Introduction

Nestled along the Gulf Coast of Florida is the charming gulf coast city of Dunedin. This charming gulf city is perfect for those who want to experience the Florida lifestyle without the hustle and bustle of its busy neighboring cities. With a population of just over 36,000 people, Dunedin offers city amenities with a small-town feel. Dunedin is home to an abundance of natural beauty, charming local businesses, and some great restaurants.

Located in Central Florida’s west coast is the charming and picturesque city of Dunedin. Dunedin has a relaxed atmosphere and a small town feel to it that has been the staple of its evolving culture. The sidewalks that line both sides of the downtown main street are full of unique shops and delicious restaurants. There is a real sense of community pride as you walk through the streets of this beautiful and charming city on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Dunedin has an allure that sets it apart from its surrounding neighbors. As soon as you enter Dunedin’s city limits, you will know that you have just driven into a special place, a place that you are excited to explore and make new memories in. Although, the city is small, it has a lot to offer. From the well-manicured streets and curb appeal, to the alluring charm the city permeates throughout, the anticipation to embark the journey through this city is exhilarating.

Dunedin also has many quiet streets making a walk through the neighborhoods a true joy that is full of peacefulness and tranquility. Furthermore, the city gives off a quaint village like aura that will instantly relax you with every step you take inside this Gulf Coast gem. In this post we will explore some of the hidden gems that Dunedin has to offer and show you how to travel mindfully through this charming city.

Why Visit Dunedin

Dunedin, Florida is a small city that lets you take a step back from the rushed pace that most of Florida has, and allows you to be present in the moment without the extra noise. The culture of Dunedin can be contributed to its more permanent based population that has allowed Dunedin to grow in a direction that preserves the culture and vibe of this beautiful city.

Furthermore, the shops are charming and offer a unique character that you will only find in a small city. Moreover, the food scene is delicious with many local restaurants giving their take on the Florida Food culture. From Pretzels to Breakfast skillets, there is a little something for everyone.

Overall, Dunedin just has that beautiful relaxed vibe that will calm your mind and feed your soul. Sometimes we need to take a vacation from our vacation and Dunedin is the place to do it in.

Fun Fact

Dunedin is one of the few waterfront communities from Sarasota to Cedar Key where buildings do not obscure the view (1).

Cost Saving Tip

Parking is free in Dunedin, therefore you will want to get there early so you can find a spot near the historic downtown or the marina. This will also be helpful as you can just park and pretty much walk throughout the city since every street has a sidewalk. Just Park and Walk as we like to call it.

Alternative Option to Travel to Dunedin from Clearwater Beach

If you are staying on Clearwater Beach and want a more enjoyable way to travel to Dunedin, take the ferry. The ferry is roughly $8.00 per adult one way, and $4.00 for children ages 4 to 12. However, prices may vary depending on which route you are taking (2).

The tickets are sold and booked on a one-way basis. So, each person in your group will need a ticket for each way. The Ferry will drop visitors off at the Dunedin Marina, which is a short walk to many shops and restaurants (2). The Clearwater Ferry requires reservations ahead of time to guarantee a seat on the boat that departs at the time that is best for you (2).

The information that is contained in this post is subject to change and should be verified with the vendor ahead of time.

History Facts

• Dunedin was incorporated in 1899 and later became a city in 1925 (1). The name is taken from Scottish Gaelic “Dun Eideann,” which is the Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh (1).
• Dunedin was the first home to the prestigious Professional Golf Association (PGA) (1).
• The historic Orange Belt Railroad Depot on Main Street is home to the Dunedin Historical Society and Museum (1).
• Caladesi and Honeymoon Island used to be one island, until a hurricane separated the two in 1921 (1).
• The Cereal King, W.K. Kellogg, purchased a villa in 1934 to call Dunedin his winter home (1). Furthermore, during World War 2, his home was used as a Marine barrack (1).

Places to Visit

Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, a baseball fan or a foodie, there is plenty to see and do for everyone in this beautiful quaint city. Some of the area’s top attractions include the Toronto Blues Jays Spring Training Stadium and the Historic Downtown, where you will experience a true Old Florida vibe with many restaurants and shops. Furthermore, Dunedin has an abundance of beautiful and well-maintained parks throughout the city. Here are a few of the top places to visit while you are in Dunedin, Florida.

Please join our Facebook Group Traveling Mindfully throughout Florida and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Toronto Blue Jays

373 Douglas Avenue

TD Stadium has hosted the Toronto Blue Jays since 1977 (3). The stadium’s seating capacity is 8,500 and is in a neighborhood like setting (3). The Blue Jays are the only Major League Baseball team to have been in one Spring Training community for their entire existence (3). Games are usually held from the end of February until the end of March. If you are in the area and enjoy baseball, then stop on by for a game. You could probably even walk to it depending on where you are staying in Dunedin.

Take a Stroll Through the Historic Downtown Area

Dunedin’s historic downtown area is a bustling hub of activity, with many unique shops and restaurants. The area is home to many charming buildings, including the Dunedin Historical Museum, which tells the story of the city’s rich history. Additionally, the Historic District is home to a vibrant art scene and many cultural events to explore. The city hosts several art festivals throughout the year, including the popular Dunedin Fine Art and Craft Festival.

When it comes to food and shopping, most of the restaurants and shops are located on Main Street or just a few blocks away. There are a variety of different shops, ranging from gift shops to authentic popcorn shops, which will be discussed in a later article.

It is also worth mentioning that Dunedin has a lot of sidewalks making it a very walkable city, especially in the historic downtown area. The downtown also has the Pinellas Trail, which is a linear multi-use trail extending from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs (5). The Trail utilized an abandoned railroad track and created a protected greenspace for bicyclists, joggers, or just the mindful walker (5). The Pinellas Trail cuts right through the downtown area, which makes a nice convenient stop for bicyclists and creates a nice walking trail for everyone else.

