood. MIA is a huge US hub. The airport has over 1,000 flights daily to 167 domestic and international destinations. It’ll be easy to find a flight here, but it’s a beast of an airport so be prepared for a lot of walking and crowds.
Getting Around Hollywood, Florida with Kids
Walk
If you’re staying around the beach and Broadwalk, you can easily walk around during your trip.
Sun Shuttle
A shuttle is available to get you around town (from the beach to downtown), for $2 a person you can request a ride through the Sun Shuttle app. Or for free, you can wave the shuttle down when you see it and catch a ride to wherever it’s going. Read more and check the stops here.
Water Trolly
Get around town on the water… for free! Offered by Water Taxi, you can hop on a trolly along one of the 8 stops on the Riverwalk. It operates every 30 minutes, daily from 10am – 10pm.
Car
If you want to drive around to neighboring towns like Fort Lauderdale and Miami, get a car. I always get the best deals on rental cars here.
Things to Do in Hollywood, Florida with Kids
The Beach
Hollywood Beach is amazing—it’s wide, goes on for miles, and the water is clear. (It was even named one of Fodor’s “Best Beach for Families!”)
If you stay at a resort on the beach, you’ll get chairs and umbrellas along with your reservations (if not, you can rent them). Additionally, some resorts have full service on the beach so you can get food and drinks right at your beach chair.
The beach has a lot of options for water activities too—jet skis, surf lessons, kayaking, parasailing, paddleboats, or just swimming. There are multiple volleyball nets set up on the beach so you can jump in and play or watch others playing.
There are also options for beach photographers! (With our reservation at Margaritaville, the sitting session was included with our reservation, and we just had to pay for the photos we wanted to buy.) With the beach, the blue water, the palm trees, and the cool retro lifeguard stands, there’s a perfect backdrop for family photos.
Right along the beach is the Broadwalk, a very BROAD (get it, lol) promenade. It’s lined with resorts, restaurants, shopping, bars, and ice cream shops. The FlowRider Surf Machine is right next to Margaritaville so you can watch people trying to surf too.
The path is brick paved (so it’s very stroller friendly) and goes on for 2.5 miles. You can take a stroll and see other pedestrians, bikers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, or scooters flying past you.
There’s live music in multiple places, but right next to Margaritaville there’s an outdoor stage, called the Hollywood Beach Theater, with a seating area where there are live performances nightly. (Can’t get better than dancing next to the beach). The music varies throughout the week and ranges from Spanish to rock to pop.
Along the Broadwalk is a small park with a big splash pad, picnic pavilions, paddleball (or hand/racquetball) courts, a small playground, and gym equipment. It’s a perfect spot to take the kids after the beach to run around in the splash pad while you get some shade.
Right next to the park are bathrooms, a soda machine, a snack machine, and a public parking lot too.
Head downtown (on the Sun Shuttle!) and check out the 10-acre park, Young Circle. There’s an amphitheater that hosts free weekly events, a playground and splash pad, art themed activities and events, and a beautiful park setting where the kids can run around.
The Visual Arts Pavilion even has live glass blowing demonstrations that you can watch. There are also different types of lessons offered like Salsa dancing or Martial Arts.
The Broadwalk is perfect to bike on! There is even a dedicated lane for bikes/skaters/etc. Since it’s over 2 miles long, it’ll be much easier to bike it instead of walk.
Many resorts have complimentary bike rentals BUT they don’t have trailers or baby seat attachments. So, if you need one, or a kid bike, try one of the many bike rental shops all along the Broadwalk.
Hollywood Beach also offers a unique family bike called a surrey. Two people pedal in the front while two can relax in the back (because isn’t that how parenthood usually goes? Ha!)
Take a ride on the River Taxi
For all boat lovers! Not only can you take the River Taxi to get around, but it’s a great activity to check out the area by water. Enjoy the fresh air and a refreshing drink while you cruise on the Intracoastal Highway.
Tour guides will give you a history of the area and recommend spots to check out. There are 11 stops that you can disembark on for restaurants, drinks, and shopping. Buy tickets here.
FAQs about Hollywood, Florida with Kids
Is Hollywood Florida good for families?
Yes! Hollywood, Florida is a very family friendly beach town. I would even say the town is actually geared towards families. There are plenty of resorts right on the Broadwalk that offer Kid’s Clubs and family friendly pool with slides, restaurants that and there’s a splash pad at Charnow Park.
Is Hollywood Beach safe for kids?
Absolutely. Since Hollywood, Florida is so family friendly, kids are safe. The Broadwalk is very well lit, and the beach has lifeguards and beach attendants to help visitors.
Is Hollywood Florida worth visiting?
Yes! Whether you are visiting with a family or not, Hollywood, Florida has an amazing beach vibe where you can unwind and relax.
Is Hollywood Beach better than Miami Beach?
With kids, I prefer Hollywood Beach over Miami Beach. It’s less expensive, geared to families, and so much easier to get around.
Wrapping Up Hollywood, Florida with Kids
For a relaxing, easy-peasy beach vacation, Hollywood Beach is your spot. It’s a very family friendly spot where you can do as much or as little as you want.
Staying at a resort on the Broadwalk, like Margaritaville, The Diplomat, or Hollywood Beach Marriott, will offer you plenty of amenities.
Activities like visiting the beach, walking or biking the Broadwalk, splashing around at Charnow Park, and visiting ArtSpark offer a great variety of ways to enjoy Hollywood, Florida with kids.
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