My wife and I stopped here in the late morning of Thursday, August 14, 2025 while on a camping trip and moving between Apopka and Port Canaveral. I was in my Dodge RAM 1500 pickup and towing my 20 travel trailer, but there was hardly anyone at the zoo yet and there was plenty of grass lot parking to fit both my truck and trailer without having to temporarily unhitch it. On the walk in to the ticket booth from the parking lot, we noted that they have this very cool little "kiddie train" and a mini-train station right at the entrance. There is also an extensive array of zip lines and launch/landing platforms around the park's entrance area for adults and older kids to enjoy but we didn't see any staff on duty on this weekday visit, so it may only be operated on the weekends. The ticket booth staff was friendly, and they gave me a Veteran discount that saved me about $10.00 on my entrance ticket. See my attached receipt on what entrance cost. Once inside the park, we noted that there is a splash pads for younger kids to enjoy, and it was operating with several kids enjoying the shooting water jets and cooling off. We then proceeded to walk and tour the zoo through a nice circular pathway route and series of board walks. It is very well laid out and they have a fairly extensive array of animals from tropical and temperate zone habitats, particularly for a medium sized zoo. It's also very kid friendly and there are several places to get cold drinks and snack foods around the interior of the park. After we were finished the tour and exited the gate we walked inside this conference hall to enjoy some air condition, and saw a picture of Jungle Jack Hannah, who got his start here as a Zookeeper way back in the early 1970s when the place first opened. We've always been fans of his show, this was a nice finish for us. Overall, this is a very nice zoo, and I would not hesitate to recommend it for kids of all ages (and old-aged big kids like my wife and I). It's easily accessible from Orlando or Daytona with lots of nice expressways close by.

This is an amazing facility with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Feeding g the giraffe was the highlight of my Son's entire trip. There are a lot of animals to see and learn about, many of which are very engaging! Would definitely recommend as a family adventure :).

This place is just beautiful!!!! The Sanford Zoo is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the care and passion that goes into every detail. The animals are healthy, active, and clearly well cared for, with habitats that are both beautiful and educational. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to answer questions, making the visit even more engaging. I love how interactive the experience is—there’s something for all ages, from the lush botanical areas to the fun animal encounters. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, learning, and relaxation. A must-visit for locals and visitors alike!

Not crowded. Nicely laid out and comfortable walking with many benches to sit. Water fountains very sparse, nice cold water dispenser in Bear enclosure info building. Giraffe exhibit a fave, and there's a little butterfly sanctuary at the entrance to Giraffe enclosure that had a nice bench to watch the butterflies fluttering by. One star off because many of the animals were clearly unhappy, even though well tended and cared for. Pretty normal for zoos.

We were at the Asian lantern festival just outside the zoo It was very nice and you are able to walk around at your leisure and take your time to see everything. Everyone is very helpful and very friendly. To the point that one of the helpers let us use her bug spray that we forgot as I recommend that you need bug spray. Great place

AZA ZOO. We got to watch the info session on snakes and we got to have a great conversation with the keepers. I found out lots of information. The education is very strong at this zoo. The workers on all levels were super friendly And the zoo is well kept.

We visited their Asian light festival. This event is held once a year for the past 6 years. Each year the subject is different. This was absolutely spectacular and well worth the time and money. A great event to take the entire family to.

Don't sleep on this place. I had a fried hot buffalo chicken wrap with their in-house chips and DESTROYED it. The chicken was SO juicy and perfectly cooked. Their chips weren't over salted and they had the perfect crunch. My photo is of the remaining half because I inhaled the first one before I decided to talk about it.

What a gem! Locals and new friends are always so nice, the staff makes you feel like home and the kitchen takes their time to make your order just perfect! Incredible food at super reasonable prices! Inside or outside…the vibe is awesome for some fresh air out.

Christian our server was AMAZING! He had a bunch of tables but still managed to be attentive. The appetizers, fried green tomatoes & cheese curds were delicious but our main food, mahi mahi taco's and grilled grouper came out cold and we chose to just get it to go after they remade it. We had our pups so we sat on the patio outside which was a little dirty plus it was raining. Overall not a bad experience I would go back even if just to have the appetizers.

The Black & Bleu burger was amazing and my husband enjoyed his Ruben! Jacob provided outstanding service!! We will be back!

