Flights to Fort Lauderdale

What was once known primarily as a Spring Break destination has shaken off the stereotype and rebranded itself as a world-class beach town offering much more than a spacious beachfront and sunny skies.

Ft. Lauderdale Beach makes full use of its natural resources—white sands and turquoise waters—as well as its man-made benefits, like oceanfront dining, a beachfront promenade and a chic, laid-back vibe that some other busy Florida beaches could only wish to emulate.

If lounging all day sipping margaritas or mojitos is your thing, pay a few bucks and rent a chair and umbrella to shield you from the Florida sun, or simply lay your towel near one of the towering palms that dot the beach.

If you're feeling more social, this beach has it all—volleyball courts, grills for barbecuing, a basketball court, picnic tables and even a playground where the kids can wear themselves out.

Luckily, the water here stays relatively shallow for quite a ways offshore. Take the chance to swim, boat, jet-ski or snorkel in the clear waters.

When hunger strikes, wander up and down the AIA road and browse the selection at the sidewalk cafes and eateries.

Though it's true that the party atmosphere rises a few notches when Spring Break is in town, for the most part, the city retains a breezy, calm attitude for most of the year.

For nearly 100 years, Hollywood Beach has delighted visitors and kept them coming to this under-the-radar beach town located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. What it offers is special: a small-town seaside experience that's fun for kids and relaxing for adults.

Hollywood Beach's 2.5-mile brick-paved path known as the Broadwalk runs between the oceanfront and blocks of businesses and hotels, and has the distinction of being one of the country's best boardwalks, according to Travel + Leisure.

Joggers, bikers and walkers love this stretch, and you will, too. On weekends, Josh's Organic Market on the south end of the Broadwalk will give you a taste of local flavor and have you wanting to stay a while.

Speaking of staying, book a room at one of the town's dozens of mom-and-pop oceanfront motels, vintage structures offering easy beach access and amenities such as outdoor pools and on-site tiki bars.

Hollywood Beach is as much a hotspot for kids as adults, and since the beach boasts three oceanfront parks with playgrounds (one even has an interactive water play fountain), the little ones will be happy — and busy — for hours.

There are also paddleball courts, ping-pong tables and spots to picnic in the park. When it's your playtime, head to one of the many seaside cafes, order a burger, sip a beer and watch the sun set.

Here's a fun way to get to Hollywood Beach: Take the trolley. It'll add to the vintage feel, and easily get you to the best spots on the beach and in town, such as Young Circle Park, where food trucks gather every Monday evening. The trolley also drops off and picks up at various points along Hollywood Boulevard in the downtown area, where you can find a range of cute shops and restaurants.