Get in Touch with Nature

One of the most prominent features of Dunedin is its stunning natural beauty. From its beautiful and well-maintained parks throughout the city, to the pristine beaches of Honeymoon Island State Park, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the natural beauty that the city of Dunedin has to offer. Dunedin has many great parks to visit that create charming green spaces where people can gather for outdoor activities such as Frisbee, picnics, or even an outdoor concert. These parks offer a lot of shade and benches where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful temperate Florida climate. Here are a few of the parks we visited.

Edgewater Park

Directly behind the Dunedin Marina is the Edgewater Park. The Edgewater Park is a small park with a large canopy of oak trees that provides the park with shade throughout the day. Furthermore, the park has an adorable gazebo and offers public restrooms. There is also a pavilion with picnic benches to enjoy a quick meal with a rewarding view. The park is next to a public parking lot that is shared by the marina. This parking lot is free along with all the other parking lots and is conveniently located near the downtown.

Pioneer Park John R. Lawrence

John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park is located in the heart of downtown and is the most active green space in Dunedin. The park is frequented by regular events ranging from concerts and movies, to markets. Moreover, there are public bathrooms, an ice cream shop and plenty of benches to sit on and just relax and watch the traffic go by.

Dunedin Pier and Marina

The Dunedin Pier and Marina are in the heart of downtown (6). The Pier offers public fishing with a nearby bait shop. The Pier is also a prime sunset viewing location, and you may often see bagpipers and Celtic drumming during a sunset (6). The marina which the pier is located in, offers commercial boats that can take you and your group out on a dolphin cruise (6). The marina also welcomes transient boats and day visitors to the floating day docks (6). So, if you have a boat or know a friend who has one, you can stop in for the day and have lunch while enjoying some of the exquisite shopping Dunedin has to offer.

John Grant Hubbard Park

Dunedin, FL waterfront and John Grant Hubbard Park

John Grant Hubbard is a beautiful well-maintained park that highlights the essence of Dunedin. The park has a sidewalk that is frequented by joggers and cyclists daily, giving them a peaceful and calm workout in a natural setting. Moreover, this waterfront park has uninterrupted views of the Dunedin Channel and is one of the highlights upon visiting this small city. The park also has many benches along its wide path giving the daily walker a relaxing place to sit, rest and take in all the natural beauty that encompasses this beautiful park. Frequent guests of the park consist of dolphins, pelicans, and the occasional Osprey Hawk.

Hammock Park

The Hammock Park is probably the most prolific and largest park in Dunedin. The park is a 90-acre natural preserve (1). This beautiful park is in the northern part of Dunedin. The Hammock Park is absolutely beautiful and filled with many of Dunedin’s rare wildlife such as Hawks, Tortoises, and many other creatures native to Florida. Furthermore, the park has several trails which offer its guest a closeup of undisturbed nature. Due to Dunedin and the parks proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, there is always a gentle sea breeze that rustles the leaves and provides a calm warm wind throughout the day.

Personal Experience

We arrived early in Dunedin and started our day at Hammock Park. This is a beautiful park that is located in the northern part of Dunedin. Parking is limited or at least it was limited in the area where we parked, so you will want to get there early. We walked various trails that the park had extending throughout it while enjoying the beautiful nature. Many of the trails have benches and even covered pavilions where we plan on having some picnics in the future. This park is so large, that it would make for a wonderful and relaxing place where you could spend your entire morning.

After our trail walk at the Hammock Park, we drove into the historic downtown where we enjoyed a nice breakfast, followed by a lengthy walk throughout the city. During our walk we embarked upon many unique shops and explored some excellent desert and snack spots.

Health Benefits of Nature

Spending time in nature can benefit a person’s health and well-being. A recent study that was conducted in 2019 found that people who spend 120 minutes or more in nature reported good health and an overall higher well-being with an increase in contact with nature (4). Positive association peaked between 200 to 300 minutes per week (4). The pattern was consistent across groups including older adults, and those with health issues (4). The amount of time spent in nature did not matter if it was all at once or in small blocks of time throughout the week (4). As long as the individual has direct exposure to nature throughout the week that exceeds 120 minutes there will most likely be a positive association and the person will exhibit a more relaxed mindset.

Conclusion

Dunedin may be small, but it has plenty to offer visitors who are willing to take the time to explore its many hidden gems. Whether you are looking to get in touch with nature, discover the local culture, or practice mindful travel, Dunedin is the perfect destination for those who want to experience the beauty and charm of Florida in a more relaxed and authentic setting. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore this delightful city – mindfully!

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. We hope you enjoyed the post as much as we did creating the post. Please feel free to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

References

1. Dunedin Home of Honeymoon Island (2022) City of Dunedin. https://www.dunedingov.com/about
2. Clearwater Ferry (2023) https://www.clearwaterferry.com/
3. Florida Grapefruit League (2021) Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Sports Foundation, https://floridagrapefruitleague.com/teams/toronto-blue-jays/
4. White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and well-being. Scientific Report 9, Article number: 7730 (2019). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3
5. Pinellas County (2023) Pinellas Trail Guide, https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-trail-guide/
6. Visit Dunedin Home of Honeymoon Island (2020) Dunedin Marina, Visit Dunedin 2020 the Official Visitors Guide to Dunedin Florida, https://visitdunedinfl.com/index.php?pagecontent=Dunedin-FL-Marina&user=1&adcode=29&pageid=29

BASEBALLBIKE TRAILSFLORIDAGULF COASTNATUREPARKSWALKING

Copyright (2024) ImprovingMindfully All Rights Reserved