The Best Things To Do In Dunedin, Florida
The Best Things To Do In Dunedin, Florida
The town of Dunedin is a real gem along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Situated north of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Dunedin is rich with culture, entertainment, dining, and the real star, the Dunedin Causeway and Honeymoon Island.
If you’re looking for a small-town hot spot, Dunedin is it! Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Dunedin, Florida.
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Where is Dunedin Located and How Do I Get There?
Dunedin is located on the west coast of Florida, specifically in Pinellas County. There are two airports that service close to Dunedin. St. Petersburg International Airport (PIE) is 12 miles away, and the Tampa International Airport is 20 miles away.
Renting a car is going to be your best way to get around, although once you get to town, there are other public transportation options if you desire.
Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island
Allow me to start with the star of the show! Honeymoon Island is the premier beach in the area, winning multiple accolades for being the “Best Beach”. After a few minutes here, you will understand why this is the place!
To get there, you’ll drive along the Dunedin Causeway, which is lined with vehicles parked on the sand, with many people walking along the multi-use path, walking their dogs, relaxing in hammocks, and soaking up the sunshine. The Causeway, as it’s known, is a great place to launch your own personal paddle craft, or rent gear from the outfitter about midway out.
This is a Florida state park, the entry fee is $8 per vehicle, for up to 8 people. Once you’ve paid for entry, you’ll find parking, concessions, restrooms, showers, and walking paths to the beach. There are over 4 miles of pristine shoreline to enjoy for your time, here.
If you have a furry friend, the dog-friendly beach can be found on the southern end, leashed only.
Craft Breweries
Dunedin Brewery – Dubbed as Florida’s oldest microbrewery, this used to be a regular haunt of mine on Tuesday evenings. The live music calendar is full of local musicians, stand-up comedy, and open jam nights. Music events are free of charge, but you’ll want to try one of Dunedin Brewery’s award-winning beers.
Located at: 937 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin
HOB Brewing Company – If you’re riding your bicycle up or down the Pinellas Trail through Dunedin, you’re sure to be thirsty! This is our usual stop for a cold beverage when we ride our bikes through town. With plenty of outdoor seating, dog-friendly, and a food truck on site, HOB is a great pitstop!
Located at: 931 Huntly Avenue, Dunedin, or from the Pinellas Trail on the backside
7venth Sun – For over 10 years, 7venth Sun has been serving up small-batch craft beer in Dunedin. Plenty of outdoor seating and within walking distance to the downtown, stop in for a cold one or take their beer to go!
Located at: 1012 Broadway, Dunedin
Soggy Bottom Brewing Company – On the outskirts of downtown Dunedin, this Prohibition, post-depression-themed brewery is a favorite place to meet friends for a craft beer. Grab some BBQ from next door and wash it down with an Outlaw Amber Ale.
Located at: 660 Main Street, Dunedin
Shopping
Where do I begin? One of my favorite things to do is ride my bike into Dunedin, then walk through the adorable little shops for that one-of-a-kind gift for my out-of-state friends and family. The list of adorable shops would be very long, so here are a few of my favorites.
The Great Giftsby – This welcoming little shop has a wide variety of classic and whimsical gifts for every budget. The owner, Elena, can sometimes be seen singing on the sidewalk in front of her store. Start your shopping adventure at The Great Giftsby, you’re sure to find that special gift, here!
Located at: 200 Main Street, #105, Dunedin
Palm Latitudes – This little store is cram-packed with kitschy gifts, clothing, ornaments, and all things fun! Spend some time walking through this shop, I guarantee you’ll laugh and enjoy your visit.
Located at: 340 Main Street, Dunedin
Salty Paws – It’s no secret that our dog, Spinnaker, is spoiled. We love taking him to this great pet store for a treat! They offer bulk treats and a doggie ice cream counter! Yes, way! It’s the best stop to treat your furry friend to something nice.
Located at: 362 Main Street, Dunedin
Dining
Dunedin is just so full of amazing places to eat, drink, and chill, it’s hard to make a concise list of my favorites, but I’ll do my best!
Sea Sea Riders – Located in a restored 1903 cottage, this long-standing establishment has been serving up fresh seafood, steaks, and amazing cocktails for over 30 years! Do not miss a memorable meal from Sea Sea Riders.
Located at: 221 Main Street, Dunedin
Flannigan’s Irish Pub – If you’re craving good ‘ol Irish fare, then Flannigan’s is your place. They feature award-winning cuisine and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Stop in for some Bangers & Mash and a pint!
Located at: 465 Main Street, Dunedin
Marker 8 – As members of the Freedom Boat Club, we will grab a bite from the tiki bar at the Marker 8 location. This is a laid-back waterfront tiki serving up cold beer and great burgers. This place is located on the north end of town, but worth a stop for a meal with a scenic view.
Located at: 1420 Bayshore Boulevard, Dunedin
Crown & Bull – Also located in the heart of downtown, this is the place for brunch. Any meal that you have here will be fantastic, but we love coming here for brunch on the weekends. They use as many local ingredients as possible for flavorful and delicious dishes. Dine inside or out on their huge patio.
Located at: 319 Main Street, Dunedin
Strachan’s Ice Cream – OK, so you’ve already had lunch, but you can’t come to Dunedin without getting a scoop of delicious ice cream! Voted Best of Tampa Bay, Strachan’s Ice Cream has 5 Bay Area locations, one of which is on Main Street. This creamy, homemade ice cream is sure to cool you down on these hot Florida days.
Located at: 310 Main Street, Dunedin
Start your day with one of the best breakfast spots in Dunedin.
Festivals / Events
Dunedin Saturday Market – Every Saturday morning, and on Fridays November – May, the market sets up in Pioneer Park. More than 50 vendors, food stalls, and live entertainment set up to sell their wares.
