Heritage Tour

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MORNING

Take the family on a day of exploring Central Florida's African-American culture. Concealed behind modern Orlando's brilliant natural and manmade scenery lies an equally colorful past, and a culturally diverse ancestry. Your first stop will be the inspiring town of Eatonville, the nation's oldest incorporated African-American municipality, just a few minutes east of downtown Orlando off I-4 exit #88.

For more than 100 years, Eatonville has served as a pillar of African-American culture and ingenuity. While in Eatonville be sure to visit the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, located on Kennedy Blvd., which features the work of African-American artists.

From there, take a walking tour to some of Eatonville's historical landmarks such as St. Lawrence Methodist Church and the Eatonville Town Hall.

AFTERNOON

Depart Eatonville via I-4 west to downtown Orlando. Enjoy lunch at one of Orlando's soul food or Caribbean restaurants located on Church Street between Hughey and Division Streets. You will find several restaurants where you can enjoy the flavor of African-American and Caribbean-American culture.

After lunch, continue your exploration of Orlando's African-American heritage. Orlando developed rapidly into the 20th century as residences, houses of worship and entertainment facilities sprouted up to cater to the needs of the African-American community.

The most popular hot spot in 1929 was the South Street Casino, which drew famous performers from all areas of the country. To accommodate the guests in segregated Florida, the casino's owner, Dr. William Monroe Wells, Orlando's first African-American physician, constructed the Wells' Built Hotel. Many of the day's top entertainers stayed at the establishment, including Ray Charles, Benny Carter and Duke Ellington. Today this has been transformed into the Wells' Built Museum of African-American History, located just a few blocks off Church Street on South Street. Here you will find artifacts and information on how Orlando's first African-American communities survived and thrived.

EVENING

Enjoy a culturally inspired dinner at Universal CityWalk. Bob Marley's Tribute to Freedom will give you a true island feeling with the authentic Caribbean food and live reggae performances nightly. Or spice it up with music, art, food and dance from 21 Latin countries at Latin Quarter.