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See How to do Orlando North

Are you an adventure seeker or is coffee shop hopping more your vibe? Hitting the road with the whole family or planning a different kind of date night? Here’s your chance to carve out your own special way to Do Orlando North and share it with the world.

Explore authentic, hand-picked experiences created by locals filled with hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path adventures and so much more.

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Nakiesa Faraji-Tajrishi

Itinerary Name:Nakiesa's Tiny Houseboat Vacation in Historic Downtown Sanford

Influencer Name: Nakiesa Faraji-Tajrishi

Nakiesa is a solo travel and content creator based out of Orlando, Florida. An Orlando native who made the transition from engineer to a photographer, her style consists of whimsically creative and technically sophisticated self-portraits, stunning landscapes, and local tips inspired by her travel adventures. With a passion for exploring the best of what Florida has to offer, Nakiesa’s goal is to share stories, videos, and photos from around Seminole County to inspire others to get out and explore the hidden gems of the sunshine state. Through the use of drones, surrealist editing, and videography components, Nakiesa shares her vision of Florida, showcasing her love and appreciation for the beautiful state she calls home.

Day 1

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Famous Tiny Houseboat

Only minutes from downtown (both walking and by bicycle or golf cart) our tiny houseboat was perfectly located as a cozy jumping off point to our romantic getaway.

Famous Tiny Houseboat

Biking in Sanford

After putting down our bags and a quick champagne welcome toast, we grabbed our bikes (thanks to Sanford Golf Cart Rentals) and took a quick ride by the marina, to enjoy the scenic view as we started our day.

Sanford Golf Cart Rentals

Treehouse Antiques

Our first stop was a bit of antique shopping. After seeing our record player and checking the collection on the boat, we knew we wanted to find a few records of our own. We headed over to Treehouse Antiques, a shop that literally has any and everything you could ever want (and even a few things you didn’t know you wanted!). We were greeted warmly by the owner, Stephanie, who felt like a magician as much as a shop owner. Any time we picked up something interesting, she would magically pull out the perfect item to compliment it, from a spot right in front of our noses we had somehow missed. The shop is packed with all kinds of wonderful things waiting to be discovered.

Treehouse Antiques

Hollerbach’s Outfitters

Our next stop was to head to Hollerbach’s Outfitters, which was a brief bicycle ride down the street. For those who recognize the name, yes, it’s owned by the same people who run the famous German restaurant in Sanford, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe. Tyler and I were ecstatic about our dinner reservations later that evening, as Willow Tree is one of our favorite places to eat. Our stop at Hollerbach’s Outfitters put us in a festive mood, we both tried on traditional German attire (me a dirndl and Tyler even played along with some lederhosen).

Hollerbach’s Outfitters

The Pedal Cruise

The Pedal Cruise run by Captain Rob Paul is Sanford’s latest pedaling attraction. Much like the pedal bicycle bars you see on the streets, this pedal cruise takes that same fun energy on a guided boat tour up and down the Saint Johns River. We caught the soft opening, so it was Tyler, myself, the owners and their friends.

The Pedal Cruise

Sanford Golf Cart Rentals

Once we returned to shore, it was time to collect our golf cart for the evening (thanks to Sanford Golf Cart Rentals) and get ready for our sunset dinner date.

Sanford Golf Cart Rentals

Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe

Now it was time for dinner on the rooftop biergarten (made out of refurbished wood from Bavarian farms and buildings) of Willow Tree Cafe. Sitting on the rooftop drinking Hefeweizens, eating Riesenbreze Aufschnitt, and hearing the sounds of the band playing below felt very authentic. It was such a treat to experience, and you won’t find anything like it in Central Florida.

Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe

Day 2

The Barbara Lee

We checked out of our tiny houseboat and walked one pier over to catch our activity for the day, the Saint Johns River Ship Co relaxed lunch cruise. The ship has live music performances while you dine, and passengers are free to explore the various decks of the ship.

St. Johns Rivership Co.

©2023 Orlando North, Seminole County Tourism

1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746

Ph: (407) 665-2900 or Toll Free: (800) 800-7832

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