Things to Do in Dunedin

At Monster Mini Golf, putters navigate an eerie series of glowing greens that invert the sun-soaked cheer of conventional courses. Rimmed in black-lit, neon-green barriers, the 18 holes challenge the coordination of each mini golfer with winged monsters, scowling animated trees, creepy clowns, and opponents' shockingly dazzling smiles. Sheltered from searing rain and howling wind, each indoor course facilitates play around an array of neon gargoyles and animated props year-round. An in-house radio DJ station masks the sound of pounding hearts with haunting remixes and the latest releases. Golfers looking for additional glory can win prizes by participating in regular contests or playing at the onsite arcade.

Sock-footed moppets scamper up springy steps before hurling themselves down a towering slide as crocodiles and lions hover nearby, but these tykes' parents don't blink an eye. Sprawled across Jungle Bounce's 15,000-square-foot space, this playground teems with air-filled amusements for kids to safely bounce and tumble across. Six inflatable edifices in brilliant colors shiver beneath youthful romping, all against a backdrop of cheery giraffes, penguins holding maps upside down, and other typical jungle scenes. Two inflatable arenas thump and squeak as little ones leap into the air, gambol around obstacles, and wander through a maze.

A digital chorus of beeping and whirring drifts from the arcade, where tots and their grownups can whack moles and launch balls to garner tickets to trade for prizes such as plastic trinkets and stuffed mascots. A snack shop refuels young ones with pizza and wings so they can return to open play sessions or try and mediate disputes between imaginary friends wearing the same outfits at hosted birthday parties.

During scenic voyages, the adventurous staff of The Tropics Boat Tours escorts guests through the Gulf of Mexico’s rushing tides, pausing for brief glimpses of bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and abandoned bikini bottoms. Aboard a tropical-themed, double-decker catamaran decorated with palm trees, guests take in views of Clearwater Beach's landmarks, including celebrity mansions peppering nearby coastlines, while imbibing beverages.

After a year in law school, Jason Bradstreet felt unsatisfied. A mission trip led him into a period of introspection that caused him to rediscover his passion for playing Division 1 tennis. Channeling this athletic experience into organizing classes that might help children to discover the glee of good-natured competition, Jason founded Bradstreet Sports.

Even as his staff of certified and licensed coaches mentors kids aged 3 and older in soccer, tennis, and martial arts, Jason aims to expand the world of athletes with a range of arts and humanities classes. Lithe dancers lead students in modern jazz and hip-hop dance, sharing facilities with performing- and visual-arts classes taught by actual private-school teachers and opera courses taught by actual phantoms. As pupils rush by clutching martial-arts trophies, instructors aim to imbue their charges with life skills and an appreciation for skills they might not have otherwise discovered.

Programs take place at a range of sites such as the Citrus Park Christian School, where a multipurpose covered court shelters children and instructors from the sun and keeps birds from discovering volleyball. Enrichment classes commence in the school's science lab, computer labs, and art studios, with performance classes held in the school's expansive sanctuary.

Before coming to America in 1970, young Armando Gort would wander the countryside of Cuba to watch the horses and dream of the day when he would finally own his own horse ranch. After coming to the states and finding his footing, his dream became a reality in 1994. Today, at HorsePower for Kids, Armando lets children with similar dreams or a simple love for horses join him in his fascination for the majestic animal. He also organizes riding and educational programs specifically for inner-city kids and at-risk children. This all takes place on a farm surrounded by Old Tampa Bay wilderness, where children from all walks of life can ride ponies and horses during trail rides and lessons. Alpacas, hogs, lemurs, and baby deer, also call the ranch home, occasionally making themselves available for petting and or high-hooves.

Premier Choice Fitness’ guests roam 15,500 square feet of floor space full of exercise equipment for self-guided workouts, private rooms for group fitness classes, and handpicked personal trainers ready for one-on-one and small-group sessions. Racks of free weights and iron-laden weight machines help to keep muscles as clearly defined as a prenuptial agreement, and exercise bikes and treadmills line the facility's television-bedecked wall, waiting for a fitness-minded visitor to give them a workout. Group classes meet in one of the center's mirror- or window-lined rooms, where students develop camaraderie during yoga, Zumba, or kickboxing sweat sessions. In addition to workout facilities, Premier Choice Fitness also keeps tabs on youngsters with childcare services and provides tanning sessions to leave customers perfectly bronzed and capable of photosynthesizing their own food.