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Top 5 Romantic Date Night Spots in Dunedin for Valentines Day (2023)
It’s that time of year again! We’re starting to see the buildup to Valentine’s Day and the restaurants in town are gearing up for the romantic dinner rush. While there are many great places to dine, this post will focus on some of the best date night spots in the city of Dunedin. All of these establishments offer incredible views, cozy ambiance, and a variety of seasonal menus.
Take a look at our list and let us know which one you’ll be dining at this February 14th!
Photo: Parlor House Bistro Facebook - Parlor House Bistro
1757 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698
French-American inspired cuisine. Chef driven kitchen. Casual fine dining atmosphere. - Sonder Social Club
966 Douglas Ave Unit 101, Dunedin, FL 34698
Voted Best Craft Cocktails in Tampa Bay Area
Photo: Sonder Social Club - The Restorative
420 Patricia Ave Dunedin, FL 34698
With an ever changing menu, there’s no telling what you’ll have when you dine.
Photo: restorativerestaurant.com - Bon Apetit Restaurant & Bar
148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, FL 34698
Enjoy a private dining experience that is second to none! Bon Appétit’s “Chef’s Waterside Table for Two” Boasts the best sunsets in Tampa Bay
- HEW Parlor & Chophouse
453 Edgewater Drive Dunedin, Florida United States
A balance of classic charm and waves of Florida sunlight, HEW Parlor & Chophouse is the perfect place to share a meal.
- Parlor House Bistro
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6 Things I Learned About Parking While Traveling
How do you handle parking when you’re traveling to a new city? Does it depend on the type of trip? I learned some things about parking that might be helpful for you to know too, so let’s talk about how parking factors in.
1. Stay where there’s parking built into the room rate.
From self parking rates to valet, many higher end chains will be charging you to park at their hotels. I’ve seen rates from $25 and up and that’s a per night fee. Make sure you check the fine print before booking your hotel based on a great deal. You may end up paying even more once you factor in parking rates. This is especially the case in large downtowns like NYC or beach resorts. Your best bets for free parking are going to be your Motel 6 or anything outside of a downtown area.
2. Smart-phone apps are a helpful tool when you’re looking for a parking space.
Research before you go what parking apps, if any, the location may use. Parkmobile is a popular one around this area, but there are a few others. It will make things easier if you’ve already setup your account before your stuck in the parking space for 15 mins entering everything. This is also a great idea to do for transit services too if the city you’re heading to offers it.
3. If you park on the street, pay attention to signs and make sure you’re in compliance.
This can get intense depending on how big the city is. Take San Fransisco, they have like 8 different color coding system that mean different things about where and when you can park. One top of the color coding, there are other street signs that tell you specific times and dates you can’t park in a space due to street cleaning and events.
4. Parking is more expensive when there’s a major event going on.
Speaking of events, Parking that could be free normally may be for a fee during events like baseball games and concerts. Think of it like an Uber surge price.
5. You may have to park farther away than you think
Ill give you an explain with our trip to Miami. At that time I was just starting to travel more often and didn’t even think to ask if there was parking available at the hotel, (we we’re staying on Miami Beach). We get there and are informed we would have to park our cars in a parking garage located across and bridge and a 15 min walk from the hotel. AND we would be paying to park there. So check to see if your stay even has an option for on site parking. Again this factors in most in large downtown areas and beaches.
6. Do you even need to have a car?
Taking a trip the NYC or similar? You may not even need to get a rental car in the first place. Large metropolitan cities like NYC and Chicago have amazing transit systems places like Florida and California are severely lacking. I never drive when visiting NYC, (they drive like crazy people anyways!) Another big decision to ask about rental cars is how far away is the airport from your destination? In Chicago it would have cost us $75 each way to and from the airport if they didn’t offer a train service. New Orleans would be $45 each way equalling $90 total just for airport trips. So if that number costs about as much as a rental car (and parking your stay is an option), you might as well get one for the convenience.
