Attractions in Orange

Birding areas, historic buildings, museums, and a performing arts venue that attracts world-renowned performers are among the attractions in Orange, Texas. Perched on the bank of the Sabine River near the Texas-Louisiana border, Orange has a Lone Star twang to go along with its Cajun charm. Watch wildlife and play in the outdoors, browse unique exhibits at one-of-a-kind museums, and more as you savor the relaxed small-town vibe. Check out the following attractions in Orange to see what the “Gateway to Texas” has to offer, then plan your next road trip to where the Lone Star State meets Cajun Country.

Blue Elbow Swamp – Tony Houseman Wildlife Management Area
Accessible from the Texas Travel Information Center just west of the Sabine River, the wildlife management area features a 600-foot-long boardwalk in to the surrounding wetlands. Marvel at the bald cypress and tupelo trees and watch as bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, and kingfishers fly overhead. Look into the water and you may even spot an American alligator or one of the various types of turtles that live in the area.
1708 I-10
Orange, TX 77632

Brown Estate of Lamar State College-Orange
Surrounded by a verdant 88-acre garden, the Brown Estate features all the unmistakable stately charm of the antebellum South. Built in 1954 but modeled after an 18th-century home in Mississippi, the estate provides a snapshot of a different era. Stylish and graceful, the Brown Estate is a premier venue for weddings and events that features four bedrooms, six bathrooms, two family rooms, a formal dining room, and a solarium among its 20 rooms. 
4205 Park Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 883-2939

First Presbyterian Church
With its impressive dome, granite façade, and Greek-Revival-style columns, the First Presbyterian Church is both an architectural wonder and a living piece of history. Built in 1912, it was one of the first air-conditioned public buildings west of the Mississippi River. The stunning dome, the only opalescent glass dome in the United States, and the Italian marble structures inside add more to its breathtaking nature.
902 Green Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 883-2097

Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts
Broadway musicals, festive holiday plays, stand-up comedy shows, and special kid-friendly performances can all be enjoyed at the Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts. Visit the theater’s website to buy tickets and see a full schedule of shows in the Performing Arts Series and Kids Series.
707 Main Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 886-5535

Riverfront Boardwalk & Pavilion
Lay out a picnic and watch as the Sabine River flows by on a sunny day at this popular two-acre park near downtown Orange. Along with being an urban retreat, the boardwalk and pavilion host many of Orange’s outdoor festivals and is available for special events by reservation.
601 West Division Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 883-1011

Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Revel in nature’s beauty as you stroll through the numerous, and varied, gardens at the Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center. Colorful orchids, blooming daylilies, fruiting trees, and many other types of tropical and native plants are on display in the nature center. Special gardens organized around artistic themes and a children’s garden home to interactive exhibits are among the nature center’s other attractions.
2111 West Park Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 670-9113

The Heritage House Museum
Step into an authentic piece of Orange history when you visit the Heritage House Museum. A Recorded Historic Texas Landmark, the house provides a glimpse into the lives of an upper middle class family in the early 20th century.
905 West Division Street
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 886-5385

The Stark Museum of Art
Explore one of the finest collections of Western and Native American art in the country on display at The Stark Museum of Art. Landscape paintings and works depicting life in the West, pottery crafted by American Indians, and rare books and manuscripts are among the many items you’ll see as you browse the museum.
712 Green Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 886-2787

The W.H. Stark House
With its dramatic wrap-around porch and balcony, triangular roofs, and imposing turret, the historic Victorian-era W.H. Stark House stands out. Constructed from 1893 to 1895, it was once the home of prominent local philanthropists William Henry and Miriam Lutcher Stark. Tour the home today and you’ll see what life was like for the wealthy in the 1890’s and early 1900’s. Nine fireplaces reside throughout the house, and each room features antique furnishings faithful to the time period.
610 Main Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 883-0871