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Experiences

St. Johns Rivership Co Unique River Cruise Experience Under New Ownership

Over the last few years, Historic Downtown Sanford has become a recognized and preeminent destination within Central Florida for its events & experiences. From large scale neighborhood-infused music festivals to outlandishly fun sofa races, from golf cart & e-bike rentals along the Sanford Riverwalk to enjoying a craft brewery or food tour, from taking in award-winning shows and plays to browsing at art festivals, there is an overwhelming array of things to do in Historic Downtown Sanford.

Among the plethora of options, one of Sanford’s most classic and unique experiences, the St. Johns Rivership Co. and its flagship vessel the Barbara Lee, has taken tens of thousands of guests up the St. Johns River in their turn-of-the-century style paddleboat. In September of 2023, the Wyatt family purchased the business, and under their ownership, patrons can look forward to a revitalized and refreshed version of this authentic ‘Old Florida’ delight, along with first-class food, drink, and fun!

Meeting with new owner Michelle Wyatt on the Barbara Lee, I was quickly impressed by both the scope and speed of the upgrades and enhancements already in place, and the vision of what’s to come. Acquiring the St. Johns Rivership Co. on September 7, 2023, the Wyatts are now the third family to operate a dining experience aboard a Rivership from the Historic Downtown Sanford Marina since 1982. The Wyatt family successfully ran a software business for 22 years in Maryland, with a focus on event management and mobile app solutions. Michelle’s extensive experience in business development, her strategic vision, and focus on providing an elite guest experience to each guest already has the St. Johns Rivership Co. pointed in the right direction.

Wyatt appreciates that what her family bought is more than just a boat, and more than just a restaurant. The Barbara Lee is the only authentic sternwheeler sailing the St. Johns River, measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, and capable of having 194 guests lounge within its five stories and myriad decks, making it the perfect space to host events of varying sizes. Built in 1986 and extensively refurbished in 2012, the ship is a replica of the traditional stern wheel style boats that ran on the St. Johns River back during the mid to late 1800s, featuring ornate wrought iron railings and massive wooden paddle wheels. While cutting a path across Lake Monroe in Sanford, the Barbara Lee looks all at once part something out of a Mark Twain novel and 100% a good time. “We bought an experience,” said Wyatt. “We’re excited to give this great experience its next chapter.”

The Wyatts have wasted no time implementing many positive changes, including online ticket sales, equipping the Barbara Lee with WiFi capabilities, and enhancing the audio-visual capabilities on board. “Where I can immediately help this business is with the guest experience,” says Michelle. “This vessel and this business is a dining experience that has become a part of people’s lives.”

Wyatt’s passion for hospitality and appreciation for providing exceptional experiences to customers has now been directed towards this historic and historically relevant attraction housed in the Downtown Sanford Marina. Plans are unfolding over the next few months to refurbish the interior, including carpets and lighting, along with planned upgraded and modernization to the building located on Marina Island that serves as the St. Johns Rivership Co.’s ticket office. Additionally, “cross-generational” activities to attract and engage a younger generation such as “Pirates and Mermaids” and “Sailing with Santa” events are part of the vision, along with monthly drink specials and other exciting events.

Back to the “experience” you are getting when you set sail up the river on the Barbara Lee, the St. Johns Rivership Co. is a premier river cruise operator that showcases the stunning beauty and rich history of the St. Johns River region. This is a one-of-a-kind dining experience that combined food, drink, relaxation and picturesque waterfront locations. As the Marina Island Master Plan set forth by the City of Sanford comes into fruition, with the proposed bar, restaurant, and café overlooking the water and the fully refreshed and reorganized marina, Wyatt aims to have the St. Johns Rivership Co. anchored right amidst the action, adding to the amazing things there are to do in Historic Downtown Sanford.

Downtown Sanford Marina 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford FL 32771 (321) 441-3030 www.stjohnsrivershipco.com

Daniel R. Lewis

Daniel R. Lewis is an Attorney, Realtor, and entrepreneur who is one of Sanford’s most prominent business leaders. Attorney Lewis has served on the board of directors for the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, as a Commissioner on the City of Sanford Planning and Zoning board, runs a large non-profit entity, and has otherwise been involved in countless large-scale growth projects in Sanford, Florida. He is a two-tour United States Air Force veteran who served his nation in time of war, is heavily involved in a variety of local civic, community, and charitable functions, and owns the most recognized legal practice in Sanford.

