Dunedin in Pinellas County is perched on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Sparkling white sand beaches line the Dunedin Causeway, and boats dot the water. There is so much to explore in this fun and funky Florida beachside town.
Dunedin is one of Florida’s oldest towns, dating back to 1852, and 20 minutes from Tampa. The village, wanting to become a significant player as a trading port, built a dock. The dock was long enough for both schooners and sloops to moor alongside. This move established Dunedin’s foothold as a trading port for cotton and citrus.
With loads of locally-owned shops and boutiques, Dunedin is a shoppers dream! Shopping local is the way of life in downtown Dunedin – you are sure to find that item you didn’t know you needed, but you must have it!
Keep an eye out for the murals around downtown – the works of art are funky and fun and hidden in plain sight.
Outdoor Adventures in Dunedin
Miles of beaches means water fun, grab your sunscreen and towel and spend the day on one of the many beaches in Dunedin.
Caladesi Island, accessible only by boat is a Gulf Coast barrier island that boasts the number one rated beach in the USA by Dr. Beach, There is no shortage of beach fun to be had when visiting Dunedin.
Honeymoon Island State Park is a terrific way to while away the day with four miles of lovely white sand beaches. Other activities include trails for hiking and birdwatching. If you prefer a water workout, rent a kayak, Stand Up Paddleboard, or sailboat and explore by water.
Explore the Pinellas Trail – The trail is cocooned by Dunedin’s downtown, giving walkers, bikers, and hikers an opportunity to stop into a local brewery, ice cream shop, or grab a refreshing drink or cup of coffee. The Pinellas Trail is 34-miles and is a great reason to get out and enjoy the outdoors!
A Hop, Skip, and Jump
Take a quick 18-minute hop over to Clearwater and check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is not your typical aquarium – they are on a mission to rescue, rehab, and release sick and injured marine animals to their natural habitat.
With our love for the ocean and boating, we knew we had to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The well-known story of Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail catapulted CMA and its mission into the spotlight.
Winter was stranded in the Mosquito Lagoon, near Cape Canaveral. At two months old, she had become entangled in a crab trap line, cutting off circulation to her tail flukes. She was transported to CMA for treatment of her injuries.
Winter was a real fighter. Most dolphins who become tangled up in monofilament line don’t survive. But Winter surpassed the odds and is a survivor – and unequivocally is the star of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Art lovers will enjoy the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. Located in the heart of St. Petersburg and a half-hour drive away from Dunedin, you’ll find one of the most extensive collections of Dalí’s work collected by A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. The collection includes oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sculptures, prints, textiles, and more.
The museum itself is “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime” (AOL Travel News), and Architectural Digest has named the Dalí Museum one of the ten most fascinating museums in the world.
Sipping & Eating Your Way Through Dunedin
With a selection of breweries, you’ll find a brew that suits your sipping style.
The owners of Cueni Brewery (Q Knee) have a passion for brewing the best beer possible. They focus on brewing English Ales and Belgian style beer.
Dunedin Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Florida. They desire to brew a well-crafted beer and to contribute to a robust and vibrant community. They want to be more than a place, and more than a beer – they want to create a fantastic city and an excellent craft beer.
7venth Sun Brewery owned by Devon Kreps opened in Dunedin in 2012. Devon’s background uniquely positioned her to open up 7venth Sun Brewery. She’s always seeking ways to elevate 7venth Sun by crafting new recipes and creating unique and surprising flavor combinations. Kreps’ superpower lies in her innovative approach to traditional brewing styles with a modern twist.
Woodwright Brewing Company is located right in the heart of downtown Dunedin. The specialty of Woodwright Brewing is brewing traditional European and German-style beer. After all the shopping, stop into Woodwright’s beer garden for a brew.
Dave Dally and Caledonia Brewing are making quite a splash on Dunedin’s craft brew scene. This homebrewer turned brewery owner calls himself a “backyard engineer” who has found his passion for brewing. Dally’s Caledonia Brewing is a must-sip-and-stop when visiting Dunedin. A small but mighty operation, Caledonia has 18 taps of house brews.
Dunedin the Living Room
The Living Room on Main is a unique restaurant. When you walk in, you feel as if you are heading over to visit a treasured friend and chat in their living room. Featuring small, shareable plates, you have an opportunity to taste and try a variety of dishes.
The Living Room’s mission on Main is simple: serve delicious, affordable food that guests will want to return to week after week. And apparently, we fit into this category because we returned to the Living Room for a second meal on our three day Dunedin getaway!
One of the standouts at the Living Room, besides the fresh, delicious food, is their service. The waitstaff is attentive, but not intrusive, and ready to answer any questions or make suggestions. The Living Room is a real star in the Dunedin restaurant scene and a must-visit on your getaway.
The Living Room loves their VID (Very Important Dog) visitors, and are happy to serve you outside on their patio.
A Fabulous Florida Find
Dunedin is a fantastic weekend getaway; whether you are looking for relaxation, fun, or culture, Dunedin is the ideal destination.
Article written by Betsi Hill of Betsi’s World.
Pin This Post For Later!
Read more about Florida in these posts:
The Best Places to Eat in Ocala
