20 Best Things To Do In Dunedin Florida

Dunedin is a fun town close to Clearwater that is a charming place to visit. Its location makes it ideal to enjoy the small town charm while still being close to big cities if you choose to venture out.

The downtown and scenic waterfront are very walkable and have a great atmosphere. From exploring the museums and parks to enjoying the views of the water, here are some of the best things to do in Dunedin, Florida.

Stroll The Downtown

Taking a stroll downtown is one of the best ways to get to know a town. Dunedin’s downtown is charming and colorful making it an inviting place to spend some time.

It’s a relaxing and enjoyable experience as you explore the different places the town has to offer. The streets are lines with shops and restaurants all of which you can explore at a leisurely pace.

Go On A Food Tour Walk

One of the best ways to explore a city or town is to go on a food tour. This small-group walking food tour highlights the local flavors while learning more about the history and culture of the town. While hearing the unique stories of the town, you will get to indulge in a brunch, lunch and drinks at different stops along the way.

This guided walk will help you discover the popular spots as well as the hidden gems. One of the first stops is a lobster pizza that has been a hit for many years. With each stop, you will get to know the food scene in Dunedin more and it doesn’t disappoint.

Dunedin History Museum

The Dunedin History Museum takes a look into the rich heritage of this charming Gulf Coast town. It’s located right in downtown in the building that was originally the railroad station back in 1888.

The depot has been rebuilt several times until the current structure was opened in 1924. The railroad tracks were eventually replaced by the Pinellas Trail that runs through downtown Dunedin today.

In the museum, the Centennial Chronicles tell the origin story of the town from the Native American heritage to the Spanish exploration. You will also get to learn about the maritime achievements and the citrus industry of Dunedin’s past.

Half Day Private Boating Trip

A day out on the water is always a great way to spend time. This half day private boating experience is on a double-decker led by an experienced captain. You will sail to some of the best spots in the area to explore the Caladesi and Honeymoon islands.

Caladesi is mainly accessible by boat and boasts an untouched natural beauty to enjoy. The beaches on both islands are stunning and being able to explore these places is an incredible experience.

Along the way, keep an eye out for dolphins and manatees in their natural habitat. The private boat outing accommodates up to 10 guests creating a relaxed and fun experience.

See The Murals

Murals are always a fun stop and photoshoot opportunity in any town. Dunedin has many murals to explore but the “Dogedin” mural is our favorite. It’s painted on the side of Skip’s Bar in downtown as an homage to a man’s best friend.

It started out with paintings of a few dogs and eventually grew to well over 1000 animals on the wall that now not only include dogs but cats and even a pet pig. People were able to get their pets included for a donation.

ParrotDise Express

For a beautiful day of fun and adventure, climb aboard the 47 foot ParrotDise Express. Whether you choose to go on a snorkeling and shelling adventure, dolphin excursion, or a sunset cruise, all provide an unforgettable experience in Dunedin.

The boat departs from the Dunedin Marina and depending on the tour you take you will get to see scenic views of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island and Hurricane Pass.

There is also a strong chance of spotting wild dolphins out in the open water, often swimming alongside the boat or playfully following its wake. Not only do they offer tours but they also offer private boat trips for all kinds of events.

Stroll On The Pier & Waterfront

Along the waterfront and walking out on the piers are some of the most beautiful views in Dunedin. There are two places you can enjoy the waterfront views with a pier.

The first is at Edgewater Park that is a small waterfront park with public restrooms and a children’s playground. Down towards the marina plaza, you will find a small pier by the Bon Appetit Restaurant.

Another lovely spot is the Josiah Cephas Weaver Park that has lots of parking spaces, the Pinellas Trail running right by it, and a really long pier going out on the water.

Stop By A Park

While the parks mentioned above are perfect for soaking up the waterfront views, Dunedin is filled with smaller parks worth exploring. Scattered throughout the town are these hidden gems offering a quiet green space and some shade to relax away from the crowds.

John R. Lawrence is one such park right on main street that is a nice stop as you walk the downtown. Not far away is another quieter park, the Purple Heart Park.

Hammock Park is further away but much larger boasting a natural area with trails, boardwalks, a butterfly garden, disc golf course, picnic area and a playground.

Bike The Pinellas Trail

Biking the Pinellas Trail is one of the best ways to explore Dunedin and experience the area’s beauty. The well-maintained trail runs through the town connecting Dunedin to cities like St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs.

A good place to rent a bike in Dunedin is at The Bike Lab. They have all kinds of rental options including classic bikes, high-performance carbon road bikes, and effortless electric options. Also they have kids bikes options and a very convenient pet and child trailer.

