The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

A lot of the artworks and sculptures set up in Smither park are from the local artists and this Centre. The Orange show center is a very inclusive, open-minded organization that welcomes everyone from all art skills and talents. With multiple locations across Houston, and events like a scavenger hunt, I'm always delighted to see what new displays and events they have yearly. I'd definitely say check them out!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience the Orange Show Monument itself, but stumbling upon the art cars and installations behind the Orange Show Center was a delightful surprise! Smither Park nearby added to the artistic charm. While I missed out on the main attraction, this glimpse was enough to pique my interest for a return visit. Can't wait for the restoration process to finish. Don't miss exploring this creative oasis!

Visited Smither Park, part of The Orange Show Empire. Definitely has the Houston Weird/Houston Cool vibe.

It's a quirky Houston landmark that reminds me of the Watts Towers in LA in terms of intent and construction, but doesn't possess its grandeur. If you have time, it's worth checking out. Google maps struggled to get me there; I made a lot of uturns to find it.

Got very lucky and was able to get some tickets to go finally see what this was all about. My family and I enjoyed art a lot and love to check out awesome places. Not very big but so many things to look at while there! They even have a fun little scavenger hunt to play while there. Definitely a fun thing to check out if you have never gone to see it! A lot of love and work was put into this place.

Very fun artist creative venue. Friendly staff and great show

I'm honestly surprised at how many people love this place in the reviews. And how many would bring their children there. If I could give 0 stars I would. I will say, there are a few things that are visually striking and fun to look at, but those do not outweigh the bad. I'm never the type of person who feels like a place is dark/scary/dangerous, I usually am a positive person and expect the best in people/places. Seriously, not much gets to me. But this place gave me the serious creeps. Towards the end of touring around, I felt like I was suffocating and couldn't breathe. I couldn't get rid of the feeling for at least an hour after leaving (and I know it wasn't a health issue). I'm all for whimsical and creativity, but the combination of weird clowns and mannequins and borderline demonic worship of oranges, I felt like I was in a horror movie. (Not to mention whatever that scraggly, leathery whip looking thing was)

Art installation and event venue, with rotating artist work shops. A unique Houston specific place to check out.

Easy street parking! Fantastic beginner mosaic glass at Smither Park. Offered first and third Saturdays, in Smither Park. Register on line. You will love the class and the park is amazing. Too many mosaics to photograph for this review!!!

I must've came here like when I was five or eight years old I can't remember. That was a long time ago. My uncle brought us here for some sort of show. I want to say it was some sort of doll show or art show I can't remember. It was years ago. Probably 35 years ago if I had to be exact. We're here we are again. On a cold winter day me and my girlfriend decided to to come check out the orange show. I'm glad we did. It's a very unique place. Lots of cool looking art. One of a kind. You gotta love Houston for stuff like this. Kind of gives you just that nostalgia feeling. I can't remember how long ago this was made but it's pretty old. I believe this is some sort of historical home now. Or a free exhibit for the community I can't remember actually but if you never been here before I highly recommend you come by and stop by and see it. Houston history.

If you are like me and love weird folk art installations by eccentric locals, you might enjoy this place. It was built by a Houston postman who had a robust appreciation for oranges. It doesn't seem to have a point (other than glorifying oranges) and leaves you with more questions than answers. However, I suppose that's the beauty of it. VISITING: -Open Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm -Tickets are about 5 bucks -Advanced reservations are required -- you can purchase tickets on the website (the demand isn't massive, we bought ours the night before) -When you buy the tickets, it tells you that you're signing up for a guided tour. However, when we arrived, we were told the tour is self-guided since they don't have enough docents. A bit disappointing but I get it -- getting people to give tours for free isn't easy. The self-guided tour didn't include any sort of audio or pamphlet or online link. The girls working the counter were nice enough to provide a brief background on the space/creator. So if you don't know much about the site, either do your own research or ask them for an intro. -Bathrooms on site. However, they aren't the best facilities (to be expected). They don't have doors (just curtains) and there isn't enough room for a person to sit on the toilet without pushing out the curtain, haha. Also, paper towels were out. Needless to say, try not to go #2 here. -Finding the place was a little tricky as my GPS got confused and kept sending us in circles. If this happens, just refer to the map. It's a right on Munger, off the Gulf Freeway. Located right next to Smither Park. Once you're on Munger, you can't miss it. -Make sure you stop at Smither Park next door. Small but really cool park with lots of mosaic sculptures. Overall, a cool piece of folk art history in the Houston area. Not going to complain about the lack of docents or amenities as I doubt they have much of a budget. They are managed by the same folks that manage the Beer Can House, Smither Park, and the Art Car Parade. Thankful that there are people working to preserve/create art in the Houston area.