Definitely one of the best spots downtown Sanford! Food is always amazing! Staff is friendly, and the atmosphere after dusk is remarkable!! Cassie was the sweetest server I’ve ever had! Very helpful throughout the whole night and never let our drinks run down on a busy Saturday night!

Love this place. I went with my sister and her mother-in-law and had lunch before our Ghost tour. Jacob was out server and let me tell you he took great care of us. I told him he reminded me of Doc Holiday and he stayed I'll be your huckleberry and of course it was over we lived him from them on. Must go see him and get some awesome food and live music came around five pm. Thanks again Breezeway you rock Sanford.

What a pleasurable experience! First as smoker I appreciate the fact that you are allowed to smoke on the outside. I had the shrimp and grits it was AMAZING. You had choice of sides but very limited and nothing that really went with the shrimp and grits so I got fries. The wait staff was really nice. I would totally return again. Oh and they have proper pint size glasses unlike “The Station”

I love biking, but I love biking on paved surfaces because I have a bad back. The Sanford Riverwalk is beautiful for that and having the lake on one side is very enjoyable. You can go far on it and join other paths. And you get to see lots of birds, and occasional gators.

Beautiful walk! Great alternative if you love hiking in the woods. The water is beautiful. 😍

BEAUTIFUL FORT MELLON PARK AND SANFORD RIVERWALK IN SANFORD,FLORIDA! VACATION FROM JUNE 9,2025-JUNE 16,2025 AND A MARVELOUS TIME WE HAD! SPOTLESS BATHROOMS AND PLAYGROUND AREA WAS AMAZING WITH GRILLS AND SO MUCH TOO SEE! THIS PLACE IS KEPT UP WITH SO MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THERE TOWN! LOVED IT!! GREAT PHENOMENAL JOB SANFORD,FLORIDA!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Great place to be in open water, restaurants,family oriented, you can ride bicycle, walk,fishing or just seat and look into the beauty around you.

Love this beautiful scenery ‼️🌴🌴 the trees and the lake is just beautiful view ‼️ all people here are so welcoming and nice ‼️🌴

It's a Beautiful place, nice to walk and enjoy the Lake view.

Our favorite place to walk morning, noon or night. 😁

Quiet and peaceful. Good place to just sit and relax. Can be slightly busy on weekends...on weekdays, you can have it all to yourself!

This place is a real gem. So quite and calm. We launch our kayaks from here. You can pull your truck right up to the water to unload and then park the truck after. They have Picnic tables and a grill for cooking. We went left (upstream) We only seen one alligator. It’s Sunday and our first time out here. I was kinda surprised how people were showing up with kayaks and paddle boards when we were leaving. Bathrooms are cleaner than I expected and mosquitos didn’t carry me away hahaha. Plenty of parking. Want to check out the bond trail across the street in the future. Great place. Will most definitely be back. There is a fee to be there. It’s $3 per vehicle $2 per person. There’s a little black box with blue envelopes to leave your fee. Well worth the price. Also great to see it clean!

Great kayak launch. Going north on the river here is very pretty water with few weeds. Remember there is a $3 per vehicle pay box so have cash. Also there are picnic tables. Arrive early to avoid the occasional weekend jet skis. They are a terror

Wild and scenic describes it well! Kayaking this section of the Wekiva River shows a different and as equally beautiful perspective of this river -floating over its sandy bottom renders a great view of the underwater life, fish, turtles, gators swimming under kayak. As the river goes downstream(northbound in this stretch) it becomes narrower , vegetation more dense and w that the Alligator encounters more frequent too. Some seemed determined to road block our way past them. :)

Great park! It has a boat ramp and quite a few grill areas on one side. The other side has a vast hiking area with trails! Plenty of photo ops and nice shaded trails for the most part. It is not a very popular hiking trail, so you may have the park to yourself! Bring your water bottle and enjoy! Highly recommend!

Super cool quiet spot to launch. Water is clear as it can be. Saw probably 6 or 8 alligators within about a mile of the river. 3 of which were big guys I'd guess at 10 foot or bigger..... All kinds of birds, turtles and fish. Gonna go all the way to the st John's next time. Should be a cool paddle.

The water was beautiful. We put about four kayaks in the water we went upstream just said be easier right on the way back so many beautiful wildlife. Within set up payment expire boat ramp which is really nice. Will definitely be back here again.

