If you only have three days in South Florida, you might think you need to choose between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or another big-name beach destination.
But there’s another option.
Hollywood Beach, Florida.
Tucked between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood offers something that can be surprisingly hard to find in South Florida: a beach vacation where you can actually slow down. The beach, Broadwalk, restaurants, entertainment, parks, and plenty of activities are all close enough that you don’t have to spend your vacation sitting in traffic. The city’s famous Hollywood Beach Broadwalk stretches nearly 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean and is lined with restaurants, cafés, shops, rentals, entertainment, and beach access.
Three days is just about the perfect amount of time to experience it.
Here’s how we’d spend them.
Day 1: Beach, Broadwalk & Sunset
Morning: Start With the Ocean
Don’t overcomplicate your first morning.
Get up early, grab a coffee, and head toward the beach.
The early hours are one of the best times to experience Hollywood Beach. The temperatures are cooler, the beach is quieter, and the Atlantic gives you the perfect backdrop for a morning walk.
If you’re staying at The Tel, you’re already in the heart of the experience. The beach and Broadwalk are just steps away, making it easy to start the day without getting in a car.
Walk barefoot in the sand. Take a swim. Sit by the water for a while.
You’re on vacation. There’s no reason to rush.
Late Morning: Explore the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
After some time on the beach, head onto the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.
And don’t just walk a few blocks.
The Broadwalk runs for nearly 2.5 miles along the Atlantic, with pedestrians, runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, restaurants, cafés, shops, and beach activities sharing the route.
Rent a bike or simply walk until something catches your attention.
Stop for breakfast or brunch.
Grab an iced coffee.
Find a place overlooking the ocean.
People-watch.
One of the best things about Hollywood is that you don’t necessarily need an itinerary.
The Broadwalk is the itinerary.
Afternoon: Beach Time
After lunch, go back to the beach.
This is where a three-day trip starts to feel different from a traditional sightseeing vacation.
You don’t need to see everything.
Spend a few hours swimming, reading, relaxing, or simply doing nothing.
If you’re traveling with kids, Charnow Park is another great stop. The beachfront park includes a children’s water playground and other family-friendly amenities.
Evening: Dinner by the Water
As the sun starts to drop, clean up and head out for dinner.
Hollywood gives you plenty of options, from casual Broadwalk restaurants to waterfront dining along the Intracoastal.
For a more upscale evening, consider GG’s Waterfront, which sits directly on the Intracoastal and offers a completely different atmosphere from eating directly on the beach.
If seafood is your thing, Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant is another longtime Hollywood option.
Night: Stay for the Music
Don’t automatically go back to the hotel after dinner.
Check the current schedule for the Hollywood Beach Theatre. The Broadwalk regularly hosts live music and other entertainment, giving you a chance to enjoy an evening outside without needing a car or an expensive night out.
Then take one more walk along the beach before calling it a night.
Day one: beach, food, music and zero stress.
That’s a pretty good start.
Day 2: Explore the Side of Hollywood Most Visitors Miss
Day two is when you discover that Hollywood is more than just a beach.
Morning: Head North
Start your morning with a walk or bike ride toward Hollywood North Beach.
The northern end of Hollywood Beach has a quieter, more natural feel than the central Broadwalk area. Hollywood North Beach Park offers beach access, shaded areas, walking and biking opportunities, and views toward the Intracoastal Waterway.
It’s a great place to see a different side of Hollywood.
If you’re up for a longer adventure, the Hollywood-Dania North Beach Trail runs 1.55 miles each way between Hollywood North Beach Park and Dania Beach Pier.
You don’t have to complete the entire route.
Just explore.
Late Morning: Anne Kolb Nature Center
Now for one of Hollywood’s best surprises.
Leave the beach and head toward the Anne Kolb Nature Center.
The center sits within more than 1,500 acres of coastal mangrove wetlands and offers walking and biking paths, nature trails, fishing opportunities, and an observation tower.
After spending the first day almost entirely around the ocean, the change of scenery is remarkable.
Suddenly you’re surrounded by mangroves, waterways and wildlife.
It’s a reminder that Hollywood isn’t simply a beach destination.
It’s a coastal South Florida ecosystem.
Afternoon: Lunch & Relax
After exploring, head back toward the beach for lunch.
This is where we recommend not making your schedule too aggressive.
Have lunch.
Go back to your hotel.
Take a nap.
Get back in the pool or head to the beach.
Spend some time on your balcony.
One of the biggest mistakes people make on a three-day vacation is trying to cram five days of activities into three days.
Don’t.
Hollywood is at its best when you give yourself time to enjoy it.
Late Afternoon: Explore Downtown Hollywood
If you’re ready for something different, head inland toward Downtown Hollywood.