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Glamping Necessities For Camping Haters (2022)
Let’s face it… camping sucks.
Yes, It’s a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and enjoy nature in a way that’s truly uninterrupted by technology. But if you’re anything like me, you think its hot, sweaty, bug filled and at times pretty boring.
But what if I told you there was a solution? What if there were ways to camp without actually having to camp? Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not!
Glamping is the new trend in outdoor travel. While it may seem like all fun and games, there are some things that you should know when it comes to having a good time while camping outdoors.
What Is Glamping?
Before we get into the nitty gritty details about what you should bring with you on your next outdoor adventure, let’s first take a look at what exactly glamping is. Glamping stands for glamour + camping = glamping! The idea behind this new trend is to combine the glamour of being out in nature with some modern conveniences such as electricity, running water and even WiFi so that everything feels more comfortable when out in nature!
Why Glamp?
There are many reasons why people choose to go glamping instead of traditional camping:
-It’s less expensive than staying at a hotel/motel offsite from where they’re attending an event (i.e., music festival).
-They want more comfort than what camping provides
If you find yourself going on a camping trip or camping based music festival and you want to make it as comfortable as possible, read on. I have compiled a list of all the
must have glamping necessities to bring with you on your next outdoor stay.
Yup! Those are affiliate links! If you make a purchase through any of the links in this post, I’ll earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Myself and my margarita fund thank you kindly!
I’m not sure how you slept on the ground before, but I’m sure that if you have slept on a mattress topped cot, you’ll never go back.
The mattress is comfortable, so you’ll never wake up with aches and pains from sleeping on the ground again. You won’t wake up on a complete deflated air mattress. The cot is sturdy enough that you won’t have to worry about it falling apart when you get up in the middle of the night to wander around camp looking for your friends who are off drinking beer by themselves (we’ve all been there). Plus, some cots comes with its own carrying case, so you can easily carry it wherever you go without worrying about damaging it!
When you’re camping, you need a lot of things. You need shelter from the elements and food to fuel your body. But most importantly, you need shade!
Your ez up canopy is an essential tool for any camping trip.
It’s great for shade and cooling, but it’s also a place to retreat and relax in the middle of the wild.
Whether you’re just hanging out with your friends or enjoying some quality time with your family, your ez up canopy will be there for you when you need it most.
You know what will go great under that EZ Up? A fully loaded camping kitchen!
You don’t want to be confined to a tiny tent, cooking and eating on the ground. You want to feel like you’re at home, in your own kitchen. That’s why a full roll out camping kitchen will give you all the comforts of home while still experiencing the fun of camping.
These have saved my life and amusement parks, music festivals and everyday walks in the Florida heat.
If you’ve ever camped in Florida during the summer, you know that the heat can make things pretty uncomfortable. We’re not just talking about the lack of air conditioning—we’re talking about the heat itself.
They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and perfect for keeping cool while adventuring outside in sweltering temperatures.
Air conditioning for camping – isn’t this something we all dream about on those scorching hot days out in the wilderness?
One of the coolest items (pun intended!) you can carry with you on a camping trip is a portable air conditioner for tents. It’s a convenient and cheap cooling solution that will keep you comfortable in hot weather.
One thing nature generally doesn’t have is electricity. How are you expected to survive outdoors without your cell phone to keep you busy in your down time?
That’s why power bank charger are a handy thing to have. Not only during camping these are also great in emergency situations if you lose power for days at your home too.
Bonus points for getting one that has a solar charger included.
One of the biggest issues with camping is keeping all of the DIRT out of your tent.
It doesn’t matter how clean you are or how you camp, dirt and dust seem to find their way into every little crevice.
A quality camping rug is your first line of defense.
They also provide a comfortable place to kick off your shoes and relax outside.
No longer will you have to stand semi naked under a tree branch or rush off to a disgusting port-a-potty.
A privacy tent offers a convenient solution for changing clothes, outdoor bathrooms and portable showers.
Instead you can quickly pop open your own tent, step inside and nobody will be the wiser.
