“Hi, I’m Cousin Steven and I’ll be taking your order,” the waiter said to my group. He added we were lucky because it was the slowest night of the year for Aunt Catfish’s on the River, a down home eatery serving good ol’ Southern river cooking. You know, the kind where main menu entrees include a selection of fried catfish, frog legs and alligator. When looking for a place to eat during a Daytona Beach vacation, consider Aunt Catfish’s in nearby Port Orange, Fla., to enjoy a taste of Southern cuisine.

Aunt Catfish’s is a family-friendly eatery located on the Halifax River, hence, waiters and waitresses are called “Cousins” rather than servers. The restaurant is open daily between 11:30 a.m. and ’til late (closing time depends on the season). Sundays play host to the Blue Jean Brunch Buffet between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meals are served on plates shaped to look like fish and cold beverages are served in Mason jars. A generous salad buffet offers enough variety to make a hearty meal or is available in addition to a main entree.

If catfish, frog legs and gator aren’t your thing, try the salmon, crab cakes or Mexican-style shrimp and grits. A true landlubber? There’s something for you such as chicken breast, prime rib and liver & onions. Meals are also served with a famous buttery cinnamon roll. Mmm, mmm. Yes, they are sinfully delish.

Cousin Steven said we were lucky because during the summer, the wait can be as long as three hours to get a seat at Aunt Catfish’s which means you know this is a fabulous place to eat. Luckily, call ahead seating is available so with a little planning during your Daytona Beach vacation, you’ll be able to grab a seat and enjoy some good ol’ Southern cooking.

Aunt Catfish’s on the River
4009 Halifax Drive
Port Orange, Fla.
Tel: (386) 767-4768
www.auntcatfishontheriver.com

LEGOLAND Florida recently released details about the new Central Florida theme park, set to open Oct. 2011. It will be the largest LEGOLAND Park to date and will offer visitors more than 50 LEGO-themed, family-friendly rides, shows and attractions. Located at the former site of Cypress Gardens, LEGOLAND Florida will have a botanical garden with plans to expand it and make it interactive. Perhaps a Southern Belle made from LEGOs will greet garden visitors.

The theme park will include one of the largest selections of LEGO merchandise in world, the LEGO factory where visitors can take a tour and see a slowed down version of how the plastic bits are made, Mainland USA with replicas of iconic landmarks (we’re told to look for a LEGO man sitting on a LEGO toilet in the New York City scene), Duplo Village with LEGO bricks eight times larger than normal and Castle Hill featuring a dragon steel roller coaster. Don’t worry, this coaster is a “pink” knuckle coaster meaning it’s appropriate for children.

In addition, the park will include a race track, driving school where passing students earn a LEGOLAND drivers license, water stunt show, LEGO City and the Imagination Zone where kids (and we’re sure adults will be sneaking in) can get their hands on LEGO products. Of course, there’s a whole lot more including some tasty food items including barbecue and deep-fried Granny Smith apple slices.

LEGOLAND Florida will be opening in Oct. 2011 but LEGO fans who purchase between now and Dec. 31, 2010, receive a special pre-sale price of $65 for adults (ages 13 to 59) and $55 for children (3 – 12) and seniors (60+) for one-day admission. Purchase a LEGOLAND Standard Annual Pass for $99 and it’s valid through 2012.

But for you die-hard LEGO fans, the Ambassador Pass may be for you. For a cool $2,500, receive free preferred parking, unlimited admission to LEGOLAND Florida for life, special discounts and invitations to events, dining and retail discounts, LEGOLAND newsletter and an exclusive model builder session.

All above prices exclude tax and certain restrictions apply so be sure to check out the LEGOLAND Florida website to learn more and book your tickets in advance.

Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, log onto www.VISITFLORIDA.com/beachwalk to view real time images of all 825 miles of Florida’s gorgeous, oil-free beaches. First of its kind, The Great VISIT FLORIDA Beach Walk will have one volunteer walk a one-mile stretch of beach, photograph it then upload the image by 11 a.m. The purpose is to cap the negative perception generated by the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico this summer.

Florida’s beaches are oil-free, clean and beautiful as ever. The world’s largest beach rally hopes to show the world the truth about the Sunshine State’s beaches.

Registration opened earlier this month and according to Wendy Spencer, CEO of Volunteer Florida, which is working with VISIT FLORIDA to create the Beach Walk, “It’s a very eclectic group of volunteers,” she continued, “We have Girl Scouts in Volusia County who will be out walking the beaches in their uniforms, and some will even be dressed as cookies. Literacy volunteers with AmeriCorps signed up to walk in Palm Beach County, young adults with City Year in Miami, and seniors with RSVP in Flagler. There is so much excitement about this event that we are confident we will have a great turnout in support of our state and all our beaches.”

Individuals and groups wanting to be part of the historic day’s official tally can learn more and register at www.VISITFLORIDA.com/beachwalk. Official volunteers commit to walk a designated mile and upload a photo taken along the way. Their photos, and others taken that morning, will appear in real time on the Great VISIT FLORIDA Beach Walk website, along with an interactive map detailing all the beach miles walked.

Once photos have been uploaded, visitors to www.VISITFLORIDA.com/beachwalk can vote for their favorite beach photo after Nov. 6 and register to win $5,000 and a snazzy Mazada Miata so they can zip around the Sunshine State checking out the fabulous beaches for themselves. Votes need to be cast by Dec. 6, 2010, to be registered to win.

If you happen to be vacationing in one of our favorite Florida beach destinations as Naples, Key West and Daytona Beach on Nov. 6, head out to the beach and be part of the fun!