Edger Allen Poe Speakeasy was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Highly recommend to anyone! They did four readings (wish they did more). Don’t wait when in your town, get tickets you won’t regret it!!!

Went to see the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. Super cool show.

Saw Shrek the musical here, community theatre presentation. Was quite amusing and well done.

Excellent show Latin Festival. Diversity of cultures. Hispanic, traditional and folklore.

Went to "The July Experience: Death by AI: Who Pays the Price?" last night and it was very interesting and educating. I liked the fact that we were given a chance to vote on issues throughout the show.

The venue was ok, no cup holders for any drinks you may have purchased which eas to a balancing act. Minimum rest rooms which lead to lines during intermission. Staff very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately i was not pleased with the performance last night. Will try again

I’m fairly new to the area and have wanted to check out the theater so I took my Son to the Sanford Sizzlin Summer Event where they played Luca for FREE with a School Supply Donation! I think it was an Amazing Event for a Great Cause and the staff was really Great & Friendly! Definitely would like to check out some future events and performances to support the Theater.

This is a must-do destination in the central Florida region. The wilderness area is circled by a 7.1 mile loop around a dense forest and wetlands area. I didn't see any black bear, but I did see 3 alligators, 5 feral pigs, including 2 piglets, a hawk catching prey in a tree right in front of me, dozens of waterfowl, butterflies, a red-bellied woodpecker, 1.7 billion lizard, and a variety of grasses and other plants, as well as a large number of tree species. There are about twenty boardwalks throughout the trail, and they get you well above the water, giving you a better chance of seeing animals. The trail has convenient signs every quarter mile to let you know your progress. Since the terrain is flat, I suggest planning on 3-4 hours to make the circuit at a reasonable walking pace. Bring lots of water. I didn't have time to get insect repellant so it was fortunate I didn't get a single bite. The wilderness area wasn't too crowded and there was plenty of parking. Now go make your own fun!

Black Bear Wilderness Area has a beautiful 7.5 miles loop trail that is a must do! The trail is well maintained, but you do have to watch your footing for tree roots. It has abundant wildlife. We saw a Bear in the parking lot before we even started our hike! We also encountered wild hogs, and alligator, a pygmy rattlesnake, and a wide variety of birds. We will definitely do it agsin.again. our GPS told us to turn at the stop sign, but you should go straight to the parking lot. There is a porta potty at the trail head. It was clean when we visited.

This park is a Florida hidden gem! We saw otters, numerous species of birds, turtles, wild boar, etc. Although our hike was in July, the canopy coverage for shade, kept us comfortable and cool for a FL summer.

This was one of my favorite hikes in the Orlando area, this is a fantastic Central Florida Gem. It is a 7 min loop and not all of it is decked there tree roots and inclines to move around. The trail is not wheel friendly but a really cool hike I'd definitely recommend for low cost incredibly high value Florida nature appreciation. There is also wild life out there, I saw wild pigs, wood peckers, heard the harmonuis craoks of frogs, and an orchestra of crickets. Wear some kind of bug repellent and sturdy comfortable shoes.

This was such a nice hike. We got to see boars, some gators, lizards and squirrels every where and a variety of bugs. We also got to see the river otter and it was so cuteeee kids were super stoked. And let’s not forget the turtle blocking the path 😌

Its a 7 miles walk. i only got to the 3rd mile but it was beautiful. I want to go back and finish the rest. The trail is long and there's alot to look at. I would recommend going there for a run or a mental health walk. Wildlife there= 🐻🐍🐊 (Bears,snakes,gators)

Interesting mix of dirt trails and elevated walk ways. Female deer walked across trail in front of me, saw various birds and hikers were all courteous.

A primer craft beer experience with character and friendly professional service! This local brew pub/eatery should be at the top of your east central Florida list. A true destination brewery or if you’re already in Sanford it’s the “go to” spot for fine craft suds and a meal. Located in a cute bustling section of town, Wop’s does not disappoint. A varied and vast offering of craft beer brewed on site and full bar if you’re into the hard stuff. They also have a full menu so grab a delicious meal with your adult beverage. Inside seating, bar seating, and a super nice beer garden off to the side. They even have bistro street front tables available to take in the view as folks stroll the lovely downtown. The staff were real pros, friendly, and welcoming. The locals spoke very highly of their neighborhood brewery and welcomed us travelers like family. The place felt loved and it showed with its ample character. If there was a sixth star this place would deserve it!