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Home » Orlando Attractions » Distraction Attractions » St Johns Rivership Co.

St Johns Rivership Co.

• Location: 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford, Florida 32771
• Phone: (321) 441-3030
• Website: http://www.stjohnsrivershipco.com/

Things to do at St Johns Rivership Co.

Here's a totally different way to experience Florida,  its wildlife, its beauty, and its warmth. All while enjoying the very best in chef-prepared cuisine, live entertainment and endless hospitality in climate-controlled comfort. Family-owned and operated, the St. Johns Rivership Co. is the latest in a long line of sternwheelers that have been serving and sailing the St. Johns River for centuries. 

Did You Know?

Interesting & useful facts

Measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, the ship was built in 1986.

All enclosed decks are climate controlled by air conditioning and heating.

All narrated cruises include your choice of chef-prepared entrée, live entertainment, and endless hospitality.

Photos of St Johns Rivership Co.

News About St Johns Rivership Co.

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All Aboard St Johns Rivership

Glancing out across Lake Monroe from the marina in historic Sanford you might be fooled into thinking you'd gone back in time 100 years. Making its way…

The Barbara-Lee

Welcome to the Rivership Barbara-Lee. The only authentic sternwheeler sailing the St. Johns River. Measuring 105 feet from stem to stern, the ship was built in 1986 and was extensively refurbished prior to its inaugural St. Johns cruise in 2012. Featuring ornate wrought iron railings and massive wooden paddle wheels, the five-story rivership accommodates up to 194 guests, making it ideally suited to host events of varying sizes. Plus, all enclosed decks are climate controlled by air conditioning and heating.

Grand Salon Deck

Seats 94 and features an elevated Main Stage, dance floor and well-stocked bar

Mezzanine Deck

Seats 40 and offers views of the paddlewheel and Main Stage

Lookout Deck

Seats 60 and features its own dance floor with a “lookout” through to the Main Stage.

Paddlewheel Deck

A covered open-air deck overlooking the wheels allows you to stay out of the sun while enjoying unobstructed views of the river and its wildlife.

Captain’s Deck

The topmost, open-air deck featuring benches and the captain’s steering cabin

Sip perfectly Poured Cocktails As You Stroll The Decks.

The Barbara-Lee features a well-stocked bar and a professional bartender ready to serve a glass of wine, beer or one of our Signature Cocktails. BEVERAGE MENU

Cruises & Fares

The Barbara-Lee departs from Historic Downtown Sanford almost daily. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO CRUISE.

All narrated cruises include your choice of chef-prepared entrée, live entertainment, and endless hospitality, as well as a well-stocked bar. Lunch cruises depart the dock in downtown Sanford Wednesday through Sunday with dinner cruises available on Saturday nights.

River Visit Luncheon Cruise – Wednesday 11am to 2pm River Escape Lunch Cruise – Thursday 11am to 3pm Saturday Luncheon Cruise – Saturday 11am to 2pm Dinner Dance Cruise  – Saturday Evenings 7:30pm to 10:30pm Sunday Luncheon Cruise – Sunday 11am to 2pm

*PLEASE NOTE BOARDING BEGINS 30 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE

THE BARBARA-LEE MENU

Once you’ve been seated, you’re able to select your entrée from The Barbara-Lee Menu. Should you have questions, helpful staff are on hand to answer them. Upon selection of your meal, you simply give your menu slip to your server. Then, just sit back and relax or take a stroll about the ship.

Entrées are chef-prepared to your liking and served with side salad, freshly baked rolls, chef’s choice vegetables and dessert.

USDA choice cut prime rib prepared to your specifications. Served alongside buttery mashed potatoes.

Tropical Chicken

Slow-roasted chicken breast with Parmesan and a savory mango-pineapple chutney atop rice.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken breast prepared in a Marsala sauce reduction with mushrooms and Parmesan and served alongside buttery mashed potatoes.

Chicken Parmesan

Grilled chicken breast with Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce alongside pasta and a side of chef’s choice vegetables.

Salmon Fillet

Thick-cut salmon prepared with your choice of Lemon Butter Sauce or Teriyaki Glaze atop rice.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Layers of slow-roasted vegetables, pasta, marinara sauce and three kinds of cheese. Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in our signature Caesar dressing, with homemade croutons and Parmesan topped with your choice of grilled Chicken Breast or Salmon Fillet.

