Baseball spring training is officially underway, and that means even more reasons to visit the Tampa Bay/St. Pete region, where you’ll find the spring training homes of the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Yankees train in Tampa, the Phillies in Clearwater, the Pirates in Bradenton, and the Jays in Dunedin. I’ve been a regular visitor to the area since I began covering the Blue Jays for the Toronto Star in the early 1990s, and have probably been 15 times or more by now.
Here’s a list of some of the top things to do from a long-time lover of the region, with a focus on Dunedin and Clearwater, but also looking at St. Pete, Tampa and Bradenton/Anna Maria Island, which I love.
Most of the Florida-based baseball teams will have their first exhibition games on Feb. 21, so we’re only a few days away from live baseball.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Dunedin, Florida is home to a lovely marina. JIM BYERS PHOTO
DUNEDIN
Honeymoon Island State Park: Miles of beaches, nature trails, kayaking and more.
Caladesi Island State Park: Accessible by a short boat ride from Honeymoon Island, this spot has a great nature trail, a beach chock-full of sea shells. At low tide you can walk to Clearwater Beach.
Downtown Dunedin: Main Street is a compact, highly walkable area with numerous restaurants, boutiques, and a lively atmosphere,.
Pinellas Trail: A popular, scenic trail built on an abandoned rail line that’s great for biking, walking, and jogging.
Blue Jays Spring Training: Catch a game at the renovated TD Ballpark.
Go For a Ride: Rent a bicycle or a zippy electric bike at Pedego Dunedin.
Local Breweries: Visit the Dunedin Brewery (Florida’s oldest) or 7venth Sun Brewery on Huntley Avenue, which also features Cueni Brewing and the Dunedin House of Brewing. All are within a block or so of one another, and are walking distance to several hotels.
Dining Highlights: Enjoy meals at Casa Tina (Mexican), The Black Pearl, Bon Appetit (at the Best Western Plus Yacht Harbor Inn) or simple seafood at Olde Bay Café at the city’s pretty marina. The Restorative is a fabulous spot a little outside of downtown.
CLEARWATER BEACH AND CLEARWATER
There’s no charge to use most of Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
Pier 60 is a great spot for a stroll. Sunsets at Pier 60, a Clearwater Beach tradition, offers entertainment every night, from two hours before sunset until two hours after sunset. There’s also a bait house where you can rent fishing gear, or buy snacks. There’s a large, terrific kids’ playground across the road from the entrance to the pier. The area is filled with fine hotels (see Where to Stay section below), restaurants and surf shops. Between the mainland and Clearwater Beach is the family friendly Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The city of Clearwater is home to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training complex and stadium.
SAFETY HARBOR
Just a little east of Dunedin and west of Tampa, this city is home to a lovely downtown with a nice waterfront on Tampa Bay. Check out the wildly entertaining Whimzeyland, which features gardens are crammed with hundreds of wine bottles and a rainbow mix of real and artificial flowers, not to mention metal sculptures and bowling balls. Inside you’ll find dozens of tiny troll dolls hanging from the ceiling, as well as plastic insects, jewelry, stuffed animals, and retro lunch boxes. It’s a place you have to see to believe.
SAINT PETERSBURG
St. Pete Pier, St. Petersburg, Florida. Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Photo
Downtown St. Pete is another lovely, walkable district with fine restaurants, shops and museums, including the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts and the Dali Museum. Take a stroll along the waterfront, or check out the lovely St. Pete Pier and grab a bite to eat overlooking Tampa Bay. Gulfport is a fun, lively community southwest of downtown. St. Pete is home to fine beaches, including Pass-a-Grille Beach and Fort De Soto Park, a natural spot with an historic fort.
TAMPA
Downtown Tampa is a vibrant, enjoyable place to explore. Try renting an electric boat and putting along the Hillsborough River, or catch a Tampa Bay Lightning NHL game. Ybor City is a fun area with a strong Cuban flair and tons of good restaurants. Go for a meal at Predalina (excellent patio) or Rocca, which serves up exquisite Italian food. Don’t miss a visit to the many food shops at Armature Works, a former train trolley repair shop on the banks of the Hillsborough River, and be sure to grab a drink at the rooftop bar at the JW Marriott
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Just west of Bradenton is this fun, casual beach town. Grab a coffee and a pastry at Mademoiselle Paris and check out the great downtown shops.
BRADENTON
The Village Arts District is a fun and funky spot in Bradenton, Florida. Jim Byers Photo
Get artsy and explore the fabulous, colourful Village of the Arts, where you’ll find a wide array of welcoming artists happy to chat about their work. Take a stroll or set up a kayak ride Kayak Jack’s at the peaceful Robinson Preserve. Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina is a fun family-owned place on the intracoastal waterway that separates the village of Cortez from Anna Maria Island.
WHERE TO STAY
DUNEDIN
A few blocks south of downtown Dunedin, and a five-minute walk from the Jays’ TD Ballpark, is the boutique Fenway Hotel. It’s a Marriott Autograph Collection property with beautiful rooms, a rooftop bar with killer sunsets, free bikes, great food, a pool out back and regular, live concerts in the lobby. They also greet guests with a refreshing kir royale when they check in. If you’re on a budget, the Best Western Plus Yacht Harbor Inn has nice rooms and is right on the water. There’s also a fine Holiday Inn Express and Suites right downtown.
CLEARWATER BEACH
The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is a special property on the water. I also have enjoyed stays at the Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa. New properties include the Opal Sands Resort & Spa and the Opal Sol. I also hear good things about the Sandpearl Resort.
A stunning Florida sunrise lights up The Fenway Hotel in Dunedin. JIM BYERS PHOTO
SAINT PETERSBURG
The Renaissance Vinoy from Marriott is a Grande Dame on the waterfront in downtown Saint Pete; a regal and commanding presence with style to spare. Equally appealing, and directly on the beach, is the Don Cesar. Known as the Pink Palace, it’s a luxurious spot with a very Florida feel that will be celebrating its 100th birthday in 2028.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Cedar Cove Resort and Cottage is a fun, super-casual spot across the road from a nice beach. Looking for something a bit more splashy? Try the Waterline Villas and Marina, a Marriott Autograph Collection property.
TAMPA
Downtown Tampa is home to many hotels, including the aforementioned JW Marriott and a posh Edition hotel. On a budget? The Hyatt Place does a nice job and has a small outdoor pool.
