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City in North Carolina, United States
Photo: Upstateherd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sanford is a city of about 30,000 people (2018) in the North Carolina countryside, in between the Piedmont Triad, Research Triangle, and Fayetteville. Sanford is known for its large brick production as well as local pottery, and offers outdoor activities and historic districts. Sanford also produces textiles, and has since seen the influx of the biotech industry with the Wyeth Vaccines, aka Pfizer, facility becoming the area's largest employer in 2006.
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Sanford's historic railroad depot and museum, which also features a preserved locomotive from 1911 and offers other historic tours.
A large family farm open to the public at seasonal times throughout the year. The farm features strawberry patches, a pumpkin patch, a 15-acre corn maze, hayrides, and other activities. Check website for dates of operation.
Known as Central Carolina's Performing Arts Center, the Temple Theater dates back to 1925 and offers musicals and occasional movie screenings.
Features several miles of mountain bike trails, ranging from intermediate to advanced, as well as hiking trails, just a few miles from downtown Sanford.
A popular Italian restaurant specializing in pizzas and calzones.
Open since 1953, a traditional American-style diner serving breakfast, lunch and dinner along with an ice cream selection right inside the front doors.
A newly-opened neighborhood gastropub with a focus on slow-cooked smoked meats, North Carolina craft beers, and bourbon. The pub also has live music on weekends.
A collection of shops in the downtown areas where you can buy pottery, antiques, local art, and crafts.
By bus
By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), where you can rent a car to drive to Sanford.
By bike
The Maine-to-Florida U.S. Bicycle Route 1 passes through downtown Sanford and Lee County.
The County of Lee Transit System (COLTS) is a coordinated transit system that provides transportation services in Sanford and Lee County.
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Raleigh/Durham · International · RDU
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