| Nothing says entertainment like Hollywood, even if | | | | of that genuine feeling, no doubt, comes from the |
| that Hollywood is in Florida. There is so much to | | | | fact that the downtown district is on the national |
| do that it is difficult to narrow it down to one | | | | register for historic places; the original |
| activity. "The Boardwalk," Hollywood's paved | | | | small-town-art-deco feel has been preserved quite |
| promenade by the beach, has attracted scads of | | | | well. When combined with great shops, fantastic |
| walkers and bicyclists since 1924 (though inline | | | | restaurants, and loads of excitement, Hollywood's |
| skating is still the mode of transportation du jour), | | | | downtown becomes a true pleasure. |
| as well as a large number of small shops and | | | | The downtown itself is 6 blocks of quaint brick |
| cafes to cater to them. In the Hollywood proper, | | | | walkways, small cafes, and all manner of shops, |
| there is a superb visual and performing arts | | | | art galleries, and restaurants. It is also the site for |
| center (in the form of The Art and Culture | | | | a wide variety of special events and festivals, |
| Center of Hollywood) that offers three rotating | | | | including my personal favorite, the annual series of |
| exhibits, and host a wide variety of performing | | | | outdoor free Hollywood Philharmonic concerts. |
| acts. My favorite part of Hollywood, however, is | | | | Hollywood's downtown really shines in the nightlife |
| the downtown district. | | | | department - an interesting place to go after |
| Every city's downtown area is different, and has | | | | hours is Club M, which is an interesting mix of pub |
| a personality all its own. While many South Florida | | | | and nightclub. My favorite restaurant is probably |
| downtowns appear a bit contrived, as though | | | | the Argentango Grill - a great Argentine |
| they are trying too hard to be an archetype, | | | | steakhouse that specializes in lesser known cuts |
| Hollywood's comes off as being very honest. Part | | | | of meat - great with a good Malbec. |