Historic Downtown Hollywood
Immerse yourself in culture in Historic Downtown Hollywood, home to art galleries and studios, jazz clubs, the ArtsPark at Young Circle and cultural arts facilities. Expand your horizons with an art class or current gallery exhibition at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, 1650 Harrison St. (954-921-3274).

Just across the street is the stunning ArtsPark, a 10-acre arts and entertainment attraction at Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 1. The focal point is the spectacular Millennium Springs, a dancing work of art that is rhythmically linked to the life-energy waves of a nearby African baobab tree through six artist-designed sound poles. The ArtsPark features ongoing live entertainment and a Visual Arts Pavilion with exhibitions, demonstrations and classes in jewelry-making and glassblowing (954-921-3500).

Hollywood Beach
Enjoy year-round entertainment, cultural events and annual festivals along the auto-free Broadwalk, part of the 35-acre Broadwalk Historic District. Take a historical or arts-themed guided bicycle excursion with HT4 Kewl Tours (202-375-0283). End the day on an upbeat note at the open-air Hollywood Beach Theater, with "Music & Dancing Under the Stars" every Monday through Wednesday or the Broadwalk Friday Fest cultural performance series every second and fourth Friday.
 

Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park
Explore a 1,500-acre mangrove wetland preserve by foot, bicycle, paddle or guided pontoon boat tour. Get an up-close look at a 3,500-gallon aquarium. Climb a 68-foot Observation Tower for a breathtaking panoramic view of the nature preserve and coastline (954-926-2480).

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
Canoe through a scenic mangrove-lined inlet or kayak out in the ocean. Friday nights around the campfire in June and July, learn about sea turtles' ancient rite of crawling onto moonlit beaches to nest. Then experience this natural wonder firsthand on a guided sea turtle walk (954-923-2833).

ArtsPark at Young Circle
Watch billowing fountains of water dance and hear a magnificent baobab tree "sing." Toss a Frisbee, read a book, or just relax, reflect and drink in the natural beauty of this stunning downtown attraction (954-921-3500).

Guided Bicycle Tours
HT4 Kewl Tours offers The Hollywood Trails: Historic and Eco-Adventure Kewl Bicycle Tours, 5- to 30-mile rides along safe bike paths and the beach. Located at Sun & Fun Cycles on the Beach Broadwalk at Hayes Street (202-375-0283).
 

There's something to please every palate in Hollywood's Downtown and Beach districts, where dining options include outstanding oceanfront, dockside and Zagat-rated restaurants serving the freshest Florida seafood and an extensive international menu of Asian, Caribbean, European, French, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latin, Mediterranean, Mexican and, of course, American cuisine. From trendy bistros to charming sidewalk cafés, casual eateries to gourmet restaurants, the Beach and Downtown landscapes are dotted with seemingly endless possibilities. Award-winning Downtown standouts include Lola's on Harrison, whose updated American classics recently were voted "Best Comfort Food" in all of Broward and Palm Beach counties; and Sage French Café & Oyster Bar, declared the 2009 "Best New Restaurant in Broward." Among the beach-area notables are the laidback Le Tub Saloon, widely recognized for both its funky bathtub-and-commode décor and the signature sirloin burger that's been declared the "Best Hamburger in America" by GQ magazine and other leading publications.
 

The Broadwalk
Florida's only auto-free oceanfront promenade provides a safe and scenic setting for strolling, rollerblading or bicycling. Pick up a rental at the Bike Shack, Sun & Fun Cycles or Hollywood Bike Rentals, and check out the inviting beach bars, casual waterfront restaurants, quaint retro shops and Old Florida architectural styles along the 2.5-mile Broadwalk. Reserve a cabana and lounge chairs (954-961-0081) and watch the sun set on another day in paradise. Dance on the tables at the popular Greek bistro Taverna Opa, or savor the sirloin burger that's been declared the best in the country at the funky, laidback Le Tub Saloon.

Off the Beaten Path
Secluded North Beach is the locals' best-kept secret, while South Beach offers yet another alternative to the bustling Broadwalk. Picnic at tables nestled among sea grape trees in North Beach, and take in the great views of the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway from the 60-foot Observation Tower.

Up the road from North Beach Park is John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, home to an abundance of recreational activities, small-watercraft rentals and the Loggerhead Café. The park has two boat ramps with easy ocean access, and the beach offers one of the best shore dives around.
 

In Hollywood, a night on the town can be as low-key or lively as the mood inspires. Take a romantic moonlit stroll along the beach or oceanfront pedestrian Broadwalk, and enjoy live music and dancing under the stars several times weekly at the outdoor Hollywood Beach Theater. The Historic Downtown District is home to spirited pubs and jazz clubs, sophisticated wine bars and martini lounges, art galleries, unique boutiques and decadent dessert shops. You can literally dance your way through the streets of Downtown Hollywood, where live music emanates from numerous establishments, including Sushi Blues Café, Legends Café, La Piazza Pasta Café, Chocolada, Luce and Megabite CyberCafé, which also hosts open mic nights. For specialty entertainment, La Barraca Tapas Bar & Café features flamenco dancing on weekends, while Spice Resto-Lounge offers nightly salsa and meringue with DJs and bands. The ArtsPark at Young Circle, a 10-acre attraction in the heart of Downtown Hollywood, also presents free blues concerts on Blue Moon Thursdays and Plaza Performances on Friday nights.
 

Charnow Park
Savor kid-friendly menus at scenic cafes near the newly renovated beachfront park, featuring two playgrounds, a shaded entertainment plaza, picnic pavilions and a refreshing water plaza. Bring your own bikes or rent them on the Broadwalk for a safe family ride along the auto-free promenade.

Castaway Island at T.Y. Park
In addition to the popular water playground complex, the 150-acre park features a zero-entry swimming lagoon, covered play areas, picnic areas and shelters, a concession stand and campground. Rent bicycles, a six-seat "limo carriage," paddle boats, kayaks and canoes (954-357-8811).

ArtsPark at Young Circle
Splash around in an interactive fountain or explore the innovative European playground. On weekends, enjoy Imagination Hour storytelling and interactive activities, and arts & crafts in the ArtsPark Fun Shop (954-921-3500).

Funtastic Fridays for Kids
Clowns, karaoke, games, crafts, a bounce house and more are in store at this free family social event from 5 to 9 p.m. at Anniversary Park (954-921-3016). Youngsters ages 10 and younger can enjoy a free kids' menu meal at several downtown restaurants, and casual, family-friendly dining options are available at affordable eateries throughout the Beach and Downtown districts.
 

Dog Beach of Hollywood
Well-mannered pooches can play on a 100-yard stretch of sand and surf on North Beach between Pershing and Custer streets. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and 3 to 7 p.m. the rest of the year, Friday through Sunday. Daily passes are $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents (954-921-3404).

Historic Downtown Hollywood
Fido is welcome to frolic in the 10-acre ArtsPark at Young Circle or people-watch from a prime spot at a charming sidewalk café. Lola's on Harrison will even host a birthday party for your four-legged family member with a special menu and cake (954-927-9851).

"The Dogs of Summer"
Animal-lovers can enjoy pet-themed exhibitions at the downtown Art and Culture Center June 19 - August 16: "Tillamook Cheddar Mid-Career Retrospective 1999-2009," "It's a Dog's Life" and "we ♥ pets," a salon-style show that welcomes photographs, artwork, poems and stories of pets (954-921-3274). Tillamook "Tillie" Cheddar, a Jack Russell Terrier regarded as the world's pre-eminent canine artist, will make a special appearance at the June 19 opening reception and at "The Dogs of Summer," a free pet-themed festival June 20-21 at the ArtsPark (www.everythinghollywood.org).