While traveling Florida we are members of Harvest Host. We came upon Wop's Hops while evading the traffic and congestion of the big cities. A downtown brewery with great food. Numerous taps of flavored brews to choose from. We got here on Thursday for there wing special. Wow. Plenty of live entertainment all adding this location.

Amazing decorating ideas inside the brewery. The list of beers is also impressive. Definitely a hole in the wall to find. But well worth it

When we were looking for a place to meet my daughter and her husband that was halfway between Winter Haven and Jacksonville, we discovered this gem! I'm always a sucker for a brewery so I was immediately drawn to it. The place is spacious inside and has a large outdoor patio that is pet friendly, which was great since we brought our pup. Started with a flight of their brews. All were very good! Ended up choosing the Paradiso, a coconut ale. Nice coconut flavor and was very refreshing! We ordered some apps that came out to us pretty quickly. We got the nachos (they are topped with cut up meatballs. Amazing!!), pretzel bites with beer cheese (nice subtle smokey flavor), brucheta (a little soggy but decent), and fried mozzarella (it was what is was). I also had the BBQ burger. The burger patty was actually their meatball shaped into a patty and seasoned. Different, but in a really delicious way! Service was quick and the staff was extremely friendly and attentive! This may become a regular meeting place for us to cut our drives in half and enjoy some good food and brews! Didn't get pics of the food. We decided to put our phones up and enjoy the moment.

Wop’s Hops holds the title of Sanford’s first microbrewery, and it’s a cozy, welcoming spot that feels like a true local hangout. The owner is genuine and really nice, and the bar staff are just as friendly. There’s a loyal crowd of regulars that adds to the community feel, and it’s also veteran-owned. The brewery itself is small, with two rooms. The main bar is intimate, while the second room often hosts events. One wall there is completely covered with posters of past and present beers: a fun timeline of their creativity. There is a cluttered hallway that leads to a second restroom which I recommend over the main one. Outside, there’s a pleasant seating area shaded by canvas sails, which makes it easy to relax with a pint. Beer is the star here. Wop’s Hops puts out a wide range of styles and is always introducing new brews. Their beers tend to lean a bit sweeter than most other breweries, which isn’t quite my personal preference, but objectively the brewing is solid and well executed. For beer alone, this place earns a 5/5. Food, however, is less of a draw. The small kitchen offers pub style food, but the quality was hit-or-miss. Our flatbread came out with the bottom burnt. It’s convenient if you want something to nibble on, but the food is definitely secondary to the beer. Overall, I’d rate Wop’s Hops as: Beer: 5, Atmosphere: 4, Food: 3. If you’re in Sanford and want to experience the city’s first microbrewery, with a genuine owner, friendly staff, and a welcoming local crowd, it’s worth a visit.

Definitely loved the vibe in this place. The little bar has an energy all its own and was packed with locals when I visited. They have a very interesting beer list, with a few that jump out at you like the White Chocolate Amaretto Cream Ale and the Marco Luppolo IPA. Owner was a nice guy and I chatted it up with a few of the locals before leaving. Sanford's first microbrewery is a good one.

This place was a little bit of a surprise, the restaurant we were going to go to was closed so we saw this across the street. What a cool little funky place. We sat at the bar and ordered a flight, the bartender was very informative and very personable. I actually loved every beer I tried which is unusual for me. Their sweet potato beer is out of this world. We also ordered a couple of appetizers which were amazing. We sat there for a little while and we met the owner as well who was very nice. This is definitely going to be on our list to go again soon. It has a nice atmosphere, great beer, great food and the people that work there are outstanding

This was recommended to me as a spot to swim- please don’t swim here 🤣 im a Floridian and know better (this is the lake with the most alligators per square mile in Florida) Okechobee is the lake with the most alligators because it is Floridas largest lake Check out the fish camps, the locals go to black hammock and jolly gator, black hammock has boat tours

Home of many Alligators. If you want to see one in the wild, you can see it here. If you have the time, you should go on air boat ride through the lake. We had the opportunity to see 20 alligators, one turtle, and many bird species while doing it. I recommend Black Hammock Orlando air boat rides.

