Explore Orlando’s unexpected side with The Black Travel Guide, hosted by African American travel expert, journalist and television host Kellee Edwards (Unbelievably Real mural in downtown Orlando pictured).
Dig into Orlando’s rich African American history and experience the trip of a lifetime with bold dining and ecotourism adventures beyond the theme parks. Travel and adventure expert Kellee Edwards leads the charge, exploring mouthwatering cuisine, fearless feats and more unbelievably real Orlando must-dos. Get a taste of the action below, then watch the full Black Travel Guide video to kickstart travel planning for your next trip.
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Inside ‘The Black Travel Guide’ With Kellee Edwards
Named “One of the Most Powerful Women in Travel” by Condé Nast, Kellee Edwards is a celebrated multi-media journalist, travel expert, and the first Black woman to host her own show on Travel Channel. She’s also the host of Kellee Set Go, where she explores new locales by land, air and sea.
Discover: Things to Do Beyond Orlando’s Theme Parks
Join Kellee as she explores Orlando’s unexpected side, then read on to discover even more ways to celebrate the city’s rich African American history and culture. Here’s a quick preview of what you’ll encounter during Kellee’s Orlando visit with The Black Travel Guide.
Culinary Adventures by Land
Join Kellee at Chocolate Kingdom — Interactive Factory Adventure Tour for a can’t-miss taste-test with a third-generation chocolate maker, then take a guided factory tour and create your own chocolate confection.
Save on discount tickets: Chocolate Kingdom
Next up, head to The District Gastrobar. This Black-owned eatery in Orlando’s 140-year-old Parramore District was featured in The Green Book, an annual guidebook first published in 1936 to help African American travelers safely navigate a segregated country. Tune in to learn more with Kellee, then explore the area’s Black history and culture on your next visit.
Discover: Things to Do in Downtown Orlando
More Distinctive Flavors
Ready to set out on your own? Taste your way through more of Orlando’s best Black-owned restaurants, including Sister Honey’s, Streetwise Urban Food, Chicken Fire and more. You can also discover Orlando’s African American history through eateries like The Monroe, named for Dr. William Monroe Wells, who established the historic Wells’Built Hotel — now the Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture — just around the corner.
Discover: Black-Owned Restaurants in Orlando
Ecotourism Adventures by Air & Sea
Join Kellee and Epic Paddle Adventures on an urban paddleboarding tour of Lake Ivanhoe, part of the Ivanhoe Village Main Street district near downtown Orlando. See the city in a new light on a night glow tour, or venture away from the city to explore crystalline natural springs.
Discover: Orlando Ecotourism
Next up, you’re in for a wild time at Gatorland, where Kellee goes zip lining, takes a swamp buggy tour, and gets up close and personal with some of the park’s reptilian residents.
Discover: Things to Do at Gatorland
More Ways to Explore
Discover more of Orlando’s hidden gems with The Wanderer, a new Amazon Prime Video series presented by TripAdvisor. “Orlando: The Joy of the Unexpected” follows two African American travelers as they explore top-rated dining, arts, attractions and ecotourism across our distinctive neighborhoods. Watch a preview of the episode below to start planning your next Orlando adventure.
Discover: Unexpected Orlando With The Wanderer
Plus, discover even more African American history and culture during your next Orlando visit by exploring vibrant annual events, historic landmarks and other key locations mentioned throughout your trip, including:
- The Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture in the Parramore District
- The Hannibal Square Heritage Center in Winter Park
- The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in the Eatonville Historic District
- ZORA!® Festival
- Annual Black History Month and Juneteenth events
Stay Connected to Orlando
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