Beaches

Hallandale Beach

At the southern end of Greater Fort Lauderdale, just before crossing into Miami, is Hallandale Beach. This beach is home to two fantastic beach parks: South City, where you’ll find a playground and volleyball courts, and North City, which is smaller but right by the ocean (and home to the locally designed Beach Ball Water Tower—perfect for an Instagram moment). For dining on the water, head to upscale eatery ETARU, a Japanese bar and grill that delivers directly to the sand at its beach bar on weekends. Time your trip to be in town during the fourth Sunday of the month in season (between December and April), when South City Beach Park showcases local musicians during its Beach Entertainment Series.

Hollywood

Along the brick-paved Hollywood Beach Broadwalk—which stretches over two and a half miles from Jefferson Street to Sheridan Street, ending at Hollywood North Beach Park—you can cycle or stroll while shopping or grabbing a bite at one of the many outdoor cafes. If you’re traveling with pup in tow, be sure to get a day pass to Dog Beach (which you may recognize from the film “Marley and Me”). Over the past few years, Hollywood has heralded a mix of new and revamped hotels like Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, home to the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill.