Sanford is on the east coast of Florida in Seminole County, bordering Lake Monroe to the north and Lake Jessup to the south. It’s in a fantastic location, only around a 45-minute drive to Daytona Beach and just over half an hour drive down south to Orlando. To reach Orlando, follow the 417 west and merge onto the I-4 into the city.

In Orlando, Florida’s commercial hub, there’s plenty to discover. Fill your time thrill seeking on roller coasters and whizzing down water slides in several of the famous theme parks and attractions.

From Sanford, you can reach Daytona Beach on the east coast via the I-4 heading north. Use exit 129 and look for the signs towards Daytona Beach – it should take around 45 minutes. There’s a lot to explore along the shore with retro amusements, a unique nature reserve, Canaveral National Seashore and the famous Daytona International Speedway.

Sanford is easy to navigate and there are plenty of car parks around the city. Visit the historic downtown where you can admire art deco buildings and eat at several fantastic restaurants. From downtown, travel along the picturesque stretch of Seminole Boulevard to take in the beauty of the shimmering Lake Monroe.

When you’re driving through the city, you’ll need to stick to the local road regulations. As well as driving on the right in Florida, the speed limit is 30mph in built-up areas. When you’re on motorway the limit is 70mph. In Florida, they also have a maximum speed limit of 55pmh on dual carriageways, unless stated otherwise.

Surrounded by wild nature and only a half-hour drive from the centre of Orlando, there are lots of attractions you can explore when you rent a car in Sanford. 

Discover wild nature along St. Johns River

Sanford sits between two waterways, Lake Monroe and Lake Jesup. Both lakes are part of the sprawling St. Johns River. Running 310 miles from Sanford into the sea at Jacksonville, St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida.

Visit the popular Little Big Econ State Forest – a 10,279-acre rugged park with a waterway that trails off into lush woodland. The Econlockhatchee River runs for 17 miles through the forest and floods into the wetlands when the water rises.

There are over 16 miles of walking and hiking trails you can experience throughout the park. Travel through oak-palm trees and pine woodlands, or hop into a canoe to paddle the eight miles of wetlands from Willingham Road to Snow Kill road. Overflowing with greenery, the park is also where you can catch a glimpse of over 160 bird species, including the bald eagle.

This protected ecosystem is not just used for recreational purposes. Parts of the park are used to grow crops and farm cattle.          

Explore Sanford Museum

Take a sentimental look into the history of the area at the Sanford Museum. First opened in 1957, under a different name, Henry Shelton Sanford Memorial Library and Museum held just a small collection. Since then, exhibitions have grown, offering a real insight into local life and history.

See past yearbooks from the local schools and lost letters from residents, old street maps and transport blueprints, as well as photos of local celebrities and service people. This quaint museum is a great introduction to the area and gives you a good idea to how daily life has changed over the years.

Experience Central Florida Zoo

One of the most popular attractions is the Central Florida Zoo. Follow the trail around this park to see leopards, cougars, black bears, giraffes, cheetahs and sloths. There's also a range of birdlife, alligators, crocodiles and other reptiles.

The zoo also has an exceptional botanical garden with exotic flora. The garden includes an ancient fern collection and a health and wellness garden. There’s also a colourful butterfly garden with a carefully-selected plant range that attracts hummingbirds and bees.

Enjoy the local arts scene

Check the listings during your stay and you might be able to catch a show at the historic Wayne Densch Performing Arts Centre. Originally called the Ritz, it was renamed after receiving many donations from Wayne Densch and added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Enjoy plays, dance, tribute acts, films and more, with dining deals available for the full experience.

Alternatively, visit the unique Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, home to a gallery of truly individual modern folk art. It regularly hosts workshops and other events, alongside the shop that’s ideal for picking up some special souvenirs with a real connection to Florida.

Hire a car in Sanford and discover all these attractions and more across Florida at your own convenience.