Best Day Trips from Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood sits on the Fort Lauderdale coast, making it the perfect hub for South Florida exploration. Miami’s cultural energy, the Everglades’ wild ecosystem, the Florida Keys, and pristine beaches are all within reach. This is where Florida’s Caribbean culture meets American beach culture.
Fort Lauderdale Beach — 7 Miles / 15 Minutes
One of South Florida’s most famous beaches. A 23-mile stretch of sand with a developed beachfront, restaurants, shops, and water sports.
Why go: The beach is legitimately good—wide, clean sand and warm water year-round. The beachfront district (The Beach) has restaurants with ocean views, bars, and shops. Less touristy than Miami Beach proper but more developed than quieter alternatives.
Must-see: The beachfront walk at sunset. Restaurants like Coconuts or Faro for dinner with ocean views. The beach itself is the main attraction.
Cost: Beach access is free. Parking varies ($2-6 per hour in lots). Meals run $15-50 depending on restaurant.
Miami Beach — 20 Miles / 40 Minutes
Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District, South Beach culture, nightlife, and the energy that defines South Florida tourism.
Why go: This is where Miami’s cultural reputation comes from. The Art Deco buildings (Ocean Drive) are genuinely beautiful 1920s-30s architecture. South Beach has restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The Vizcaya Museum shows Gilded Age Florida excess.
Must-see: Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue for Art Deco architecture. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens ($25—a restored 1916 Italian Renaissance-style villa with formal gardens). South Beach for dining and nightlife.
Cost: Walking the Art Deco district is free. Museum admission is $25. Restaurant meals run $15-60.
Everglades National Park — 40 Miles / 1 Hour
1.5 million acres of subtropical wetland ecosystem. The “River of Grass” stretches from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Keys with alligators, manatees, and birds as far as you can see.
Why go: The Everglades is genuinely unique—there’s nothing else like it in North America. Airboat tours navigate shallow water through sawgrass and cypress trees. You’ll see alligators, wading birds, and manatees. It’s primal and unforgettable.
Must-do: Take an airboat tour (45 minutes to 2 hours, $60-100 per person depending on operator). Gator Park and Everglades Holiday Park both offer reliable tours. Stop at the Visitor Center for perspective on the ecosystem.
Cost: Park entry is $30 per vehicle. Airboat tours add $60-100 per person.
Boca Raton — 25 Miles / 45 Minutes
An upscale beach town with art museums, shopping, fine dining, and beaches with a more refined atmosphere than Miami Beach.
Why go: Boca Raton is money—real estate is pricey and it shows in the restaurants and shopping. The Norton Museum of Art is one of Florida’s best. The beach is less crowded and less party-focused than Miami Beach.
Must-see: The Norton Museum of Art ($20). The Boca Raton Resort & Club (the iconic pink building). The Mizner Park shopping district with galleries and restaurants.
Cost: Museums run $10-20. Shopping is high-end. Restaurant meals run $20-60.
Key Largo — 65 Miles / 1.5 Hours
The first key in the Florida Keys. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park protects underwater reefs accessible by boat. The drive down the Overseas Highway is iconic.
Why go: This is where the Everglades become islands and reef. John Pennekamp offers glass-bottom boat tours of living coral reefs or snorkeling if you want to get in the water. The Keys have a distinct culture—Caribbean flavor, slower pace, water-oriented living.
Must-see: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ($8 entry, $70+ for reef tours). The Keys’ waterfront and seafood restaurants. Mile Marker 0 in Key West if you want to drive farther.
Cost: Park entry is $8. Boat tours run $50-100+. Restaurant meals are typical Florida prices.
Biscayne National Park — 30 Miles / 45 Minutes
95% water with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and tropical fish. Accessible via boat from downtown Miami or the Florida Keys.
Why go: This is Florida’s underwater frontier. Boat tours take you to reefs and shipwrecks. Snorkeling or diving shows the living ecosystem. Manatees and sea turtles are common. It’s tropical marine life without leaving Florida.
Must-do: Book a tour from the visitor center or through an outfitter. Snorkeling tours run 3-4 hours and include reef stops.
Cost: Park entry is free if you’re on a private boat, $5 if entering by tour boat. Snorkel tours run $75-150+ per person.
Coral Springs — 20 Miles / 35 Minutes
A planned suburban community with parks, spring-fed pools (Coral Springs downtown and Wes Anderson Park), and outdoor recreation.
Why go: Less touristy than beach destinations but offering outdoor amenities. The natural springs maintain 72°F water year-round for swimming. The parks are well-maintained and less crowded than beach alternatives.
Must-see: The springs for swimming. Wes Anderson Park for trails and nature. The downtown area has restaurants and shops.
Cost: Spring access and parks are free or $5-10 for parking. It’s a local escape rather than tourist destination.