Best of Seminole County
Lakes, rivers, old brick downtowns and quiet trails just north of Orlando.
See things to do »Welcome to Seminole County
Seminole County sits between Orlando and the St. Johns River, and it is easy to drive through without noticing where one place ends and the next begins. Slow down and the county turns out to have a character of its own. It was carved out of Orange County in 1913, and its seven cities, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo and Casselberry, grew up around lakes, rail lines and farmland rather than resorts. Theme parks are a half hour or more to the south; here the attractions are rivers, a working zoo, brick storefronts and miles of paved trail.
Sanford, the county seat, is the best place to start. Henry Shelton Sanford bought the land in 1870, and after the great freeze of the 1890s ruined the citrus groves, farmers turned to celery and gave the town the nickname Celery City. The old commercial blocks along First Street now hold restaurants, taprooms and small shops, and the lakefront RiverWalk follows the shore of Lake Monroe, a wide stretch of the St. Johns. Sightseeing boats leave from the marina, and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a few minutes west of downtown.
Much of the county is protected land. The Wekiva River, a federally designated wild and scenic river, forms the western edge of the county on its way to the St. Johns, and paddlers can rent canoes and kayaks at Wekiva Island in Longwood. Black Bear Wilderness Area, Spring Hammock Preserve and the Black Hammock area near Oviedo have boardwalks and trails through cypress swamp and floodplain forest, and airboats run on Lake Jesup. The Cross Seminole Trail links Winter Springs, Oviedo, Longwood and Lake Mary for walkers and cyclists, and in Big Tree Park a 2,000-year-old cypress called Lady Liberty still stands near the spot where an even older tree, The Senator, burned in 2012.
Getting here is simple. Orlando Sanford International Airport handles many leisure flights, the Amtrak Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia, ends in Sanford, and SunRail commuter trains stop at Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood and Altamonte Springs. Interstate 4 runs through the middle of the county, so downtown Orlando is roughly 20 miles from Sanford. Hotels cluster near the interstate exits in Lake Mary, Sanford and Altamonte Springs, and rates tend to run lower than in the theme-park districts, which makes the county a practical base for a longer Central Florida stay.
This guide divides the county into five areas: historic Sanford and Lake Monroe, Lake Mary, Oviedo and Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs and Longwood, and the Wekiva and St. Johns River country. Each area page lists places we think are worth your time and, where they exist, bookable tours and tickets. Seminole County is not a heavy tour market, so some pages are short on bookable activities; the dining and events pages fill in the rest.
Explore Seminole County by Area
Top-Rated Things to Do in Seminole County
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Where to Eat in Seminole County
Seminole County eats like a collection of small towns. Downtown Sanford packs German beer halls, a seafood bar, a restaurant inside the old city jail and several taprooms into a few blocks of First Street. Lake Mary and Longwood have long-running Italian, Greek and deli favorites, Oviedo has a fish camp on Lake Jesup, and Casselberry and Altamonte Springs fill in with Cuban and Cajun cooking.
Seminole County dining guide »
Festivals and Events in Seminole County
Seminole County's year starts with kilts and caber tosses at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, moves to Sanford's porches for Porchfest in February and the county fair in spring, and ends with the Longwood Arts and Crafts Festival, the zoo's lantern festival and holiday light shows at Cranes Roost Park, Lake Mary and Oviedo.
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Seminole County — FAQ
Where is Seminole County, Florida?
Seminole County is in Central Florida, directly north of Orange County and Orlando. Its northern and eastern edges follow the St. Johns River and Lake Monroe, and the Wekiva River marks much of its western boundary. Sanford is the county seat.
How far is Seminole County from Orlando and the theme parks?
Downtown Sanford is about 20 miles northeast of downtown Orlando. The Walt Disney World and Universal areas are farther south in Orange County, usually 35 to 60 minutes away by car depending on traffic on Interstate 4 and State Road 417.
Which airport is closest?
Orlando Sanford International Airport is inside the county, on the east side of Sanford. Orlando International Airport is about 30 to 40 minutes south and has many more airlines.
Can I visit Seminole County without a car?
Partly. SunRail commuter trains stop in Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood and Altamonte Springs on weekdays, and downtown Sanford is walkable. Parks, springs and the Wekiva River are spread out, so most visitors drive or use rideshares.
What is the best time of year to visit?
October through April brings cooler, drier weather that suits trails, paddling and outdoor festivals. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, so plan river trips and hikes for the morning.