The Coolest Neighborhoods in the 954 to Spend a Weekend
- Evan Snow
- Oct 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 10
From Hallandale Beach to Deerfield Beach, here’s where to eat, drink, stay, and play across Broward County.
By Choose954 | October 2025
Hallandale Beach: Glitz with Local Grit
Hallandale Beach mixes glamorous resorts, casual beachside fun, and iconic racing culture. Start your morning with ocean views, enjoy sushi at Etaru, and have dinner at Kao Bar & Grill paired with cocktails. End the night at The Velvet Spell for moody late-night drinks.
No weekend is complete without a stop at Gulfstream Park Racetrack, where you can watch thoroughbred racing, explore the casino, or shop and dine in the surrounding entertainment complex.
Stay: Hyde Beach House for rooftop pools and beachfront access, or Beachwalk Elite Hotels & Resorts for stylish lodging near the racetrack.
Do: Cheer on thoroughbreds at the track, savor bites at the paddock club, or test your luck at the casino floor.
Hollywood: Retro Cool with Global Flavor
Hollywood combines beachside charm with globally inspired dining and nightlife. Start with fresh pastries or coffee, then stroll the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk or admire murals downtown.
Lunch at Pupusatime or Mimi’s Ravioli hits international flavor notes, while dinner at Kuro inside Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood pairs high-end sushi and robata with lounge-style nightlife. For casual drinks, swing by Le Tub Saloon on the Broadwalk.
Stay: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood or or Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort for luxury, pools, spa treatments, and nonstop entertainment.
Do: Bike the Broadwalk, catch live performances at ArtsPark at Young Circle, or try your luck at the casino.
Miramar: Culture, Flavor, and Caribbean Soul
Miramar shines with vibrant culture and Caribbean-inspired flavors. Start at Rocksteady Jamaican Bistro or El Fogon for Dominican classics. Spend the afternoon at Miramar Regional Park or catch a concert at Miramar Amphitheater, then sip cocktails at local bars.
Stay: Tru by Hilton Miramar for modern rooms, or Home2Suites by Hilton Miramar for spacious suites with kitchens.
Do: Enjoy live events or explore shopping plazas nearby.
Dania Beach: Vintage Soul Meets New Cool
Dania Beach is retro with modern touches. Brunch at First Watch is light and fresh, dinner at Toro inside Le Méridien Dania Beach offers Mediterranean-inspired elegance, and end your night at Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor, a nostalgic local institution.
Stay: Home2Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale for modern suites near the sand or Le Méridien Dania Beach for sleek, rooftop-accented rooms.
Do: Shop at Dania Pointe, explore local antiques, or attend Dania After Dark for live music.
Fort Lauderdale: The Trendy OG
Fort Lauderdale is the modern face of the 954—stylish, social, and effortlessly cool. Start your morning on Las Olas Boulevard with coffee and flowers at Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar, then browse boutiques or hit the NSU Art Museum for a creative fix.
Lunch at Coconuts or Boatyard delivers ocean views with top-tier seafood, while The Wharf FTL brings riverside energy with food trucks, cocktails, and DJs under the stars. End your night with a perfectly mixed drink at The Wilder, where old-school glamour meets modern mixology.
Stay: The Dalmar for rooftop views and boutique luxury, or Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort for oceanfront chic.
Do: Stroll the beach, rent a kayak along the Intracoastal, or take a gondola ride through the “Venice of America.”
Wilton Manors: Broward’s Nightlife Nucleus
Wilton Manors pulses with nightlife, quirky eateries, and LGBTQ+ friendly energy. Start with brunch at Stork’s Bakery & Coffee House, or sip Cuban coffee at Café Canela.
Spend the afternoon exploring galleries along Wilton Drive, then grab a burger and cocktail at Rosie’s Bar & Grill. As the sun sets, dance the night away at Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar or Hunter’s, and finish with Latin-inspired small plates and cocktails at Candela.
Stay: Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa for poolside cabanas and spa services, or Ed Lugo Resort for modern comfort steps from the action.
