Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Orange, Connecticut

This quaint residential community lies just west of New Haven and serves as the location of the Yale West Campus, housing several esteemed scientific institutions affiliated with the university.

Despite its predominantly suburban character, Orange boasts a wealth of 19th-century history centered around the Town Green, characterized by a distinguished Federal-style church and meticulously preserved historic residences overseen by the Orange Historical Society.

A major attraction for visitors is the Orange Country Fair, a vibrant celebration rooted in the 1890s, which continues to draw crowds each autumn.

Furthermore, the striking architecture associated with Yale University and the pristine beaches along Long Island Sound in Milford and West Haven remain easily accessible.

Let’s investigate the premier activities available in and around Orange, Connecticut:

1. PEZ Visitor Center

Within Orange resides the U.S. headquarters for this beloved candy brand, featuring a Visitor Center that surpasses expectations.

Notably, visitors can admire the largest collection of PEZ memorabilia in existence, elegantly displayed in glass cases.

Moreover, a unique highlight is a custom PEZ-themed motorcycle crafted by Orange County Choppers, renowned from the show American Chopper.

Interactive exhibits provide comprehensive insights into a brand that originated in Austria over 90 years ago.

Viewers have an opportunity to observe the factory operations through viewing windows, with video presentations detailing the manufacturing process for both the candy and the iconic dispensers.

Additionally, the factory shop features exclusive flavors and dispensers that are not available elsewhere.

2. Orange Center Historic District

Following World War II, Orange experienced rapid suburban development, yet remnants of the agrarian town from the 19th century can still be found in the Orange Center Historic District surrounding the Town Green.

Along Orange Center Road, between the cemetery and Nan Drive, visitors will encounter remarkable examples of Federal, Greek Revival, and late-Victorian architectural styles.

Two properties in this district are maintained by the Orange Historical Society, one of which is the distinguished Academy, discussed further below.

The centerpiece of the district is the impressive Orange Congregational Church (1810), a masterpiece of Federal architecture designed by the self-taught architect David Hoadley, notable for its Palladian window and grand domed belfry.

3. Orange Country Fair

The town’s major annual event occurs in mid-September at the High Plains Community Center, situated adjacent to the historic district.

The Orange Country Fair boasts a rich history, operating initially from 1898 to 1912 and experiencing a revival since 1975. Over two bustling days, visitors can participate in a plethora of activities typical of a country fair, including pig racing, saw contests, birds of prey demonstrations, classic car shows, amusement rides, horse draws, antique tractor pulls, live music, and more.

Complementarily, fair food constitutes an integral aspect of the event, featuring choices such as chili, fried dough, clam chowder, funnel cakes, and Philly cheese steak subs, among others.

4. High Plains Community Center

Throughout the remainder of the year, the High Plains Community Center serves as the primary destination in Orange for active recreation.

The extensive range of indoor and outdoor facilities encompasses softball fields, soccer fields, a disc golf course, a fitness center, a gymnasium, and two picnic pavilions.

For lighter activities, visitors can enjoy the Paul Ode Nature Trail or a winding walking track.

Additionally, the center features an indoor swimming pool, open to non-residents for a slightly higher fee.

5. The Academy

The Orange Historical Society oversees three elegant historical properties in the town.

Particularly noteworthy is this two-story clapboard schoolhouse, featuring an intricately detailed gable design, prominently located on Orange green.

The Academy originated in 1878 as a replacement for an earlier, nearly identical school where students were required to pay tuition, thus inspiring its name.

The original structure morphed into a small high school, encompassing an assembly room on the first floor and classrooms above.

Eventually, this building served as Orange’s Town Hall and hosted the town court until 1967. Since 1989, The Academy has been leased to the historical society, which has established the Mary Rebecca Woodruff Research Center, featuring extensive collections of artifacts, documents, photographs, maps, clippings, and more conducive to serious research.

6. William Andrew House

The oldest surviving structure in the town is a 1.5-story wood-frame Georgian house located at 131 Old Tavern Road.

This structure dates back to approximately 1740 and was built by Nathan Bryan, whose family played a significant role in Orange’s shipping industry.

Since then, nineteen different families have called this residence home, yet the historic character of the William Andrew House has remained largely intact.

In 2000, the town acquired the property, and it is now managed by the Orange Historical Society as a museum.

Inside, visitors can explore artifacts unearthed during an archaeological dig conducted shortly after the property’s acquisition.

7. The Stone-Otis House

This modified Greek Revival house on the eastern side of the Town Green is also maintained by the Orange Historical Society.

Constructed by Sarah and Dennis Stone circa 1830, it reflects the exceptional craftsmanship prevalent in Orange during that era.

Originally, Dennis Stone operated one of Orange’s first two general stores from this property, a space that the Historical Society has since restored.

On the first floor, visitors can explore the parlor, a bedroom, and a keeping room.

The upper level includes a nursery, a bedroom, a children’s room, as well as a fascinating exhibit of 19th-century clothing.

Lastly, “Grandma’s Attic” on the third floor showcases a variety of curiosities that families in the 19th century might have stored away over the long term.

Outback, there is an award-winning herb garden featuring medicinal, culinary, and household herbs, some of which are used in delightful products such as jellies, teas, and seasoning mixes sold at the society’s gift shop.

