Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Sanford (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, Museum of Seminole County History, and St. Johns River Veterans Memorial Bridge. Also, be sure to include Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Sanford (Florida).
Table of Contents
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
Theatre in Sanford, Florida. The Ritz Theater is a historic theatre in Sanford, Florida, United States. It is located at 201 South Magnolia Avenue. On January 29, 2001, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. After getting donations from Wayne Densch it has now been named the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center.[1]
Address: 201 S Magnolia Ave # 203, 32771-1321 Sanford
Museum of Seminole County History
The Seminole County Home is a historic site located at 300 Bush Boulevard in Sanford, Florida, United States, North America.[2]
Address: 300 Eslinger Way, 32773-6135 Sanford
St. Johns River Veterans Memorial Bridge
Bridge in Volusia County, Florida. The original St. Johns River Bridge was a four-lane concrete-and-steel causeway bridge constructed over the St. Johns River at the west outlet of Lake Monroe. It is a part of Interstate 4, and spans the border between Seminole and Volusia Counties in Florida, United States. On the Seminole side is Sanford and on the Volusia side is DeBary.
The bridge's design, which lacked shoulders for disabled or wrecked vehicles to pull out of the flow of traffic, made it a severe bottleneck for commuters going to the Orlando Area beginning in the 1980s. A series of fatal traffic collisions on it and similarly-designed bridges statewide, most notably the Interstate 75 Lake Panasoffkee Bridge, led to a move in 2000 to use state emergency bridge funds similar to the contingency funds used to rebuild the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to begin planned reconstruction. Work began in 2001, and a new dual structure consisting of two three-lane spans, each with wide shoulders on either side, was fully opened in May 2004. The old bridge was dismantled over the next few months. Upon completion, the new structure was officially renamed the St. Johns River Veterans Memorial Bridge.[3]
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Zoo in Seminole County, Florida. The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 116-acre zoo and botanical garden located north of Orlando, Florida in Sanford. As a not-for-profit organization, it is a leader in conservation, providing experiences that inspire actions on behalf of wildlife. The Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1986.[4]
Address: 3755 NW Highway, Sanford
Sanford Grammar School
National historical institute in Sanford, Florida. The Sanford Grammar School, also known as the Sanford High School and as the Margaret K. Reynolds Building, is a historic school building located at 301 West 7th Street in Sanford, Florida Built in 1902, it was designed by Wilbur B. Talley in the Romanesque Revival style of architecture. Sanford architect Elton James Moughton designed the wings which were added in 1916. On November 23, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
In 1989, it was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture prepared by the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects and published by the University of Florida Press.[5]
Address: 301 W 7th St, 32771 Sanford
Gallery on First
Museum, Art gallery, Shopping
Address: 211 E 1st St, 32771-1376 Sanford
St. James A. M. E. Church
Church in Sanford, Florida. St. James A. M. E. Church is a congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Sanford, Florida, United States. The oldest church in Sanford founded by African Americans, it was established in 1867, when the church purchased land on the corner of East Ninth Street and South Cypress Avenue.
The original church building was replaced in 1913 with a red brick Gothic Revival building designed by local architect Prince W. Spears.
In 1989, it was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture prepared by the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects and published by the University of Florida Press. On April 24, 1992, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[6]
PICO Building
The PICO Building, also known as the PICO Hotel, is an historic 2-story redbrick building located at 209 North Oak Avenue, corner of West Commercial Street, in Sanford, Florida. Built during 1886-1887 for Henry B. Plant of Plant Investment Co. to serve travelers arriving in Sanford on his railroad and steamship lines, it was designed by local architect William T. Cotter in the Romanesque Revival and Moorish Revival styles of architecture and built by the H. M. Papworth Construction Company. In 1906 the building was remodeled and sold to the Takach family, which had operated the restaurant for Plant by Mrs. Bertha E. Takach and family, Hungarian immigrants.
According to the Orlando Sentinel on April 22,1973, "Mrs. Takch, the owner (of an adjacent restaurant), had such good food.. she got all the customers. So, in 1889, Mr. Plant, whose dining room was losing out, made a deal with Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Takach to take over their Pico Hotel." In fact, "they DID, in 1891...from that time, many called the Pico Hotel the Takach Hotel. It had gas lights, white table cloths, and the people who ate there were well dressed, as train travelers always were in that era."
"Their restaurant continued in the building for about 50 years. The building's original onion dome was destroyed in a 1950s storm. The building then went on to become an office building used primarily for law offices.In 1989, it was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture prepared by the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects and published by the University of Florida Press.
The building is a contributing property in the Sanford Commercial District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 15, 1976.[7]
Sanford Residential Historic District
The Sanford Residential Historic District is a U.S. Historic District located in Sanford, Florida. The district is bounded by Sanford Avenue, 14th Street, Elm Avenue, and 3rd Street. It contains 432 historic buildings, including the Old Fernald-Laughton Memorial Hospital and Sanford Grammar School.[8]
Sanford Commercial District
The Sanford Commercial District is a U.S. Historic District located in Sanford, Florida. The district includes parts of 1st, 2nd, and Commercial Streets, between Palmetto and Oak Streets. It contains 29 historic buildings, including the PICO Building at 209 North Oak.[9]
Hopper Academy
Hopper Academy is a former school for African Americans in Sanford, Florida. It closed in the early 1960s, was used by the school district, and was then abandoned and fell into disrepair. It has been restored and is now a community center. It is on the Florida Black Heritage Trail and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The two-story wooden schoolhouse was built in 1906. William C. McLester was the school's first principal. Joseph N. Crooms also served as one of its principals. Following the completion of Crooms Academy in 1926, Hopper was converted to an elementary and middle school, housing kindergarten through eighth grade. It closed in the 1960s and fell into disrepair.
The building is being restored for use as a community center. It is part of the Florida Black History Heritage Trail. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. It is located in the Georgetown section of Sanford.[10]