Beatles Museum

For those who love the Beatles, there’s a very unique and fun museum in Dunedin that is completely dedicated to this music group.

It contains extremely rare and collectible mementos such as their signed guitars to even strands of their hair. Other things include signed documents, Beatles puppets and pins, and a serape owned by one of the members.

It’s one of the biggest and most eclectic collections in the world and as a non-profit organization, it’s completely free to visit. It’s open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 11a.m. to 3p.m.

Browse The Shops

Down main street you will find many shops and boutiques that have unique finds. There are many locally owned boutiques that reflect the colorful coastal spirit of the town making it easy to find one-of-a-kind items you won’t find anywhere else.

From jewelry to coastal decor, it’s a fun to see what you can find. One such shop is Our House where you can find not only a memorable souvenir for yourself but plenty of gift options too.

Dunedin Fine Art Center

The Dunedin Fine Art Center is a cultural space that showcases the creative spirit of the community. It makes Dunedin stand out as an arts-focused destination adding on to all the murals around town.

Located just minutes from downtown, the center features rotating exhibitions that highlight local artists and regional artists as well. Works include paintings, sculptures, and photography that are thoughtfully curated.

The center is also a place for hands-on creativity offering classes and workshops for all ages and experience levels. From quilt making to watercolor painting and even cooking, visitors can explore a wide range of artistic expressions.

Andrew’s Memorial Chapel

Next to Hammock Park is the historic Andrew’s Memorial Chapel. It was built in 1888 from the native Florida heart of pine wood in a authentic Victorian gothic-style church architecture.

The chapel also serves as a venue for weddings and other events that continues making it an integral part of the community. The church invites visitors to explore and appreciate the historic church that earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Get Ice Cream

It’s always a great time to get ice cream in Florida. Downtown Dunedin has a several great shops from which to get a treat. Stop by Strachan’s Ice Cream & Desserts or Ice & Cream Creamery for some delicious desserts.

You can sit and enjoy the ice cream on one of the city benches or keep walking around the main street with treat in hand.

Visit The Market

If you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, you get the chance to go to the Dunedin weekend market. It features fresh produce, meats, eggs, artisanal cheese, bread, honey, and baked goods. Other than food items you can also find handmade goods such as soaps, candles, plants, and other unique items.

November to May from 9a.m. to 2p.m. it’s located in John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park, in June it’s only on Saturdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m. in the same park, and July to October is it located in the Dunedin History Museum parking lot from 9a.m. to 1p.m.

Enjoy A Meal At A Restaurant

There are many good places to eat in Dunedin from casual cafes to waterfront seafood spots. Downtown Dunedin is especially popular for its walkable collection of restaurants making it easy to stop by any one of them.

The Bon Apetit Restaurant and Marina Bar is right on the water and has great views while Hogfish is great for seafood.

Mangos + Marley Cafe is a great place for lunch while Restorative is more of a fine dining restaurant. Frenchy’s, located at the Dunedin Causeway, is a popular place to hang out with its outdoor seating.

There are many more places to choose from on Main Street that are delicious and worth the stop.

Rent Kayaks On Dunedin Causeway

Renting a kayak and getting out on the water is a fantastic way to experience what Florida is really about. The beautiful water, sunshine and dolphins around you can make a kayaking trip epic.

Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway offers kayak rentals for those who want to explore on their own. Caladesi Island is a short paddle away from there as well as other remote areas like the protected grass flats. They offer one or two-person kayaks and fishing kayaks for two hours, four hours, or a whole day rental. Paddleboards are also available for rent

Go To Honeymoon Island

Honeymoon Island is only about a 15-20 minute drive from Dunedin depending on the traffic. While being so close to town, it’s such a great escape into nature and easily accessible by car. The island is known for its soft white sand and nice Gulf water.

Visitors can spend all day at the beach swimming, sunbathing, shelling and walking along the scenic nature trails. The island is also a great spot for birdwatching and fishing.

Take A Ferry To Caladesi Island

While Honeymoon Island is great, Caladesi Island is even more remote if you want to completely find yourself immersed into Florida’s nature. This island is not accessible by car so there is a ferry that runs from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island.

The ferry runs hourly between the two islands and if you choose to go, you have a maximum stay of up to 4 hours. You can bring all of your beach accessories except for beach wagons.

Stay At The Fenway Hotel

A stay at The Fenway Hotel can make staying at Dunedin feel completely luxurious. Originally built in the 1920s. this beautifully restores hotel retains some of its classic architecture while still offering upscale amenities and contemporary comfort.

One of the best features of the hotel is its hi-fi rooftop bar that offering a relaxing sitting area with beautiful views of the water and sunset.