Guided tours of the Stone-Otis House are available by appointment.

8. New Haven

With favorable traffic conditions, portions of Orange are merely a 15-minute drive from downtown New Haven via the Connecticut Turnpike.

New Haven is famously home to Yale University, providing access to an array of distinguished museums.

The Peabody Museum of Natural History ranks among the largest and oldest university museums worldwide within its field, while the Yale University Art Gallery showcases artworks from renowned artists such as Gauguin and van Gogh.

Noteworthy during your exploration of Yale’s stunning Collegiate Gothic architecture is the modern Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, celebrated for housing one of the 48 remaining copies of the Gutenberg Bible, along with ancient papyri, medieval manuscripts, and the personal papers of illustrious writers like D.H. Lawrence, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce.

Moreover, downtown New Haven exudes energy and cosmopolitan flair, featuring a diverse selection of cuisine along Howe Street, Chapel Street, and Crown Street.

The city is also famous for its Neapolitan-style pizza, “apizza,” which is cooked in coal-fired ovens at establishments like the renowned Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana.

9. B&B Flower Farm

Located in West Haven, B&B Flower Farm offers far more than its name suggests.

In addition to seasonal flower sales, the farm features handmade crafts, fresh produce such as corn and tomatoes, as well as a variety of ice cream flavors.

During the summer and fall, it serves as a delightful attraction for families, offering tractor rides, pony rides, and a horse-drawn wagon that traverses 11 acres of woodland.

B&B Flower Farm also houses a small, friendly herd of goats, allowing children to approach the paddock for interactive petting opportunities.

10. Wrights Pond

Situated just south of Old Grassy Hill Road, this small body of water features a picturesque backdrop of hardwood forest.

Benches are available at the parking area, providing a pleasant place to relax or feed the waterfowl in warmer months.

Anglers can often be seen along the banks during the summer season.

In winter months, the frozen surface transforms into a natural skating rink, with ice quality inspected daily by the Parks and Recreation department, accompanied by signage to confirm ice safety.

11. Racebrook Tract

Divided by the boundary line of Orange and Woodbridge, the Racebrook Tract encompasses 420 acres of natural beauty, historically two separate farms until the 20th century.

Notably, the dry-stone walls marking the property still delineate the original farm boundaries.

Four designated trails meander through a relatively flat landscape, traversing mixed hardwood forests and prominent groups of white pines.

At the trailhead for the red trail located in the southwestern corner lies the Orange Arboretum, which features three varieties of spruce, in addition to pine oak, white oak, and birch trees.

An accessible trail paved with asphalt commences from the northeastern corner of the parking area, allowing visitors to enjoy a boardwalk that crosses wetland areas.

12. Grassy Hill Country Club

Founded in 1927, this public golf course maintains an elegant ambiance due to its superior course quality and excellent services.

Grassy Hill features gently rolling terrain, quick greens, and three sets of tees tailored for golfers of all skill levels.

The course design showcases opportunities for long hitters while rewarding precision approach shots.

This is particularly true on the remarkable par 5 fifth hole, stretching 612 yards, and the par 3 third hole, which descends sharply towards a well-guarded green.

The club offers comprehensive practice facilities including a putting green, driving range, chipping green, and practice bunker, along with a pro shop and Mulligan’s Bar & Grill.

Golfers can conveniently place food orders at the ninth tee for immediate service upon arrival at the clubhouse.

13. Silver Sands State Park

This state park located in Milford offers a superb beach experience, making it a worthy destination during the summer months, while also being appealing throughout the year.

The park’s enduring popularity largely hinges on Charles Island, connected to the mainland by a tombolo.

The island serves as a crucial nesting ground for herons and egrets, consequently being off-limits from May 1 to August 31. Visitors should also monitor tide schedules as the tombolo becomes submerged twice daily by strong currents.

Covering 300 acres, the park encompasses dunes, salt marshes, woodlands, open fields, and a stunning natural beach, fringed by a boardwalk that runs the length of the park.

14. Bradley Point Beach

Located south of Orange, West Haven boasts Connecticut’s longest continuous stretch of publicly accessible shoreline.

Spanning nearly four miles, this shoreline constitutes a quarter of all public beachfront in the state.

Lifeguards are present on weekends from May 25 to June 23, operating daily from June 24 to August 9, and then reverting to weekends only from August 10 to September 2. A noteworthy attraction easily accessible from Orange is historic Bradley Point Park, the site of British troop landings during Tryon’s Raid on July 5, 1779. Nearby, Savin Point Park served as Connecticut’s equivalent to Coney Island until offering entertainment for nearly a century until its closure in the 1960s.

15. Orange Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival

The High Plains Community Center’s fairgrounds host another highly anticipated event, the Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival, occurring in early August.

This event raises funds for a significant cause, featuring carnival games, a raffle, a variety of children’s activities, a fireworks display, and numerous amusement rides, including spinners, carousels, and a ferris wheel.

Of course, the food tent plays a central role in the carnival, offering burgers, hot dogs, fried dough, as well as delicious pies baked by the Women’s Auxiliary.

This event has a rich tradition, having been held since 1925, with only two occasions missed.

All proceeds directly support new firefighting equipment, as the department generates its revenue independently.