Orange

Orange brings together nature, art, and historic architecture in clearly distinct themes. Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is located along Adams Bayou; the Stark Museum of Art focuses on Western and Native American art. The city also has historic buildings and wetlands. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Orange, consider whether your trip will focus more on nature watching, art, or architectural history. These interests give your stay different focal points.

Nature between gardens and wetlands

Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is an oasis spanning more than 250 acres in Orange, along the waterways of Adams Bayou. The size of the grounds and their location along the waterways provide a distinct natural setting in the city. Those interested in an expansive garden will find a different experience here than on a visit focused primarily on wildlife watching.

A wildlife management area near Orange offers a 600-foot boardwalk into the surrounding wetlands. Visitors may be able to spot bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, kingfishers, alligators, and turtles. The area is accessed from the Texas Travel Information Center at Orange. The boardwalk leads into the wetlands; the listed animals are possible sightings, not guaranteed ones.

The two nature experiences also differ in their specific points of interest: Shangri La is an oasis spanning more than 250 acres along the waterways of Adams Bayou, while the wildlife management area centers on a 600-foot boardwalk and opportunities for wildlife watching. For your trip, you can weigh whether you would rather explore the gardens or the wetlands.

Art and history in Orange

The Stark Museum of Art houses one of the most significant collections of American Western art. The works explore the landscapes, people, and wildlife of the American West. The museum also displays a significant collection of Native American art, including baskets, pottery, clothing, and jewelry. The different collections offer art lovers a variety of thematic perspectives, from Western subjects to specific art objects and materials.

The W.H. Stark House is a Queen Anne-style home built in 1894 in downtown Orange, Texas. It has 15 rooms with the Stark family’s original furnishings and decorative art. This brings two distinct aspects of the house together: its late-19th-century architectural style and its preserved furnishings.

Another historic building is First Presbyterian Church in Orange. It dates from 1912 and features an opalescent glass dome. For a focus on architectural history, it complements the W.H. Stark House with a different distinctive detail: here, it is the glass dome, while the home stands out for its style, rooms, and original furnishings.

Riverfront and practical information

The Riverfront Boardwalk and Pavilion is one of the venues built by the City of Orange. Improving visibility and access to the Sabine River played an important role in the project’s approval. No reservation is required for everyday individual use. City usage rules may change, so check them before your visit.

The Texas Travel Information Center at Orange offers professional route-planning assistance and information about attractions, events, and road conditions. It also provides free maps and free statewide and local travel information. If you’d like to combine your interests in Orange with other destinations, these resources can help you find your way without committing the day to just one focus.

The different themes can be a practical starting point when choosing a vacation rental in Orange: wildlife watching, art collections, historic architecture, or the riverfront. Consider which of these you want to shape your stay. This will help you focus your search on the experiences that interest you most in Orange.

Discover more destinations: Vidor, Bridge City.

Return to the main travel guide: Orange.