Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Dunedin, Florida

When I think of Dunedin, the word ‘charming’ comes to mind. While it may seem cliché, it aptly captures the essence of the quaint downtown area, featuring a farmers’ market and local boutiques.

This charm extends to the two barrier islands that safeguard the coastline. With pristine beaches, untouched coastal forests, and abundant wildlife, both Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island are designated state parks.

Dunedin is a destination where one can temporarily set aside their vehicle and revel in the Florida sunshine. The 45-mile Pinellas Trail courses through the city and connects to numerous nearby attractions.

One such attraction is TD Ballpark, the spring training facility for Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays. This team has held its preseason training in Dunedin since 1977.

1. Honeymoon Island State Park

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The northernmost of Dunedin’s exquisite offshore state parks is accessible via the Dunedin Causeway.

I was profoundly impressed by what I encountered. Honeymoon Island State Park boasts four miles of immaculate beaches, accompanied by one of the last remnants of old-growth slash pine forests in existence.

The island is equipped with extensive trails, including a 2.5-mile nature trail weaving through the slash pine forest. Wildlife sightings are abundant, as these creatures tend to approach visitors.

During my visit, I observed dolphins, armadillos, gopher tortoises, and a variety of birds, such as osprey, bald eagles, and roseate spoonbills on the beach. Additionally, the ferry terminal for Caladesi Island is located at this park, which will be discussed next.

2. Caladesi Island State Park

Before a hurricane struck in 1921, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were part of the same barrier island.

Presently, visiting Caladesi Island State Park requires a brief ferry ride across Hurricane Pass.

This location is highly recommended. Boasting mangrove forests on the bay side and pristine sandy beaches facing the Gulf, Caladesi Island epitomizes many visitors’ concept of paradise.

Notably, author Myrtle Scharrer Betz (1895–1992), who spent her childhood here, chose to title her memoir “Yesteryear I Lived In Paradise.”

Between the beach and the bay lies a wilderness of virgin slash pine forest and magnificent southern live oak groves. Wildlife enthusiasts may be fortunate enough to spot manatees and dolphins in the surrounding waters.

3. Downtown Dunedin

Intersected by the Pinellas Trail, Dunedin’s central commercial area, while compact, offers a wide range of experiences.

This area holds hidden gems, with allurements beckoning visitors off Main Street along the trail. Here, shops offer everything from upscale pet accessories to unique gifts, popcorn, home goods, and organic skincare products.

Situated within these few blocks are restaurants serving seafood, pizza, American comfort food, Italian, and Mexican fare, along with a delightful ice cream stand.

The Dunedin Downtown Market operates in this vicinity, which I will detail later. Furthermore, there are two museums present, as well as Reboot—a retro arcade featuring consoles ranging from the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo Switch.

4. Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training

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Located near the waterfront on Douglas Avenue, TD Ballpark serves as the spring home for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Florida Grapefruit League season commences in late February, providing visitors the chance to witness competitive play in a relaxed atmosphere.

Notably, venues such as TD Ballpark are generally more affordable than MLB stadiums. Following a recent expansion, the stadium can now accommodate 8,000 fans. During the pandemic in 2021, the Blue Jays even hosted the initial months of the regular season here.

I find spring training games to be incredibly enjoyable. They offer a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the exquisite Florida weather, savor ballpark delicacies, and scout emerging talent.

5. Pinellas Trail

One noteworthy aspect of the Pinellas Peninsula is that most urban centers are interconnected by a 45-mile paved trail.

This holds true for Dunedin, as the Pinellas Trail starts just a few miles north in Tarpon Springs.

This multi-use trail follows an old railroad corridor, rooted in the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line from the early 20th century.

Within Dunedin, the trail runs directly through downtown, facilitating access to TD Ballpark. Moreover, it serves as a pathway leading to Clearwater, located about 20 minutes away by bike.

For those who desire a longer ride, several prominent tourist attractions in St. Petersburg are located near the southern trailhead.

If you require bicycles, Kafe Racer, Bicycle Boutique Outpost, and Pedego Electric Bikes all provide rental services in Dunedin.

6. Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC)

An esteemed cultural institution, the Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC) has established itself as a significant landmark since its inception in 1975.

Dedicated to showcasing exhibitions and offering art education, DFAC features five galleries and over a dozen studio classrooms.

This site is also home to the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum, discussed in more detail below. Additionally, the Palm Cafe and the Gallery Gift Shop showcase local artisans and their creations.

An extensive array of classes and workshops is available, covering a wide spectrum of skills ranging from clay pottery to oil painting, calligraphy, pastels, and printmaking.

Each gallery typically hosts intriguing exhibitions during your visit. During my recent visit, I encountered group and solo shows featuring contemporary illustration, fiber art, embroidery, quilt-making, and various artworks on paper.

7. Dunedin Historical Society and Museum

One of the most remarkable structures in downtown Dunedin is the former depot of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. This brick edifice, constructed in 1924, currently serves as a local history museum for the city.

The historical society boasts an extensive collection, with over 2,000 artifacts and more than 2,500 photographs.

Of particular interest are the railroad artifacts on display, including telegraphs and maintenance equipment. Additionally, one can view exhibits related to Dunedin’s historic businesses, including a safe from the Bank of Dunedin.

