Dunedin

This underrated Florida gem is a small waterfront town with excellent views and the perfect balance of beaches, art galleries, craft breweries, and nature. It’s just a 30-minute drive from St. Petersburg and Tampa if you end up missing the city life.

And even though Dunedin’s downtown area is very small, that’s part of the appeal, along with great antique shops and delicious beer. Feel like being surrounded by nature instead of shopping and restaurants? No problem! You can hit the smooth pavement on the Pinellas Trail.

It’s a 32-mile path that weaves through parks and urban areas, stretching from Tarpon Springs north down to St. Pete. It makes for a perfect scenic bike ride. But the real bonus is Dunedin’s access to the two small barrier islands, Caladesi and Honeymoon Island.

If you take a ferry between the two, you might just be rewarded with dolphin sightings or a glimpse of an osprey. While the beaches on both islands are gorgeous, you can also enjoy the surroundings with a kayaking trip around the mangroves or a hike on the nature trails.