First, thank you for making the trip.
Airports
You can fly into either Tampa Airport (TPA) or the St. Petersburg Airport (PIE) although there will likely be a lot more flights in and out of TPA.
Directions to Dunedin from TPA (the scenic route.)
Although your GPS will likely tell you to take 60/Courtney Campbell Causeway, we'd recommend taking I-275/Howard Franklin Bridge across the bay. The I-275 route adds about 10 minutes to the drive, but you will get to go over a beautiful bridge and really get to see the famous Tampa Bay. (You can't really see it as well from 60/Courtney Campbell Causeway route). Your choice, but I think I-275 is a much nicer drive. And since we are mostly north of this for the wedding stuff, it might be your only chance to see it.
The route will actually be I-275 across the bay, then 688 west/Ulmerton Rd until you make a right on 19 North. Then make a left on Alt-19/60/Gulf to bay blvd. Follow Alt-19 North to the right as it becomes 595. This will take you right into downtown Dunedin. (Note: There is 19 as well as alt-19 and some maps/signs don't do a good job of differentiating. Alt-19 is always further west and where you will want to get to in order to have a prettier drive. But 19 can also get you to Dunedin.)
In the map below, A is TPA airport, B is downtown Dunedin and C is Taryl's parents house in Carrollwood where the Rehearsal Dinner will be held.
The route will actually be I-275 across the bay, then 688 west/Ulmerton Rd until you make a right on 19 North. Then make a left on Alt-19/60/Gulf to bay blvd. Follow Alt-19 North to the right as it becomes 595. This will take you right into downtown Dunedin. (Note: There is 19 as well as alt-19 and some maps/signs don't do a good job of differentiating. Alt-19 is always further west and where you will want to get to in order to have a prettier drive. But 19 can also get you to Dunedin.)
In the map below, A is TPA airport, B is downtown Dunedin and C is Taryl's parents house in Carrollwood where the Rehearsal Dinner will be held.
Other (somewhat in the) Area Attractions
If you are making the trip down, you might want to make a vacation of it. If so, read on.
BEACHES: check out all the information about the area beaches on our Hotels Page.
BUSCH GARDENS OF TAMPA BAY
ADVENTURE ISLAND (water park right next to Busch Gardens)
DISNEY WORLD (in orlando about an hour from tampa, an hour and forty five minutes from the beaches.)
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (a bit of a drive, about 2 1/2 hours from tampa, 3 from the beaches. Other side of Orlando.)
RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART (south in Sarasota)
SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM (in downtown St. Pete. Largest collection of Dali art in the world. They do lend it out sometimes, so it is worth calling ahead to see if they have the majority of their stuff in house at the time)
EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES (2 hours south in Ft. Myers. Where Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the light bulb, worked and played. Henry Ford wanted to be near him so badly, he built a home right next door.)
COLUMBIA RESTAURANT (The oldest continuously open Spanish restaurant in the country. If you want the true feel of old tampa, where mobsters used to hangout and cigars were hand rolled, visit the original in Ybor city, near downtown Tampa. But if you can't make it there you can get the food (not the atmosphere) at the Clearwater and St. Pete locations. Hint: Order the Paella right when you get there!)
If you have the chance to stay and play, and want more suggestions on restaurants, hotels etc, just ask us. We like to make ourselves useful.
BEACHES: check out all the information about the area beaches on our Hotels Page.
BUSCH GARDENS OF TAMPA BAY
ADVENTURE ISLAND (water park right next to Busch Gardens)
DISNEY WORLD (in orlando about an hour from tampa, an hour and forty five minutes from the beaches.)
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (a bit of a drive, about 2 1/2 hours from tampa, 3 from the beaches. Other side of Orlando.)
RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART (south in Sarasota)
SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM (in downtown St. Pete. Largest collection of Dali art in the world. They do lend it out sometimes, so it is worth calling ahead to see if they have the majority of their stuff in house at the time)
EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES (2 hours south in Ft. Myers. Where Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the light bulb, worked and played. Henry Ford wanted to be near him so badly, he built a home right next door.)
COLUMBIA RESTAURANT (The oldest continuously open Spanish restaurant in the country. If you want the true feel of old tampa, where mobsters used to hangout and cigars were hand rolled, visit the original in Ybor city, near downtown Tampa. But if you can't make it there you can get the food (not the atmosphere) at the Clearwater and St. Pete locations. Hint: Order the Paella right when you get there!)
If you have the chance to stay and play, and want more suggestions on restaurants, hotels etc, just ask us. We like to make ourselves useful.
