Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Orange, Texas

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You are about to enter one of the “Golden Triangle” points to make up the largest cities in the metropolitan area of Southeast Texas, alongside Beaumont and Port Arthur.

Orange City, located near the Louisiana border, is not behind in keeping up with the fast-growing industry of the Gulf coast.

Along with its growing supply of petrochemical, rubber, paper, and plastic products are booming attractions of original restaurants, historical sites, entertainment districts, museums, and more best places to visit.

There’s also a wide range of fun things you can do in Orange that you’ll never find elsewhere! To give you the highlights, read below the best things to do and places to visit in Orange, Texas.

Blue Elbow Swamp Boardwalk

A walk through Blue Elbow Swamp will give you a glimpse into the variety of plants and wildlife thriving in a small industrial city like Orange, Texas.

It’s a convenient first stop on your trip to Orange to hop off and stretch a bit, located right behind the Texas Travel Information Center, the easiest way to get to Blue Elbow.

Once you’re out the backdoor of this rest stop, you’ll be greeted by a boardwalk trail taking you through a beautiful wetland.

The elevated, durable wooden pathway bridges you to the town’s natural landscape, some of which you’ll observe up close. 

You can watch the gators on the swamp and other different animal and plant life, large and small, from the platform.

You don’t need to explore this magical swamp in the Sabine River bend through the 600-foot-long interpretive boardwalk all day. It takes approximately 7 minutes to complete the trail but take your time to explore and enjoy the quiet place.

It’s easy to spot a variety of bird life, water snakes, turtles, frogs, and more reptiles in this eastern starting point.

Before you leave, don’t forget to grab some pamphlets and brochures to discover more of what Orange has to offer.

You can also access the swamp through boat tours for the best views. Continue reading to know where you can do this!

Address: 1708 I-10, Orange, TX 77632, United States

Dragon Lady Airboats

A private riverboat tour offers a closer, scenic view into the Blue Elbow Swamp, the Sabine River, and the estuaries of Orange, Texas.

Dragon Lady Airboats gives the most exciting airboat trail ride of your life, with private tours customized to your availability. You can take the one-hour-and-30-minute swamp adventure and see alligators, turtles, hogs, deer, and flocks of birds.

If you have half a day to spare, this tour passes through a fishing spot called the Bluebird Fish 

Camp where you can do bow fishing on top of the swamp ride and wildlife viewing.

You can also take the 2-hour Sunset Swamp Tour to watch the swamp in a new light. Frogs and alligators usually come out and play at this hour.

If you’re born to love nature, nothing is more unique and fun than celebrating your birthday or a special event on this high-performing airboat that will take you to a natural wonderland. It’s an awesome idea to take the gang on an educational and fun swamp and boat trip.

You are not only able to get knowledgeable of the city’s animal and plant life, but it will show parts of Texas you never knew were out there.

Setting sail into the dusk, passing through grass and lily pads, is one splendid adventure!

Address: 102 Farragut N., Orange, TX 77631, United States

Farmers Mercantile

This local treasure in Orange, Texas, will take you back in time.

The Farmers Mercantile is more than just a flea market in a small city. It has a long history that stood the test of time.

A car company previously owned its building before it became a family tradition for five generations. Over a century ago, an Opera House sat in its location before it was burned to the ground.

Now, it serves the community of Orange by having the convenience of getting a little bit of everything from its store. They carry home essentials, gardening needs, and other flea products you’ll want to check out when you visit Orange.

One bad thing about their products is they quickly get out of stock! You’re lucky if you’re able to reserve their iconic Lone Star hats, perfect for gifts or souvenirs.

They also have all kinds of boots for different purposes and styles. There’s the rain and water boots, mud boots, and snow boots. Then there’s the Bogs, Dryshod, and Lacrosse & Muck.

Their cookware, cooking books, and high-quality kitchen essentials are worth checking out, too!

If you’re looking for durable products that will stay with you for a long time and never go out of style, Farmers Mercantile is your stop.

Address: 702 Division Ave, Orange, TX 77630, United States

First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church, also called the Lutcher Memorial Building, is a world-known historical landmark in Orange, Texas, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church’s structure is an impressive depiction of classic Greek Revival architecture, built of Italian marble and Texas granite. It features a huge opalescent copper glass dome you can never find elsewhere in the country, stained-glass windows, and an ornate iron fence surrounding the building.