At the time of my visit, the temporary exhibit focused on Florida Foodways, elucidating the fascinating history of agriculture in the Dunedin area.

The entrance features a charming little gift shop filled with local specialties, such as toys, fashion accessories, mugs, books, and home decor.

8. Edgewater Park

Another favored location of mine in Dunedin is this small waterfront park adjacent to the city’s marina. While Edgewater Park lacks extensive recreational facilities, it does offer two shaded playground areas for children.

This space is ideal for leisurely walks, sunset views, and enjoying the scenic marina filled with various yachts.

There are ample shaded areas along the walkways, adorned with pines, palms, and live oaks, and the central gazebo is available for rental for private functions.

This park is also a hub for numerous major events in Dunedin, with the Dunedin Music & Craft Beer Festival being arguably the most significant—a two-day event held in early March.

9. Hammock Park

Just off the Pinellas Trail, this 90-acre public space has been dedicated to preserving native habitats. Hammock Park features an array of ecosystems, including mangroves, pine hammocks, live oaks, palms, and oak scrub.

The park’s lush understory in wooded regions is populated with ferns, cabbage palms, orchids, and wild coffee plants.

There are five miles of trails meandering throughout the park. One particularly enjoyable trail is the Fern Trail Boardwalk, offering a close-up view of the verdant understory.

Additionally, the Butterfly Garden is worth visiting, as it supports 40 plant species that serve as a habitat for 35 native butterfly species.

Wildlife is abundant in the park, with many resident and migrating birds. Year-round species include snowy egrets, osprey, great horned owls, and six heron species.

10. Dunedin Downtown Market

Adjacent to the Pinellas Trail, there exists a vibrant farmers’ market featuring over 60 vendors, located near the bandshell in Pioneer Park from November through June.

During July and August, the event transitions to the parking lot of the Dunedin History Museum. The market runs on Saturday mornings year-round, with an additional Friday market occurring from November to May.

Available for purchase are local fresh produce, honey, cheese, pasture-raised meats, plants, candles, soaps, pet accessories, nut butters, eggs, and an assortment of baked goods.

It is advisable to keep your lunch options flexible, as delicious offerings during my visit included lobster rolls, beer cheese, chips and guacamole, egg rolls, and savory pies.

No farmers’ market would be complete without live music, and leashed dogs are welcome as well.

11. David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum

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Located within the Dunedin Fine Art Center, the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum serves as an exceptional educational facility for families with children aged 4.5 to 12.

Each season brings a new main exhibit; during my visit, the subject was Artsy Architecture, which delved into the relationship between art, science, and architecture.

Children were encouraged to build Romanesque arches, draft blueprints, create cities using magna-tiles, and construct imaginative structures with various materials.

The Dunedin Fine Art Center also offers a comprehensive range of classes for children, covering topics such as clay sculpture, VR painting, drawing, and iPad animation.

12. Dunedin Golf Club

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Dunedin Golf Club, established in 1927, was crafted by the renowned course designer Donald Ross (1872-1948).

This course served as the home of the PGA of America from 1945 to 1962 and was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

While playing here, I was humbled to follow in the footsteps of numerous legendary golfers such as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Bobby Jones, and Al Watrous.

Legends of the LPGA, including Patty Berg and Babe Zaharias, have also played on these greens.

The course is consistently well-maintained, bordered by mature pines, live oaks, and palms. For those looking to prepare, a 250-yard driving range, short game area, and practice putting green are available.

13. Cueni Brewing Co.

Situated right on the Pinellas Trail, Cueni Brewing Co. has garnered numerous accolades since its establishment in 2016. Named after its proprietors, this craft brewery focuses on malty Belgian and English beers.

The rotating tap list changes weekly, but some notable selections during my visit included Lonely in Brussels (Single), Skyway to Helles, Hopscotch IPA, and Kashmir Haze (IPA).

Regularly, there are engaging activities; for instance, on Tuesdays—exclusive to that day—you can request a Tajin or cinnamon sugar rim on your beer.

14. Kiwanis Sprayground

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A paved pathway connects the Dunedin Fine Art Center to the fantastic Kiwanis Sprayground at Highlander Park.

The Kiwanis Sprayground features an assortment of slides, jets, fountains, and various amenities typical of a premier water park.

This facility is conveniently located next to Highlander Park’s picnic areas, which include canopies for parental shelter. Additionally, frozen treats are often available from ice cream or shaved ice vendors stationed in the parking lot.

This facility is also situated close to the Highlander Pool, which comprises a shallow children’s training pool and a 25-yard main pool designed for lap swimming.

15. Clearwater Marine Aquarium

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Although there are numerous activities to enjoy in Dunedin, it is essential to note that downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach are a mere 10 minutes away by car.

If your schedule allows for just one activity, I would highly recommend visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which has been a beloved institution for over fifty years.

More than simply a visitor center, this facility is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native Florida marine life.

Among the diverse inhabitants are otters, sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, sharks, and pelicans. The aquarium also showcases a variety of colorful and exotic fish and marine crustaceans from the Gulf’s warm waters.

For an additional fee, visitors can participate in a range of animal care experiences, including feeding sea turtles, stingrays, or sharks, or taking a photo with a friendly bottlenose dolphin.