I may not advocate for inflatable mattresses, but inflatable furniture is the best for lounging at your campsite.
With the help of an inflatable couch, you can bring a superior level of comfort during camping trips.
Quick setup time and affordable luxury for any glamp site. Get ready to relax in style.
You can’t forget about the tunes! If you’re going to be outdoors for long periods of time, it’s important to bring a speaker that will keep you company—and keep your spirits high!
Whether you want to listen to your favorite album or podcasts while you’re cooking breakfast over the fire, or you want to blast some tunes as you roast marshmallows with friends and family on an evening campout, there are plenty of benefits to bringing along a bluetooth speaker when you go camping.
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Best Picnic Spots in Dunedin, FL for #InternationalPicnicDay
June 18th is International Picnic Day! The idea behind this day is to get people together and share food with friends and family, while also enjoying the outdoors. And when you find the time between the rain storms and the humidity in Florida, we can have some amazing weather.
Picnics are one of my favorite things to do on a warm summer day. In Dunedin, we have plenty of great places to enjoy a picnic with your friends and family and enjoy the sunshine! We have parks that are perfect for picnics along with beaches that offer beautiful views of the ocean. Here are some of our favorite spots:
Dunedin Causeway
The Dunedin Causeway is a popular spot for fishermen, bikers, walkers, runners and picnickers alike. It is one of the most scenic spots in Pinellas County, offering beautiful views and breathtaking sunsets that you can share with your loved ones
Hammock Park
Hammock Park is another great spot to have a picnic with your date. It has a bunch of trails and has plenty of space to spread out a blanket. There are also lots of trees around the area if you want some shade from the sun.
In the photo above you will notice a charcuterie spread. These are wonderful picnic foods that give you a variety of options. If you’re looking for an awesome one in Dunedin, Hopscotch Cafe on Broadway is top notch.
Weaver Park
Dunedin parks are so beautiful, and there are so many! Don’t forget about Weaver park as well! This little gem is right next to Downtown, which makes it perfect if you want your date to have some fun in the sun while they eat their lunch!
There a playground side by the Pinellas Trail. Across the street side gives you access to a pier and Sunset Music Series hosted by the city in the summer.
Pioneer Park
Newly renovated with beautiful local artists mosaics, Pioneer Park, located on Main Street & Douglas Ave in the heart of downtown Dunedin. The park provides an ideal spot for a picnic for families or couples as it is surrounded by many shops and restaurants which makes it easy to pick up food before settling down at one of the numerous picnic benches.
On Fridays and Saturday mornings Nov-June, you will find the Downtown Dunedin Market where shoppers can pick up fresh produce and a wide choice of gourmet items.
Honeymoon Island
Honeymoon Island is great place to visit any time of year. It’s perfect if you to have some fun in the sun or you can simply sit and stare out into the water in complete silence. Get ready to be wowed by the beautiful sunset over the water! $8 entry for 2 or more per vehicle; $4 for pedestrians or bikers.
Edgewater Park
Located at Dunedin Marina, Edgewater Park is well shaded and features a playground, picnic tables, rest room facilities and a gazebo that may be reserved for weddings and other functions.
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Free Things to Do in Dunedin, FL (2022)
Dunedin is a charming town, with plenty of fun things to do. Whether you’re looking to spend an afternoon or an entire day, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. Here are some free ideas for things to do in Dunedin!
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below and I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post, but these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used.
Walk or Bike down the Trail
Have you heard of the Pinellas Trail? It’s an amazing biking and walking trail that stretches from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. There are entry points all along the trail, so you can take a ride through beautiful scenery, stop and visit a park, or just cruise on down the road to your heart’s content.
Listen to live music
Dunedin is home to a number of great bars and restaurants that feature live music on a regular basis. One such establishment is the Dunedin Brewery, where you can enjoy some fine craft beers while listening to tunes from local bands. There are also several other venues throughout town where you can enjoy live music on any given night of the week! Some of the most common is Stirling Wine, Bausers, Crown & Bull, Lucky Lobster & Soggy Bottom.