Located at Market and Polk Street, you can give the church a little tour with the help of its administrators, who would love to have you look around. The historical presence of this place is apparent on its walls and richly-ornamented interior, making it a true local treasure.

The First Presbyterian Church has been around Orange City since 1912 and has centered around God, the people, and its disciples throughout its history. They proclaimed the gospel on the unpaved streets many centuries back, and now they are an active, living church with weekly services and congregation.

A fun fact you must know before visiting here is that it is the first air-conditioned public building west of the Mississippi River. Most materials used to build the church were rare and handmade, something you can never find again today.

However, the First Presbyterian Church is more than just its building but more about relationships.

This would be a memorable part of your trip, whether traveling alone or sharing it with a loved one.

Address: 902 Green Avenue, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts

See world-class entertainment from high-profile performers and award-winning stars in the 1500-seat art facility in Orange, Texas.

The largest performing arts series, Lutcher Theater, Inc., operates Frances Ann Lutcher Theater, known for its Broadway musicals and national and international tours since 1980.

The state-of-the-art venue located in downtown Orange hosts multiple shows and rotating plays throughout the year, suitable for all ages. If you want to catch one of their theatrical productions and concerts in the city, planning it ahead of time is the key!

Their Kids Series typically includes the classics such as The Cat in the Hat and Goodnight Moon. More often than not, their shows of the season feature national and international children’s theater companies to deliver big entertainment for Orange kids. But you’ll surely love them, too!

You’ll get a clear sight of about any kind of show in their multi-level auditorium and orchestra pit. For a small Texas city like Orange, having a performing arts theater like Frances Ann Lutcher brings overpouring local pride.

While this theater attracts many national tours, shows are typically held on Friday nights and Saturday matinees. If you’re not from around Orange, check and coordinate your schedule earlier.

Catch them if you can in this lovely little town and have the best show of your life! 

Address: 707 S Main Street, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Free State Cellars

Have a fine afternoon or date night getaway with the delectable wines from a local tasting room in Orange, Texas.

There’s nothing like Free State Cellars in any part of town, with great wine selections, delicious cheese plates, and a unique place to grow grapes.

For a place that has wet and humid weather, Free State Cellars have been successfully growing muscadine grapes for over 30 years.

Their muscadine varieties include black Noble grapes for red wines and bronze Magnolia for white, both equally sought for their delicious tastes.

Pass by their Free State Kitchens for playful flavors and enjoy a glass of red Sangria. Stroll the banks of their local bayou or sit back and relax on their outdoor patio and seating areas for the stunning view of the seven-acre vineyard.

Unlike other wineries, Free State Cellars has a farm-forward approach, and you can even walk through their vineyard! However, be mindful not to pick the grapes or cause damage while in exploration mode or while taking pictures.

Don’t leave without trying the highlights of their diverse collection, including crisp whites, bold reds, rich chocolates, and other fruit wines. While they use their own muscadine grapes, they also incorporate the flavors of Texas-grown grapes to make fine Texas wines like Tempranillo or Rio Dulce.

Your trip can’t get any better with a regular visit to the stellar winery in town!

Address: 4702 Tejas Parkway, Orange, TX 77630

Heritage House Museum

Something about this typical upper-middle-class home captivates the eye.

The Heritage House Museum was once home to Orange native Jimmy Ochiltree Sims and his family for 75 years. To accommodate the construction of Orange’s Central Plaza, it was relocated and restored to its earlier appearance over a century ago.

Made entirely of native pine, the house has gained popularity in Orange, Texas, for its 1919 iteration.

From the outside, you’ll see a gray-painted house with maroon trim, an attic, railed porches, and a slate roof.

Inside, there are five fireplaces with brick and wood, original lighting fixtures, a ten-foot high ceiling, and detailed pine railing and posts along the central stairwell. The walls are covered with 20th-century wallpaper and curtains on the windows.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, the Heritage House served as a historical museum in the small town.

Alongside its displays and exhibits are interactive educational programs you can participate in. From lectures on the life of an upper-middle-class to workshops and craft demonstrations, you’ll spend precious time in this charming place.