St Johns Rivership Shuttle

COURTESY SHUTTLE

For your comfort and convenience, a Courtesy Shuttle is available for groups of 8 to 14 guests. Shuttle availability varies. Prior booking required. Must have same pickup and drop-off location. Maximum 40-mile distance.

Orlando North - Seminole County

Take a Charming Trip on an Authentic Paddlewheel Ship with St. Johns River Cruises

Home / Local Blog / Take a Charming Trip on an Authentic Paddlewheel Ship with St. Johns River Cruises

Big wheel keep on turnin’

Barbara-Lee keep on burnin’

Rollin’ rollin’, rollin’ on the river

Go ahead and sing along if you like. It’ll get you in the mood for a truly wonderful cruise on the  Rivership Barbara-Lee , an authentic, 105-foot “sternwheeler” paddleboat that operates out of downtown Sanford. The ship is not steam-powered — so there won’t be a whole lot of burnin’ going on — but it does have big, red paddle wheels that propel it northward through Lake Monroe, up the St. Johns River, then south back to Sanford, a round trip of about 25 miles. In all, it’s a relaxing excursion that one TripAdvisor reviewer called “by far one of the most wonderful evenings and afternoons you can spend in Florida.”

(The St. Johns River cruises boast five stars — green dots, actually — from TripAdvisor, with a whopping 460 reviews.)

Ready to eat and drink? The Barbara-Lee offers lunch and dinner cruises, most of which take three hours. All food is prepared by an experienced chef on board and provided with superb service. You can choose from  five entrees  — prime rib; chicken parmesan, marsala or tropical; salmon filet; roasted vegetable lasagna; and an entree Caesar salad topped with chicken breast or salmon filet. Meals come with sides, and guests can enjoy an array of appetizers. And don’t worry, you won’t miss out on dessert. Soft drinks are free, and the beer, wine, and craft cocktails are nicely priced. (If you really want to get into the spirit, try the bourbon-based Paddle Wheel.) This rivership experience gets very high marks.

The cruise embarks from the Monroe Harbour Marina on the north edge of Historic Downtown Sanford. There is plentiful parking at the facility. Your journey takes you through some developed areas where you can check out nice riverside homes, but a good portion of it runs through the wilderness, with moss-draped mangrove forest on both sides. Much of the jaunt is narrated, covering wildlife, points of interest, and the history of the 310-mile St. John’s River — the longest in Florida and also one of the few in North America that run northward! Keep your eyes peeled for alligators or manatees.

The five-level Barbara-Lee is big, but not too big. You can lean on wrought-iron railings and enjoy the sun, sights and breezes, or have a seat in covered areas. You can meander to the rear of the boat and watch the paddlewheels churn the water. The enclosed dining areas are climate-controlled and feature lots of windows. During dinner cruises, you’ll want to head up to the uncovered top deck to snap photos of colorful sunsets. The cruises feature live music — a lot of old rock ’n’ roll and early soul.

Like all hospitality and tourism businesses in Orlando North, Seminole County, the St. Johns Rivership Co. has put state-mandated health and safety protocols into practice. The Barbara-Lee can accommodate up to 194 guests but has been capping attendance to just 75. Tables are at least six feet from each other, and servers wear masks. You’ll be asked to remain six feet apart and wear a face-covering while boarding and disembarking, and where there are clusters of people. You can remove masks on outside decks and at your dining table.

Another TripAdvisor reviewer wrote in July, echoing a sentiment that all of us are probably feeling about now: “We were looking for something safe and fun to do during COVID-19. We decided to do a couples lunch on the river. This was a safe (mask and social distance in place) and fun activity. I would definitely recommend it.”

Lately, the St. Johns Rivership schedule has varied, so check  here  for available cruises. As always, reservations are required.

A safe, fun, leisurely and delicious sojourn aboard a charming watercraft along a picturesque river. What more can you ask for?

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Ship & Shore Group Tours 

407- 408- 5200

BARBARA LEE!

Sanford, FL

  Saturday March 16,  2024

  $145 .00!

   * Narrated St. John’s River cruise aboard the Barbara Lee !

  * Tour the scenic waters & natural wildlife of the real Florida !

  * Enjoy a chef prepared multi-course sit-down luncheon !

  * Experience live musical entertainment onboard your cruise !

   * All taxes, gratuities and port charges are included*!

  * Deluxe motor coach transportation !

  * Personalized V.I.P. service with onboard host/hostess !

