The city of Hollywood first came about when Joseph Young arrived in the area of southeastern Florida in 1920. He had the goal of building his own "Dream City in Florida" with parks, schools, churches, and golf courses. He spent millions of dollars constructing the new city, and as a result, he was elected its first mayor in 1925. Young decided to name the new community "Hollywood by the Sea" to distinguish it from another real-estate venture of his in New York, "Hollywood in the Hills." The city grew substantially over the next few decades, and by 1960, Hollywood featured over 2,400 hotel units and 12,170 single-family homes.
Today, Hollywood has an approximate population of 155,000 and is revered for its gorgeous golf courses, pristine beaches, scenic parks, and the famous Hollywood Beach Boardwalk. Hollywood Beach is a lovely spot to enjoy some sunbathing or swimming, and the nearby boardwalk is a great place to go for a run, a pleasant stroll, or a rollerblading adventure. Another great place to get some fresh air is Anne Kolb Nature Center, which offers excellent boating opportunities and beautiful trails to explore. You could also head to Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, which features a water park, biking trails, sports courts, a picnic area, and much more.
You'll also have plenty to do around Hollywood if you're a fan of the arts. For example, you could check out the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project, a fantastic collection of breathtaking murals. You could also check out the stunning galleries at the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood. Another cool attraction to visit is the Marine Environmental Education Center, where you can observe and learn about the fascinating sea turtles.
If you want to pick up some tasty fresh produce, you'll want to stop by the Yellow Green Farmers Market. And when you're ready for lunch or dinner, restaurants like GG's Waterfront, Runas Peruvian Cuisine, and The Tipsy Boar are all top-notch dining destinations.
Caribbean Latin Festival - The annual Caribbean Latin Festival is taking place at Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater in mid-February. The lively event will feature live music, delicious food and beverages, and much more!
Octoberfest in Paradise - Come on out to the annual Octoberfest in Paradise event for a day of live music, brews, cocktails, and tasty food. The festival is happening in early October at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.
Riverwalk Annual Fall Festival - Bring your whole family out to Esplanade Park in mid-October for the Riverwalk Annual Fall Festival. Attendees will enjoy a kid zone, carnival-themed games, pumpkin decorating, and lots of other great activities.
The nearest national park to Hollywood is Biscayne National Park, which is a water-bound wonderland situated just off the Atlantic Coast. The park comprises over 172,000 acres of crystal-blue water, glittering reefs, and tropical paradise. Visitors to the gorgeous park can enjoy world-class fishing, boating, and snorkeling. You can also go scuba diving to check out the amazing shallow-water shipwrecks or take one of the park's many guided tours. If you're lucky, you may get to spot unique crustaceans or leaping bottlenose dolphins.
Another amazing national park in southern Florida is Everglades National Park, which covers roughly 1.5 million acres, making it the country's largest tropical wilderness. There are lots of things to do in the massive park, including airboat tours, hiking, and backcountry camping. You can also observe the area's fascinating wildlife, which includes manatees, Florida panthers, American crocodiles, and a variety of interesting bird species.
If you're up for a journey, you could make your way to Dry Tortugas National Park, which can only be reached via boat or seaplane. Located 70 miles west of Key West, FL, the park is spread across seven beautiful islands and is home to a historic fortress, a lighthouse, and a large population of sea turtles. Popular activities for visitors include boating, paddling, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Located a short distance from Miami, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is an undersea area that's perfect for diving, snorkeling, boating, and swimming. The park also features a visitor center with an aquarium and several lovely nature trails to explore.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a unique recreation area comprised of 16 different natural communities. The diverse park contains several rivers, the Hobe Mountain sand dune, and a wonderful nature center. Visitors can partake in a wide variety of activities, including hiking, biking, camping, horse-drawn carriage riding, interpretive boat tours, kayaking, canoeing, and more.
If you're looking for a beautiful island retreat, Long Key State Park is an excellent choice. The tropical park, which is known for its breathtaking sunrises, offers a serene atmosphere for activities like boating, hiking, bird-watching, and swimming.
There are quite a few interesting monuments and landmarks worth taking the time to visit around Florida. If you head to Key West, you could visit the Southernmost Point of the continental United States. The spot is marked by a large, colorful buoy, which presents a fantastic photo opportunity.
Another cool landmark to visit is the Coral Castle, which is located in Homestead, FL, and is one of the more unique attractions in the state. The castle, built with over 1,100 tons of coral rock, was originally conceived in the 1920s by a man named Edward Leedskalnin. Today, you can take a memorable tour of the site for a small fee.
In Miami, you should make a point to stop by the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, which is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deering. The site boasts wonderful Italian Renaissance gardens, historic village outbuildings, and a beautiful landscape to explore.
One wonderful camping option in the Hollywood area is the Hollywood KOA, which features 122 full-hookup RV campsites available for $45 per night. The campground offers a variety of amenities and is located conveniently close to shopping and dining destinations.
You could also stay at Holiday Park, which has 123 RV campsites available for upwards of $45 per night. You can rent a full-hookup site and enjoy the nearby Gulfstream Park race course and the stadium where the Miami Dolphins play. The park is also located only a short distance from the beautiful Hallandale Beach.
Another superb camping destination near Hollywood is the Paradise Island RV Resort. There, you can stay at one of the 232 full-hookup RV campsites for upwards of $45 per night. While you're there, you'll be able to enjoy amenities like a game room, a lending library, and a fitness center.