There is very little development on this lake (on purpose), so it's much more natural than most in Central Florida. It's been vastly improved over the past years and is now in pretty great condition. Gators galore! Snag a ride on an air boat and see Florida's real, natural beauty!

You can see lots of alligators!

Home to over 13 thousand Gators in only 6 ft of water, those brave enough to try that " Florida Man " life , God speed and good luck with that. As a native to Florida I'm well aware that gators jump up to 6 feet out of the water and can most definitely run faster then that ego. running in a S shape or zig zag won't do you any good 😊👍 but if you believe in your "knees to chest" athletic ability then let the force be with you especially if you have a pet with you and Believe "sparky " won't be on the menu. All n all , stay away from the water . Yes that includes children too.

Live this lake, so beautiful!

Highest concentration of Alligators anywhere in the world.

I did a Google maps search for art when I was in the Sanford area and this popped up. Everything about this gallery was really good. Really great art, super fabulous French bulldog, artist studios to investigate, and a knowledgeable and approachable gallery owner. The work she had displayed in her gallery was contemporary and gorgeous. The front area has pieces for purchase such as ceramics, soft sculptures, jewelry, little found object assemblage sculptures, and fabulous quirky paintings. Check out the vend O-Matic art machine - so cool.

We came in today to pick up Theresa Disney's wonderful picture of Snowball! We have 2 others she did of Lily and Petunia. They are treasures! The Gallery is a joy. Love the artists and took a wonderful class! A special place to visit with great art and people!

They have the cutest ponchos for Halloween! I've bought lots of art from this gallery so this is my second review.

This is one of the best place to see in and around Sanford area for an art lover. This place has various forms of art exhibitions under one roof. Their latest painted art work is fabulous!!!

Great little place that helps a lot of local artists!

The Halloween Boo-Tique was very SCARY and very ENJOYABLE!

This is the most amazing, fun, enlightening gallery I have ever visited. I am in love with Folk Art now. Jeanine has impeccable taste in choosing gift items as well. It is on my 'must go to' places in Sanford.

I had the pleasure of visiting this gallery for the first time for the open house meet the artists event. This was the highlight of my weekend! It was so special to speak to the artists and hear their creative stories! Beautiful artwork and artifacts throughout the gallery. Stop by and support local artists.

This is such a cool gallery. Incredible selections of artists’ work, very cool and unique pieces. We also spoke to the workers here and they went above and beyond! They informed us on their special events and classes, and we can’t wait to go! We even signed up for the email list they told us about. I can’t wait to take pottery classes here!

A cute gallery with local artists in the individual shared spaces. The artist have smaller rooms in the large area where they can work or just display their works. The gallery is full of maybe at least a dozen artists. Worth a visit to see what they are displaying.

The Folk Art is gorgeous, as are the works by locals and transplants. I always visit in between quenching my thirst at the many local craft beer bars. It is free to wander but be prepared to fall in love with some must have art pieces.

What a WONDERFUL gallery filled with so many fantastic works of art. You must stop by and check out all the various forms of art by the various artists.

A unique, must-see gallery when you are in the Sanford area. My wife and I so enjoyed the variety of artists exhibiting their work. Speaking with artists working on site was an unexpected treat. The Sanford Memory Wall adorning the front of the building is well-worth your time as well.

Great Graffiti wall on the outside of the store great for taking pictures. Took my VW and the pictures turned out great. There should be more Art like this. Is right next door to the German Restaurant

Our experience at the restaurant was quite a rollercoaster. The food ranged from excellent to very disappointing. The schnitzel was fantastic, and the fries were great, but the vegetarian dishes were almost inedible, and the vegetables were more “alive” than enjoyable. We understand that maintaining the inventory and running a restaurant is a lot of work, but the outdoor tables seemed to have seen their best days, which added to the overall negative impression. The service was charming to watch, but the staff’s knowledge about the dishes was very limited. When we asked for authentic German dishes, the recommendations we received had little to do with the originals in Germany. At some point, we noticed the wall full of awards and accolades, which raised our expectations—but unfortunately, the reality of the food and service did not match. It was disappointing, and we left feeling that the experience didn’t live up to what the restaurant promises.

