Dunedin is a small town on the Gulf Coast of Pinellas County, between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs. Named after the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh, it's got a walkable downtown with craft breweries, a waterfront marina, and direct causeway access to two of the best state park beaches in Florida. The Pinellas Trail — a 75-mile paved bike path — runs right through the center of town, making it one of the most bikeable places in the Tampa Bay area.
Here's what's worth doing — from the breweries and the trail to the islands and the neighborhoods that make Dunedin one of Florida's best small towns.
1. Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island is a state park at the end of the Dunedin Causeway — one of the few natural barrier islands left on the Gulf Coast. The Gulf-side beach has wide white sand and clear water. The bay side is calmer, with better shelling and views of the mainland. The interior has a nature trail through virgin slash pine forest with osprey nests overhead and gopher tortoises on the ground. It's also the departure point for the Caladesi Island ferry. Arrive early on weekends — the park reaches vehicle capacity and closes the gate.
Entry fee: $8 per vehicle (up to 8 people). The Caladesi Island ferry is an additional fare. If you're biking in on the Pinellas Trail via the causeway, pedestrian and bike entry is $2 per person.
2. Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island is accessible only by boat — the ferry from Honeymoon Island, or by kayak if you're up for the paddle. It's been rated among the top beaches in the country multiple times, and for good reason: pristine white sand, clear Gulf water, no development, and a 3-mile kayak trail through the mangroves on the bay side. The island has a small concession stand and restrooms but nothing else — it's as close to a deserted island as you'll find in the Tampa Bay area. Capacity is limited and the ferry stops when the island is full.
3. Downtown Dunedin and Main Street
Downtown Dunedin is a walkable strip along Main Street with independent shops, restaurants, galleries, and — most notably — craft breweries. The buildings are mostly one and two stories, the vibe is relaxed, and there's live music somewhere most nights. The Pinellas Trail crosses Main Street, so you can bike in from anywhere on the trail corridor. On Fridays and Saturdays, the downtown fills up but never feels overcrowded. There are enough restaurants and bars within a few blocks that you can make a full evening of it without moving your car.
4. Dunedin Brewery
Dunedin Brewery was the first craft microbrewery in Pinellas County, and it's still one of the best. The brewery has a large outdoor beer garden with live music, food trucks, and a rotating tap list that leans toward IPAs, stouts, and seasonal specialties. It's a few blocks off Main Street, directly on the Pinellas Trail. The crowd is a mix of locals and bikers who rode in from the trail. Open daily, and the atmosphere is more backyard party than bar.
5. The Pinellas Trail
The Pinellas Trail is a 75-mile paved multi-use path that runs from Tarpon Springs in the north through Dunedin, Clearwater, and all the way down through St. Petersburg. The Dunedin section is one of the best stretches — flat, shaded in parts, and it runs right through downtown with breweries and restaurants trailside. You can rent bikes in Dunedin and ride south to Clearwater Beach (about 30 minutes) or north to Tarpon Springs (about 45 minutes). The trail is also a walking and jogging path.
Bike rentals: Several shops on or near Main Street rent bikes by the hour or the day. E-bikes are also available. The trail is flat, so regular bikes work fine in any direction.
6. Dunedin Causeway
The Dunedin Causeway connects the mainland to Honeymoon Island and has its own beaches, boat launches, and kayak put-ins along the way. The causeway islands (small spoil islands on either side of the road) are popular for swimming, picnicking, paddleboarding, and kiteboarding. The water is calm and shallow on the bay side. It's free to stop at the causeway beaches — you only pay the state park fee if you continue to Honeymoon Island at the end. Parking along the causeway fills on weekends.
7. Dunedin Marina and Waterfront
The Dunedin Marina sits at the west end of Main Street where downtown meets the bay. There's a waterfront park, a fishing pier, boat charters, and several restaurants with water views. It's the launch point for kayak and paddleboard rentals, dolphin tours, and sunset cruises. The marina area connects to Edgewater Drive, a waterfront road with parks and benches — good for a morning walk or a sunset stroll. Dolphins and manatees are regular visitors to the marina basin.
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Browse All Tours →8. Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training
Dunedin is the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. TD Ballpark (formerly Dunedin Stadium) is a small, modern ballpark right in town, a short walk from Main Street and the Pinellas Trail. Spring training games run from late February through March. The stadium also hosts the Blue Jays' minor league affiliate during the regular season. Even if you're not a baseball fan, the small-stadium atmosphere and cheap tickets make it a fun afternoon.
9. 7venth Sun Brewery
Dunedin's other notable brewery, 7venth Sun is a smaller, more experimental operation specializing in sours, wild ales, and barrel-aged beers. The taproom is on the Pinellas Trail, a short bike ride from Dunedin Brewery. Between the two, you've got the full spectrum of craft beer covered — Dunedin Brewery for the classic styles and the big beer garden, 7venth Sun for the adventurous stuff. Both are easy to hit in a single afternoon on the trail.
10. Dunedin Fine Art Center
The Dunedin Fine Art Center is a community art museum and education center with rotating exhibitions, studios, and classes. It's not a major museum, but the shows are consistently good — regional and national artists, with a mix of painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The building is surrounded by gardens, and the gallery is free on certain days. It's a low-key cultural stop that fits well with a Dunedin day trip.
11. Hammock Park
Hammock Park is a 73-acre nature preserve in central Dunedin with hiking trails through oak hammock, pine flatwoods, and wetlands. It's surprisingly wild for a park in a developed area — the canopy blocks out the surrounding neighborhoods, and you'll see gopher tortoises, armadillos, and wading birds. The main loop trail is about a mile and flat. It connects to the Pinellas Trail, so you can bike to the trailhead. It's a quick nature break between brewery stops.
12. Scottish Heritage and Festivals
Dunedin leans into its Scottish roots. The town hosts the Dunedin Highland Games and Celtic Festival, usually in March or April, with Highland athletics, pipe bands, Celtic music, and whisky tasting. The downtown has a few Scottish-themed businesses and a permanent Celtic feel in the street names and public art. It's not overdone — more of an accent than a theme park. The Highland Games are one of the largest Celtic festivals in the Southeast and draw a crowd from across the Tampa Bay area.
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Browse All Tours →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dunedin Florida worth visiting?
Yes. It's one of the most charming small towns on the Gulf Coast — walkable downtown with craft breweries, the Pinellas Trail running through it, and direct access to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. It's a great day trip from Clearwater or Tampa, or a home base for exploring Pinellas County.
What is Dunedin known for?
Craft breweries (Dunedin Brewery was the first in Pinellas County), the Pinellas Trail, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island state parks, Scottish heritage, and Blue Jays spring training baseball.
How far is Dunedin from Clearwater Beach?
About 5 miles north, 15 minutes by car. You can bike the Pinellas Trail from Clearwater to Dunedin in about 30 minutes. It's an easy day trip in either direction.
Is Dunedin good for families?
Very. Honeymoon Island has calm beaches and nature trails, the Pinellas Trail is flat and safe for biking with kids, downtown has ice cream shops and casual restaurants, and the Caladesi Island ferry is an adventure kids love.
When is the best time to visit Dunedin?
March through May — warm weather, spring training, and the Celtic festival. October and November are also great with warm water and smaller crowds. The downtown is active year-round.