Dunedin, Florida

Moving from upstate New York twenty years ago we settled in Dunedin, Florida. You might say we went from snowbirds to sunbirds. We love the weather and Gulf Coast. It is an ideal setting for both tourists and residents.

What is it that gives your town that exceptional feeling that you have chosen to settle in that perfect place? First, I would say the people, and next the activities that bring the people together, along with a fantastic setting (in this case on the Gulf of Mexico) and memories…lots of fond memories.

Written up in Southern Living magazine for its charming, picturesque downtown area, photos showed Main Street with its red brick road and brick accent cornerstones.

This is a Main street featuring almost every type of food restaurant you would want. Eighteen dining eateries feature, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Seafood, Casual Dining, Take-out and other delicacies that grace the streets.

An old Train Depot is the Historical Society Museum and a must for tourists. A Pinellas Trail that reaches from St. Petersburg up the West Coast past Tarpon Springs for over twenty five miles gives it charm. Here bikers, skaters, and joggers can enjoy the countryside while traveling up or down the trail.

Special Events are scheduled every month and for the enjoyment of old and young. Fine Arts festivals, Arts & Crafts shows, Antique Shows, Mardi Gras celebrations, Paws on Parade, an Oktoberfest, Wine Festival, and, of course, all holidays are celebrated throughout the year and ending with a Christmas Lighted Boat Parade and Santa greeting the children in the park on the beautiful Gulf marina.

Highland Games are celebrated, as Dunedin has a sister city in Scotland. Colorful parades and parties are celebrated to honor the event. The schools celebrate with marching bands in Scottish kilt attire.

A fine arts center located in the Dunedin recreation area has ample parking for events and features swimming activities in the large covered pool. The Senior Center hosts a variety of interest for the seniors and is situated across from the Dunedin Blue Jay stadium at Grant Field which was remodeled to accommodate Blue Jay spring training.

Furniture, gift, and specialty shops pop up on most downtown streets to please your tastes. Friendly owners make shopping trips memorable. Ten Art Gallery studios please the eye and purse, along with nine Antique shops. Boutiques are plentiful for the tourists and natives to enjoy.

Services are offered to provide tourists and resident with any requirement from hair salons, pet boutiques, printing, and various other needs. Twenty different services line the streets from bakeries to flower shops. Civic centers are filled with devoted Dunedin residents, always taking part in their community activities.

Three hotels, two directly on the Gulf, where you can order from your boat, are enjoyed by tourists. Their restaurants are superb and you can see Dunedin residents dining for lunch and dinner every day. One restaurant, named Bon Appetit, has been written up in Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines. New Bed and Breakfasts have sprung up for tourist enjoyment.

Free movies are shown Friday nights in the downtown plaza. That is where most of the activities occur. The Dunedin Wines the Blues festival creates a friendly atmosphere where residents can mix and enjoy good wine, food, and music. The Oktoberfest features German food and beer, German music, and a carnival with rides for the kiddies. The Dunedin Brewery participates in this pleasurable party. A Mardi Gras Black Tie Gala and Celebration is held each year, along with a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Churches of every domination are available and attended by the people of all faiths. Church Festivals are many and draw crowds.

Dunedin features a beach and a park on an island called Honeymoon Island for swimming and boating. Don’t let’s forget the giant Fireworks display the Fourth of July over the water and viewed by many excited residents and tourist along the coastline for miles. We like to sit on the beach and feed the sea gulls which watching our two Maltese dogs, Pepsi and Cola, romp on the dog beach.

Situated between Tampa and St. Petersburg, directly on the Gulf, allows one to drive straight north up the west coast to Georgia and points north, east across to Disney World and Universal Studios, south to Alligator Alley and across to Miami and the Keys, or just venture the twenty-two miles into Tampa to visit Busch Gardens. St. Petersburg offers the beautiful Sunken Gardens if you want a short drive of twelve miles south. Not far from Dunedin north is Weeki Wachee where you can watch the mermaid show, or the beautiful Cypress Gardens with its breathtaking landscapes. These and more tourist attractions are a fingertip away on the map.

We love this town with its friendly atmosphere, and a completeness that says “You don’t need to look further…I will furnish all your needs and you can live here without venturing beyond my borders.”

Connie B

Submitted: Monday 16th February 2004, 4:46 PM

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