The Best Attractions in Pinellas County, Florida
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Pinellas County is a highly populated area (900,000+ residents) on the Florida Gulf. This tourist hotspot is part of the Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater metro area. Most of all the great Tampa Bay tourist attractions, like the white sand beaches, beautiful nature preserves, quaint downtowns, boat tours, and museums and cultural attractions, are found throughout cities in this county. I lived in Palm Harbor and enjoyed easy access to so many beautiful places in both southern and northern Pinellas.
Central and Southern Pinellas County includes the tourist hotspots of Clearwater, famous for its’ white sand beaches and aquarium featured in Dolphin Tale, and St. Petersburg, known for its’ thriving arts scene and close proximity to beautiful beaches. The Northern Pinellas County communities of Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, and Safety Harbor offer a more laid-back ambiance. Within these quaint towns, you will find charming old-fashioned downtowns, low-key beaches, and numerous parks.
Northern Pinellas County attractions
The northern portion of the county includes the small communities of Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, and sections of Clearwater. This area is popular with vacationers looking for more low-key beaches and attractions. Secluded beaches, bike paths, and quiet parks and preserves make this portion of the county a big draw for nature and fitness buffs. I spent so many weekend exploring the beautiful parks and trails through the vast network of parks.
The area is home to a number of small old-fashioned Main Streets. If you love supporting local businesses, you will have no problem finding wonderful coffee shops, seafood restaurants, waterfront cafes, and local Greek and Italian joints. Below are a few of my recommended places to add to your bucket list!
Downtown Dunedin
Dunedin, a small laid-back community is most famous for being home to Honeymoon Island. It’s also home to the best Main Street in the Gulf region. This charming laidback area is lined with unique coffee shops, restaurants, boutique shops, and galleries. The building are all so colorful and fun. It’s a nice quiet place to come back to after a long day at the beach. Stop by for a coffee and quiche at Dunedin Coffee Company, enjoy breakfast at the cozy Sandpiper, or lunch at international favorite, The Living Room on Main. Browse local shops, visit The Beatles Museum, and take a stroll or bike ride along the Pinellas trail.
Downtown Dunedin directory of shops and cafes
John Chesnut Park
John Chestnut is one of the Bay’s most gorgeous parks. Most notably, there is a long swampy boardwalk trail which looks like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park. Tranquil views of Lake Tarpon, several shady nature trails, and plentiful wildlife sightings make a visit here even more interesting. Be on the lookout for gators, especially during the winter! John Chestnut is the best park to spend an hour or so soaking in some nature. It’s a gorgeous picnic destination. And, best of all, it’s completely free!
Fred Howard Park
This quiet local favorite is a great alternative to the party beaches frequented by tourists. Besides being a great place to watch a Florida sunset, the park is also home to numerous amenities such as picnicking facilities, nature trails, and a baseball field. Fred Howard is an ideal beach destination for those looking to avoid big crowds.
Greek restaurants in Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs is known for its’ excellent assortment of authentic Greek restaurants. Greek immigrants settled the area in the early 1900’s, and to this date, it claims the highest Greek ancestry of any US city (more than 1 out of 10 residents claim Greek ancestry). A number of Greek cafes and bakeries line the sponge docks. Head over to local favorite Mr Souvlaki for authentic casual Greek fare (excellent spanakopita & Greek salad), and then head over to Hellas for the best homemade Greek desserts in town.
