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From million dollar mansions and polo matches to picturesque snapshots of Old Florida, there’s something for everyone on The Gold Coast.

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Fort Lauderdale

Once known mostly as a spring break getaway, Fort Lauderdale is now a year-round mecca for world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, in addition to its beautiful beaches. From malls like The Galleria and Broward Mall to cultural attractions such as the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, you’ll want to pencil in plenty of time to explore. If combining the sophistication of the city’s attractions with the natural beauty of the shore sounds like a winning plan, be sure to check out the city’s Seabreeze Tram, which offers free transportation between the Las Olas Parking Garage and Las Olas Oceanside Park.

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Sunrise

Founded as a master-planned community in the 1960s, the city of Sunrise is within six miles of Fort Lauderdale, Davie and Plantation. Here you’ll find the BB&T Center, the second largest state-of-the-art arena in the nation and home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The area attracts millions of national and international visitors with an extensive assortment of shopping and entertainment options, including Sawgrass Mills Mall. For the culturally-minded, take in a performance by the Sunrise Symphonic Pops Orchestra, the city’s 65-member professional orchestra.

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Deerfield Beach

Named for the numerous deer that once roamed the area, Deerfield Beach offers a fishing pier and beachfront, both highlights of this Old Florida town. After a day at the beach, try the fresh seafood and juicy steaks at JB’s on the Beach, an eatery that calls itself “classy casual,” or go to Two Georges at the Cove for waterfront dining and cocktails. Farther inland, Quiet Waters Park offers lakes for fishing, a cable-ski machine that’s popular with wakeboarders, a water park for kids and biking trails.

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Hallandale Beach

This city on the southern end of Greater Fort Lauderdale is best known for the condo canyons along the beach and for two of South Florida’s premier “racinos.” Gulfstream Park is a venerable venue to watch the thoroughbreds run, especially during the Florida Derby, held every spring. Over at The Big Easy Casino, you’ll find a player’s paradise with 1,100 Vegasstyle slot machines. If the outdoors are the main draw, there’s a wide array of sports to enjoy, from golf and swimming to boating and saltwater fishing.

Hollywood

A visit to Hollywood wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down “The Broadwalk,” a paved beachfront walkway that separates the sand from the shops and restaurants. Harrison Street offers a mix of sidewalk cafes, bistros, wine bars and art galleries, including the Art & Culture Center of Hollywood. The city appropriately dubs itself “Vintage South Florida.”

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Jupiter

This town on the northern end of the Gold Coast provides a slower pace along with beautiful beaches that are perfect for families. Visit the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, a distinctive, historic landmark built in 1860, or stop by the Abacoa neighborhood, which offers shops, restaurants and a ballpark that hosts the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals during spring training. Golf lovers will adore Jupiter, an area known for its many golf courses.

West Palm Beach

This is a city that loves its waterfront, as the miles of sidewalks and bike lanes along the Intracoastal Waterway can attest. The party’s always on at CityPlace, a collection of stores and restaurants. If you are traveling with kids in tow, stop by the Palm Beach Zoo or the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium for a day of fun. Other top stops include the Norton Museum of Art and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.

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Boca Raton

Boca’s natural beauty is on display at the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex with its outdoor aquariums and pristine hammocks along the Intracoastal Waterway. For world-class shopping and dining, visit the Town Center at Boca Raton or Mizner Park, which offers a mix of luxury retailers and independently-owned boutiques to please even the most discernible fashionistas.

Delray Beach

Experience a small town with big-city sophistication at Delray Beach. Atlantic Avenue, which runs through the center of town from I-95 to the ocean, is the longest Main Street in Florida. The booming art scene in the Pineapple Grove Arts District features more than 20 galleries and public art installations.

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Palm Beach

Wealth is the defining feature of this oceanfront enclave. The rich history of the area is as magnificent as its real estate, dating back to the 1800s—the days of railroad tycoon and Palm Beach founder, Henry M. Flagler, who also built The Breakers hotel. For a glimpse into Flagler’s life and this fascinating period in American history, visit the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.