Do: Check out seasonal festivals like the Wilton Drive Art Walk or Pride events.
Oakland Park: The Culinary Dark Horse
Oakland Park is quietly turning heads with craft drinks, inventive dining, and cultural flair. Begin brunch at Bulegreen Café Yard, sip small-batch spirits at Chainbridge Distillery, or enjoy a pint at Funky Buddha Brewery.
Climb and socialize at Project ROCK, then unwind at one of the city’s hidden cocktail spots.
Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale for modern accommodations, or The Westin Fort Lauderdale for upscale comfort.
Do: Visit the Downtown Oakland Park Art & Music Walk, explore murals, and pop into local markets.
Pompano Beach: The Glow-Up is Real
Pompano Beach blends pier charm with modern dining. Breakfast by the ocean, lunch at Lucky Fish, or dinner at Oceanic. Evening drinks at The Rusty Hook Tavern are ideal before exploring the Pompano Beach Fishing Village and pier.
Stay: Tru by Hilton Pompano Beach Pier or Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa.
Do: Walk the pier, enjoy water sports, or check out local art events.
Plantation: The Chill, Elevated Escape
Plantation combines green spaces with global flavor. Start with coffee at Ella Café, Moroccan cuisine at Dar Tajine, and snacks at Dutchy’s Gourmet Sausages.
Stay: Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale Plantation for resort-style suites, or Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel for stylish accommodations near restaurants.
Do: Spend the afternoon strolling Plantation Walk or enjoy live music pop-ups in the evening.
Lauderhill: Flavor, Music, and Caribbean Rhythm
Lauderhill is bursting with Caribbean flavor. Start with breakfast at Joy’s Roti Delight, sip craft beers at Yeasty Brews Artisanal Beers, and grill your own dinner at Gabose Korean BBQ.
Stay: Chateau Mar Golf Resort for Caribbean-inspired resort amenities, poolside relaxation, and spacious rooms.
Do: Attend cultural festivals, live music, and art events at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) provide a weekend packed with energy.
Sunrise: Big Energy, Bigger Fun
Sunrise is a hub for shopping, sports, and dining. Dim sum at Ten Ten Seafood and Dim Sum Restaurant, or seafood at Tin Fish, then hit Sawgrass Mills for retail therapy. Finish with a Panthers game or concert at Amerant Bank Arena.
Stay: AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise for modern rooms, rooftop pools, and easy access to entertainment.
Do: Spend the day at Sawgrass Mills, catch a concert or hockey game at Amerant Bank Arena, and relax at Sawgrass Sanctuary Park.
Weston: Suburban Sophistication with Global Flavor
Weston blends elegant suburban streets with international eats. Begin with Cuban coffee at Café Canela, then explore the scenic lake trails or Weston Town Center.
Lunch at Entretapas offers Spanish small plates, while Graziano’s Market & La Rural Argentine Steakhouse delivers prime Argentine meats and Malbec.
Stay: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Weston for spacious suites, or Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Weston for contemporary comfort near shopping and trails.
Do: Enjoy lakeside picnics, boutique shopping, and weekend farmers’ markets.
Deerfield Beach: Laid-Back Coastal Charm
Deerfield Beach is all about ocean views and laid-back vibes. Start your morning on the sand, then brunch at JB’s on the Beach. Lunch or dinner at Tucker Duke’s delivers gourmet burgers and craft beer in a casual, friendly atmosphere.
Spend your afternoon paddleboarding, fishing off the pier, or strolling the Boardwalk at sunset.
Stay: Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach for ocean-facing suites, or Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort for modern rooms steps from the sand.
Do: Don’t miss a visit to Deerfield Beach Pier for fishing, photos, or a sunset view.
From Fort Lauderdale’s chic streets to Lauderhill’s Caribbean flavors, Broward County’s neighborhoods each have a distinct personality. With curated restaurants, craft bars, boutique hotels, beaches, and attractions like Gulfstream Park, Sawgrass Mills, and the Pompano Pier, the 954 is a weekend playground waiting to be explored—one neighborhood at a time.
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