If you’re around these certain times of the year, you can catch their annual town happenings, such as the Christmas Open House, the Past Times Celebration, or Trace of Old Lace.

Once you get the tour around the house, you’ll find this house museum interesting beyond belief, and it would be an awesome part of your trip to Orange.

Address: 905 W. Division, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza

Honor the veterans and active duty members of Orange County in Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza, located on the grounds of First Church of the Nazarene.

Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza is a public attraction and site of an annual tribute to Orange County veterans in Orange, Texas. This place serves as a home for the nation’s defenders who served in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine, and Navy.

It’s also home to the life-sized “Tears from a Grateful Heart” sculpture by Colorado artist Scott Stearman and the original USS Dyson bell.

Families and friends of these fallen soldiers can have the veteran’s name inscribed on granite as a tradition to honor their names.

You, too, are invited to inscribe a veteran’s name in the plaza for a certain amount or support the plaza project through donor bricks inscribed with your name or business.

The memorial is open to the public at all times but if you happen to be in the city on Memorial Day, feel free to join the annual tribute to Orange County veterans on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend!

Address: 3801 MLK Parkway, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Orangefield Cormier Museum

An old country town in a small town, the Orangefield Cormier Museum was built as a tribute to the “good old days.”

It’s a multiple-building collection and a lifetime work of Paul Cormier, depicting the true history of Orangefield and the oil industry.

Visit the 1920s-era village built under a large tin roof with regular places you see in an actual town, like a bank, saloon, jail, post office, school, general store, and soda fountain.

As a tribute to Orangefield residents, the museum also displays photos and memorabilia of Orangefield Veterans serving in the military from the Civil War and pictures of the Orange oil field.

While it beautifully represented Orangefield, it also represented many other small towns across the south. You’ll see that every room was carefully built to last forever and is easy to get around.

Take your family and friends with you and travel back in time to experience what life was like in the oil era from the eyes of a young child. 

Address: 9974 FM 105, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Riverfront Boardwalk & Pavilion

The city of Orange, Texas, believes that easy access to the Sabine River improves visibility and thus promotes economic development and quality of life for tourists and locals.

To do this, they invested in three venues along the Sabine River and downtown Orange, which include the Riverfront Boardwalk and Pavilion – a 12-foot wide boardwalk and a large Pavilion in a 2-acre green space.

This venue is open to the public on a daily basis but may be reserved for festivals, performances, concerts, and special events if approved in advance.

You’ll see a great view of the shipbuilding yards from here, a historical landmark of what was once “one of the deadest towns in the South.” These giant wooden ships historically turned Orange into a booming town in a blink of an eye.

It also houses a collection of Texas Historical Markers that recount the city’s role in World War II.

A lovely morning or afternoon walk on the boardwalk would be a fun thing to do in a small country town like Orange.

Address: 601 W Division, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Robert’s Meat Market & Steakhouse

Enjoy the best steak ever in one of the largest steakhouses in Orange, Texas!

Robert’s Meat Market & Steakhouse serves perfectly home-cooked fried chicken, ribeye, and potato salads alongside its juicy, tender steak.

While you’re here, try their delicious Flija recipe, highly recommended by locals and guests of Robert’s. You can pair your meal with a fine wine or tea, some of their best drinks!

Known for its friendly and accommodating staff, Robert’s Steakhouse provides great service according to visitors’ viewpoint. Prices are reasonable and of value for the quality of food here, which varies from their main courses to appetizers, desserts, stuffed spuds, go-to drinks, and more.

You can also choose from a variety of Cajun, Mexican, and Italian food in large portions!

Its atmosphere, homey decor, hometown service, and clean, wide space attract visitors to dine in. If you’re looking for convenience, they provide easy parking near the front door and a perfect stop for travelers who want their food served just at the right time.

Don’t miss an opportunity to visit and dine in this town favorite when traveling through Orange.

If you want to get some Texas sweets after a sumptuous meal, there’s a little grocery store adjacent to Robert’s you might want to give a try!

Address: 3720 W. Park Avenue, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

Get the best of both nature and gardens in Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, a nature center in over 250-acre space in Orange, Texas.

Shangri La, which historically meant a place of beauty, peace, and enlightenment, has been recreated in Orange in the form of botanical gardens and an educational nature center where you can spend time with your family or enjoy the views of nature.

