Airbnb houseboat in Sanford
60 feet of luxurySanford has gotten so cool lately, we even suggested it as a day trip in our 2017 City Guide. In fact, the town of 50,000 has so much going for it, you might just want to spend the night. Enter one of the sweetest shoreline Airbnb opps we've ever seen: the luxury 60-foot houseboat owned by a New Jersey native named Rebecca. Yes, you can make your crew mates call you "Cap'n" for the weekend. We'll allow it.
As yet there are no cute boutique hotels here, so the houseboat is really your only non-chain option. It houses six guests in three beds for $175 per night. And no, you can't take it out for a spin; it's permanently docked at the marina on Lake Monroe, a tributary of the St. John's River. Lindenwold includes two beach cruiser bikes with the two-day minimum rental, so you can head over to historic downtown for shopping and eating.
And boy, is there good eating in Sanford.
Hollerbach's Willow Tree Café has long been a First Street mainstay for beer, accordion music and gemütlichkeit. Snarf some sausages and sauerkraut, or take a few fresh ones back to the houseboat and cook 'em there while you watch the sunset. Wondermade's sweet shop is now open with frozen s'mores pops and marshmallows galore. The Tennessee Truffle is a must-lunch. The Smiling Bison recently relocated to Sanford, but even though they're in different digs, the food is still top-notch. If it's been awhile since you've had that duck pizza, go forth.
If you want to spend the evening on a drunken pub crawl, we suggest hopping on a Limo Cycle seat and pedaling your way through some of Sanford's best bars. The 15-passenger bike-bus hybrid is made for bonding, so invite your best buds from around town on the two-hour tour.
Lake Monroe Marina, Sanford, airbnb.com
