//
Sanford is a city of 61,000 people (2020) in Seminole County on the northern side of Greater Orlando, known as the "Historic Waterfront Gateway City". Sanford is home to Seminole State College of Florida and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Its downtown attracts tourists with shops, restaurants, a marina, and a lakefront walking trail.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art
Working artist studios, with a focus on art from the Deep South.
This is a 3-acre (1.2 hectares) park used as a boat launching facility into the beautiful St. Johns river basin. It is 5 miles (8 km) east of US 17-92 on State Road 46 at the Lake Jesup Bridge. This park is open daily 24 hours. It has a pavilion, lighting, and paved parking.
This is a 15-acre (6.1 hectares) park with benches and a fishing area located at the south end of Sanford. From Sanford, go south on U.S. 17-92, left onto Fairmont Dr., and right onto Lake Dot Dr. It is open 8AM to sunset daily.
This park is a 6-acre (2.4 hectares) park primarily used as a boat launching facility into Lake Jesup. The park is 4 miles (6.4 km) south of State Road 46 at the end of Sanford Avenue. There is a pavilion and paved parking available under shade from the many oak trees. The park is open 24 hours daily.
Wildlife lovers will find 3 miles (5 km) of trails in the 490-acre (200 hectares) Lake Jesup Wilderness Area where lakeside benches provide a great viewing platform for spotting bald eagles and alligators.
This is a 3.5-acre (1.4 hectares) park used as a boat launching facility into Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River basin. This park is 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Interstate 4 on State Road 17-92 on the St. Johns River. This park has pavilions and a historical swinging bridge used as a fishing pier. It is open 24 hours daily.
The oldest off-leash dog park in Central Florida is well shaded with mature oak trees. Features include a small dog alternative play area, a time-out area, bag dispensers for disposal of dog waste, park benches, dog showers, self-watering bowls, historic lighting, and a community bulletin board.
This is a 15-acre (6.1 hectares) park 1/2 mile south of Lake Mary Boulevard on US 17-92. There is a ball field, tennis & basketball court and playground available for public use. The hours of the park are from 8AM to 10PM daily.
This park is 5 miles (8 km) west of I-4 off State Road 46 on Lake Markham Road. This is a 126-acre (51 hectares) park with a 188-acre (76 hectares) lake adjacent to the park known as Sylvan Lake. Sylvan has become a soccer lover's delight, with a sport training facility and 6 soccer fields.
387 Malekean Trail. Wilson's Landing is a 19-acre (7.7 hectares) facility developed in 2004 that includes a small pavilion, overlook pier of the Wekiva River, restrooms, and paved parking. This park is in the northwestern corner of the county off S.R. 46 on Malakean Road. Hours of operation is 8AM to sunset seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
An 18,000-acre (73-km²) Florida State Park on 6 miles (10 km) of the St. Johns River in Seminole County. The park forms a wildlife corridor to the Ocala National Forest along the Wekiva and St. Johns Rivers. Among the wildlife of the park are black bears, river otters, alligators, wood storks, and sandhill cranes. There are two sections to the park, north and south. The northern section's entrance is in Pine Lakes, off S.R. 44. This entrance leads to the multiuse trails, primitive horse camping and backpack camping areas. The entrance to the southern section, off S.R. 46 nine miles (14 km) west of Sanford, provides access to 5,000 acres (20 km²) of the park. There is no horseback riding in this part of the park. Neither section provides water access. Although canoeists can travel the Wekiva River through the park, they must launch from outside.
The museum highlights Seminole County, the historical gateway to interior Central Florida via the St. John's River. All artifacts housed in the museum have been donated.
The museum collects and exhibits items dealing with the development of the city of Sanford from the time Florida became a U.S. territory to the present and to perpetuate the memory of Henry S. Sanford, founder of the city.
The Central Florida Zoo is a resource center for wildlife and conservation education. Experience a living classroom where visitors can explore wildlife.
Operating from Jolly Gator Fish Camp, you can board an airboat and travel into the heart and soul of Lake Jesup and Lake Harney.
Rivership Romance
Offers daily riverboat cruises along the St. John's River. Climate controlled. Reservations required.
18 holes over 6.400 yards (5.852 m) with a par of 72 (public).
The menu at China Star features entrees, sides and quick bites. The restaurant is off of I-4 near Rinehart Road and adjacent to the Seminole Town Center.
Steaks and prime rib are on the menu here. There are also ribs, fish and shrimp on the menu and an array of sandwiches to choose from too.
German cuisine. Extensive indoor and outdoor seating, plus a bar, live music, and additional shops.
American cuisine. Restaurant is at the far end of the marina, in a small blue-colored building at the loop, with views from the back overlooking Lake Monroe.
Unique biker bar with a cozy 1930s atmosphere and live blues every Friday and Saturday.
Downtown bar with cheap drinks, live music, and a tropical laid-back beachy vibe.
It's close to Sanford International Airport on the highway south of downtown Sanford.
No smoking or pets. Pool open 8AM–10PM.
The hotel has a pool and gym. Smoking is not allowed.
The hotel has a gym and pool, along with buffet open seven days a week for breakfast.
19th-century-built hotel south of the downtown area. Smoking is not allowed. Offers long-term room rentals.
Aldi, Ross Dress for Less, Walmart, Arby's, Boost Mobile, Buddy's Home Furnishing, Cici's Pizza, Cajun Seafood, KFC, Ichigo Ichie Buffet, Yabi Sushi, Subway, Wendy's, etc.
Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillards, JCPenney, etc., in the main mall. Red Lobster, Steak 'n Shake, and Miller's Ale House are in freestanding, separate, buildings between the main Seminole Towne Center Mall and the smaller Towne Center Plaza.
Joann Fabrics, Shopfitters, Rack's Billards Sports Bar & Grill, Honey Baked Ham Co., Concept Salon Suites, etc.
By car
By train
C. Metro Area. The train does not make intermediary stops between Lorton and Sanford.
By bus
for a list of intercity bus companies serving the Orlando Metropolitan area from all parts of the state.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Orlando · International · SFB
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Sanford (Florida) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.