This gives you another completely different side of the city, with restaurants, arts, culture, and local businesses centered around ArtsPark at Young Circle and the downtown district. The city describes Downtown Hollywood as a place where culture, dining and local energy come together.
Walk around.
Grab a drink.
Browse the shops.
Have dinner if something catches your eye.
Then head back toward the beach.
Evening: Sunset on the Intracoastal
For your second evening, consider changing things up.
Instead of watching the sunset over the Atlantic, find a waterfront restaurant along the Intracoastal.
Places such as GG’s Waterfront and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill offer a very different South Florida atmosphere.
Boats passing by.
Drinks.
Waterfront tables.
A sunset.
And nowhere you need to be afterward.
Day 3: Your “Do Nothing” Day
This might be the most important day.
You’ve already explored.
You’ve seen the Broadwalk.
You’ve been to the beach.
You’ve discovered the nature side of Hollywood.
Now it’s time to actually enjoy your vacation.
Morning: Sunrise & Breakfast
Start with one final sunrise walk.
Walk the beach.
Grab breakfast.
Take your time.
You might even realize that your favorite part of the trip wasn’t one particular attraction.
It was simply being able to walk outside and have the ocean right there.
Late Morning: Pick Your Adventure
Depending on your travel style, use your final morning for one last activity.
You could:
- Rent bikes and explore more of the Broadwalk
- Spend a few hours swimming
- Try a water activity
- Visit another section of the beach
- Explore the northern beach area
- Simply lounge on the sand
The City of Hollywood highlights water sports, bike rentals, beach activities, restaurants and live entertainment among the major things to experience around Hollywood Beach.
There’s no wrong answer.
Lunch: One Last Beachfront Meal
For lunch, keep it casual.
Grab tacos, seafood, a sandwich or whatever sounds good.
A place like The Mermaid Queen puts you directly on the Broadwalk with an oceanfront setting.
Or wander until something catches your eye.
That’s part of the Hollywood Beach experience.
Afternoon: One Last Beach Day
This is the part where you should resist the urge to “do something.”
Find a chair.
Put your phone away.
Listen to the ocean.
Go swimming.
Read a book.
Take a nap.
Your vacation is almost over.
Enjoy it.
Before You Leave: One Last Walk
Before heading home, take one final walk down the Broadwalk.
This time, you won’t be looking at it like a tourist.
You’ll know where the beach is quieter.
You’ll know where to grab coffee.
You’ll know where to eat.
You’ll know where the music is.
And you’ll probably already be thinking about coming back.
Where to Stay for Your Hollywood Beach Getaway
Location matters when you only have three days.
You don’t want to spend your vacation driving between the hotel, beach, restaurants and activities.
That’s one of the biggest advantages of staying close to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.
The Tel puts you just steps from Hollywood Beach and close to the Broadwalk, making it easy to build your entire trip around walking, exploring and enjoying the destination rather than getting in a car every few hours.
It’s particularly well suited to travelers who want a smaller, more intimate boutique-hotel experience rather than a massive resort.
And for a three-day trip, that convenience matters.
Wake up.
Walk to the beach.
Come back.
Change.
Walk to lunch.
Go back to the beach.
Walk to dinner.
Watch the sunset.
No complicated logistics.
Just Hollywood.
The Perfect 3-Day Hollywood Beach Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — The Classic Hollywood Beach Experience
Morning: Beach + sunrise walk
Late morning: Breakfast + Broadwalk
Afternoon: Beach + Charnow Park
Evening: Waterfront dinner
Night: Live music + Broadwalk stroll
Day 2 — Discover More of Hollywood
Morning: Hollywood North Beach
Late morning: Anne Kolb Nature Center
Afternoon: Lunch + hotel + beach
Late afternoon: Downtown Hollywood
Evening: Intracoastal dinner + sunset
Day 3 — Slow Down
Morning: Sunrise + breakfast
Late morning: Bike ride or water activity
Lunch: Casual beachfront restaurant
Afternoon: Final beach day
Before leaving: One last Broadwalk walk
Three Days. No Rush. Just Hollywood.
The perfect Hollywood Beach vacation isn’t about checking off every attraction.
It’s about finding the right balance.
A little adventure.
A lot of beach.
Great food.
Long walks.
Live music.
Nature.
Sunsets.
And enough free time that you actually feel like you were on vacation.
That’s what makes Hollywood Beach different.
You can fill every hour if you want to.
Or you can do almost nothing at all.
And after three days, you’ll probably wish you had booked four.
Ready to experience Hollywood Beach for yourself?
Make The Tel your home base and discover the beach, Broadwalk, restaurants, nature and local experiences that make Hollywood one of South Florida’s best weekend getaways.
Book Here to make a reservation.
