• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Travel

Black Travel Vibes: Reach For The Stars In Orlando

ESSENCE's exclusive guide on how to see, taste and experience the hottest destinations in Black travel.
Black Travel Vibes: Reach For The Stars In Orlando
Photo Credit: @themomtrotter
By Danielle Pointdujour · Updated December 6, 2020

Mention Orlando, Florida to any traveler and their mind immediately goes to the fantasy playground that is Walt Disney World. However, there’s more to the city, and Florida for that matter, than Mickey Mouse and his crew.

In addition to great beaches and mouth-watering restaurants, Orlando is also home to the Kennedy Space Center, an attraction that’s sure to fascinate kids and big kids alike. The center is a unique change of pace from pricey theme parks and can create a spark in the imaginations of little ones. For mom Karen Akpan (@themomtrotter) and her husband Sylvester, opening children’s minds to the wonders of the universe is exactly why they recently visited.

As founder of Black Kids Travel (@blackkidsdotravel), homeschooling mom to son Aiden, 6 and aunt to Ethan, 6, Avery, 5 and Milania, 5, Karen and Sylvester are always looking for fun and exciting ways to combine travel with learning. So when they came across the activities at the space center, they knew this was the perfect opportunity for not only a family getaway but an experience that would encourage the children to dream bigger – and maybe have a little fun for themselves in the process.

View this post on Instagram

Do not go to Orlando without visiting Kennedy Space Center. These kids love everything space, and were walking around there like they owned the damn place πŸ˜‚πŸ€¦πŸΎβ€β™€οΈ. But did they not πŸ€·πŸΎβ€β™€οΈ lol. Andddd that's exactly what I want. I want them to be in character in whatever they do. You want to be a pilot, I got mini polot costumes, a chef? I gotcha, apron and chef hat, a Dr, good we got that too. I want them not just to visit someplace, but to feel like that can be them too. I want them to know that they can be just like the photos & videos of all the astronauts they saw there. . My husband and I had as much fun as the kids did, we low key wished we had our own costumes too πŸ˜‚. This day was a whole homeschool lesson for the kids πŸ™ŒπŸΎ. We all learned so much. I highly recommend that you add this to your Orlando to do list. The space simulation was the BEST. The kids said "Are we really going to space?" πŸ˜‚ and then adter they said "Now we want to be pilots and astronauts". I giggled and said, "Sure babies, YOU can be ANYTHING you put your heart to"!!!!! Do note that it is about an hour away from Orlando, so plan accordingly. Link to their astronaut costumes in my bio. I got it on Amazon because it was much cheaper. Aiden had the Melissa & Doug astronaut costume a few years back, but he outgrew it and this was perfect for all the kids. Have you been to Kennedy Space Center? Do your kids love to learn about space? #TheMOMTrotter #astronauts #kennedyspacecenter

A post shared by Travel + Homeschool + Mom Life (@themomtrotter) on Nov 8, 2019 at 5:45pm PST

“My husband and I had as much fun as the kids did, we low key wished we had our own costumes too, lol. This day was a whole homeschool lesson for the kids. We all learned so much,” she recalls.

ESSENCE caught up with Karen and her awesome family to find out more about why she thinks parents should hit the Kennedy Space Center on their next visit to Orlando, why travel is important and where this crew will be jetting off to next.

What made you choose the Kennedy Space Center for this adventure?

Karen Akpan: I chose the Kennedy Space Center because for one of our homeschool lessons, the kids were learning about space, planets, and astronauts. I then pulled out a video of how astronauts live in space and they were very intrigued by it. I knew then that a visit to Kennedy Space Center will help them connect the dots. I made sure to get them costumes as well because I wanted them to really be in character.

Why do you feel it’s important to incorporate travel into their homeschooling experience?

Travel helps them connect the dots. It is one thing to read it or watch a video about it, and it is another thing to see it in person and experience it. Experiences are a very essential part of our homeschooling journey.

View this post on Instagram

**π“π‘πž 𝐒𝐀𝐲 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 π“π‘πž 𝐋𝐒𝐦𝐒𝐭. π“π‘πžπ«πž 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨 𝐋𝐒𝐦𝐒𝐭** . My goal as a mom/aunt is to inspire them as much as I can and to guide them, and offer them the experiences they need to keep dreaming. I don't want them to have any limitations whatsoever. I want them to dream, and to dream BIGGER than I ever got the chance to dream as a kid. And to know that "Dreams do come true" ❀. . Remember my favorite phrase, "If you go someplace new or experience something new, you have travelled". EVERY EXPERIENCE MATTERS !! Don't say we just went to the Zoo, or we just went to a Museum. Or we just went to the park. Every experience is an opportunity for your kids to experience something new and begin dreaming πŸ˜‰. . How do you inspire your kids, nieces, nephews, grandkids, or just any kid who is important to you? How do you encourage them to perform to their potential? And be their very best? How do you encourage them to dream? PS: SAVE this post so you can come back to see what other people have said about inspiring their kids / the kids around them. . #TheMOMTrotter #showthemtheworld #kennedyspacecenter

A post shared by Travel + Homeschool + Mom Life (@themomtrotter) on Nov 10, 2019 at 4:56pm PST

What adventure will you take them on next?

We are very spontaneous and usually plan our trips very last minute based on where it is cheap/affordable to fly to or visit. We do try to travel every month and experience something new, so I’m currently planning out our next adventures for November and December.

01
Space Adventurers
The Akpan family combines travel and learning in creative ways, like with this out-of-this-world trip to the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.
Black Travel Vibes: Reach For The Stars In Orlando
Photo Credit: @themomtrotter
02
Space Adventurers
According to mom Karen, Aiden, Ethan, Avery, and Milania love all things science and “walked around the space center like they owned the place,” she says. If you’re looking to plan your own trip, daily admission tickets for the Kennedy Space Center costs $47 for children ages 3-11 and $57 for adults 12-years-old and up.
Black Travel Vibes: Reach For The Stars In Orlando
Photo Credit: @themomtrotter
03
Space Adventurers
You can spend a full day at the space center participating in activities like the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, astronaut encounters and even rocket launch viewing, when available.
Black Travel Vibes: Reach For The Stars In Orlando
Photo Credit: @themomtrotter
04
Space Adventurers
“I highly recommend that you add this to your Orlando to-do list. The space simulation was the best. The kids said “Are we really going to space?” and then after they said, “Now we want to be pilots and astronauts.” I giggled and said, “Sure babies, YOU can be ANYTHING you put your heart to!” – Karen Akpan.
Black Travel Vibes: Reach For The Stars In Orlando
Photo Credit: @themomtrotter
TOPICS:  Black Travel Moment of the Day coinage Florida travel travel guide
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

Β©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now