It took years away from Florida to make me fully appreciate it: the sunsets, the beaches, the easy way of life. St. Pete and Clearwater may get all of the attention in Pinellas County, but just north of it is the the area’s true hidden gem. Dunedin’s downtown scene is flourishing, and it seems like every day there’s a new restaurant, bar or boutique to hit up. Here are a few you can’t miss on your next trip. (You know, when the blessed day comes when we can travel freely again.)

The Best Places to Eat in Dunedin:

• The Scone Age Bakery & Cafe — Start your day with breakfast at this charming little bungalow, which offers dense Scottish scones (with clotted cream, no less), a killer everything bagel dog and all kinds of coffee. I’m a fan of the cold brew.
• Fenway Hotel — It’s a bougie place to stay, and an equally bougie place to grab dinner. This is an anniversary meal sort of place, with a rooftop bar and chophouse. There’s a decent amount of outdoor dining, and the steaks and smoky cocktails are top-notch.
• Taco Baby — Billed as “Florida’s tiniest taqueria,” this ATM kiosk-sized booth serves a killer street taco. At $3 apiece, they’re pricey for each palm-size bite, but they’re a great grab-and-go snack as you wander Downtown Dunedin. Order the Al pastor tacos with pineapple salsa.
• Strachan’s Ice Cream — Steps away from Taco Baby in Downtown Dunedin is this old-school ice cream shop, featuring hard ice cream and a killer hot fudge sundae to boot. Be sure to sample the carrot cake ice cream, which combines carrot cake batter ice cream with chunks of the shop’s housemade cake.

4 Fun Places to Visit in Dunedin:

• Honeymoon Island — Cruising the causeway and taking in the waves is my ultimate stress reliever, but when I’m looking to spend the day at the beach, it’s worth paying $8 (or $4 if you stop by an hour before sunset) to visit Honeymoon Island. The white sand beaches are less rocky—and way less populated.
• Palm Latitudes & Other Downtown Dunedin Shops — With its flamingo and mermaid tchotchkes, Palm Latitudes is the ultimate Florida beachcomber store. You’ve got to visit it, and take a stroll along all of the other boutiques along Main Street. Worth it.
• Pinellas Trail — Rent a bike, grab your skates or just throw on some sneakers and travel part (or all) of this 38-mile pedestrian trail. It stretches throughout the county, cutting right through Downtown Dunedin.
• Kiwanis Sprayground — Make your kids’ day at this 3,000-square-foot water park. It’s ADA accessible, features a pirate ship with a massive slide and all kinds of sprinkler-like attractions.

3 Fulfilling Things to Do in Dunedin:

• Dunedin History Museum — OK, not everything I recommend is in Downtown Dunedin, but it’s pretty dang close. This museum’s right on Main Street, and it features more than 2,000 artifacts detailing Florida (and the city’s) history. You’ll get a great sense of what life was like for pioneer families in  the 1870s, and there’s an educational railroad to boot. Plus, admission will set you back just $5, and kids 12 and under get in for free.
• Dunedin Highlanders Performance — Play tourist and attend a high school football game? Why, yes, if it involves catching a halftime performance by the school’s Scottish Highlanders Marching Band,  which celebrates the heritage of the city’s early settlers. Trust me: The bagpipe players are not to be missed. (Due to COVID, many concerts are streamed via Facebook, so you can catch them that way too.)
• Dunedin Highland Games & Festival — Another cool slice of life? Catching the Highland Games & Festival. This year, it takes place in April, with Scottish athletics, piping and drumming events, and a Highland dance competition. There’s food, there are drinks, there’s culture…what more could you want?