Theatres in Orange: A Walk Around Old Towne Orange Plaza

Begin your Old Towne Orange walk at Plaza Park, the district’s central gathering point.

The Plaza was laid out in 1886 and has remained in continuous use since then. Its central park fountain dates from 1937, giving you an easy landmark to find before setting off along Glassell Street or Chapman Avenue.

The City of Orange describes Old Towne as California’s largest Nationally Registered Historic District. The Plaza Historic District includes 53 buildings, 35 of which are historic and contribute to the district’s significance. Take time to look at the buildings around the square before continuing into the surrounding streets.

If you are planning a Saturday visit, the Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market takes place in Old Towne every Saturday. The market can fit naturally into a plaza-first walk; check the official City of Orange site before you go for current practical details.

The streets around Plaza Park extend the walk through Old Towne’s historic district.

After seeing the fountain and the buildings around the square, follow the nearby streets at an unhurried pace. The district’s historic character is visible in its collection of buildings, including the contributing structures in the Plaza Historic District.

Chapman University is another point of interest, and the Chapman University visitor guide covers practical details for planning a campus visit.

If you are building a wider museum itinerary beyond Old Towne, the MUZEO museum in Anaheim is another option.

Musco Center for the Arts is a Chapman University performance venue in Old Towne Orange.

Musco Center is at One University Drive, off Glassell Street between Palm Avenue and Walnut Avenue, just north of the Orange Circle. Other Chapman venues include Waltmar Theatre and Folino Theater. Check the event listings for performances and ticketing details, since schedules and availability vary.

Chapman University is about a 10-minute drive from Villa Park Motel. For a Musco Center performance, allow time to park and get seated: the center recommends arriving one hour before the performance and being seated 10 minutes before showtime.

Free event parking is available in the Anderson structure next to the theatre and the Barrera structure at Sycamore and Lemon streets. Event parking registration is required.

Old Towne has paid street and lot parking, a free parking structure and surface lot, and public transport connections.

The Old Towne paid-parking program operates seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Rates and time limits depend on location.

Plaza Circle on-street spaces are $2.00 per hour with a 3-hour limit; other paid on-street spaces are $1.50 per hour with a 3-hour limit. City Lots 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 cost $1.25 per hour, with 4-hour limits.

City Lot 10, at 130 N Lemon St., is a free parking structure and surface lot. Follow posted signs for time limits. For current parking rules and event arrangements, check the official City of Orange and Musco Center sites before you go.

If you are arriving without a car, Amtrak and Metrolink serve Orange Station, which is steps from the Plaza. OCTA buses stop near Old Towne. Drivers can reach the district via the 22, 57 and 55 freeways.

Where is the Orange Plaza?

Plaza Park is at the intersection of Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue in Old Towne Orange.

What theatres are in Old Towne Orange?

Chapman University’s performance venues include Musco Center for the Arts, Waltmar Theatre and Folino Theater. Check listings for current events and ticket information.

Is there free parking near the Orange Plaza?

City Lot 10 at 130 N Lemon St. is a free parking structure and surface lot. Follow the posted signs for time limits.

Can you reach Old Towne Orange by train?

Yes. Amtrak and Metrolink serve Orange Station, which is steps from the Plaza.