What rhymes with Orange?! Nothing. Just like nothing compares with the Orange Show. Ever wonder what would happen if you built a giant shrine to oranges and living well? This guy seems like he had a bit too much time and tractors and building supplies on his hands, and built an entirely whimsical and imaginative creation in the south of Houston. This place is really cool- it's a shrine to what's possible if you just want to express yourself. I guess back in the 70's or so when this place was built, they didn't have building codes and inspectors. Houston's still a bit of the Wild West when it comes to building codes. Hence, this wildly weird place - where you can see an entire attraction based on oranges. I totally have an Orange Crush on this place. Parking is easy, and be sure to check the website to see when it's open and buy tickets. This place is run by an art collective that also runs Smither Park, down the street (totally worth seeing!) and the Art Car Parade, and the Beer Can House- all of which I highly recommend. I picked up the book from this place that tells you how to live to 100 years old. I googled the author (and builder of the Orange Show)- spoiler alert- he didn't make it.

The Orange Show was created by Jeff McKissack, a US Postman who decided to create this attraction, based on his favorite fruit (the orange). Mr. McKissack believed that the secret to a healthy and long life was to work hard and eat oranges. You will find slogans or stories that talk about staying positive in your life, which seem a bit hopey and sappy for me. You will also find signs that also encourages eating oranges regularly. Mr. McKissack began working on The Orange Show in 1956. He created it because he wanted to be known for his art, which was different from Mr. John Milkovisch, whom just wanted to to build his home for himself. The Orange Show is built from a mix of bricks, tiles, plates, fencing, etc. This made up of walkways, an arena and balconies. Mr. McKissack worked on this until he died in 1980. It is interesting to know that one person set out to build something to try to leave his mark in the world and achieved just that. The Orange Show Center For Visionary Art (a non profit organization) now looks after this attraction (the same folks that also take care of the Beer Can House and Smither Park). The Orange Show is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 am- 5 pm and admission is $5 per person. To be honest, my husband and I just thought this attraction was okay and liked the Beer Can House much more. If there was a guided tour, I think we would have appreciated the attraction more (as we had a guided tour at the Beer Can House). I don't feel that this place is worth the visit, but if you are looking for something outside of the box to do while you are in Houston, and also want to check out Smither Park (free and just a few houses down), then maybe you can consider coming. Parking is street parking only (but free). This place is not wheel chair friendly.

When I lived in Houston, I tried several times to tour the Orange Show, and it never quite worked out! (I was definitely frustrated more than once by it not being open during the hours it was meant to be according to the website.) But that ended this weekend when I visited Houston with a friend. I can now say that I have toured the weird structure that is the Orange Show! So what is the Orange Show? It's a sort of folk art monument/structure/creation of a Houston postal worker named Jefferson Davis McKissack. From 1956 to 1979, he worked on this structure. It's 3,000 square feet that's part maze, part museum, part stage; it was a wishing well and decks, and a gift shop... It's really hard to explain! Basically, McKissack was a little obsessed with oranges. He thought that by eating oranges and avoiding a few other things (stress/cigarettes), we could all live to be 100. The Orange Show is his monument to the orange. For $5, you can enter the Orange Show and explore on your own or take a guided tour. We opted for the guided tour, and I'm glad we did - the Orange Show is all over the place, and the guided tour helped us understand more about McKissack's inspiration for the structure! The Orange Show is unique and strange and kind of wonderful. It's worth exploring for sure. But check their hours and make sure it'll be open when you're planning on heading over! What a weird Houston attraction!

This is another interesting and uniquely Houston opportunity. It is only a $5 entry fee (cash or credit) to explore into the mind of the late Houstonian Jeff McKissack. Though definitely very eccentric, we had a fun time exploring this space. The Orange Show is built on the plot of a traditional house in the middle of a neighborhood, and is surrounded by other houses and a park nearby. Essentially this man believed that oranges were just the perfect fruit and wanted to share that information with everyone. He also developed a life-code of sorts that included being stress-free and no drugs or alcohol, and believed that you could live to be 100 years old if you abided by these guideposts. He even wrote a small book about it, which can be purchased at their merchandise booth inside. Anyway, he built this structure, which in his mind would compare to the Astrodome or Disneyworld to become the 9th Wonder of the World, as a sort of homage to all things orange. Everything within this odd collection can be explained back to oranges. The interior is set up as an arena of sorts. Imagine if you told a high schooler to create a stage with seating out of whatever they could salvage...and you will have a pretty good idea of the interior. You can tell that he put a lot of thought and care into how he assembled this space. It took him over the 20 years that it took him to put it together single-handedly. Overall very interesting, though some parts have become very worn down over the years (and have warnings not to go beyond certain points). If you're looking for something different to do, this is it.

