|
FAMILIES WHO PLAY TOGETHER ...
A Focus on the Family: Hollywood, Florida Includes Something for Everyone
HOLLYWOOD, FL - Family time has become a priority for parents who understand the importance and value of maintaining traditions. The family vacation happens to be one of those customs that affords families the opportunity to re-connect with one another and enjoy each other’s company.
Hollywood, Fla., a re-emerging destination, understands the meaning of these traditions and knows how to cater to families as it offers a wide variety of stimulating, fun-filled activities for children and adults. A city for everyone, no family member gets left behind when planning a vacation in this “Dream City.”
With kid-friendly hotels and resorts, year-round warm weather boasting 3,000 hours of sunshine, seven miles of Blue Wave beaches, recreational and interactive parks galore, nature and educational opportunities, and continuous activities and special holiday-themed events that can be enjoyed by the entire family, this quintessential beach town reigns supreme for family vacations.
Planning the Family Vacation
Whether planning a vacation in a nearby city or across the country, vacation planning can be made fun and easy by using the Internet. Together, families can use travel Web sites to research, plan and book their vacations. For those considering Hollywood for a vacation, the city’s tourism Web site, visitHollywoodFL.org, has a comprehensive listing of places to stay and visit, not to mention a wide variety of things to do.
Although a year-round, value-added destination, families planning a trip to Hollywood may want to consider vacationing during the area’s off-season for added savings. Length and dates of stay can also mean the difference between paying more or less. Mid-week stays tend to be less expensive than those for weekend stays.
Next, decide where to stay. Check the Hollywood Web site for special deals or log onto hotel sites for special amenities and family discounts. Many hotel sites provide interactive property maps, weather reports, live beach cams, online travel planners with tips, and descriptions of the activities available to prepare an itinerary before arriving.
Hollywood provides countless options for family-friendly accommodations. The city boasts 30 Superior Small Lodgings, including family-owned properties. The beach also has a number of larger hotel and resort chains including the Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort and the Hollywood Beach Marriott.
One full-service hotel that provides children’s programs in Hollywood is The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Keeping families in mind, the resort offers The Westin Family Fun Package, which includes:
•Special check-in area and orientation with a member of the “Fun Team”
•Single room, guaranteed connecting rooms, or a suite
• $100 resort credit per day
•Food and Beverage Amenities – Kids 5 and under eat free from the kids menu; kids 6-12 receive 50 percent off items on the regular menu; free souvenir cup with unlimited soft drinks, juices and milk, available at all outlets
• Age appropriate amenity for each child in the room upon arrival
• Complimentary crib/roll away if needed in the room upon arrival
• Evening entertainment arranged by the "Director of Fun"
The Hollywood Family Vacation: The Ideal Itinerary (Based on a Seven-Day Stay)
Start the family vacation by checking in to the hotel. If there are daylight hours left, squeeze in some time at the beach and enjoy the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This suggested itinerary is based on a seven-day stay, but vacationers may select favorite activities for shorter trips.
DAY 1 |
|
Rent bicycles and enjoy a scenic ride along the newly renovated Broadwalk. Named one of America’s “Top 10 Nostalgic Promenades” by USA Today, the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is a brick-lined pedestrian promenade bordered by six miles of coastline, boutique hotels, charming shops, and cafes. Bikes may be rented by the hour, day or week. Speak to a hotel concierge for reservations.
Ride down to Charnow Park, a beachfront park on the Broadwalk, with shaded seating areas and a picnic pavilion, playground and interactive fountain. Prepare a picnic on the beach while watching the kids play in the sand and on the swings. Charnow Park, between Garfield and Connecticut Street, on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, P: 954.921.3404
After lunch, partake in a family activity and build sand castles while basking in the sun. In the late afternoon, ride back to the hotel and settle in for dinner and make it an early night.
|
DAY 2 |
|
Spend the day at John U. Lloyd State Park and enjoy the:
• Camping grounds
• Picnic area
• Nature trails
• Boat tours
• Wildlife viewing
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Swimming
John U. Lloyd State Park, 6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach
P: 954.923.2833, www.floridastateparks.org/lloydbeach
Other options include a visit to the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, one of three converging parks in the area, where you can canoe, kayak, bike, hike, fish, or take a boat tour; or visit Castaway Island in Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, an interactive water playground with seven slides and a separate pool for toddlers along with lounge chairs and umbrellas surrounding the pool for adults.
Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood
P: 954.926.2480, www.broward.org/parks
Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (TY Park), 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood
P: 954.985.1980, www.broward.org/parks
|
DAY 3 |
|
For adventure and thrills that children will love, take a half-day trip to Billie Swamp Safari. From swamp buggy eco-tours and airboat rides to alligator, snake and swamp critter shows, the kids will enjoy an entertaining morning with the wildlife of the Everglades. Billie Swamp Safari, P: 800.949.6101, www.seminoletribe.com/safari
Return to the hotel for an afternoon dip in the pool.
For dinner and entertainment head out again to Dave & Buster's, a 58,000 sq. ft. entertainment complex with video games and pool tables. Dave & Buster's, 3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, P: 954.923.5505, www.daveandbusters.com
|
DAY 4 |
|
During the early morning, enjoy the beach. Chair, umbrella, and cabana rentals are available at many spots along the beach.
At noon, go lunch at Le Tub on A1A. Le Tub is one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite South Florida restaurants, but visitors should not expect a fancy restaurant. Le Tub is loaded with discarded bathtubs, cracked commodes, and other household flotsam. GQ claimed Le Tub is "a dream of a dump" and serves "the best hamburger in America." Arrive with enough time and expect no rush as the place is always crowded. Le Tub, 1100 N. Ocean, Hollywood, P: 954.921.9425
Take a Trolley to the ArtsPark at Young Circle in Downtown Hollywood and:
• Catch a glass blowing demonstration
• Listen to the singing baobab tree
• Bring a blanket and sit under a tree while watching the kids at the Children's Play Area, a playground with interactive fountains that bursts water for play, designed to stimulate creativity
NOTE: For weekend visitors Saturday mornings are always entertaining at the ArtsPark at Young Circle with ever-changing exhibits, classes, music, and more. Built in 2003, the ArtsPark at Young Circle is an arts-themed park on a 10-acre area of land in downtown Hollywood.
ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood Blvd. at U.S. 1, P:954.921.3404, www.hollywoodfl.org/artspark
Cross the street and have an early dinner at Mama Mia Italian Ristorante, featuring an award-winning cuisine and affordable menu. Mama Mia Italian Risorante, 1818 South Youth Circle, Hollywood, P: 954.923.0555, www.miagrill.com
After dinner, enjoy a stroll around Historic Downtown Hollywood with its brick lined walks and blocks of unique boutiques, art galleries, and sidewalk cafés. Pick up a colorful souvenir from Mosaica, which is both a working mosaic art studio and contemporary fine art gift gallery displaying the work of more than 100 different crafters from around the world. www.downtownhollywood.com
Finish the evening with a dessert treat from Nilus Delights on Young Circle and return back to the hotel for some sweet dreams. Nilus Delights, 1854 N. Young Circle, Hollywood, P: 954.927.6005
|
DAY 5 |
|
The day begins and ends at Boomers, a Hollywood theme park with rock walls, sky coasters, and bumper cars. Boomers, 1801 NW 1st Street, Dania Beach, P: 954.921.1411, www.boomerspark.com
|
DAY 6 |
|
Relax all-day poolside or on the beach. Moms and dads can take turns watching the children while each enjoy some "me" time - he golfs/ she spas. For a list of golf courses, log onto VisitHollywoodFL.com. Most full-service hotels have a spa for moms to enjoy. Being a hotel guest is not required to enjoy a spa day.
|
DAY 7 |
|
Sleep in Sunday morning.
Start the day mid-morning with a family Sunday brunch at Broadwalk Restaurant & Grill, a small diner famous for its delicious variety of breakfast foods. Broadwalk Restaurant & Grill, 1400 N. Surf Rd., Hollywood, P: 954.922.0322
Prepare to leave paradise and return home.
|
To learn more about Hollywood, its water and eco-friendly activities, evolving dining and nightlife scene, and the value-added accommodations, visit www.visithollywoodfl.org.
Attn Editors: Color photography available.
About Hollywood, Florida
Situated between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood, Florida, the 2007 All-America City and one of Fodor's 2009 "Best Beaches for Families," is a desirable year-round destination offering more than 5,000 hotel rooms at a variety of hotels, resorts and Superior Small Lodgings. Minutes away from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport and home to Port Everglades, the largest cruise port in the world, Hollywood visitors enjoy seven miles of Blue Wave beaches; a two-and-a-half-mile European-style Broadwalk lined with cafés, restaurants, boutique and full-service hotels and resorts as well as vacation apartments facing the ocean; a revitalized Historic Downtown Hollywood and new ArtsPark at Young Circle; and an array of activities including first-class shopping, waterfront, nature and dining experiences. For more information about Hollywood, FL, contact the Hollywood Office of Tourism at (877) 672-2468 or visit www.visithollywoodfl.org.
|
|