352-558-7000

• NEWS & EVENTS

FLORIDA’S LONGEST RIVER

ST. JOHNS RIVER

The St. Johns River is one of the safest and easiest gateways from the Atlantic Ocean. Between Mayport and Sanford, the river supplies an enjoyable cruise.

To Sanford, three fixed bridges set the overhead clearance at 45 feet. Snags are seldom a problem in the main channel, but you should carefully approach side streams and sloughs. Pay particularly close attention from November through March, when manatees are in residence. The current south of Palatka can be influenced by the water level in the upper (southern) part of the river as it flows south to north.

At 310 miles, it is the longest river in Florida. It is also one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north. The source of the river, or headwaters, is a large marshy area in Indian River County that flows north and turns eastward at Jacksonville to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean.

The river’s total drop—from its source in swamps south of Melbourne to its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville—is less than 30 feet, or about one inch per mile. This statistic makes the St. Johns one of the “laziest” rivers in the world. Major tributaries, or smaller streams and rivers, that flow into the St. Johns River include the Wekiva River, Econlockhatchee River, and the Ocklawaha River.

Florida waters often have a natural brown tea color caused by tannins from decaying native vegetation. Since both color and turbidity attenuate light, Secchi depth in many Florida waters is often very shallow (0.5 – 2.0 meters) compared to water bodies in other parts of the world. In Florida, this measurement is valuable for observing changes occurring within a water body over time.

DISTANCES IN

STATUTE MILES

MARINA LOCATION: 28.816N 81.264W

2642 River Landing Drive,  Sanford, FL 32771

Jamie Ampel

Michael Mitchell

All Sellers & Buyers Realty Inc

Last updated:

August 21, 2024, 08:57 PM

About This Home

Welcome to Riverview Townhomes, where comfort meets elegance in this stunning 3-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath townhome nestled within a secure gated community! This beautiful home features an open floor plan, offering ample space for both living and entertaining. You will love the large open kitchen adorned with an island, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of storage and countertop space for your inner-chef! Enjoy the serene pond views from the spacious living area, creating a peaceful retreat right at home! The A/C System, New in 2022, is sure to keep you comfortable and running efficiently for years to come! This convenient location is just minutes from downtown Sanford, the SunRail station, highways, shopping, entertainment, and fine dining. Riverview Townhomes is the ideal choice for those seeking a tranquil lifestyle with modern amenities and excellent connectivity. Don't miss the opportunity to make this your new home!

Built in 2013

Price Summary

$200 per Sq. Ft.

Last Updated:

2 day(s) ago

Rooms & Interior

Total Bedrooms:

Total Bathrooms:

Full Bathrooms:

Living Area:

1,642 Sq. Ft.

Architectural Style:

Contemporary

Building Area:

1,922 Sq. Ft.

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• 321.441.3030
• [email protected]
• 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford, Florida 32771

St. Johns Rivership Co.

Cruise & Events Calendar

15-year-old arrested for deadly Sanford shooting over headphones: police

Teen arrested in deadly shooting over headphones.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for first-degree felony murder following a deadly shooting in Seminole County last month, police said.

SANFORD, Fla. - A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for first-degree felony murder following a deadly shooting in Seminole County last month, police said.

Sanford police detectives arrested the teenager on Wednesday in connection to the homicide of 22-year-old Brandon Leo of Orlando. Officials said he was already in custody for an unrelated charge.

Leo was shot and killed in July outside a Sanford home while attempting to sell a pair of headphones, police said.

Sanford police officers responded to reports of a shooting shortly after 9:30 p.m. on July 20 near West 3rd Street and Pomegranate Avenue.

Man killed during apparent headphones sale: Police

A 22-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday night outside a Sanford, Florida home while attempting to sell a pair of headphones, police said.

Officers found a white pickup truck partially submerged in a retention pond near the intersection where Leo was found dead inside.

According to the preliminary investigation, police said Leo was apparently meeting someone at a home "for the purpose of selling a pair of headphones," later specified as a pair of Apple AirPods. Police said Leo pulled into the driveway of the home and was waiting in his truck when two unknown people approached the driver's side of the truck and began shooting.

Sanford Police Department Public Information Officer Bianca Gillett told FOX 35 that it appears the transaction started online and that there was agreement to meet at the house in Sanford. She said the house itself was empty so it appears that this could have been a "set up" to take advantage of Leo and the sale.

She said Leo appeared to be an innocent victim.