I’d been wanting to try this place for a while, and I can’t believe it took me so long! The restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating. The long communal tables mean that smaller parties may share space with others when it’s busy, which adds to the lively atmosphere. There was a German band playing when we went, and it really set the tone for a fun, authentic experience. Many of the staff were dressed in traditional German attire, which added an extra touch of charm and made it feel like a true Bavarian celebration. It does get a little loud—especially if you’re seated toward the back—but it’s all part of the experience. They also offer both indoor and covered outdoor seating options. Our server, Coral, was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable. The menus look like German newspapers, which is a fun touch, though the prices can be a bit tricky to find at first. Once we ordered, everything came out fresh, hot, and much quicker than expected given how busy they were. Portions were generous, and every dish we tried was excellent. Overall, great food, great service, and a wonderful atmosphere—I’ll definitely be back!

1st time here. Great covered outside eating area. Make sure u try the Eisbein with fresh veggies, you won't regret it. The seasonal pumpkin bread pudding was good but definitely recommend ordering it to share.

It was my first time there. It was a Sunday, and there was a live performance on stage, so the atmosphere was great. The Sauerbraten was a bit too sour and salty for my taste. The beef was very tender and easy to eat. My husband ordered the Jager Schnitzel. I also had a bite, and it was very tender, with a not too heavy pork flavor and not too oily. Next time I visit, I'll definitely try the Schnitzel. We ordered the Applewood and classic sausages, and both were delicious.

The restaurant was really cool 3 stories high. As far as authenticity after living in Germany for many years I'm not sure if they meet that taste point. The goulash wasn't at all Bayern type, it was more mushy stew. In Garmish it's much different as well! The cucumber salat missed the mark for tang and i simply didn't like the warm potato salat as it was too much tang. Sadly, not a German experience but i will add that Radler 1 pint is highly recommended

The German food was pretty good, the drinks were very good. The atmosphere was fun and they had a live band. They had plenty of German beers and specialty cocktails. Portions for large, each split a meal. There were four of us and we only bought four meals. With drinks and food. The price was less $125. Would recommend going.

I see why people go. It is a good time. They interact with the guest and keep you singing and drinking. But just not a fan of the food. Could just be me. The charcuterie board that they had with a pretzel and cheese that was good and my dinner was a flatbread which wasn't bad but I tried the chicken cutlet that they call a schnitzel I didn't find any taste to it. And the platter with a variety of sausage was cool. So I guess appetizers are good 👍 but people stay going and the line to get in be out the door. So they liking something in there. Im glad I tried it. The waitress was really cool and very attentive. We did have a party of 10 and she did very good.

Off the beaten path state park. Looking for a great peaceful place to launch your own canoe, paddle board or kayaks this is a nice place to do that! No crowds or large boaters to run you over and lots of nature. We didn't take bikes or hiking gear this trip, but will definitely be back with those items to explore other areas of this park. Only reason I give this place 4 stars is we have not explored the whole area yet.

We came across this part of Wekiva after being unable to get to Wekiva springs (That place gets soooo busy!). Parked a a small parking area just at the end of Longwood Markham road - this is about a 0.5-1 mile from Katie's Landing, which you can reach on a trail. Within the Lower Wekiva park, it can be really exposed so be prepared to be burnt or drowned depending on the weather. If you look at my pics though there is quite a variety of landscapes to see all in one place! We saw a variety of wildlife which to me was exotic (but I'm from the uk😉). Other than walking not much to do but we like walking so will be back again!

I spent 2 days camping on the Blackwater Creek. Lots of large 10-12 alligators. The Creek is blocked by trees 2 1/2 miles.from the entrance from the Wekiva.

Map is hard to understand lots of mosquitoes and we found 8 snakes 2 nonvenomous i wouldn't bring little kids here but for animal lovers this park is amazing loads of animals found here

Well marked trails for pony carts or horseback riding. Large primitive camp area with a barn, open paddocks and high ties. Bath houses with a shower are really kept clean.

Miles of beautiful, shady trails with a variety of trees, nice campground, primitive, bathhouse with showers, stalls, paddocks, new pavillion.

Nice walk through the lower flats. Katties landing excellent spot to put in your kayak or canoe

Informative spot for recreation, dining, shopping and event details in Sanford. The gentleman who I spoke with twice during my 10-day stay was cheery and knowledgeable. An aside: a calendar of events online and on paper perhaps? I missed a few things as I ran into them already in action or just ending. Also, great to have public restrooms and drinking water available! Thank you.

