Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
4.7(12K)google
4.3(331)yelp
NatureOutdoor
Overview
The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is a historic, brick-paved seaside promenade constructed in the 1920s that stretches for nearly 2.5 miles along the Atlantic shoreline. This highly walkable oceanfront thoroughfare features a designated path for bicyclists and rollerbladers, completely separated from pedestrian traffic. The broadwalk is lined with a nostalgic array of boutique hotels, open-air seafood cafes, historic ice cream parlors, and a lively outdoor amphitheater hosting live music shows. Boasting a relaxed, Old Florida beach charm paired with stunning panoramic coastal views, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional urban beach paths.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 2-4 hours
Best TimeBest visited between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM from November to March. This famous 2.5-mile brick-paved Atlantic oceanfront promenade is ideal in the cooler morning hours. Rent a surrey bike to cruise along the water, followed by an oceanfront breakfast at one of the many cafes lining the broadwalk.
Getting ThereLocated in Hollywood, Broward County, north of Miami. Driving is best: take I-95 North from downtown Miami, exit onto Hollywood Blvd, and drive east to the ocean. A large municipal paid parking structure (Hollywood Beach Garage) is conveniently located mid-way along Hollywood Beach Blvd.
Travel Tips
- Traffic lanes warning: The broadwalk features strict painted demarcations separating pedestrian lanes from bicycle/surrey rental fast paths. Never stand or let kids wander in the cycling lanes to prevent high-speed collisions.
- Parking scam alert: Alleyways off the broadwalk are packed with predatory private lots charging flat $30-$40 cash fees. Save money by utilizing Hollywood municipal garages (e.g., 300 Connecticut St) which offer safe, metered hourly parking.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Best photo spot: Frame your shots between 3 PM and 5 PM for optimal sunward contrast on the Atlantic water and vintage boardwalk structures. The concrete steps near the open-air Hollywood Beach Theatre offer a prime elevated wide angle.
Reviews
Positive
- The miles-long bricked beachside promenade bans motor vehicles, offering unobstructed Atlantic vistas and a rustic, deeply relaxing escape.
- The layout is highly professional, cleanly segregating pedestrian paths from cycle lanes for smooth crowd flow with accessible ramps everywhere.
- It gathers endless retro-style budget open-air taverns and casual seafood joints that are far more wallet-friendly than central South Beach.
- The vibe is warm and localized without aggressive commercial hawkers; bright street lighting makes late family strolls feel perfectly safe.
Heads up
- On weekend afternoons crowd density spikes heavily into walls of heads, forcing joggers and cyclists to stop constantly to avoid pedestrians.
- The city-owned garage parking rates climb during holiday rushes and slots fill rapidly, making driving through tight one-way grids frustrating.
- Certain public restrooms and outdoor rinse showers look dated, lacking modern updates and often accumulating heavy mud and wet sand by afternoon.
- The shoreline traps broken shells and kelp during tidal shifts, making barefoot walking rough, and the sand feels coarser than premium resort strands.