Visit Historic Downtown Sanford, Florida!

ANTIQUES, BOOKS, COLLECTIBLES, AND MORE!

Strolling down the beautiful brick-lined streets of Historic Downtown Sanford, rebuilt at the turn-of-the-century, shoppers will find a myriad of antique shops and vintage collectors with items that reflect the glory days of Sanford, considered the “birthplace of south Florida.''  Most shops are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISES

Take in the beauty of the St. Johns River, Florida's natural attraction on the Rivership Romance. The historic river is virtually unchanged since the Timacuans. The Rivership Romance offers daily cruises for three-to-four hours along the St. Johns River, which flows backwards north to Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean. Heron, egret, eagles, osprey, manatee and many lazy alligator enhance the thrill and experience of the St. Johns from this luxurious 200-passenger liner.

Dine in splendor as the Romance staff greets you as you board. A table of fresh appetizers is laid out for you to enjoy, while the crew makes final preparations to get underway. Order your favorite beverage and drink, and settle in for the ride. Your choice of fresh-cooked entrees is served tableside in quiet elegance. All fare onboard the Romance is prepared to order from the freshest ingredients in our ship's gourmet galley. “We strive to make your meal as wonderful as the rest of your trip.”

 

The Rivership Romance is the perfect location for motorcoach tours, senior outings, churches, clubs, private parties, weddings, rehearsals, conventions, and corporate outings. Group rates are available.

Call the Rivership Romance at 1-800-423-7401

ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISES (at Blue Springs State Park)

Experience Florida's NATURAL DESTINATION for Adventure. You'll find “full-service fun ALL in one location'' with nature cruises, hiking trails and manatee viewing. Established many years ago by Central Florida Natives, the St. Johns River Cruise is considered the most popular nature-oriented tour in Florida. Our vessel, the Native II, was specially designed to ply the shallow backwaters of this unique section of the historic St. Johns River.

The quiet and smooth operation of the Native II allows you to hear the sounds of nature as they surround the trip. With an average cruising speed of 6 mph, nothing passes by too fast. Frequent stops are made for photographs, intimate encounters and a thorough look at this most fragile ecosystem.

On our two-hour tour, your Captain provides interactive narration of local and river history along with illustrated accounts of the numerous bird species, alligators and other wild critters that call this area home. For one of the Best Values in Florida, you are welcome to join us for a cruise that you'll not forget! Just sit back, relax and enjoy this professionally narrated cruise into the wilds of NATURAL FLORIDA.

Schedule & Rates:
Two Hour Cruises Depart Daily
10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Prices:
Adults: $16
Seniors (60+) $14
Children $10

Call for Reservations, 407-330-1612

BLUE SPRING STATE PARK (in neighboring Orange City)

For hundreds of years, the Timacuan Indians made the spring area their home. The spring run, river and surrounding swamps and uplands provided food, clothing, shelter and materials for tools and weapons. Snails gathered from sandbars were a staple food for these people. Over the centuries, the discarded shells formed a massive mound. Three years after England acquired Florida from Span, John Bartram, a prominent British botanist, explored the St. Johns in search of resources of value to the Crown. On Jan. 4, 1766, he rowed his boat past sunning alligators into the clear water of Blue Spring.

By the mid-1800s, most of the Indians had been killed or driven south and pioneer settlers took their place. The pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents still can be seen today. A self-guided boardwalk guides visitors through a lush hammock to Blue Spring. The spring is much more than a scenic area for canoeing and swimming; it's a place that plays a vital role in the survival of one of Florida's most beleaguered residents – the manatee. An observation platform provides a view of the endangered mammals that gather at the spring during the cooler months of the year. From November through March, the manatees leave the colder waters of the St. Johns River for safety and comfort of the 72-degree spring. A designated swimming area separates bathers from the manatee refuge zone.

To get here, take U.S. 17-92 to French Avenue in Downtown Orange City. Head west on French Avenue, which dead ends at Blue Spring State Park, home of St. Johns River Cruises, 1200 French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763-9510.

DINING

No matter what's your mood, Historic Downtown Sanford has what you're craving. From Italian cuisine to Southern dishes, pizza, cakes, German beer, and fine wine, you can find within two blocks in Downtown Sanford.

To get here, from Interstate 4, take Exit 101C, head east on S.R. 46 (First Street) and go about four miles to Downtown Sanford. From the Greenway Toll Road (S.R. 417), take the U.S. 17-92 exit and head north to First Street. Turn right and you'll enter the Historic Downtown District.

Visit our Chamber member restaurants or call their Dining Room Managers for information:

WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Sanford's historic Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center offers patrons everything from classical musicals, opera, ballet and theatrical productions, to pageants and lectures. There are several private dance and performing arts schools' annual recitals at the theatre, as well as several performances, including free shows, each year for public and private school students.

The theatre has presented such well-known artists as: Melba Moore, Dick Van Patton, John Amos, Frank Gorshin, The Vienna Boys Choir, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Moscow Boys Choir, Mickey Rooney and Rita Coolidge.

RIVERWALK

Sanford's showcase RiverWalk will eventually link key points of interest throughout this historic Central Florida city.

The first thing everyone notices is the waterfront. Many first-time visitors to Sanford's freshly opened RiverWalk are surprised to learn that the city is one of few in Central Florida whose downtown area hugs a major waterway.

RiverWalk is more than an attractive multi-use walkway. The 1.2-mile hard-surface trail – which opened in May 2004 and officially concluded phase one of the project – is the most visible sign of the city's ambitious plans to reshape the downtown area into an attractive, accessible, visitor-friendly place. Once complete, RiverWalk and its satellite pathways will be the glue that connects the historic downtown, city parks, residences and points of interests into what officials are confident will be a pedestrian-friendly experience.

Phase two will connect the new segment (which begins at Mellonville Avenue and currently ends at U.S. 17-92) with one that runs just beyond the Central Florida Zoo.

CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO

Visit the Central Florida Zoo located in beautiful Sanford, Florida where you can come face to face with the wildest animals from around the world in just a few hours! Journey through a Florida swamp, look for eagles and other wild and native creatures. See cats on the prowl and watch playful primates and endangered elephants.

There are colorful mandrills, fearsome crocodiles, prickly porcupines, tropical birds and much more!

Enjoy FREE Parking, Snack Bar, ZOOFARI Outpost Gift Shop, Florida Trek Nature Walk, Children's Zoo, Train and Carousel Rides and animal demonstrations. Fun and educational for the entire family. Visit Orlando's only Zoological Park and spend some time with over 300 mammals, birds and reptiles in a uniquely Natural Florida setting.

Take a break from the theme parks and be a guest of nature and experience a wild side to Florida. Open Daily 9:00 AM 5:00 PM , Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Located at 3755 NW Highway 17-92 just off I-4 (exit 104) in Sanford.