Things to Do in Orange, VA
Nothing brings people together like a wedding. Especially when you have family and friends coming from far away places, you want to make sure you make the most of having everyone you love in one place. That's why "wedding weekends" are all the rage right now! From the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding to the brunch the morning after, our little town of Orange has plenty to keep you and your guests in high spirits.
*all mileage is calculated from Madison at the Mill!
Dining: Robert & I eat at The Silk Mill Grille, a restaurant in the same building as Madison at the Mill, more than anyone else . . . probably. It's our favorite! While we recommend everyone who comes to Orange eat there at least once, we have plenty of other choices!
Iron Pipe Alewerks - inside the building! If you’ve come in for a tour recently, you’ve probably heard us talk about our new brewery and brick oven pizza place, Iron Pipe Alewerks. It is SO good, you guys!
Provisions Market Table - also inside the building! Randy Cooper is a master chef, so you’re guaranteed to have a gorgeous, fresh, local meal here!
Forked on Main - .5 miles
The Light Well - .5 miles (open Wednesday - Sunday brunch)
Inn at Willow Grove (Vintage Restaurant & The Pub) - 2 miles
For the Wine Lovers: Barboursville Vineyards is just 14 miles from the Mill, and you will love the views! They have a vineyard tours, an amazing restaurant, and a stunning inn that would make for an excellent start to your honeymoon!
Other wineries nearby:
Honah Lee Vineyards - 5.5 miles
Early Mountain Vineyards - 14.2 miles
Keswick Vineyards - 16.9 miles
Old House Vineyards - 24.6 miles
Blenheim Vineyards - 33.5 miles (known for being owned by Dave Matthews, but that may only matter to me!)
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards - 42 miles (the farthest away, but the most asked about by our visitors!)
For the Adventurers: Orange is known by out-of-towners for two things: our abnormally large Sheetz and skydiving. Just 4.5 miles from Madison at the Mill you'll find Skydive Orange, the largest skydiving center in the northern Virginia and D.C. area! If you're feeling super adventurous . . . we will fully support you from the ground!
Our dear friend (and one of my past brides!), Carrie, on her dive at Skydive Orange!
And speaking of staying on the ground, we are also close to some epic hiking trails AND the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway.
White Oak Canyon - 28.3 miles (super cool waterfalls!)
Old Rag - 30.6 miles (this one is tough!)
Hawksbill - 49.6 miles (amazing views!)
If you're more into water sports, we are also near the Rapidan River Kayak Company and Lake Anna, where you can find rentals for boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and more!
For the History Lovers: I was MOSTLY kidding about being known for Sheetz and skydiving. Orange is also known as the home of James Madison! You'll find Montpelier, JMad's home, just 5.6 miles from the Mill! (I can call him JMad because I'm a JMU grad. ;))
also nearby:
Thomas Jeffesrson's Monticello - 29.1 miles
You'll also find all the Civil War sites and battlefields that your history-loving heart could desire in our area.
Whew! So that's all just from the top of my head (and Robert's). There are so many other fun antique shops, restaurants, historical sites, hikes, and art galleries nearby. Whatever you're looking for when you visit Orange, let us know! We're happy to help you make a fun wedding weekend itinerary.
Come see us soon!
-Shalese