Check out some art.
If you like art, we have a couple of recommendations for you. You can take a walk through an art studio—some of them even let you create your own masterpiece—or visit any of our many art festivals. But you don’t have to go inside to check out art in Dunedin. The streets are painted with murals on various businesses throughout the downtown.
Free to Peruse Art Studios:
Painted Fish Art Gallery, Studio 1212, Ann Monroe Street Art Gallery, Stirling Art Studio, Art Smart Coffee & Gallery
Spend the day in a park.
If you’d rather spend time outdoors, check out one of our parks! We have Weaver Park, Hammock Park, Edgewater Park, Pioneer Park and so much more (keep an eye out for Gladys Douglas Park coming soon). There are plenty of trails and activities to keep you busy all day long.
Beatles fan? Stop by the Penny Lane Beatle Museum
Did you know that the “Penny Lane” Beatles Museum in Dunedin is free to the public and filled with Beatles memorabilia. It’s right smack in the middle of the downtown and is the cutest museum ever. It has tons of photos, letters, statues, books, and other things from their past — all from The Beatles!
Dunedin Causeway Beach
During spring break and summertime, somewhat avoid the long lines by parking up on the Dunedin Causeway instead of trying to make your way down to Honeymoon Island (and save yourself the $8 fee). Great place for fishing, throwing a football or working on your tan. It also have a wide biking/walking trail that runs the entire way into Honeymoon.
Have a dog? Take him to a dog park.
Dunedin has not one but two dog parks, Happy Tails & Achieva Paw Park AND a one the leash pet beach at Honeymoon Island.
The Kiwanis Sprayground is an interactive children’s water playground is filled with several water features to beat the summer heat. Kids can dodge a crocodile that shoots water out of its mouth; slide down the pirate ship, circle the tumble buckets, and dance in and out of the flower water showers cascading through the Sprayground. It is open seasonally, March-October.
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Donut Shops to Visit on #NationalDonutDay – North Pinellas
June 3rd is National Donut Day. If you’re not familiar with the holiday, it was created to celebrate donuts — hot, delicious, sweet treats that have been enjoyed in America for over a century. National Donut Day serves as an annual reminder for people to enjoy their favorite local donut shop or mom and pop donut shop today. But where do you find the best places to indulge in some fried dough? The following list provides a few suggestions for North Pinellas.
Van Dough Mini Doughnuts – Clearwater, FL
Best mini donuts ever! They have so many flavors to choose from, you are sure to find one that is just right for you. And they are so good I could eat them all day long. They also have a couple of tables inside where you can sit and enjoy your snack. Freshly made for every order with flavors including from cookies and cream, and the Simpson’s inspired “Homer” donut with strawberry icing and sprinkles.
This gourmet mini doughnut shop also serves specialty coffee and cold brew, Hershey premium ice cream, doughnut milkshakes (yes you read that right) and sundaes.
2519 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater, FL 33761
Facebook @vandoughminisfl
Cosmic Donuts – Palm Harbor, FL
Cosmic Donuts make all of their products fresh, daily with all of their speciality frostings being made from scratch. Toting a catalog of over 100 different styles of donuts from fruitti pebble to maple bacon, they have something to offer everyone.
They also can cater your events and bring your favorite donut to the party.
32130 US Highway 19 N. Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Facebook @cosmicsavories
St Pete Bagel Co – Dunedin, FL
Ive got one word for you – Cronuts! Cronuts are a delicious combo between a croissant and a donut which creates a pastry of sweet and flaky goodness.
On top of that they offer an assortment of NY-style bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, grilled paninis, home-brewed coffee and espresso, and more. They have been recognized as one of the best bagel places in Tampa Bay for past nine years.
