Central Florida fulfills today’s demands for new tastes while serving “old Florida”-type delights.
By Kathleen Walls
December 2019
So many travelers make the mistake of thinking only of Disney World, other theme parks, and T-shirt shops when they get close to Orlando. If you’re pointing your RV toward central Florida this winter, consider exploring Orlando’s northern neighbors.
A town called Sanford, for example, has much to offer, including natural attractions, top chef-driven restaurants, and entertainment. What it has less of is traffic. Consider staying in the area, and dropping farther south to visit Mickey Mouse . . . if you feel the need.
Sanford
Sanford is a small, growing town with new things to see, do, and taste. But its location, approximately 30 miles north of Orlando alongside Lake Monroe, gives it that “old Florida” vibe, with the waterfront, plus nearby scenic rivers.
It’s just an otter day at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, where people are entertained by creatures great and small.
A longtime attraction is the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Founded in the 1920s, the zoo resided downtown from 1941 to 1975 where Sanford City Hall now stands. In its current facility, it has been expanded to include more mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The botanical garden is interspersed throughout — in many cases, where the critters can munch on the plants. The zoo also has places where visitors can grab a snack. Set aside ample time to roam around, as the zoo has more than 400 animals representing more than 100 species. See www.centralfloridazoo.org for details.
More urban fun abounds at Historic Downtown Sanford. Start with its Cultural Corridor, a bricked stretch of Sanford Avenue between First and Sixth streets. The city offers Pathways to History, a series of heritage and cultural tours on several subjects, each telling an aspect of early Sanford history.
Restaurants, art galleries, pubs, breweries, antiques shops, and boutiques abound on Sanford Avenue and the side streets. Parking is free, and some places accommodate RVs. You can park and ride the free trolley wherever you want to go in Sanford’s historical downtown.
To admire the view of Lake Monroe near the city, hit the Sanford RiverWalk. It’s a lovely spot to stroll and then rest on a bench — even a swinging one. Bring along some bait and tackle if you like to fish, because that’s permitted here. A portion of the RiverWalk was built in 2004; a multimillion-dollar expansion is expected to be completed by the spring of 2021.
Sanford’s past includes the fascinating story of Goldsboro, an African-American community that flourished until 1911, when it was annexed by the city. Goldsboro’s proud past is highlighted at a museum that opened in 2011. Photos, documents, furniture, and other artifacts, plus guided tours, help to tell the story at the Goldsboro Museum, open afternoons Tuesday through Friday.
For details about the town’s many important sites, plus maps and souvenirs, stop by the Historic Sanford Welcome Center at 230 E. First St.
Food And Brews
Local craft beer is popular across the United States, and Sanford has its share. Family-friendly breweries are scattered throughout downtown. If you are a dog owner, you’ll be glad to know that many of them also welcome canines. Check first, though.
Wop’s Hops Brewing Company is Sanford’s first microbrewery. It’s in a historical landmark, built circa 1924, which housed the Stokes Fish Market from 1947 to 1975. Another brewhouse, Sanford Brewing Company, holds events all week, like an open mic night on Mondays and trivia on Tuesdays. It serves handcrafted beer, meads, ciders, and specialty sodas. Also a restaurant, this relaxing spot has burgers, meatball sandwiches, and a kids’ menu.
Deviant Wolfe Brewing is located in a former bank, built around 1930 to 1940. The vault door has been preserved, as has a large brick wall from the 1920s, on one side of the taproom. Inner Compass Brewing Company is another popular stop. Celery City Craft (Sanford’s nickname is Celery City) is a taproom that showcases craft beers and offers a food menu.
Another drinkery in downtown Sanford is unique: The Imperial is a furniture shop by day and serves cocktails by night.
One of the most popular foodie hot spots is The Tennessee Truffle. Its “Southern Fusion” menu includes fresh-baked biscuits and side items of homemade, pickled vegetables. It’s Chef Nat’s creative take on Southern delights.
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café takes diners to Germany, gastronomically speaking, with selections ranging from giant pretzels to jagerschnitzel and German chocolate cake. A live German musical duo adds to the eatery’s Bavarian atmosphere.
