If you're looking for a day trip in St. Petersburg, Florida that includes a relaxing nature walk, spectacular Gulf of Mexico views followed by an outdoor dinner at sunset overlooking the pier - READ ON!
Head to Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, Florida!
This park offers a nice nature trail loop, picnic area, quiet beach area, pavillion for snacks and necessities (bug spray/sunscreen/ice cream), a dog beach and birding opportunities.
After entering Honeymoon Island State Park, I would suggest stopping at the Nature Center on the right. It's also the welcome center and you can grab a map. The "nature walk/hiking" trail is about 2 miles (a loop).
- Call prior if you intend on walking the trail to ensure it isn't flooded
- There is a dog beach at this State park
- Osprey, bald eagle, owls, turtles
- Bring bug spray if its hot - mosquitos might be out. When I visited there was no bugs at all.
After your nature walk and beach break, head 2 miles down the road to Dunedin for excellent eats!
If you're like me and prefer to eat wherever there's a view of the water - Bon Appetit is the spot I recommend!
I have enjoyed eating out in Dunedin a few times in the past but I am certainly no expert on the area. That said, when I drove into town, I headed straight for the water to find a restaurant with a view. I happened upon Bon Appetit and saw they offer valet parking, which prompted an immediate thought... 'there's no way I will get a table because I didn't make reservations'. I went ahead and asked if there was any availability, regardless of my initial hesitation.
Call it luck if you want... but I ended up with one of the best seats in the house! A table right along the water, overlooking the pier, at sunset, while the bag pipes played. Shortly after the bag pipe player completed the sunset ceremony (weekends) and was paraded off the pier, the live band began to play.
Meal was outstanding. Service was impeccable. Restaurant was clean. Bathroom was clean and modern. View was spectacular.
As always, I recommend you call this restaurant ahead of time and reserve a spot because as I later learned, this restaurant has been voted "the best waterfront dining in Tampa Bay".
Why yes, of course this adventure is going in my Pen Pal Adventure Book!
Honeymoon Island State Park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
Bon Appetit: https://bonappetitrestaurant.com/
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