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Things to do in Orange Texas are a living mix of history, art, and southern hospitality. Stroll through the green Shangri La Botanical Gardens, see improved exhibitions at the Stark Museum of Art, or enjoy a show at the Lutcher Theatre. History enthusiasts tour the W.H. Stark House, while outdoor enthusiasts float the Sabine River. Antiquing through the festival season, Orange is open to all manner of travellers. Whether you’re a culture vulture, nature lover, or just a relaxation guru, there’s never a shortage of activities here.
Top 10 Things To Do In Orange Texas
Find the top things to do in Orange Texas, ranging from historic landmarks, art museums, and gardens to river parks and community festivals.
1. Explore Art At The Stark Museum Of Art
Photo: Renelibrary / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The best thing to do in Orange, Texas, is to see the Stark Museum of Art, a cultural treasure house. It contains one of the nation’s best collections of American Western and Native American art. The visitors are welcomed with masterpieces by Frederic Remington, Charles Marion Russell, Georgia O’Keeffe, Albert Bierstadt, and John James Audubon that represent the spirit and stories of the American West. The rotating exhibits continue exploring cultural and historical themes, offering a new experience with every visit. With its elegant design and serene ambience, the museum invites reflection and discovery.
Major Highlights: Western views, Native relics, scarce publications and transitory displays
Location: 712 Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630, United States
2. Tour The Victorian-era Elegance Of The W. H. Stark House
Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best things to do in Orange Texas, is a tour of historic W. H. Stark House. It is a stunningly restored Queen Anne-Eastlake Victorian mansion built in 1894 and 1895. You’ll be guided through rooms that are filled with original furniture, elegant decor, nine elaborately designed fireplaces, and high ceilings that are evocative of opulence. The house boasts fine woodworking in cypress and yellow pine, wide verandas, Jacobean chimneys, and a turret with sweeping views over the landscape. An operational carriage house is also part of the deal.
Major Highlights: Live theatre, performing arts
Location: 610 Main Ave, Orange, TX 77630, United States
3. Watch Shows At Lutcher Theatre For The Performing Arts
Photo: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Seeing a live performance at the Lutcher Theatre, Orange’s finest performing arts venue, is one of the best activities to experience in Orange, Texas. This lovely six-story theatre, seating 1,450 patrons, opened in 1980 and offers Broadway-calibre entertainment in the heart of Southeast Texas. From classic musicals and operas to stand-up comedy routines and children’s plays, the Lutcher Theatre brings world-class touring productions to a small city. Previous shows have included Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Blue Man Group, Cats, My Fair Lady, and several children’s productions geared towards school groups.
Major Highlights: Strolling Broadway, star entertainers, family-friendly shows
Location: 707 Main Ave, Orange, TX 77630, USA
4. Stroll Along The Scenic Sabine Riverfront Boardwalk & Pavilion
Photo: Djflem / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
One of the most relaxing activities to do in Orange, Texas, is walking along the picturesque Riverfront Boardwalk & Pavilion on the scenic Sabine River. This two-acre river paradise on the river banks is perfect for peaceful picnics, sun-set strolls, and watching slow barges move along the river banks as the herons dine off the river banks. The pavilion is a lively community space with farmers’ markets, festivals, art fairs, and summer concerts throughout the year. Winter seasonal celebrations bring people here, and during the summer, families and couples picnic in the river’s cooling air and warm water.
Major Highlights: Community festivals, community events, sunsets by the river
Location: 601 W Division St, Orange, TX 77630, USA
5. Wander Through Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons
Nature enthusiasts, come and explore the lovely Shangri La Botanical Gardens, one of the best things to do in Orange Texas. Stretching across 252 acres, this lovely garden and nature reserve was opened by H. J. Lutcher Stark in 1942 and has become a true green haven of Texas. The LEED-Platinum certified complex features themed garden rooms, tropical greenhouses, a children’s sensory garden, and extensive wetlands. Its thick cypress-tupelo swamp is home to diverse wildlife and over 300 plant species, a birdwatcher’s and botanist’s dream. In spring and summer, the Ruby Lake heronry is host to thousands of breeding birds, creating a great natural spectacle.
