Sanford: worth a day if you fly in or head north

What Sanford is

Sanford is an old river port about 25 miles north of downtown Orlando, on the south shore of Lake Monroe, which is part of the St. Johns River. It was once a busy steamboat landing and later a major celery-growing town. Its historic downtown has brick streets, 19th- and early 20th-century buildings and blocks of restored Victorian homes nearby.

Today the downtown is lively with local restaurants, breweries and bars, and the lakefront has a long riverwalk. Most visitors pass through for Orlando Sanford International Airport or the Amtrak Auto Train terminal and never see it.

The town is small enough that an afternoon covers the highlights. Most of what you want sits within a few blocks of First Street, and the lake is a short walk north of it.

When it makes sense

• You fly into Sanford airport: downtown is about 10 minutes away. The Sanford airport guide covers the terminal and transport.
• You take the Auto Train: the terminal is close, so it fills the wait.
• You're heading north: it's on the way to Blue Spring and the manatees, Daytona Beach and St. Augustine.
• You want a local night out: the breweries and First Street restaurants draw people from all of north Orlando.

An afternoon in order

1. Park downtown near First Street; lots and street parking are usually free.
2. Walk First Street and the side streets for the old buildings, antique and vintage shops and murals.
3. Stop at a brewery or taproom; downtown has several within a few blocks. The Orlando breweries guide covers the wider area.
4. Walk to the riverwalk on Lake Monroe before sunset. The lake is wide, and sunsets over the water are the best part of a visit.
5. Eat dinner downtown, then drive a few minutes through the historic residential district to see the old homes.

Other things to do

• Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens: a mid-size zoo just off I-4 with native and exotic animals and shaded boardwalks. Good for families with young kids.
• River boat tours: tours on the St. Johns River run from the area, with chances to see birds, alligators and sometimes manatees.
• Local history museum: small exhibits on the town's steamboat and celery past.
• Monthly street events: downtown usually hosts evening street parties and festivals; check the town calendar.

Where to eat

First Street and the blocks around it have bistros, Southern cooking, pizza, tacos, a couple of upscale dining rooms, coffee shops, bakeries and many bars and taprooms. Prices are moderate and the feel is local. For a lakeside meal, a few places sit near the water, though the best choices are inland on First Street and its cross streets.

Weekend evenings get busy, especially when there is a downtown event, so plan on a short wait at the popular places. Weeknights are relaxed. Brunch is a strong meal here too, and makes a good start to a day heading north to the springs or the coast. Many of the taprooms let you bring in food or have a food truck parked outside, which is the cheapest way to eat and drink well in town.

Getting there and mistakes to avoid

From downtown Orlando, take I-4 east, about 30 to 40 minutes. From the Disney area, plan on an hour or more. State Road 417 is a toll alternative around the east side. SunRail has a Sanford station, but it is a few miles west of downtown and runs mostly on weekdays.

• Driving up from Disney just for dinner. The round trip takes longer than the meal.
• Arriving after dark and missing the sunset over the lake.
• Skipping the side streets. The best old buildings and homes are often a block or two off First Street, so walk a loop rather than a straight line.
• Swimming in Lake Monroe. It is part of a river system with alligators.
• Assuming SunRail stops downtown. You'll need a short ride from the station.
• Booking a very early flight out of Sanford and staying near Disney. The drive before dawn is long; spend the last night up here.