I traveled to downtown Sanford yesterday, and this was one of my favorite spots. Dan was amazing! He is a wealth of knowledge about the town and it's history. Even after leaving when we were sharing our experience with someone in the area, and the helpful person at the information center, they knew instantly who we were talking about. It's amazing talking to someone who has so much passion for their work. I was pretty lukewarm to Sanford, but after talking to Dan I really gained an appreciation for the town. Very engaging, and we were very appreciative. Definitely stop here before really exploring the area. So much more detailed than a Google search of things to do in the area. Thank you!

A few months ago we walked in and were surprised by a remodeling project taking place. We were told that things were going to be improved and we couldn't wait to go back and do our usual shopping. So many lovely things at the store, fancy soaps, coconut scrubs, custom jewelry, honey, home decor,even books and a Special Monopoly game inspired by the town. Sadly we returned for the art festival and they eliminated the store. Nothing left but some t-shirts in a small display.The remodel turned the lovely visitor center into a cold office space with divided offices that include the chamber of commerce. What a disservice to Sanford to dispose of such pleasant and inviting store...Sad indeed.

My one star is for the lady that was working at the information center yesterday! She was rude, unfriendly and given wrong information to several of us that went to Sanford on a field trip! This lady doesn’t need to be working in a welcome/information center for sure! There was nothing welcome about her and she certainly doesn’t represent the city of Sanford with the enthusiasm that you wish she would have on talking to people! The welcome/information center it self was a nice building. Loredana

This is now the Sanford Information Center. These photos are out dated. The building is now home to the Seminole Arts Council, Sanford Chamber of Commerce, Project Sanford, Sanford Economic Development, and Sanford Main Street offices. The public is welcomed to pick up maps, brochures, magazines, as well as Sanford Visitor's guide. It has public restrooms and Wi-Fi.

Progressive sanford has their monthly AA5 night time event. Love this town and its eclectic downtown district. The place has come along way since the turn of the century. Come give this place a spin, grab lunch and walk the streets. You'll be pleasantly surprised

For many years before boarding Auto Train always took chamber bus into Downtown Sanford. My last visit which was April, 2017, was a nightmare. Took bus from terminal and back. Seemed when returning to terminal my purse was nowhere to be found. Driver did through scan of vehicle to no avail. Auto Train security the same and even Sanford Police. One week later got a call from Auto Train terminal in Sanford. Was told a chamber driver found my purse on bus. Just now was cleaning my old maps and destinations. What do I find pictures of where my purse had been. An apartment in Sanford a bar and club. Was not my travels I was 1800 miles away at the time of pictures. Hmm at the time of my missing purse I was told that the buses do not leave fenced in lot at night. Still a mystery Travelers beware

It's free, there's no wait time and you learn the history of Sanford from its very beginning to what it is now. The indigenous people were killed so that the Europeans could take their land and profit from it. At least the museum sticks to the honest truth! The young lady was very knowledgeable about the history of Sanford. I really enjoyed the artifacts throughout the museum. Beautiful! There's even an entire room as it would have liked in 1800s era. Fun!

HENRY SHELTON SANFORD GROVE AND EXPERIMENTAL GARDENS In this vicinity Henry Shelton Sanford, pioneer citrus grower, established the St. Gertrude grove in 1871. There, and at his Belair grove and experimental gardens, he advanced the industry through development of some 140 types of citrus. The Sanford gardens experimented with other tropical fruits, planting 30,000 exotic trees from South America and Africa. Much of the labor in the groves was performed by Swedish immigrants who settled at nearby New Upsala.

I really liked the museum. It started out as a museum about Henry Sanford, the city's founder. Later expanded to include a lot of history of the town and surrounding area. We were looking for a place to spend some time prior to our flight. It was an excellent choice.

This museum is so important for Sanford's history. Docent Karen helped me a lot. She is knowledgable, easy to understand, polite, and perfect in her job. I enjoyed my visit and learned a lot of things. The museum is free. You don’t have to buy a ticket. If you like, you can donate money. The museum is also very clean and well maintained. The employees thought of every little detail, and they made that museum perfect.

I loved this museum! I spent two hours exploring fascinating exhibits on Sanford and Florida’s history, art, sports, and local culture. Every room had something unique. Totally worth it!

