Visit Florida - Worth the Drive 2008 - (Page 44) 44 WWW.AAA.COM/ VISITFLORIDA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For dinner, feast on bangers and mash at Flannigan’s Irish Pub (727-736-4994, www.flanagansirishpub.net) or savor fresh gourmet fare at The Black Pearl (727-734-3463, www.theblackpearlofdunedin.com). Later, stop in at the Dunedin Brewery (727-736-0606, www.dunedinbrewery.com) for a local ale. At night, musical acts ranging from Scottish folk singers to hot regional rock bands keep the customers lively there and at other pubs. Day 2: Lakeland Head toward the center of the state and begin your day in Lakeland with a stroll along the historic promenade around Lake Mirror and the terraces of Hollis Garden (863-834-6035). A few blocks away on Main Street, a hot latte waits at the Black & Brew Coffee House (863-682-1210, www.blackandbrewcoffee.com). You’ll need it – the morning is filled with browsing antiques malls, bookstores, art galleries and gift shops in the downtown area. Two popular lunch spots include Antiquarian (863-682-1059), which has an innovative, refreshing menu, and the classic Jimbo’s BBQ (863-683-3777), which looks about the same as when it opened in ’64 (being trendy doesn’t matter when you serve the best barbecue pork and golden hushpuppies in town). >>> Art gallery, Dunedin For lunch, stop in at Hellas Restaurant (727-943-2400, www.hellas-restaurant.com), a local favorite that serves up Greek specialties and fresh seafood. It has its own bakery, too – think baklava and tasty European pastries. To the south, the hamlet of Dunedin has its Scottish heritage close at heart and some of the world’s best beaches at its feet. If you’re a beach lover, drive over the bridge to Honeymoon Island or hop a ferry to Caladesi Island State Park (727-469-5918, www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland), named America’s #2 beach for the past two years by coastal expert Dr. Beach. Back in downtown Dunedin, explore historic Main Street, which pleasantly sports no chains. Instead, you’ll find art galleries, antiques stores, mom-and-pop shops and some original restaurants. Or bike the Pinellas Trail, a 34-mile path that you can pick up downtown. You may hear the whine of bagpipes as a local practices for the Highland Games held annually in the park. Downtown Lakeland http://WWW.AAA.COM/VISITFLORIDA http://www.flanagansirishpub.net http://www.theblackpearlofdunedin.com http://www.dunedinbrewery.com http://www.hellas-restaurant.com http://www.blackandbrewcoffee.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland
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