Dunedin Florida

Downtown Dunedin’s Main Street impresses visitors and locals alike with over ten blocks of unique shopping, dining, nightlife and recreation options. What began as a simple restoration project to capture pedestrian traffic brought through Dunedin’s downtown by the county’s recreation trail is now one of the most successful downtown revitalization projects in West Central Florida. Celebrating a 100% occupancy rate on Main Street, the City of Dunedin already knows a downtown’s success is a result of catering to the diverse needs of the area’s residents and visitors. From recreation to shopping and dining, downtown Dunedin strives to have something for everyone.

As far as recreation, Main Street Dunedin is a favorite of both land and sea lovers alike. Sea lovers appreciate that Main Street runs right into the city marina facility where boat dockage for both residents’ and visitors’ boats is available, as well as a myriad of rental and charter boat options for those without a boat. On the other side of Main Street, for those that prefer dry land is the “Pinellas Trail” a thirty-four mile pedestrian trail gives visitors the option to walk, run, bike or ride throughout town and even throughout the entire county!

Just as downtown Dunedin’s recreation offers variety, so does Main Street’s shopping. Choices range from an economically priced consignment shop, The Little Thrift Shop, which offers bargains on gently used wares to Kina Kouture, an exclusive couture boutique that specializes in chic trendy one of a kind clothing. In addition, there are antique shops, art galleries, unique collectibles, wooden furniture, tropical gifts and over twenty-five other stores to suit the preferences of most shoppers.

In addition to all of this, Dunedin’s Downtown boasts over fifteen restaurants and cafes. For a casual atmosphere, diners can sit outside and enjoy light fare at Café Alfresco, Jolli Mon’s Café or Cappuccino’s Café. If one’s prefers a bit livelier of a meal, Casa Tina is an excellent dinner choice that serves patrons Mexican food accompanied by live music, dancing and Cirque style shows weekly. Other live music options along Main Street include Flanagan's Irish Pub and Dunedin Brewery; both offer a diverse beer selection and high quality pub-style meals as well as showcase distinct musical talent up to four nights a week. At the other end of the spectrum, the Black Pearl is a romantic restaurant well known for its intimate setting and award winning cuisine.

Once you have finished running, walking, sailing, shopping and eating in Dunedin there are still more choices. Whether you prefer a sweet treat at one of Dunedin’s three ice cream and sweet shops or a cocktail at one of the many bars and nightclubs, you won’t run out of things to do in this lively town!

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Just off Clearwater’s Memorial Causeway, in a renovated city water treatment facility adults and children are spending the day feeding sea turtles, petting stingrays, shaking hands with dolphins and learning how to preserve and restore Florida’s marine life.

At The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visitors experience a unique working marine facility that specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of local sea life. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s focus is on educating its visitors while entertaining them. Unlike large metropolitan aquariums, this aquarium’s small size allows visitors a chance to view the marine life in a more intimate setting. Utilizing a see, touch and learn method the aquarium provides various opportunities for encounters with sea turtles, stingrays and dolphins that are housed at the aquarium until many of them are ready to be released back to the sea. With thirteen different exhibits including stingray beach, otter land, numerous turtle habitats, the animal’s kitchen and the various rehabilitation areas, there is something for everyone. One of the most popular exhibits at the aquarium is the Dolphin Show where every seat is front row and all guests are warned they are in a potential “splash zone!”

For individuals and groups that want an even more personalized and extensive experience, the aquarium offers actual animal encounters. Both the Dolphin Encounter and the Trainer for a Day Encounter allow participants the chance to spend time with the animals and their trainers preparing meals, feeding the animals and learning about the maintenance and care of the aquarium’s resident marine life.

The aquarium is open daily and guided tours are available. Visitors wanting to participate in either the Dolphin Encounter or Trainer for a Day program must have advance reservations, so be sure to call ahead. For more information, the aquarium’s extensive website features videos of many of their marine rescues and releases as well as a live web cam of the dolphin habitat at www.cmaquarium.org.

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