1493 MAIN ST DUNEDIN, FL 34698
Facebook @stpetebagel
Picture credit @stpetebagel
Hole in One Donuts – Tarpon Springs, FL
Donut lovers, this is the place for you! Hole in One Donuts has been serving up delicious treats since 1988. Their mission is to provide their customers with the best donut experience possible. They pride themselves on their unique flavors, fresh ingredients, and customer service. Delicious donuts and breakfast sandwiches at great prices.
They specialize in creating special order donuts for your next holiday or party. They can turn any occasion into a sweet and delicious one.
39024 Hwy 19 North Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Facebook @holeinonedonutstarponsprings
Picture Credit @holeinonedonutstarponsprings
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Top Nightlife Spots in Dunedin
We all know Dunedin is a great place to live and work, but have you ever explored the nightlife of this beautiful city, filled with amazing people? Whether you are looking for a cozy place to grab a few drinks with friends, an exciting venue for dancing or a swanky date night, you will be able to find it in Dunedin.
Here are some of my favorite hot spots to check out.
The ONLY Nightclub in North Pinellas – Blur Nightclub is a great place to dance the night away! They have drag shows on the weekends and drag queen bingo on the 1st Tuesday of the month. The drinks are reasonably priced, the Bartenders are nice, and there’s always something going on. Blur has been a staple of the Dunedin community since the 90’s. They offer live music every night of the week, as well as weekly karaoke on Thursdays! You can check out their website to see what musicians are performing, or just walk over and find out for yourself!
325 MAIN STREET, DUNEDIN, FL, 34698
Sonder Social Club offers a sophisticated and unique bar experience, created by bartenders who are passionate about the craft of mixology located in Artisan District of Dunedin, FL. They feature a rotating selection of draft beers and live music on the weekends. At Christmas time, Sonder gets a makeover and transforms into Santa Social Club serving holiday inspired beverages such as Milk & Cookies with an actually cookie!
966 Douglas Ave, Unit 101 Dunedin, FL 34698
Looking for a casual night out? Dunedin Brewery is the oldest craft microbrewery in Florida founded back in 1995 before craft beer was even a thing. They have live music most nights of the week and a wide selection of beer and food. The poutine is amazing and same for the Apricot Ale! Plenty of seating inside or out and there’s not a bad seat in the house. You can hear the music from anywhere.
937 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL
This place is a lot of fun. Not only are they open until 2 am, but there’s a variety of things to do, from pinball machines to video games and arcade games. A true gamer’s dream! They have a room you can rent for parties or you can rent out the entire arcade instead. Attached to Jack Pallino’s Pizza, yes you can bring food in with you. Captain Hotpocket wouldn’t have it any other way!
248 SCOTLAND STREET DUNEDIN, FL 34698
Stirling Wine is a wine bar located on Main Street in downtown Dunedin that offers more than 100 wines by the bottle. It is a local favorite because of the live music, happy hour specials and friendly bartenders. Large selection of artisan foods with a fantastic happy hours and ladies night specials. Brunch on Saturday & Sundays from 1pm-4pm serving a Mimosa PITCHER for only $20.
461 Main Street, Dunedin, Florida
With its mood lighting and black out curtains, The Nest by Caracara has that speakeasy feel day or night. Classic craft cocktails and French inspired small bites. On the pricier side but you pay for the upscale ambience and handcrafted difference.
730 Broadway, Dunedin, FL
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Weekday Roadtrips | Clearwater to Kelly Rock Springs
It’s a weekday and you’re feeling antsy. Maybe you can’t decide what to do: go home, go out for the night, or just stay at the office late.
But why not take an adventure? This is Florida, after all. Why not take a road trip?
We took a trip from Clearwater (just outside of Tampa, FL) to Wekiwa Springs, stayed the night at a reasonably priced hotel (with breakfast of course) and finished off at Kelly Rock Springs in Apopka, FL. And that’s where our story begins…
We left on a Monday morning from Clearwater and surprisingly didn’t run into very much Tampa traffic. The trip total one way was 2 hr 30minish. If you are going to go to either of these springs I HIGHLY suggest a weekday not in the summertime. We got to Wekiwa at 12pm Monday and Kelly Rock Springs at 10am Tuesday and drove right in.
