Ten Things To Do In Dunedin

The area is known for its beaches and pine forests. The ospreys’ habitat in Honeymoon Island State Park is one of the area’s favorite attractions. Visitors can hike or bike along the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail and admire the beautiful mangroves of Caladesi Island State Park. While you’re in Dunedin, check out the downtown area and eat at one of the many local eateries. There’s something for every child in the family to enjoy in Dunedin. A trip to the city is a memorable experience for any family.

Honeymoon Island

Looking For A Romantic Getaway?

As one of the most favored parks in the State, Honeymoon Island is the home to Rotary Centennial Nature Center. The Center is the perfect place to learn about island birds and land animals. The collection varies from great-horned owls, armadillos, and gopher tortoises. A fun lesson to learn at the Center is the origin of the name Honeymoon Island. It starts when a successful businessman by the name of Clinton Washburn purchased the island in the 1930s. The editor of Life Magazine met Clinton Washburn to write an article about the island. During their conversation, Washburn brought up the subject of the island as an ideal place for honeymooners. This simple conversation resulted in the construction of fifty honeymoon cottages. Eventually, the name Honeymoon Island became the official name of the area.

Dunedin History Museum

For a great cultural experience, visit the Dunedin History Museum exploring the town’s past. This museum was founded in 1970 and features more than 2,000 artifacts. The buildings location is in downtown Dunedin in a former railroad depot. The building was last used by Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The permanent exhibit offers an extensive library and a photography collection that is sure to fascinate even the most seasoned traveler. The collection covers many diverse subjects including the history of Dunedin. The exhibit spans the life of the pioneers as well as many local industries. There is an emphasis on the importance of the railroad and its history in Dunedin. There is also a section dedicated to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. Additionally, there are rating exhibits alongside the Dunedin History Museum’s permanent exhibits. These changing exhibits cover the area and Florida related topics.

The Penny Lane Beatles Museum

The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is the optimum anything-Beatles museum. The collection covers a vast variety of items making the museum one of the largest of its kind in the world. The collection features Beatles memorabilia, photographs, and videos. The assemblage varies from signed guitars to Beatles puppets, pins, and even strands of Beatles hair. This funfilled museum is located above Rosie’s Tavern in Downtown Dunedin. This is an excellent choice for a fun family outing. The museum is the product of a local collector and humanitarian, Dr. Robert Entel. Also, Colin Bisset, originally from Liverpool, cofounded the museum. He had the fortune of witnessing the Beatles perform numerous times before they became a worldwide phenom. 

Blue Jays Spring Training Park

Get Out To The Ball Park!

You can also visit the TD Ballpark, home of the Toronto Blue Jays during Spring Training. The TD Ballpark is located at 375 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698. For over 40 years the City of Dunedin has been the spring training home for the Toronto Blue Jays. Since its inception, the team has never changed its spring training camp. This gives the distinct honor to Dunedin being the only city with that status. In addition to spring training, the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Dunedin provides free or low-cost recreational programming to the public. The city operates four recreation facilities for various ages. All of them feature a variety of sports and fitness activities for the entire family. Visitors will be glad to know that the city has so many options for family entertainment for all age groups.

The David L. Mason Children's Art Museum

If you are looking for a family-friendly place to spend the day, visit the David L. Mason Children’s Museum. The museum is a part of the Dunedin Fine Art Center located at 1143 Michigan Boulevard. The Fine Art Center is open to the public and it is a popular attraction for families with children. The kids will enjoy interactive programs, science exhibits, nature, and technology. The interactive programs encourage children to become involved in different scientific programs. The annual Zootopia is one of the most popular events in the David L. Mason Children’s Museum. This interactive event promotes a hands-on approach to the animals’ world through art and science. During the visit, make sure to stop by the unique art gallery and cafe. Its gift shop will provide you with the perfect souvenirs for the kids.

Dunedin Brewery

Visit The Oldest Brewery In The State

During your stay in Dunedin, you can visit seven breweries. The first, located at 927 Douglas Ave, the Dunedin Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Florida. The  Dunedin Brewery was founded in 1995 and Skips Bar and Grill was the first craft beer keg recipient. From a humble beginning, Dunedin Brewery evolved into a popular destination for people who love craft beer, a quick bite, and live music. One of our favorites is the local honey ale that is available in four-packs and jugs. 

