Visiting Orlando, need advice on what to do! (Clearwater, Daytona Beach: real estate, travel)

[kyvec]

I am going to be going to Orlando w/ my family in June. A lil background info. I will be in Orlando August 7-14. I am a 29 y/o African American female who will be traveling w/ my 55 y/o mother, 55+ aunt, and 30 y/o husband. I am having no luck finding any black orineted events in Orlando.

I am looking for something grown & sexy. In other words some events that are safe, nice, fun, geared for the ages 25+ or 30+. We like jazz, rnb, hip hop. We are looking for things to do for nightlife, whether they be nightclubs, lounges, etc.

Also, please let me know where all the good restaurants and day activities are. I much appreciate it any suggestions.

[rambodog]

Originally Posted by kyvec

I am going to be going to Orlando w/ my family in June. A lil background info. I will be in Orlando August 7-14. I am a 29 y/o African American female who will be traveling w/ my 55 y/o mother, 55+ aunt, and 30 y/o husband. I am having no luck finding any black orineted events in Orlando.

I am looking for something grown & sexy. In other words some events that are safe, nice, fun, geared for the ages 25+ or 30+. We like jazz, rnb, hip hop. We are looking for things to do for nightlife, whether they be nightclubs, lounges, etc.

Also, please let me know where all the good restaurants and day activities are. I much appreciate it any suggestions.

I'm sure someone with your interests will chime in. Have fun and stay cool.

[Wilshire81182]

I think you would enjoy a lot of the clubs downtown. One that definitely comes to mind is Firestone, even though I think you will enjoy any of them along Church Street or Orange downtown and the crowds are great on the weekends. There is a great blues/jazz club at Pointe Orlando BB kings that is fairly new and has great live music. There is also a Reggae club and other great venues at Universal's Citiwalk and BET Soundstage at downtown Disney's Pleasure Island that plays Hip Hop and R&B. No club comes to mind as being primarily African American, but there is usually a good mix at most of the clubs in town.

Some day activities include the theme parks (4 at Disney, 2 at Universal, Sea World), water parks(2 at Disney, Wet N Wild, Aquatica), outlet stores (Prime Outlets and the Premium Outlets), great malls (especially the Florida Mall and the Mall at Millenia, even though there are several more), beaches (Cocoa or Daytona on the East Coast or Clearwater or Siesta Key on the west coast), Gatorland, Park Avenue in Winter Park, Old Town Kissimmee, minigolf, Historic districts in Thornton Park or Eola Heights, Golf courses, the Disney Boardwalk, Lake Eola Park, Master Planned communities with cool downtown areas (Celebration, Baldwin Park, or Avalon Park), Antique districts along Lake Ivanhoe or in Mt Dora, Swamp Tours, NASA at the Kennedy Space Center, Attractions in Daytona Beach like Daytona USA etc., The Citrus Tower in Clermont, St. Augustine, Eatonville, Lake Monroe and downtown Sanford, Enzian Theater (indie film house), Leu Gardens, Loch Haven Park (Science Center, Art Museum), Restaurant Row, International Drive attractions (Ripleys, Wonderworks, Pointe Orlando, Festival Bay Mall, tourist shops, etc)....

Some of the greatest restaurants are along I-Drive, downtown and restaurant row. Some great chains that may be in FL and not necessarily where you live include: Carrabbas, Ale House, Houlihans, American Pie Pizza, Brio, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Margaritaville, Tu Tu Tango, Kobe Steakhouse, House of Blues, Texas de Brazil, Bubba Gumps, Einstein Brothers Bagels, Amigo's, Tijuana Flats, Toojays, BJ's, Mimi's Cafe, Fish Bones, Samba Room, Red Rock Canyon Grill, Maggiano's, Timpanos Chophouse, Roy's, Bubbaloo's, Dexter's...

We also have all the normal chains that are everywhere else and some unique options that are great as well.

[amboogalard]

Try the Parramore or EatonVille area for black only events, can you imagine if a white person said, hey I'm liking for white oriented events, do you know where I can find some. Also in August it is too hot to go outdoors.

[Kali's Grandma]

Originally Posted by kyvec

I am going to be going to Orlando w/ my family in June. A lil background info. I will be in Orlando August 7-14. I am a 29 y/o African American female who will be traveling w/ my 55 y/o mother, 55+ aunt, and 30 y/o husband. I am having no luck finding any black orineted events in Orlando.

I am looking for something grown & sexy. In other words some events that are safe, nice, fun, geared for the ages 25+ or 30+. We like jazz, rnb, hip hop. We are looking for things to do for nightlife, whether they be nightclubs, lounges, etc.

Also, please let me know where all the good restaurants and day activities are. I much appreciate it any suggestions.

I'm not a nightclub person but just by going to Orlando news, information, weather, hurricane coverage, sports, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, real estate, jobs, business, classifieds -- OrlandoSentinel.com and clicking on the entertainment section, I was able to find Jazz & HipHop areas of entertainment.
As for Black oriented events, I've never looked for events just based on skin color so I can't help you there.

[sassycaligurl]

When I went out to Orlando in February my friend took me to club Whispers, Antigua's, Tabu and the AKA Lounge. I liked the AKA Lounge the best because it was more laid back. They have open mic night on Sunday where people will do spoken word and play some neo soul tunes. It'll look at little worn down when you first go in but once you get to the second floor its nice. Also Antigua's and Roxy's are also pretty nice clubs, both are pretty crowded.

[Crane's Rooster]

I can't recommend Black only events because they tend only occur once a month but try looking at First Fridays, Circle of Friends and the Orlando Urban league. But if you just want a good place meeting your other criteria where a person of color would not feel uncomfortable I would recommend Blue Martini, BET Soundstage, BB King's (I know its alot of B's), Antigua's on Fridays and I"m not sure if they're open anymore, but Rhythm and Flow downtown was good on Friday nights also. Judging on your criteria, your more likely to feel uncomfortable at alot of the places downtown based on your age, rather than your race. Most of the places I have been are fairly diverse but I'm the same age as you and mostly feel out of place because I'm older. Let's just say you're more likely to hear Chris Brown than James Brown. As far as daytime in August try Lake Eola Park or other parks during the weekend for festivals and community events, and obviously the malls and theme parks during the weekday. Hope that helps.

[kyvec]

Wow to all who made the comment about "black oriented" events. You have to be African-American to understand that. And for those who you think people of the white race don't think "white oriented," then you are dead wrong. So for those of you who are confused when I say "black oriented." That statement means i.e. a place where my green money is accepted and I am not looked down on or given looks (i.e. why are they here) because I am of African descent.

[Wilshire81182]

I think you will find Orlando pleasantly diverse and much more integrated than that. You should have no problems with judgment or isolation. Orlando is a fun and understanding place where people visit from all over the world that enjoy various walks of life.

[vmvazquez83]

Paramore is a horrible area. Crime there is insane. I would not go there looking for fun. Eatonville is small but they have festivals often. I know they have the Zora Neale Hurston Festival but I am not sure when it is. Orlando isn't very well known for solely black venues. Everyone goes everywhere. I agree that Orlando is very diverse. I am white and my husband is Hispanic and we have never felt discrimination anywhere in Orlando. This city loves green money from all hands, haha.

If you like jazz, City Walk also has CityJazz which has live music often, if not nightly. There is also the Bob Marley restaurant and people of all races go there for the food and music. The food is excellent!