Sanford, Florida sits on the southern shoreline of Lake Monroe at the head of navigation on Saint Johns River. During the Seminole Wars, the area was home to Fort Mellon in the 1830s. Incorporated in 1877, Henry Sanford formed a land company in London to encourage the new city of Sanford. By 1884, the town was prosperous, with a railroad station, docksides, and a large hotel. Seminole County, established in April 1913, boasts Sanford as the county seat. Sanford's modern economy caters to tourism and industry, including high technology. Spend the day learning more about Sanford's history at the Museum of Seminole County History and Sanford Museum.
One of the most popular destinations to explore in Sanford is the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, home to more than 350 animals representing over 100 species making it a fantastic destination for the whole family to spend the day. Aside from the animals, many unique native plants, majestic trees, and beautiful wildflowers spread across the grounds creating an incredible sight. The thriving retail activity just west of downtown has one of the largest malls in central Florida, The Seminole Towne Center. This would be the perfect way to spend the morning hours on a rainy day.
The City of Sanford's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) provides a free downtown trolley service to help residents and visitors to get around better within the city. While downtown, take the 90-minute tours covering the Historic Downtown and Old Sanford Residential District of Sanford. CRA travels from the Amtrak Auto Train to the Sanford Information Center, available Monday through Saturday.
Annual Sanford Mardi Gras Street Party – The party features a parade, food trucks, live music, and lots of craft beer and cocktails. It is held in mid-February between Celery City Craft and West End Trading Company in historic downtown Sanford.
Annual Skyline Festival – This two-day festival is a dedication to underground dance music and street & digital art, held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in late May.
Annual Sanford Jazz Festival – This event features some of the best local and world-class jazz bands and is held annually in late October at Centennial Park.
The Everglades National Park covers 2,400 square miles of unparalleled landscape and diverse habitat, creating enjoyable activities for the whole family. Explore the subtropical wilderness by hiking or mountain biking the vast array of trails. In addition, the park's marine waters are excellent for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching.
Biscayne National Park is 95 percent water making it the perfect water recreational oasis, boating is the ideal way to explore. Many visitors enjoy eco-adventures like snorkeling at the shipwreck on the Maritime Heritage Trail or exploring the colorful coral reefs.
Congaree National Park has more than 26,000 acres of champion trees, lakes, and protected wildlife. Canoeing, kayaking, and wilderness discovery are a few amazing things to do at the park. Hiking the park's many trails will place you in a backcountry paradise, with many trails leading to oxbow lakes, the Congaree River, and magnificent old-growth trees.
Blue Spring State Park is the first magnitude spring on the Saint Johns River, making it the perfect place for water recreation like canoeing and kayaking, rentals are available. Fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and tubing are some activities available at the park.
Lake Louisa State Park consists of three major lakes, Louisa, Dixie, and Hammond, which give ample opportunities for paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking. In addition, over 20 miles of nature trails wind through the park for hiking, mountain biking, and nature observation.
Wekiwa Springs State Park is minutes from downtown Orlando and offers miles of trails that are begging to be explored by biking, horseback, or hiking. In addition, the Wekiwa Spring is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, or kayaking. The state park has a picnic area with grills and picnic tables near the spring.
You can quickly locate monuments and landmarks throughout the state of Florida, with some located near Sanford, including the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors can learn what it means to be a hero through stories of NASA space pioneers and the legendary United State Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Heroes and Legends building. In addition, an expert-guided tour will take you through the history of early rocket science.
Walt Disney World has four theme parks where visitors can enjoy a wide range of entertainment and attractions, shopping, and dining experience. So whether you surf in the wave pool and take a thrilling whitewater adventure at the Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or take the little ones through the six enchanted lands full of fun at the Magic Kingdom Park, there is still plenty more to discover.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a fort that takes you back to the 1500s when many European powers, including Spain, France, and Great Britain, were fighting for control of the new world. Weekend visitors may get the chance to see a musket or cannon demonstration. During open hours, park rangers and volunteers can tell you about interpretive opportunities throughout the day on the remarkable history and culture of the park.
Twelve Oaks RV Resort features showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities. Each RV site includes electricity, free Wi-Fi, and access to the pool. KOA members will be glad to know that the Orlando NW/Orange Blossom KOA is not far from Sanford, accommodating RVs up to 100 feet long. The campground offers many amenities, including full hookups, a children's playground, bike rentals, a swimming pool, and a free Wi-Fi connection. Another great place nearby is Orlando Winter Garden Campground Resort, just minutes from attractions, incredible shopping, and a short 90-mile ride to either coast.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Sanford, FL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Sanford?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Sanford from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Sanford?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
