Florida Guide > Dining
Ever Had to Cook Your Own Pancakes for Lunch
Next time you are in Florida and are looking for somewhere different to go or something different to try why not consider a drive out to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill at Deleon Springs State Park.
It is about an hours drive North of Orlando and about 30 minutes West of Daytona Beach.
The Restaurant is located within the Deleon Springs State Park and there is an entrance fee to the park which is $6. 00 per vehicle.
Once you are in the Restaurant you are seated at tables which can seat up to 10 people. In the middle of the tables are Griddles and for about $ 5. 00 per person they bring you Jugs of Pancake Batter which you cook yourself right in front of you.
There is a choice of a Stoneground Batter ( which is a mixture of five different flours) or an Unbleached White Batter.
You can also purchase additional toppings to go with the batter e. g blueberries, bananas, peanut butter, pecans, chocolate chips, apples or apple sauce to create whatever sort of pancakes you choose. They also have sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, homemade breads and an assortment of other treats to accompany your pancakes.
If pancakes are not your thing or you are really greedy then they also serve other Breakfast Items or Sandwiches and Salads.
Once you have stuffed yourself silly ( well at least we did ! ) you can then explore the State Park in which the Restaurant is located.
Rent a canoe or kayak and Paddle down the Spring Garden Run into the Woodruff Federal Wildlife Refuge. The 19, 500 acre refuge boasts an incredible 212 species of birds, many of which may be seen along the Run. Alligators abound and the occasional manatee may swim by.
Swim in the refreshing 72 degree waters of the spring fed pool. Legend has it that this is Ponce De Leon' s fabled Fountain of Youth. Tube rentals are also available for use in the Spring Pool area.
Walk the nature trail or explore the Wild Persimmon hiking trail as it winds along the edge of the swamp.
Stroll the grounds or simply sit on a bench and watch the herons, egrets and osprey along the spring run.
Ride the Fountain of Youth Echo History Tour Boat and let Captain Frank fill you in on the history, flora and fauna of our area. Watch closely and you' re sure to see wildlife along Spring Garden Run. Tour boat excursions into the Woodruff Refuge on Spring Garden Road available everyday for 50 minutes at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
There is also a small museum which explains the history of the Springs and the Native American Tribes which first settled in the area.
It is off the normal list off things to do but we felt that it was worth the drive ( You could always stop at the Mall in Sanford on the way back) and we really enjoyed our day trip
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