DDMA 2nd Friday – From November to June, on the 2nd Friday, downtown Dunedin comes alive with live music, special offers from the local bars and shops, and a party atmosphere that is so much fun!
Dogtoberfest – Dunedin is a supremely dog-friendly community, therefore, it’s no surprise that a festival for our furry friends is held each November. Dogtoberfest features the “Running of the Weiners”, vendors, pet adoptions, a pet costume contest, a pet talent show, food vendors, and, of course, craft beer! Visit the event site, here!
Dunedin Art & Craft Festival – Every November, more than 150 of the nation’s most talented artists convene on the streets of Dunedin to show off their art, and hopefully, sell some to you! We love walking through this festival. There are some very interesting and thought provoking artists that attend this event.
Piper on the Pier – Every Friday and Saturday night, except holidays, enjoy live bagpipe music to celebrate the sunset. This weekly event takes place on the pier in the Dunedin Marina.
St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras Festivities – Dunedin hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras celebrations around! Don’t miss the parades, live music at Pioneer Park, and the lively street celebrations by the local bars. This is one you won’t soon forget.
Dunedin Pride – This 2-week celebration offers several events like concerts, parties, raffles, and other special events. Keep an eye on their website for the next Pride Week event calendar.
Spring Training Baseball
The Toronto Blue Jays have called Dunedin “home” for over 40 years for spring training. You will love catching a ballgame at the newly renovated TD Stadium.
The Florida weather in the spring is very pleasant. Much better than the frigid winter temperatures and a much-needed burst of sunshine coming out of winter.
Visit the Toronto Blue Jay’s website for the Spring Training schedule and tickets.
Dunedin Music Society
For many years, Lee and I performed with the Dunedin Music Society’s Concert Band. The performances were often “standing room, only” and were always a great time. Plan on spending a couple of hours listening to and supporting these local musicians.
The Dunedin Music Society has a variety of concert performances ranging from a Clarinet Choir, Dunedin Concert Band, Jazz band, and holiday events.
Concerts are often performed at the Dunedin Community Center, in Highlander Park, or in other locations around town. Visit the Dunedin Music Society website for more information.
Parks & Recreation
If you are into hiking or kayaking, there are several options for these activities in Dunedin. As I mentioned in the opening of this post, the #1 reason most folks come to Dunedin is for Honeymoon Island State Park.
From the Dunedin Causeway, you can rent kayaks or launch your own paddle craft and paddle over to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. Once there, you will find wildlife and bird-watching trails at each location.
Hammock Park – On the north end of town, you will find Hammock Park which includes a playground and a trail loop that is 1.8 miles and takes roughly 35 minutes to walk. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Highlander Park & Aquatic Complex – This 70-acre space in Dunedin is a multi-use park that includes a splash pad, pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, and picnic pavilions.
The Dunedin Community Center and Fine Arts Center are located on the perimeter of the park. A band shell behind the Community Center often hosts live music and events. Guest bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the entertainment.
Golf
Dunedin Golf Club – This renowned 18-hole golf course was once the start of the senior PGA tour and was home of the PGA of America. You will walk in the footsteps of some of golf’s greats, such as Ben Hogan, Cyril Walker, Walter Hagan, and Patty Berg from the LPGA. Many current golf pros have also played a round or three at the Dunedin Golf Club.
The golf club also has the Fairway Grill and 19th hold lounge, serving up cold beer and tasty meals before or after your tee time.
Located at: 1050 Palm Boulevard, Dunedin
Fishing
The Gulf of Mexico is known for some spectacular fishing, in-shore and off-shore. For some visitors, this is a bucket list item and I’m happy to provide a resource for you to find the perfect fishing charter that fits your needs and desires!
At Captain Experiences, all captains are vetted to ensure they meet the “Damn Good Guide” qualifications to bring you out on the best excursion possible.
Another way to get out on the water is to rent a boat. With GetMyBoat, you can go at your own pace and relax while exploring the beautiful waterways around Dunedin.
Where To Stay in Dunedin, Florida
$$$ Fenway Hotel – This recently renovated, historic, boutique hotel will delight you with its soulful theme and desirable location. It is noted that this is the most significant historical structure in Dunedin.
Enjoy modern amenities with a touch of the vintage past while you dine and stay at the Fenway Hotel. The rooftop bar offers craft cocktails and breathtaking views of the sunsets.
Use the interactive map, below, to find other accommodations in Dunedin, and the surrounding area
Day Trippin’ From Dunedin
While Dunedin is a spectacular destination all on its own, the Tampa Bay Region has many amazing things to go see and do. If you’re looking for a day trip from Dunedin, I have a couple of suggestions.
Crystal River – About 90 minutes north of Dunedin is the charming town of Crystal River. This is the only place in Florida where you can swim with the manatees. It’s truly a special experience that I know you will love doing. Manatee season runs from October through March, however, it is not uncommon to see manatees if you visit during the summer months.
If you’re visiting and it’s not manatee season, rent kayaks and paddle around the pristine waters of the natural springs. This is a protected wildlife area, so birding and wildlife sightings are abundant!
St. Petersburg – There are more amazing and award-winning beaches just a bit south of Dunedin in St. Petersburg. The beaches here offer a more touristy flair but are still spectacular. There are wonderful museums, dining options, and other great things to do in St. Petersburg. I called St. Pete home for many years and loved the area.
Breakin’ It Down: The Best Things To Do In Dunedin, Florida
It’s easy to see why Dunedin is a charming coastal town that comes alive with arts, culture, dining, and recreation. You will not have a shortage of fun things to do and see during your visit.