You’ll be surrounded by birds, fragrant flowers, fresh air to breathe, and more than 300 plant species in formal and sculpture rooms.

Stroll on a wooden boardwalk between towering cypress trees, explore the numerous gardens and greenhouses, watch birds for as long as you want, or walk along the 15-acre Beaver Pond with azaleas. The Shangri La experience does not end here.

Begin your adventure by visiting the Exhibit Hall, where you’ll learn about its history and see a variety of interactive exhibits. Visit the 75-seat Discovery Theater to watch a short film telling tales about Shangri La or enjoy the tranquility in their Meditation Pavilion.

The possibilities of an up-close encounter with nature are endless in this town gem, especially for a nature lover like you. To be one with nature and to “Mentor Children of All Ages to Be Kind to Their World’ is what Shangri La strives to be.

Like all other famous attractions in Orange, Shangri La also hosts special events like Spring Flowers, Scarecrow Fall Exhibit, and Christmas Strolls.

Worry not because there are many more opportunities like this you can catch throughout the year!

Address: 2111 West Park Avenue, Orange, TX 77630, United States

Stark Museum of Art

See one of the nation’s most significant American Western art collections in downtown Orange, Texas.

The Stark Museum of Art was originally a vision of H.J. Lutcher Stark, a known businessman, and philanthropist of Orange whose contributions from the early and mid-1900s continue to influence the community today.

He followed in the footsteps of his mother, Miriam Lutcher Stark, who shared enthusiasm for collecting art, furniture, and decorative items from around the world.

The exhibits you’ll see here include 19th to 20th-century art paintings, sculptures, books, and prints about the land, people, and diverse wildlife of the American West.

The museum also houses a significant collection of American Indian art and collections of glass, porcelain, and one-of-a-kind manuscripts. In addition, it’s a place to see more historical exhibits about the founding and development of the city.

It featured artworks of prominent artists like Frederic Remington, John James Audubon, and Charles Marion Russell.

Check it out for free, and watch out for the temporary, changing exhibits, a reason to return regularly.

If you’re planning a road trip passing through Orange, making a stop at Stark Museum of Art is not to be missed.

They have one of the best western art exhibits you’ll ever see!

Address: 712 Green Avenue, Orange, TX 77630, United States

The Brown Estate of Lamar State College

The Brown Estate of Lamar State College is a good example of a simple, classic Antebellum home from the Colonial period and a perfect venue for Orange County backyard weddings.

The Brown Estate was designed after a historic mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, called the Linden of Natchez. It is known throughout Orange as a beautiful wedding and event center with an 88-acre garden surrounded by tall pines and South Texas azaleas.

Nearly 20,000 square feet with 14 rooms and two cozy foyers, the house hosted weddings and many other banquets, corporate events, and retreats that created a memorable picture in the small, lively town.

For 60 years, the Brown Estate served as a majestic place for Orange residents and guests where special moments are shared right in the heart of the city.

If you want to celebrate an event in this venue, expect great hospitality, accommodating staff, exceptional food and service, and various packages you can choose from.

Architecturally speaking, everything about the house suits all events and builds character for every celebration.

Whether you are a celebrant or attendee, you would recommend it to everyone you know!

Address: 4205 W Park Avenue, Orange, TX 77630, United States

W.H. Stark House

Picture a Queen Anne-style mansion with exceptional woodworking; this describes the W.H. Stark House.

The Stark House was home to Miriam and William Stark and their son Lutcher Stark for over 40 years, from 1894 -1936. They filled their home with art, furniture, linens, household items, and more collections from around the world throughout their lifetime.

After their death, most of their stuff remained untouched until it was restored in the 1970s and became accessible to the public.

In the 14,000-square-foot house with 15 rooms, you’ll find significant displays of original family furnishings, porcelains, glass, and many unique collections of house decor and amazing woodwork from the American lumber dynasty.

The Stark House reminds the Orange community of local craftsmanship through its art, books, and other rare treasures from the Stark family’s world travel.

Most of these items may be the only ones you can find today, which speaks a lot about the power travel holds.

These rare finds include the sterling silver tea service on the first floor and the Napoleon death mask on the third floor.

On your visit, try to find an item you find unique and special in every level of the Stark House.

Address: 610 S Main Street, Orange, TX 77630, United States

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