Wondermade is the perfect stop for decadent desserts. The owners make and export flavored marshmallows around the world. You haven’t lived until you have tried the bourbon flavor. The shop also sells its own quirky flavors of ice cream, such as avocado and cornbread.
For more traditional bites paired with a river view, try Gators Riverside Grille, just east of downtown on the St. Johns River. It serves up live music. And every Saturday, downtown Sanford boasts a local farmers market.
Boating on the Wekiva River brings this view of Wekiva Island. The complex includes restaurants and bars, and offers live events.
Rivers And Springs
The National Wild and Scenic Wekiva River and the St. Johns River are quiet, pleasant avenues to travel by kayak or canoe. If you have neither, it’s no problem. Join one of the excursions that start here and are offered in varying lengths, with prices between $50 and $85. Some of the Sanford-based tour operators include Wekiva Outfitters and Adventures in Florida. It’s a wonderful way to see birds, turtles, alligators, and more.
Southwest of Sanford are two outdoorsy places for the don’t-miss list. The first is Wekiva Island, a destination along the Wekiva River that offers many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of this natural setting. Relax at a cute semi-outdoor bar called the Tooting Otter, where adult beverages are served under a large tent pavilion. And the Without A Paddle Café food truck offers to-go items, including vegetarian fare.
The Barbara-Lee sternwheeler, based in Sanford, hosts lunch excursions and dinner-dance cruises. Built in 1986, the boat began its runs on the St. Johns River in 2012.
Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard; or, bring your own small boat. You can fish from certain areas, and spend time with friends or family at your own reserved cabana. You’re sure to spot lots of wildlife, such as alligators, otters, deer, bear, and wading birds.
Live music, special dinners, and regular activities like Wednesday’s Wine and Paint or the Wekiva Brew Review also keep the island hoppin’. Each December, Floridians and non-locals alike get a kick out of the island’s hill slide, which is made with real snow, during Winter Wonderland days.
The island charges a $2-per-person admission fee, and no pets are permitted on the grounds. For more info, visit www.wekivaisland.com.
A walkway leads to the state park’s famous Wekiwa Springs swimming area.
A scant 1.5 miles away, at Wekiwa Springs State Park, RVers can pull into one of 60 spacious, well-maintained campsites nestled in a sandhill habitat shaded by longleaf pines. Each site has water and electric hookups, a fire ring, a grill, and a picnic table. You can choose a spot with a sewer hookup, too, but a dump station is near the campground exit. Sites can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet. Be aware that this is bear country. So, make sure your pets are safe, and lock up any food or drink. The park is best visited during the week, as it can be very busy on weekends.
If you don’t want to drive from here to Wekiva Island, you can paddle over instead, using a canoe or kayak you rented from the state park. You’re sure to see plenty of wildlife, so take a camera.
Kayaks and other watercraft can be rented at Wekiwa Springs State Park.
In case you’re wondering about the different spellings, “Wekiwa” was the Creek Indian word for “flowing waters” and settlers misunderstood it as “Wekiva.”
The park preserves Wekiwa Springs, which sports a 72-degree water temperature year-round. You can see the water bubbling out of the ground inside the spring’s beautiful swimming area. People with disabilities can take a dip, too, using the hydraulically powered lift chair at the water’s edge.
On land, 17 miles of trails wind through the park; hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders share them. A small nature center near the springs displays native wildlife. You’ll find lots of picnic tables and a concession stand for soft drinks and snacks, as well as a bathhouse.
Finally, if you are still thinking of Mickey Mouse after you’ve explored many of these island delights — relax. You’re now closer to Orlando than you were from Sanford!
More Info
Historic Downtown Sanford Welcome Center
230 E. First St.
Sanford, FL 32771-1304
(407) 302-2586
www.sanfordwelcomecenter.com
www.historicdowntownsanford.com
Visitors guide: historicdowntownsanford.com/visitors-guide/
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL 32712
(407) 553-4383
www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/wekiwa-springs-state-park