Blog title is inspired by a quote from Frank Sinetra “Orange is the happiest color”
As I drive past trees and fields, I feel like I’m about to enter a place that is hidden in plain sight. While there is an historic presence filling the air, there is also a modern-day feel that is woven in with the old. Even in the cold, I see people walk the streets as if they don’t want to miss out on what’s going on around them. And as I go around each turn of the road, I smile and wonder what new things I’ll discover during my time here.
Orange is a town located about 1.5 hours north-west of Richmond. While Orange County has several official LOVE signs, the town has one located at Taylor Park with several other unofficial ones close by. My oldest had a wrestling tournament at their county high school, so I took advantage of being in the area and immersed myself into the town.
On my way to Orange, I stopped by two vineyards with unofficial LOVE signs. While they were closed, the gates were open and I was able to grab some quick pictures. The first, Chateau MerrilAnne Vineyard, where the website boasts “A most unlikely place to find such good wine!”. I completely got that sense and can’t wait to bring friends here to enjoy the nice open outside space. The second quick stop was Sweet Vines Farm Winery, just outside of Orange in Unionville. While I wasn’t able to see inside, it looked to be another great place to enjoy good vino and good times.
From there, I drove to the main town to visit Taylor Park and the official LOVE sign there (see pic at the top of this blog). It looked to be a quaint place that you might miss if you’re not looking for it. There were stone plaques along a brick wall paying homage to Alexander Spotswood. While it was too cold to stay outside long, I imagine this can be a peaceful place you can escape to while walking the town.
For lunch, I made reservations at Spoon and Spindle. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant with the rich colors on the walls and twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling. The menu offered a refreshing change to your typical americana eats, and the cocktail menu listed choices that would make a mixologist smile. I ordered their Grazer Salad with a Beet Margarita, both were awesome. Between the atmosphere and the food, I’ll definitely come back here again.
With my belly full, I decided to walk off some calories by visiting some local shops. First stop was Junktiques, and just viewing the outside told me this place was going to be fun. Here you’ll find various styles of antique furniture, kitchen/ glassware, old tools and a unique selection of vintage signs. They even had a beautiful wooden horse from a carousel displayed in the front window. It is definitely a place where someone could find a nice treasure at reasonable prices.
Next I made my way to The Arts Center in Orange. Here, they offer various creative classes, small gallery shows for viewing and artwork and jewelry for purchase. There is a lovely video that tells you more about the history and how the arts center came about. While it will only take a few minutes to view the place, if you love artwork, you’ll love taking a quick spin about the room. I left with a beautiful original painting of sunflowers that is perfect on my bookshelf.
Finally I took a stroll through Finders Keepers, where the tagline describes the place marvelously – “An eclectic blend of yesterday and today”. Here you’ll find an impressive display of well-quality style antique furniture, home decor, chandeliers, and other vintage collectibles. I purchased an old wooden level for my husband Brett (he collects them) and I’m tempted to go back for this beautiful antique medicine box that would be perfect for traveling.
My husband and our youngest have now arrived in Orange, so we grab a table at Forked on Main for dinner. This is another nice place that offers “Farm to Fork eatery with a laid back, modern Americana vibe”. We started off with their Wings and Capes and fried Calamari (which was delicious). Our main meals consisted of Shrimp Scampi Risotto, Pan Seared Salmon and Tuna Tartare. When you add good wine, freshly made cocktails and the historic downtown location, it made for a great evening meal for the three of us.
After dinner, I was thrilled by the view as we drove up to Mayhurst Estate luxury bed and breakfast . What a beautiful home! I could dedicate an entire blog to my experience here, so I’ll offer some highlights to help paint you a picture. The home has a wonderful history, being built in the mid-1800’s by Col. John Willis (President John Madison’s great-nephew). You might be greeted by the best host, Casey, who with her husband, transformed the home into the wonderful bed and breakfast it is today. The estate sits on 37 acres with beautiful gardens, outdoor seating and walking trails to enjoy. In addition to the lovely rooms, they offer wonderful add-ons such as bottle wine, fresh flowers, truffles and other items you can order ahead and enjoy when you arrive.
I reserved the Constitution Suite which included two bedrooms joined by a single bathroom. We enjoyed a beautiful view of the grounds, a gas fireplace and super cozy beds. The next day, we had eggs benedict with freshly squeezed orange juice and homemade blueberry scones. I am so glad that I discovered this place and I cannot wait to come back and stay again.
Orange is a place to love…
Orange is one of those Virginia towns filled with quaint shops, fun restaurants and historical sites that would excite any visitor. Time seems to move at its own pace here, providing the right atmosphere for travelers to explore and unwind from the everyday. And its central location makes it an easy place to escape and try something new. If you’re looking for a small town adventure with friends or family, definitely put Orange on your list.
| VA ♥️ Signs Visited | Official VA ♥️ Signs |
| 39 | 336 |
Need more info on Orange? Check-out Visit Orange Virginia.
Is this your first Leah LOVES Virginia blog post read? Thank you for taking the time to visit. If you’re wondering how this adventure got started, check-out my first blog post and my about page. Want to stay connected? It’s super easy and you’ll only hear from me when a new blog gets posted. You can also follow along by friending me on my Leah LOVES Virginia Facebook page.
Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything I include in my blogs are factual and that I also give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something included here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
Leave a Reply