Hollywood Beach, Florida is one of the most family-friendly beach destinations in South Florida. The 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is car-free, wide, flat, and safe for children of all ages. Charnow Park has a free water playground directly on the Broadwalk. ArtsPark at Young Circle has a splash pad and regular family events. The beach is lifeguarded and calm. And unlike Miami Beach, there are no skyscrapers blocking the ocean breeze or resort-tower lobby crowds to navigate with a stroller.
Ultra Blue Apartments at 315 Buchanan St has two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to 6, with a full kitchen and a 3-minute walk to the Broadwalk, from $149/night, no resort fee. The Mariner Suites at 702 N Surf Rd is directly on the Broadwalk with full-kitchen suites from $119/night. Both book direct at ultra-spaces.com.
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Why Hollywood Beach is Great for Families
Hollywood Beach does several things better than its neighbors for families. Miami Beach is exciting but expensive, high-density, and not particularly designed for children. Fort Lauderdale Beach is a solid choice but lacks Hollywood's car-free Broadwalk. Hollywood Beach sits in the middle to genuinely laid-back, genuinely walkable, and genuinely affordable for a family of four or five.
The car-free Broadwalk is the single biggest family advantage. No road to cross between the apartment and the ocean. Children can walk, bike, or ride a surrey bike the full 2.5 miles without navigating traffic. The Broadwalk is wide enough for strollers, bikes, and foot traffic to coexist without conflict. There are public restrooms, water fountains, and shaded seating areas at regular intervals.
The beach itself is wide, lifeguarded, and has calm Atlantic water that works well for younger swimmers. The town is compact enough that everything a family needs to groceries, restaurants, activities to is within a short walk or drive. And at $119 to $149 per night for a full-kitchen apartment rather than two hotel rooms, the budget math works in your favor.
The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk with Kids
The Broadwalk is where most of a Hollywood Beach family day happens. Here is what to know and plan for:
Charnow Park water playground: At 300 Connecticut St, midway along the Broadwalk. Free to use, open daily. Water jets and fountains that kids can run through. Public restrooms on-site. Best for ages 2 to 10.
FlowRider surf simulator: At Margaritaville Resort on the Broadwalk. Watching adults wipe out is free entertainment to kids love it from the sideline before they are old enough to try it themselves.
Hollywood Beach Theater: Free live music Wednesday through Sunday, 7 to 9 PM, at the open-air stage midway along the Broadwalk. Casual and family-friendly to children run in the grass area in front of the stage while parents watch.
Ice cream and food: Scattered along the full 2.5-mile stretch. No shortage of casual food options at beach prices rather than resort prices.
Best Family Activities in Hollywood Beach, Florida
Charnow Park water playground: Free. On the Broadwalk at 300 Connecticut St. Best free activity for young children in Hollywood Beach.
ArtsPark at Young Circle: 1 Young Circle, about 0.7 miles from the Broadwalk. Has a splash pad, playground, regular family events, free Friday movies, and the weekly Saturday Green Market. Free to enter.
Hollywood North Beach Park: Northern end of the Broadwalk. Playground, picnic areas, beach access, and green space. Parking available at $10 all-day flat rate.
Anne Kolb Nature Center: About 5 miles from the Broadwalk at 751 Sheridan St. A 68-foot observation tower, a 3,500-gallon aquarium, mangrove kayak trails, and a hands-on Eco Room. Excellent for school-age children. Small admission fee.
Parasailing: Hollywood Parasail operates flights from the beach for ages 5 and up. One of the most memorable family activities on Hollywood Beach.
Hollywood Beach Theater concerts: Free live music Wednesday through Sunday evenings, 7 to 9 PM. Family-friendly outdoor setting directly on the Broadwalk.
Family Day Trips from Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach's location between Miami and Fort Lauderdale makes it a strong base for family day trips. Everything below is within practical reach for a family who wants to spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon on an activity:
Zoo Miami: About 40 minutes southwest. One of the largest zoos in the US, with an Amazon and Beyond attraction and a Children's Zoo section designed for young visitors.
Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale: About 20 minutes north. Hands-on science exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a live animal collection. Excellent for ages 4 to 14.
Miami Beach day trip: 30 minutes south. Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, and the Miami Beach boardwalk work well for families for a few hours without the expense of staying there.