Dunedin’s Popular Brewery Trail

7venth Sun Brewery is another wonderful brewery with locations in Dunedin and Tampa. 7venth Sun Brewery’s popularity in both locations surpasses most other breweries in the area. Their outdoor facility in Dunedin is a vibrant yet relaxing place to taste some of the best beer around. If you are in the mood for a good BBQ and handcrafted beer, the Cladonia Brewery is the right place to visit. The brewery is fairly new and opened in April 2017 in downtown Dunedin. However, the building housing the Caldonia Brewery has a history dating back to 1925.  Another establishment to check out is the HOB Brewing Company. The Dunedin House of Beer and Tap House was established in 2009 by two microbrewers. The high quality of beer in HOB Brewing Company has gained them the honor of being on the list of the top 100 beers in America. Beer Lovers enjoy a road trip to check out Dunedin Breweries!

Dunedin Golf Club

For golf lovers, the Dunedin Golf Club has been around for decades. It was designed by a famous golf course designer, Donald Ross. The Dunedin Golf Club was officially inaugurated in January 1927. The course is a challenging and scenic nine-hole course and is suitable for beginners. From 1947 to 1962 the Dunedin Golf Club hosted the PGA of America organizing 18 PGA Senior Tours. The Club is open to the public with optional membership available. The Dunedin Golf Club is located at 1050 Palm Blvd Dunedin, FL 34698. 

This location is also home to a full pro shop and clubhouse where you can relax and dine after a game of golf. Its restaurants are located in the town’s historic district and serve delicious meals. The Dunedin Golf Club is a popular venue for golfers and hosts PGA tournaments throughout the year.

The Charming Downtown Dunedin

Why Visit Downtown Dunedin?

Dunedin is a true hidden gem that most travelers to Florida fail to visit. Dunedin is one of those places that Floridians choose for their vacation. The city is only 25 miles from Tampa but most visitors to the area miss the opportunity to explore one of the best small towns in the State. The Pinellas Trail runs through Downtown Dunedin where cyclists can stop for a rest and great food. The restaurants are as good as they get. Some of the most iconic eateries in Florida are in Downtown Dunedin.

The Dunedin Downtown Market is an excellent place to get a taste of local produce. You can buy fresh fish, vegetables, and other local fares from regional farmers. If you want to play golf, you can visit the city’s waterfront park and the nearby city park. This is a popular spot for families and couples.

Restaurants in Dunedin

Where To Eat In Dunedin?

There are many legendary restaurants in Dunedin with exquisite food. One of the oldest and most famous restaurants is Bon Appétit. This waterfront eatery delightfully combines a great selection of food with magnificent scenery. Bon Appétit is located off Marina Plaza and right next to Dunedin Pier and Edgewater Park. Another can’t-miss restaurant is Lucky Lobster. The food at Lucky Lobster is very popular with the locals. The menu features local favorites. 

Dunedin Has Plenty Of Food Choices and Atmosphere

For the vegan visitors may we suggest the Ohana Cafe, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ohana Cafe serves fresh vegan and vegetarian as well as gluten-free food. Ohana Cafe is located at 1452 Main St. Dunedin, FL 34698. For more romantic dining, the Black Pearl is the place to visit while in Dunedin. The menu is complemented with the fresh Gulf seafood in American style with a French influence. The restaurant was voted “Best Romantic Dining” by Tampa Bay Magazine. You can find the Balck Pearl located at 315 Main Street Dunedin, FL 34968.

Guests should also check out the town’s cultural and historical attractions.  And it’s easy to see why the city is such a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Attend A Festival In Dunedin Or Nearby Honeymoon Island

There is a slew of colorful festivals held in Dunedin throughout the year. The Scottish celebrations of the Highland Games and Festival are one of the most popular events. The festival takes place in April of each year. There are many fun activities including pipe bands and Florida Open Highland Dance competitions. The 5K Kilted Trail Run starts at 6:00 am and it is free of charge to enter. The pipe band and clan march travel through the streets of downtown Dunedin, While, Broadway Avenue hosts the Kick-Off Block Party.
There are also many music festivals in Dunedin and Honeymoon Island. Two of the most popular are Honeymoon Island Bluegrass Festival and Celtic Music and Craft Beer Festivals. In addition to the recreational activities offered by Dunedin, vacationers can enjoy other nearby attractions. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island are the two destinations that visitors cannot miss. The many beaches and historic sites in Dunedin make it an ideal destination for a family vacation.