A day trip inside the city. Jeff McKissack, a mail carrier in Houston built this on a small lot near his wood frame house in the east end into The Orange Show in homage to his favourite fruit. It also serves as a conduit for the arts most notably the art car parade, but also the beer can house, and numerous outreach and education. A must see an explosion of folk art.. this is a must see and a cheap one at that tickets are 5$ tours must be arranged in advance at https://www.orangeshow.org/tours a precaution for COVID -19

Booked a private tour for my daughter's last day as a 12 year old. Booked it online per instructions & received confirmation. Upon arrival my daughter said "it looks like tetanus the exhibit" No one was there, & after calling, I eventually got a curt voicemail that didn't take much responsibility or offer much apology. Just blaming their own website & saying they were "gonna refund me". It's actually a Houston legacy & a shame they aren't being better stewards/ambassadors.

The Orange Show is really cool in a eerie sort of way. A man devoted so much time in trying to create something so spectacular that it would rival the Astrodome, however the reality is far from it. Nonetheless, his creativity and efforts are still greatly appreciated by Houston and the art community (probably not his neighbors though haha). His works (among many other local art landmarks) have been preserved carefully by the orange show team and volunteers. Entry is free and donations are appreciated. The entire complex can be take just 15-30 minutes to easily peruse through, however everyone varies. During certain schedules, events and miniature concerts are shown here but I have yet to come to one of these. I hope the team continues to do a great job in preserving these local treasures for many years to come!

Hands down the best thing in Houston. It is an absolute must see. I AM NOT JOKING AND I AM YELLING! Seriously. Go here and be glad that a retired postal worker named Jeff McCissack built this sculptural homage to the Orange BY HAND! HIMSELF! He thought that Million people would visit in the first year. Sadly his projections fell short but you should still go. Then visit the wonderful Smither Park next door because it was built by volunteers who love the Orange Show.

If you are reading this and have never heard of The Orange Show, please go wiki it, then return. I'll wait... Jeff McKissick was a man possessed by a love of oranges. You heard me. That round fruit that you see on the Chinese buffet or remember as something your mom put in your school lunch was this man's passion. He loved all things oranges and all things humanity. He believed his found art displays would inspire and draw huge crowds, only the world didn't get Jeff McKissick. He was, and sort of, still remains...a man ahead of his time. In order to figure out The Orange Show you'll need a special sociological lens turned to "optimist" and you'll need to really want to be open when you are here. To be honest I had never heard of Jeff or this place up until five years ago. While I won't get into my personal biz on a foodie website, I will say that when sitting during rounds of chemo I had a collection of quotes and passages that helped me through. Think of it as my own personal Rob Schneider in "The Waterboy": "You can do it!" sayings and paragraphs were written down in my notebook and when I was weak and vulnerable all I'd do was read them and feel just a tad stronger. One of my favorites was from Vash Young's book "A Fortune to Share", a book that I had purchased from an estate sale in 2011. I love the smell of old books and they were selling this small trunk of old books for $20. I bought the thing simply because I wanted the smell. I didn't look until later at the actual books. There in the trunk it sat and a page was dogeared about scarecrows. That passage never left my head. A few years later when I was going through life, I saw pictures someone on one of our chemo message boards had taken at The Orange Show. I saw my scarecrow passage. I began to cry because I thought at some moments I had dreamt the whole damn thing, but there it was, in color. Jeff McKissack, thirty five years or so before I needed it had put my quote there. The Orange Show wasn't and isn't just about love of oranges. It's about a love of life, of whimsy, of hope. If you walk around you'll see the same words printed over and over on different items: LOVE, KIND, SUPPORT. These pieces were his way of expressing love for everything. He built a stadium for me, for you, for everyone. If you don't get it, then that's because you didn't look hard enough. There's no great transcendental moment. He just wanted to make you feel happy like he did making it. I wanted to go for several years, but I wanted to make sure I got to take my kids there with me. I wanted to stand in the spot next to the scarecrow because there were times I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to. I ugly cried and felt...gratitude. Look, I'm not sure this place is for everyone but I know it was built FOR everyone. You might go and think it's just junk. Hopefully you go and see that any day alive is a great one...just like the sign inside says.

So it's been a few years since I originally first visited this place. I came here back then looking for something different to showcase Houston. And I was a bit disappointed. But since then I have been back to this place for other reasons, most recently the art car ball. I must say this place is more that just a "local flavor", it's a place for live music, and overall a place of gathering. I see the the uniqueness now that I've been able to take it all in.