We stopped at Walmart off Turkey Lake for supplies and that was intense. Apparently it is also considered an attraction in Orlando. Best to avoid that one if possible.
Then, we headed to Wekiwa Springs State Park. Drove right in.This park is actually very close to Kelly but isn’t as well known to the general public. As far I could tell it’s a local favorite hangout spot for many locals in the community. There were several groups of people catching some fun there, too.
We took our $2 tubes into the spring and floated the afternoon away. Good amount of trees to catch some shade and sun. We stuck to the water but there is also canoeing, kayaking and trail hiking to take advantage of too.
For dinner, we checked out Orange County Brewer Tin & Taco and had the BEST tacos I may have ever had (and that’s a lot of tacos). I picked the Chicken Bacon Ranch Taco and they came stuffed with ingredients. They had a great beer selection my favorite being the Yee-haw Red Ale.
As the sun went down we headed out to our home for the night, Holiday Inn Express in Sanford/Lake Mary. There is nothing I love more than free breakfast with my hotel stay. And I do quite a bit a research into this amenity pre booking. This was THE best ‘hot breakfast’ from a chain hotel Ive chowed down at. Not only was there the waffle maker and scrambled eggs but a pancake conveyor belt as well! You could also tell that the hotel was recently renovated and had that clean, freshly painted feel to it.
Next up: Kelly Rock Springs, just north of Apopka. This spring is the perfect way to spend a day. It was early Monday morning and again drove right in. There’s a large swimming hole with natural clear water, perfect for floating and enjoying the open space.
But the real reason why you go to Kelly Rock Springs is the natural lazy river. With water temperatures always at a balmy 70 degrees, you can float down the natural lazy river and bask in the sun while traveling through a lush natural paradise. From the spring head to the end of the swim zone is about a 30 min float. You can bring your own float or Rock Springs Bar & Grill is right before the entrance of the park and have them available for rental for only $7.
I decided to save a couple bucks and buy $2 palm leaf tubes at Walmart and obviously, you get what you pay for. First float I went with the standard tubing method of sitting in the hole. And I didn’t move the entire time for fear m slightest move may pop it.
The next floats, I wore through the hole with my legs hanging like a cartoon dog being drawn to a window by the smell of a pie cooling. And this method worked out amazing. The entire way is no higher than waist deep if that but be careful of the giant rocks in the beginning.
Side note: We also discovered that Jon is the King of the Dragonflies and had numerous dragonflies riding on him down the river.
Kelly Springs State Park is open 8am-7pm every day of the year. It costs $3 for under 2 people to enter, and it has camping spots available for $24/night. If you have to go on a weekend, I suggest reserving a campsite so that you are guaranteed access to the springs.
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Best Boozy Brunch in Dunedin, Florida
Brunch! Not only is it a great way to kick off the weekend, but brunch also gives you an excuse to have a boozy drink first thing in the morning. In Dunedin, there are some great places to go for the perfect weekend brunch and here are some of my favorites.
Prohibition Kitchen
If you’re looking to feel like a 1920s gangster while indulging in some of the best brunch fare around, Prohibition Kitchen is where it’s at. They have a Biscuits & Gravy that’s comparable to what your southern mama made. Their food is great and their drinks even better. They offer an UNLIMITED – All You Can Drink option for only $18 which include Mimosas, Aperol spritz, Red or White Sangria AND Bloody Marys. Brunch is served every Sunday from 11am-3pm.
1600 Main Street Dunedin, FL 34698Rusty Lyon
If you love your brunch with a side of booze, Rusty Lyon is your spot. The home of the $1 Mimosas and $2 Bloody Marys in Dunedin. Their brunch menu is limited but delicious, with items like Redneck Benedict and French Toast. But let’s be real: if you’re going to Rusty Lyon for brunch, you’re probably there for the booze even more than the food! They serve brunch on Saturday & Sundays.
