The Historic Downtown Area is a lively part of the Sanford community and is home to an abundance of eclectic shops and restaurants. There are a wide range of activities to engage in while spending your time downtown.
Visit the Henry Shelton Sanford Memorial Library and Museum:
The museum is completely free and showcases a variety of exhibits. A few of these include: early agriculture and the booming celery business, Henry Sanford’s personal library and personal objects, paintings from the Enlightenment period, Sanford athletes and athletic displays, early methods of journalism, and much more. This museum is a great way to immerse yourself in knowledge about the great city of Sanford.
Thrifting:
Downtown is home to many antique stores, like The Treehouse Antiques and Park & Second Antiques. One man’s trash is another’s treasure, and these stores are a prime example. These antique stores have an abundance of secondhand items, which further benefits our local economy.
Attend an event at the Ritz Theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center:
The Ritz has been a part of the downtown area since it first opened its doors in 1923. Their mission is to produce and present entertainment that inspires diverse audiences while cultivating performance art for youth and regional talent. They host a variety of different community theatrical events, such as plays, youth programs, concerts, and movie nights. Theater is a great source of entertainment, and the Ritz offers plenty of it.
Stop and grab a bite to eat at Henry’s Depot:
This food hall is home to nine different food shops. This includes Sweet & Salty, The Current Seafood Counter, Salvatore’s Prime Sandwiches, Red-Eyes Git-N-Messy Smokehouse, Mahogany Coffee, Greenery Creamery, Yugiri Ramen Project, Lojax Good Eats, and Oak Flame Pizza. From barbecue to pizza, no matter what you’re in the mood for, Henry’s Depot can cater to a broad food palette.
Browse the wide variety of books and records at Mayas Books & Music:
Mayas is a hidden gem for those who have a passion for reading and vintage music. The store is very quirky and has a lot of personality. It’s hard not to find yourself intrigued by the large collections displayed at Mayas.
Visit the farmers market:
Downtown Sanford hosts a farmers market every Saturday morning on Magnolia Square near the clock. This market includes a variety of vendors selling things like fresh fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, jewelry, clothing, art, and so much more. The farmers market is a great way to support local businesses and shop ethically.
Take a stroll through the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery:
Jeanine Taylor’s gallery showcases a wide variety of talented artists and their works. The gallery hosts numerous events, like workshops and camps. If you have an interest in art, this gallery is a great way to immerse yourself in the work of local artists with so many diverse backgrounds.
Take a ride around the downtown area on the free downtown trolley service. This trolley operates from 12:15–7:15 PM every weekday. The trolley has 11 stops throughout the downtown area. Riding the trolley gives you a great break to enjoy the scenic routes of Sanford while getting where you need to go.
Get a coffee at Palate Coffee Brewery:
Palate is a small and cozy café with a comfortable seating area. It is the ultimate study site, with complimentary Wi-Fi and an incredible ambiance.
No matter your interest, there is something for you to do when in Downtown Sanford. The downtown area is always changing, so go out and explore the diverse area and find even more activities and places.