[By GKerri L. Post]

Hooray for Downtown Hollywood!

For today's travelers who want to "go where the locals go," and seek vacation experiences that provide an authentic sense of place, VISIT FLORIDA's innovative new Downtowns & Small Towns tourism marketing program spotlights the charming, vibrant and revitalized downtowns and small towns of Florida. Downtown Hollywood offers a blend of the chic and unique, and with its safe and pedestrian-friendly area, small town ambiance and art deco décor, exemplifies the Downtowns & Small Towns concept.

Historic yet contemporary, casual and cosmopolitan, Hollywood, Florida has been a magnet for a colorful variety of cultures since its founding in the 1920s. Nestled between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, the town today serves as the headquarters of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and clearly has a star-quality of its own. Along Hollywood's brick-paved walkways and tree-canopied downtown is a thriving cultural, shopping, and dining district, where visitors can enjoy chic and sophisticated restaurants and clubs while benefiting from the tight-knit community and old-world feel.

The downtown Hollywood Harrison Street Art & Design District features an eclectic mix of boutiques, diverse cafes and critically acclaimed international restaurants, with unique nightlife ranging from Jazz performances to sports bars, wine and sidewalk cafes in a romantic setting. With more than 56 restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs, it offers cuisine to suit every taste and budget, and clubs catering to all age groups and styles. The Holly Trolley connects the beaches and hotels to the thriving downtown. And now, downtown Hollywood is a wi-fi "hot spot". Visitors and residents alike enjoy free wireless Internet access anywhere in downtown Hollywood.

Hollywood Young Circle, in the center of downtown, is being transformed into the Hollywood Young Circle ArtsPark with assistance from the city, county, and the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Features will include a new cultural arts building with studio spaces, an art gallery, classroom space, a dance studio and a "black box" theater. A state-of-the-art amphitheater will be constructed on the building's west side. Coming soon, a new fountain, walkway promenades, and a children's play area with interactive fountain will provide year-round outdoor fun.