Major Highlights: Sculpture gardens, swamp boardwalk, birding
Location: 2111 W Park Ave, Orange, TX 77630, USA
6. Walk The Swamp boardwalk At Blue Elbow Swamp
Photo: evergladesnps / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Over west of town is the Blue Elbow Swamp wildlife preserve, an Orange, Texas, must-do. This 600-foot boardwalk traverses untouched wetlands for a true experience through century-old bald cypress, tupelos, and native animals such as turtles, alligators, ospreys, herons, egrets, and kingfishers. Interpretive signs along the path near the Texas Travel Information Centre offer interesting information about the ecosystem, animal behaviour, and conservation. Perfect for dawn bird-watching amidst its foggy marsh terrain, the swamp is explored by photographers, anglers, and day hikers alike.
Major Highlights: Wildlife watching, swamp habitat, boardwalk path
Location: Blue Elbow Swamp, 880 Lutcher Dr, Orange, TX 77632, US
7. Admire Opalescent Glass At First Presbyterian Church
Photo: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Respect the architectural beauty of the old First Presbyterian Church, a gem among things to do in Orange Texas. This Greek-Revival gem boasts a one-of-a-kind opalescent glass dome, the sole occurrence of this in the United States, situated atop majestic granite façades and stately Ionic columns. Italian marble, stunning stained glass windows, and classical lines abound to be discovered inside, all a testament to excellent early 20th-century design. The church continues to be in use with regular worship, and the guided tours may be made available by appointment.
Major Highlights: Masterpieces of architecture, historic tours, contemplative setting
Location: 902 Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630, USA
8. Step Into Past At Orangefield Cormier Museums
Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
One of the most intriguing doublets of museums is among the highest-rated activities to experience in Orange, Texas is visiting the quaint Orangefield Cormier Museum. It features a whimsical re-creation of a 1920s boardwalk village complete with a one-cell jail, general store, soda shop, dentist’s office, and other period relics. This offers contrasting yet complementary viewpoints, one of refined household life, the other of rural work-town existence. Costumed docents greet visitors, telling tales about the region’s development, technology, industry, and daily life. This interesting museum pairing enhances knowledge of Orange’s rich and varied heritage, rendering it a visitor’s favourite among history enthusiasts and inquisitive travellers.
Major Highlights: Period artefacts, interactive exhibits, kid-friendly
Location: 9974 FM 105, Orange, TX 77630, United States
9. Dine Cajun-Style At Free State Cellars & Bayou Cafe
Photo: H. Zell / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
One of the numerous things to relax and enjoy in Orange, Texas, is a visit to Free State Cellars. This is a seven-acre Texas vineyard renowned for its 1984 vintage muscadine varietals. Wine tastings can be savoured in the quaint barn-like tasting room, savouring signature reds such as Noble and whites such as Magnolia, served nicely with small-plate cheese boards. For the cherry on top, stop by Bayou Café Express, the area’s newest Cajun eatery along Texas 62. There, one can indulge in authentic local fare with options like spicy seafood sandwiches, hearty gumbo, and raw crawfish.
Major Highlights: Vineyard tours, wine tasting, traditional Cajun cuisine
Location: 4702 Tejas Pkwy, Orange, TX 77632, United States
10. Take A Thrilling Ride On A Sabine River Boat Or Airboat Tour
For the outdoor and adventurous, perhaps one of the most thrilling things to do in Orange Texas, is to drive an airboat or take a guided wetland tour into Sabine River backwaters. Travel quietly along winding bayous lined with colossal cypress trees while continually observing for native fauna and flora such as birds and alligators, in their natural setting. Throughout the journey, guides present engaging local swamp mythology, such as stories of secret tunnels and native animals, in order to enhance the experience. As the sun approaches evening, the marsh is echoed with the calls of wildlife, and the stunning hues of the sunset cast ripples on the water.
Major Highlights: High-speed swamp ride, wildlife experience, guided fishing
A serene mix of elegance and excitement, things to do in Orange Texas, entice travellers of all kinds. From walks along the river through scenic views and visits to estate mansions to exciting fairs and sprawling botanical gardens, the Texas gem boasts a diverse mixture of nature, history, and Southern hospitality. Let TripXL organise your ideal Orange vacation with great local experiences and authentic Gulf Coast charm.
Cover Photo: Rmckee8 / Wikimedia Commons
