Once a thriving mill town harnessing the power of the Millers River, Orange today, while still home to numerous industries, also seeks to capitalize on the nature and beauty of the river. Orange is the destination of the annual River Rat Race celebration, and plans are in place to create a Riverside Park near the center and the Millers River Greenway, a pedestrian and biking trail linking Athol and Orange.

 

Orange Center, graced in summer with numerous flower boxes, is also part of the revitalization, with North Quabbin Woods and energetic residents taking a leading role. The lovely Memorial Park and its moving Peace Statue, charming antique and gift shops, and other small businesses draw residents and visitors alike, as do musical and cultural events in the Orange Town Hall and special events like the Garlic & Arts Festival. Drivers delight in the scenic beauty of the river west of town, of the village of North Orange, and of Packard and Tully Ponds and Lake Mattawa.

 
Active recreation is also important in Orange. Tully Mountain and part of the Tully Trail lie within Orange; so do the North Pond Ridge and Chestnut Hill Trails. Three New England Forestry Foundation properties—the Fittz Family Memorial Forest, the Battle-Dorrance Memorial Forest, and Hosmer Woods—are open to exploration, as are Orange State Forest and the Tully Mountain and Orange Wildlife Management Areas.