Dunedin and Honeymoon Island are the perfect places to find Florida Beaches!
About 25 miles west of Tampa, directly on the Gulf of Mexico, sets the magical small city of Dunedin, home to some of the most beautiful Florida beaches. Although it’s slightly larger in population than the places I usually blog about, the charm of Dunedin’s small town center and the tropical beauty of Honeymoon Island, both pull me to share them with my readers. Anytime I travel to the Tampa area I spend at least one day beaching, biking, eating, drinking, and shopping in this little paradise on the coast.
Fast Fact: Dunedin, Florida has been the training camp home of the Toronto Blue Jays for 40+ years.
TD ballpark has been the spring training home for the very loyal Toronto Blue Jays since 1977. The recently renovated stadium now has an 8,500-person capacity, a 360-degree boardwalk around the outfield, as well as plenty of concessions for the fans. This link will take you to the MLB website to learn more about the ballpark and to check dates and ticket prices for your long weekend in Dunedin!
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FOUR Things To Do in Dunedin That Are Worth Your Time!
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Honeymoon Island! As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of Florida beaches, I declare that THIS is a beautiful beach! It’s four miles of white sandy beaches with just enough shells to keep you looking but the sand still soft, and a gorgeous park with three miles of paths through the tropical pine forest. To get to this pristine location, you’ll drive across the Dunedin Causeway and pay a small park fee.
Use this link to get a map of the park and pay for a day pass in advance. While you’re there, keep your eyes open for some of Florida’s beautiful wildlife, including eagles, osprey, and tortoises.
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Bikes rule in Dunedin! Well, pedestrians and autos also wander around the city, but there is a strong biking culture in this town traveling along the Pinellas Trail. Bring your bikes, or try this fantastic bike tour that will take you through Dunedin and show you all you need to know to make the best of your weekend! If you want the fun of the bike tour but not the sore legs (or, eh-hem, “bottom”), try this electric bike rental for the best of all worlds!
While on your ride, there are plenty of local establishments to stop on the trail for refreshments of all kinds, including coffee, food, local beers, and anything else you may need to keep you going. The Pinellas Trail is 45 miles long and runs from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, so here is a guide to help you plan and make sure you don’t miss Dunedin!
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October 2024 update!
To counter the ugliness of the two hurricanes that blazed by this fall, I want to mention this amazing small business that we came across in downtown Dunedin. Mangos & Marley Cafe is an adorable, delicious, inviting, delicious, fresh and delicious (get my point?) Cafe with super service and a wonderful selection of yumminess. The owners are lovely people and this is a must stop when in Dunedin! Use this link to find out more about them.
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With Tampa Bay laying claim to having the most breweries in Florida, it makes sense that the nearby Dunedin is the proud home of at least nine of its own! Stroll through Dunedin and pick your favorite, or take a 5-hour beer crawl through Clearwater Beach, Tarpon Springs, and Dunedin. Whatever you choose, if you love craft beer and the distinct, unique atmospheres each brewery gives off, you’ll be in the right place!
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The Jolley Trolley is a great way to navigate around Dunedin and surrounding destinations. Seven days a week, 356 days a year it runs between Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Downtown Dunedin, Downtown Clearwater, and Clearwater Beach (another one of the great Florida beaches!). Rates are very low per ride, and equally low for an all-day pass. Check out this Jolley Trolley link for more info!
SIX More Things to Know Before You Go:
- Dunedin is also home to Caladesi Island State Park, an untouched beach and mangrove forest accessible only by boat. You can visit the park’s website for more information on its accessibility. Although it’s a bit more complicated to access, if you have the means you should block off a chunk of time for an undeveloped version of Florida beaches.
- The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is located in downtown Dunedin and is free to the public. If you’re in town when it’s open, it will make a great stop to see some genuine, rare Beatles memorabilia. The museum has limited hours from Thursday – Sunday, so be sure to check the museum’s website to get current hours.
- Mardis Gras. Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking, “who’s going to Dunedin, Florida for Mardi Gras?” Well, if you ask the locals, who by the way gave me this tidbit of information, anyone who is looking for a great Mardi Gras parade and party should! Along with the obligatory music, food, and drink, the Dunedin Merchants Association sponsor a yearly Mardi Gras parade with over 50 floats. “One of the best Mardi Gras celebrations in the South” is what I heard! Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!
- Most parking is plentiful and free in Dunedin, except for a small charge during special events.
- Dunedin has an amazing variety of restaurants, bars, breweries, and clubs to choose from, creating an engaging nightlife atmosphere. Make sure you plan on staying long enough to take in as many as you can!
- Booking.com has some great options for stays in Dunedin. This is my go-to site for finding places to stay overnight and enjoying the vibe of the town.
More Photos From Dunedin
