Evening Lights & Morning Trails in Dunedin, Florida
Small-Town Coastal Escape Just Outside Tampa
Quiet streets at dusk, a memorable cocktail at The Living Room, and a sunrise stroll on the Pinellas Trail — Dunedin is a coastal town that lingers in the soul.
Arriving in Dunedin
Just a short, easy drive up the west coast from Tampa, Dunedin, Florida feels worlds away from the rush of the city. As evening settled in, we rolled into town and immediately felt the change of pace — tree-lined streets, soft lamplight, and a slow coastal rhythm that invites you to breathe a little deeper. There’s a gentle magic here at night, the kind of feeling you get wandering quiet streets where every porch, storefront, and side street seems to hold its own story.
Dinner at The Living Room
For dinner, we found our way to The Living Room, a warm, inviting restaurant tucked into downtown Dunedin. Inside, the atmosphere was equal parts cozy and lively — the kind of place where conversations linger and glasses never sit empty for long. We ordered one of their signature cocktails called “Adult Time,” a fun, grown-up mix that was as refreshing as the name suggests.
The standout of the night, though, might have been the brussels sprouts with blackberry sauce — a dish that somehow managed to be both comforting and inventive. Sweet, tangy, and perfectly charred, it’s the sort of plate you remember long after the evening ends. After dinner, we wandered through downtown, strolling under the glow of the streetlights as the town settled into a quiet coastal hush.
Sunrise on the Pinellas Trail
The next morning, we woke to a soft sunrise and decided to stretch our legs on the Pinellas Trail — a beloved multi-use path that threads its way through communities up and down Florida’s west coast. Once a railroad corridor, it’s been transformed into a safe, scenic route for walkers, runners, and cyclists. In Dunedin, the trail feels like the town’s backbone, connecting parks, neighborhoods, and waterfront views in one continuous line.
As we walked, the early light filtered through the trees and the town slowly came to life. Cyclists glided past, locals walked dogs and grabbed coffee, and every so often the trail opened up to glimpses of the water and side streets lined with colorful bungalows. It’s the kind of place that makes you imagine what it would be like to live here — stepping onto the trail every morning as part of your daily routine.
Scottish Roots & Small-Town Spirit
Dunedin may be a Florida coastal town, but its roots reach across the Atlantic. The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh, and that heritage still shows up in local culture, events, and community pride. Festivals, parades, and gatherings throughout the year celebrate this unique blend of Scottish history and Gulf Coast sunshine.
What stands out most, though, is the town’s small-scale feel paired with big personality — a walkable downtown, local art, live music, craft breweries, and a steady calendar of markets and events that give people plenty of reasons to come back. Dunedin is the kind of place you add to your travel list once… and then quietly plan to revisit again.
If You Go
• Location: Dunedin, Florida — on the Gulf Coast, just north of Clearwater and west of Tampa
• Vibe: Laid-back coastal town with walkable downtown and strong local culture
• Don’t Miss: Dinner or cocktails at multiple good local restaurants, grabbing a pint at one of the many breweries, evening strolls downtown, sunrise walk or ride on the Pinellas Trail
• Good To Know: Check local calendars for Scottish heritage events, art walks, craft beer festivals, and seasonal markets
Shop the Collection
Inspired by main streets, downtown vibes, and local charm, we are growing our offerings of the beautiful views and sites of our vibrant cities and towns which celebrate places like Dunedin across the USA.
Explore Cities & Towns → Shop our collections
Stay Connected
Follow our weekly adventures and see how real travels inspire sustainable art. Subscribe to the Travel Blog Newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.