A DIVERSE DESTINATION

Discover the delightful coastal town of Dunedin

By Heather Turk

The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail runs through the center of downtown Dunedin

Travelers looking for a destination along Florida’s West Coast that has a quaint, small town feel while still boasting many big-city amenities needn’t look any further than the charming town of Dunedin. Pronounced done-ee-din, the diverse coastal town is sure to have something for everyone to enjoy.

Two of Florida’s most beautiful state parks call Dunedin home: Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park. Known for its emerald green waters and baby powder-like sand, Honeymoon Island is the most visited state park in Florida. Meanwhile, Caladesi Island State Park was named the second-best beach in America on Dr. Beach’s 2022 Top 10 Beaches list thanks in part to its sparkling azure waters and soft, crystalline quartz sand. Guests can go swimming, shelling, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing at both parks, as well as look for wildlife. A mecca for recreation lovers, Dunedin not only features 29 parks and more than 350 acres of green space, but is also regarded as the heart of the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, a 47-mile linear trail extending from St. Pete to Tarpon Springs that runs through downtown Dunedin. Guests can bike, walk, skate or jog down the paved trail, which has a multitude of unique restaurants, bars and shops to stop at along the way.

The shopping in Dunedin is actually as unique as the town itself. Guests will discover an array of locally owned businesses that specialize in handmade artisan lines not found in typical retail environments. Shoppers can purchase merchandise imported from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other areas influenced by Celtic culture at the Celtic Shop of Dunedin; buy a variety of gifts for women, including candles, apparel and kitchen accessories, at The Ivory

The Ivory Palm boutique is one of Dunedin’s many must-stop shops

Kayaking is a popular activity at Caladesi Island State Park

The Dunedin Wines the Blues Visitors to Dunedin can enjoy plenty of recreational opportunities out on the water

The Dunedin Wines the Blues festival features performances by national, regional and local blues acts

Palm; and find something for everyone on their gift-giving list — from children’s items to custom jewelry — at The Great Giftsby.

When it’s time for some primping, the hair stylists at Salon Blond — an Aveda Lifestyle salon in downtown Dunedin— are sure to have guests looking their best. Downtown Dunedin also has an organic grocery store, Nature’s Food Patch, with its own café serving smoothies and scratch-made fare like soups and sandwiches.

Dunedin is a great place for beer aficionados as well. The town has seven craft breweries located within a mile of one another — HOB Brewing Company, 7Venth Sun Brewery, Caledonia Brewing, Soggy Bottom Brewing Co., Woodwright Brewing Co., Cueni Brewing Co. and Florida’s oldest microbrewery, Dunedin Brewery — with an eighth brewery (Beach Island Brewery) located only a mile-and-a-half away from the others. There’s also a veteranowned and female-owned distillery downtown, Cotherman Distilling Co., for those who prefer vodka, gin, whiskey and rum to beer.

Continued on page 41 Most of the breweries that make up Dunedin’s thriving craft beer scene — including Woodwright Brewing Co., pictured here — are located within walking distance of one another

The Toronto Blue Jays play a variety of teams during spring training, including the Pittsburgh Pirates

TD Ballpark was built in 1930 and most recently renovated in 2020

Dunedin Golf Club was the former home of the PGA of America

For visitors who would rather play a round of golf than enjoy a round of drinks, Dunedin Golf Club was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. Open to the public, the par-72 Donald Ross-designed course is one of the top courses in the Tampa Bay area. Dunedin’s entertainment and arts scenes aren’t to be missed either. Not only does the town host more than 50 special events annually, like the Dunedin Wines the Blues music and wine festival happening on Nov. 12, but it also has the Dunedin Fine Art Center that regularly hosts classes and exhibitions. Be sure to check out its “Our Finest: DFAC Faculty Works” exhibit on display through the end of the year, featuring works by the faculty that showcase their exceptional artistry in the media they teach.

For those wanting to explore the surrounding area during their stay, the Jolley Trolley connects guests to Clearwater Beach, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs. The Clearwater Ferry also runs from downtown Dunedin to Clearwater Beach, helping visitors avoid traffic. However, with so much to experience in Dunedin, guests will never grow bored during their visit. In fact, it’s not uncommon for visitors to inquire about moving to the delightful town after seeing everything it has to offer! dunedinfl.com

BASEBALL IN DUNEDIN

Make plans to attend a spring training game

In 1977, Dunedin scored a home run with Major League Baseball fans when it became the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The only MLB team to have just one spring training home, the Toronto Blue Jays play 14 to 18 games at TD Ballpark every year. The ballpark was renovated in 2020 to not only increase fan capacity from 5,500 to 8,500, but also to add such new attractions as a 360-degree boardwalk around the outfield, an air-conditioned bar along the third base line and an outdoor bar in rightfield. Bathrooms, concessions and suites were renovated, too, and other amenities were added like special group areas.

Spring training games run from late February through the end of March. Visit milb.com/dunedin for the 2023 schedule when it’s released in September, and catch the Dunedin Blue Jays — the Toronto Blue Jays’ Single-A affiliate — play their final 2022 home games at TD Ballpark Sept. 6 through 11.

Stone Crab Season in Florida This delicious crustacean is an annual treat

By Nancy Foster

Stone Crab at Palm Paviliion Beachside Grill & Bar

Stone crab season in Florida is upon us, the time when throngs of people visit to get their fill of this delicate, sweet crustacean. From October 15th through May 15th, commercial fishermen are permitted to harvest the larger parts of the crab’s claw which must measure at least 2 ¾” to allow for regeneration. Only then can the legal catch appear on restaurant menus.

Not only are stone crabs incredibly delicious but they’re also easy to eat — just add a tub of drawn butter, a bunch of napkins and an icy cold beer, and you’re on your way to seafood heaven. Stone crab’s popularity is so high that three Clearwater Beach restaurants launch the season with festivals. Each entice visitors with live entertainment, games, souvenirs, thirst-quenching beverages and plates heaped with claws that are sold by the pound.

COCO’S ANNUAL CRABFEST OCTOBER 21 – 23

Coco’s Crush Bar & Grill is just two blocks off the beach and will debut its first stone crab festival this year. Sit at tables inside or out, order a bucket of claws and wash them down with their signature Orange Crush. cocoscrushbar.com

FRENCHY’S STONE CRAB WEEKEND OCTOBER 28 – 29

Since 1984, Frenchy’s Original Café has featured a block party with huge tents and long tables for seating and shade, plus plenty

Stone Crab plate at Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar

Palm Pavilion Stone Crab Weekend

of food, beer and liquor stations. All six Frenchy’s area restaurants will serve stone crab, but for the original good time, head to Frenchy’s Original Café. frenchysonline.com

PALM PAVILION’S STONE CRAB WEEKEND OCTOBER 28 – 30

Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar is the only festival site directly on the beach. Festivities run day and night, but a late afternoon stop gets you plenty of time to enjoy cool drinks, high-energy music, luscious stone crab and a vibrant Gulf sunset. palmpavilion.com