The National Center For Simulation sends a huge thank you to Brigitte Stephenson, Curator and her team for their community support and educating our future leaders about the past of Sanford and how it informs the future.🤩

One of Sanfords best kept secrets! Casually walk through the displays showing all aspects of Sanford's history! Very helpful staff.

This is a great park for exercising. I love when I can find bathrooms and water fountains.

Rented a pavilion for a family event we just had and an upcoming company event. This park is fantastic. Our family had a blast and I'm confident this was the right place to choose for our upcoming event. The staff is absolutely phenomenal! They are super friendly and helpful. Answered all of my questions and walked me all the way through the online booking process even giving great suggestions on which pavilions would suit our needs best for each event. The park and pavilions are well kept and clean! While they don't have electricity, they do have large tables, plenty of seating, trash cans, recycling bins, grills, and nearby water fountains. The bothrooms were also very clean, stocked with antibacterial soap, paper towels, and bathroom tissue. We had one small issue, there was alarm going off on the nearby septic system. It wasn't loud, just a high pitched noise. I called the office and the person I spoke to was out within a few minutes to resolve it. Great park and great customer service. I highly recommend for kids, families, and anyone looking to rent a pavilion.

High quality park with tennis courts, playgrounds, soccer fields, fishing lake with pier, and more. I’m especially impressed with the quality of the lake and pier. It’s rare to find a lake that is good for bass fishing and big enough to accommodate multiple people. A small ramp for kayaks/boats would be a nice addition.

Great sports and nature park. Lots to here. Plenty of nice tennis courts, like 4 racquetball walls, soccer fields galore. Nice trails to walk n Pavillions to BBQ, plus a fishing dock and lake to enjoy. Very serene. If you are in the area, stop by and see for yourself

Nice park, well maintained. Sponsored by the Orlando pride soccer team. Lots of soccer fields. The walking loop was nice, but no view of the lake.

The playground at Sylvab Park is designed for ages 2-5 and 5-12. Pros: 1. Clean shaded playground 2. Restrooms available 3. Covered pavilion with two large picnic tables and chargrill provided 4. Fenced in playground 5. Tennis court at Seminole County Sports Training Center Con: The picnic pavilions are more than 50 feet away from the playground area.

Beautiful park , deer sightings they are used to people mulling about so take pics.Has very Nice racquet ball courts/ tennis cts. Fishing pier plenty of restrooms, picnic pavilions, playground and more

No shade. Yes I understand it's hard to make trees grow fast to make shade but wow was the playground hot. My kid struggled to play on all the hot equipment The splash pad was the opposite... Very cool and actual cool :) all in all a beautiful park and lots of space for fun and parties. Just maybe go on a an over cast day or early in the morning?

Really nice park with beautiful views of the lake 🌅. The playground is spacious, clean, and perfect for kids to enjoy safely. Plenty of open space for walking, relaxing, or having a picnic. Great spot for families, exercise, or just unwinding by the water; definitely one of the gems in the area!

We stopped by here for a respite before driving home from Florida. It was close to the Sanford Auto train that family was taking. The kids liked looking at the black water and 2 manatees were swimming. The splash pad was a nice place to cool your feet. The playground was large with a variety of things to do. There were benches to sit in shade or sun. Very nice atmosphere.

Soft padding for playground area. Play area for both big kids and small. Nice little area with fountains for the kids to get wet on a hot day. Looks like it could be good fishing. Nice bench swings to catch the sunrise. There was even a museum we didn't get to look at. There seems to be something for everyone in the family here. It's clean and I didn't have to worry about my kids finding drugs on the playground or being offered any on our way into it. I was there midday on a Thursday, who knows what the weekends and evenings bring though.

Very nice park adjacent to a beautiful river view with plenty of parking on both sides of the park. The landscapingb is beautiful, including a duck filled pond, an open field for sports, party areas with large picnic tables, a grill and even an electric outlet, a children's playground with rubber matting, 2 solar panel recharging stations, multiple basketball courts, a children's water fountain park and even a free Sanford Museum nearby.

Great playground with splash pad. Pad opens at 10 am today. Bring bug spray. LOTS of mosquitoes. We got here at 9am and had to leave due to not having bug spray. It was pretty bad but it is summer time

Really nice lil park. Went for a baby shower. Deff perfect for kids and bday parties. There is a splash pad and also a whole park w/ swings, slides etc. Go and have some fun everyone💜🖤💜