Butterfly World, Coconut Creek: About 30 minutes north. The largest butterfly park in the US to a reliable hit with younger children.
Best Family Accommodation in Hollywood Beach
For a family of 4 to 6, Ultra Blue Apartments at 315 Buchanan St is the strongest choice in Hollywood Beach. Three two-bedroom apartments, each sleeping up to 6 guests with a king bed plus two queen beds and a sofa bed, full kitchen, and a 3-minute walk to the Broadwalk. From $149 per night, no resort fee, 4.9-star rating on top units.
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For a couple or smaller family, The Mariner Suites at 702 N Surf Rd is directly on the Broadwalk with oceanfront suites from $119 per night, full kitchen, pool access, and a 4.9-star rating from over 900 guests.
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Ultra Blue Apartments
315 Buchanan St, Hollywood Beach, FL · From $149/night · 2-bed/2-bath · No resort fee
Book Now →
The Mariner Suites
702 N Surf Rd, Hollywood Beach, FL · From $119/night · Full kitchen · No resort fee
Book Now →Family Travel Tips for Hollywood Beach
Best time to visit with kids: October through May. November through March is peak season but the weather is reliably excellent to no afternoon thunderstorms, low humidity, and temperatures that work for the beach without being too hot for young children. October and April offer warm weather with fewer crowds.
Parking: Charnow Park garage at 300 Connecticut St charges $1.50 per hour and is centrally located on the Broadwalk. Hollywood North Beach Park at the northern end charges $10 all-day. If you stay at Ultra Blue Apartments with a unit that includes parking, you avoid the daily fee entirely.
Grocery shopping: A Publix and a Winn-Dixie are both within a short drive of Hollywood Beach. With a full kitchen at either Ultra Spaces property, breakfast and lunch for the family does not need to come from restaurants every day.
Flying in: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is 15 to 20 minutes from Hollywood Beach. It is far easier for families with car seats and luggage than navigating Miami International, which is 45 to 60 minutes away in South Florida traffic.
Also Read
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk: Complete Guide (2026) Hollywood Beach, Florida: Complete Guide (2026) Hollywood Beach vs Miami Beach: Which is Better for Your Stay? Ultra Blue Apartments Hollywood Beach: Complete Guide and ReviewFrequently Asked Questions
Is Hollywood Beach Florida good for families with kids? +
Yes. Hollywood Beach is one of the best family beach destinations in South Florida. The 2.5-mile car-free Broadwalk is safe for children of all ages, Charnow Park has a free water playground, ArtsPark at Young Circle has a splash pad, and the beach is lifeguarded with calm Atlantic water. It is significantly more relaxed and affordable than Miami Beach.
What are the best things to do in Hollywood Beach Florida with kids? +
Top family activities include: Charnow Park free water playground on the Broadwalk, surrey bike rentals, ArtsPark at Young Circle splash pad, Hollywood North Beach Park, Anne Kolb Nature Center (68-foot tower and aquarium), parasailing for ages 5 and up, and free live concerts at the Hollywood Beach Theater Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
Is there a splash pad at Hollywood Beach Florida? +
Yes. Charnow Park at 300 Connecticut St on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk has a free water playground and fountain area for children. ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood, about 0.7 miles from the Broadwalk, also has a splash pad and is free to enter.
What is the best hotel in Hollywood Beach Florida for families? +
Ultra Blue Apartments at 315 Buchanan St is the best family option to two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to 6, full kitchen, 3-minute walk to the Broadwalk, from $149/night with no resort fee and 4.9-star rating. For a full resort experience, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort has a children's pool area and direct Broadwalk access.
Can you rent bikes on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk? +
Yes. Bike rentals, surrey bikes (family pedal buggies seating 2 to 6 people), and Trikke boards are available at multiple points along the 2.5-mile Broadwalk. Surrey bikes are the most popular family rental and a Hollywood Beach signature experience.
How far is Hollywood Beach from Fort Lauderdale airport? +
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is about 15 to 20 minutes from Hollywood Beach. It is the closest major airport and far more convenient for families with children and luggage than Miami International, which is 45 to 60 minutes away.
Book Your Family Stay in Hollywood Beach
Ultra Blue Apartments to 2-bedroom, full kitchen, sleeps 6, from $149/night. The Mariner Suites to oceanfront, full kitchen, from $119/night. No resort fee. Book direct.