Downtown Dunedin 923 Broadway, Dunedin, FL
The Living Room
One word comes to mind when you think of brunch: classy. And we know you want to look your best while you barhop your way through downtown Dunedin. The Living Room will give you the chic vibe you need—and it’ll provide you with delicious food and drinks to boot! Also rocking an unlimited drink deal, for only $20 you can drink Mimosas and Bloody Marys til you fall off your chair (trust me I know!) Just look at the size of those glasses!
Downtown Dunedin 487 Main St Dunedin, FL 34698
Home Plate Restaurant
Even though you can get the same fantastic breakfast at this German inspired breakfast spot, Homeplate makes the list for something they like to call a Manmosa! Served everyday of the week until 2pm and served up in a pint glass these behemoth mimosas will have you feeling great.
234 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
Clearsky Draught House
A LARGE variety of items to choose from so there is definitely something for everyone. From 10am-1pm on Saturday, Sundays and Holidays, they have a Bloody Mary bar where you can stack that drink into a meal in it of itself. Shrimp, Celery, Bacon! Oh My!
680 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698
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10 Packing Tips for Limited Budgets while staying in Comfort
When it comes to travelling you want to be comfortable and have items that make your journey, extra enjoyable. Traveling light can save you big bucks and backpacks can hold A LOT of items. If you’re flying and have limited luggage space, I have a tip for you. Don’t pack your suitcase too full. The key to packing is to think about what you need, not what you want. Don’t stress. Stay in comfort by following these 10 packing tips to help you travel on a budget while staying comfortable during your vacation.
Bonus! Here’s a packing list to make life easier for you.
1. Roll Your Clothes – If you roll your clothes and pack them tightly together, they won’t wrinkle as much as if you folded them up and put them in your suitcase. Rolling your clothes also allows you to use all of the space in your luggage and gives you more room to bring what you needs
2. Wear heavy items such as shoes, jackets or coats while traveling. There’s no point in taking up space in your luggage with these items when you can wear them instead. This will make it easier for you to move around once you get to the airport.
3. Wear the same thing to and from the airport. That will be one less thing you have to pack, and it’s sure to be comfortable.
4. Before packing your clothes, lay out the outfits for each day that you’ll be away from home. This will ensure that everything matches and will help reduce over-packing because it forces me to think about what I really need for
5. Check the weather forecast for your destination, so you can pack appropriately. You don’t want to turn up in 30 degree heat wearing shorts and a tank top! It may seem like an obvious tip, but often we forget to do this and end up taking clothes we don’t wear.
6. Another tip that I’ve found really helpful is using dryer sheets in your luggage. They keep your clothes smelling fresh for days at a time, and are also great for packing inside of shoes as well. I usually bring about 10 dryer sheets with me on every trip! Febreze is another essential! Not only does it help keep your clothes fresh, but you can use it on hotel pillows, blankets or room spray. It smells amazing.
7. Always bring a sweater or jacket with you on flights, even if it’s 100 degrees outside. Planes are always freezing cold, so be prepared with an extra layer just in case.
8. Don’t wear contacts on a plane. It’ll dry out your eyes and leave them feeling irritated after landing — especially if you’re in an airplane for more than five hours at a time. Instead, wear glasses or just take them out altogether during the flight, put on some eye drops and moisturizer, then put them back in when you land!
9. Pack snacks to curb your appetite and save cash. Granola bars, trail mix, chips and crackers are all good options.
10. Bring an empty, reusable water bottle with you. You can fill it up before you board the plane, after you go through security, so you won’t have to pay for bottled water at the other end.
Be an organized packer. Know your travel style and what you really need when traveling. If you are a minimalist traveler, then maybe you don’t need to bring that dressier suit or high heels (it is possible to score great finds on the road unlike in the past). Have a detailed packing list and be strict about it! Make sure that every single item serves a purpose for your trip otherwise there’s no reason to put it in your bag.
Lady Local 