Do you like quirky things? If so, you'll get it in spades here - but that's not a bad thing. Heck, pull up a chair and sit by me; I'm sure you'll have some interesting stories to tell me. And, another benefit of oddball places is that it makes your own oddities look more mainstream. Win for everyone! My old college friend, Six Choir Guy, had taken the day off so we started with breakfast at a new place for us then we decided to check out The Orange Show ("TOS") afterward before I dropped him off at Jones Hall for a choral practice and performance. Thus, he lived up to his nickname yet again. The man is addicted to singing. If there was a "Singers' Anonymous", he'd be a founding member. Located off of the Gulf Freeway near the University of Houston, TOS was the brainchild of Jeff McKissack, who collected various castoffs from downtown construction sites and fused them together in a vibrant eclectic mélange to lauding the orange. Now, I love my premium low-acid OJ but I don't think I'd go to the lengths that Mr. McKissack did for one of my favorite fruits. You definitely won't find me inflating the ego of pears since I don't like them. Arriving on a balmy mid-morning in July, the docent (Lennie) spied us from the house across the street, ambled over, collected our $1 admission fee each, and gave us a quick primer. She was very genial and welcoming but, since it was a Texas July morning, I wanted to get on with exploring before the Sun's death rays reached their fullest power. The place is colorful, whimsical, funky, and yet oddly rational in its use of the plot of land (a standard residential size) to maximize its wares. There is an outdoor amphitheater, which would make for some fun movie screenings in the fall. There is an exhibit room in the middle that is both blissfully air-conditioned with a window unit and offers a small paean to donors. And, there are various affirmative slogans laid out with tile along the exterior perimeter walls. Are there words that can describe the ephemeral nature of this place? Yes, but they pale in comparison of just scampering around, climbing up rickety staircases, eyeballing things, and lounging on the various metalwork chairs. The place is definitely not ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant and gleefully so. I think both kids and adults would have a great time hosting a party here - every Houstonian should spend an hour here to soak in some goofiness. At the least, it will give you something unique to talk about. I'd gladly go back to The Orange Show as well as show it off to tourists. *Check their website for visitor times since their funky selves are often reflected in odd hours. But, for $1, what do you expect?

What's not to love about The Orange Show? It is zany and fun in a special way - something I've never seen pulled off with such support for a such an unusual collection to their name. I can't imagine anything more fun than the organization that backs such local delights as the Art Car Parade and the Beer Can House. For just a dollar for adults (children under 12 are free), you can visit their Orange Show Monument on Munger Street and see the collection they have amassed through the years. It is a tribute to creativity and has surprises throughout that are sure to make for a memorable museum trip. Be sure to check their website for times as they vary throughout the year. Another little tidbit about the Orange Show Monument: it is available for private events. Certainly an unusual place that will generate a lot of interest in your wedding reception or corporate event. This is a place that must be seen to believe.

The attraction is quaint and entertaining. The customer service was very friendly and helpful, they made you feel like you are part of their community. My family and I had lots of fun and enjoyed the many things there are to see at The Orange Show. With many odd and wonderful structures and a scavenger hunt that can put up a challenge.

kind of have mixed feelings about this place but it clearly has a lot of emotional meaning to the man who dreamt of these abstract adventures. on one end, it is like a playground for adults, but on the other it can be confusing if one thinks to much about the underlying meanings. the story makes sense, but its failure to resonate in our minds is beyond sad when you think about its meaning to mckissack. I really enjoyed it and was glad to come! we were next door at smither park before checking out the works of art, and together they make a nice quick adventure. I hope that others can experience the joy, fondness and excitement mckissack intended, just keep an open mind!!

Not at all impressed... dangerous walkways... loose tiles. No oranges, what's the point. Wishing well full of trash and debris. This is no artist oasis. Also no oranges to be had. Apparently the artist believed oranges would make you live longer however he had a stroke at the age of 78.......so much for oranges.

If you haven't made it to the Orange Show yet, then shame on you! Well, perhaps not shame, but your Houston experience has been sorely lacking. In a city that is becoming rapidly gentrified and taken over by ugly condo complex after complex, the Orange Show is one of those rare spaces that has somehow managed to survive through the gracious patronage of Houston's arts community. I bet you've eaten an orange many times and never really gave a thought to the amazingness of this fruit; however, native Houstonian, Jeff McKissack sure did. The Orange show is his fantastic monument to this fantastic fruit. It is entirely of his own creation, fabricated out of found metal parts and painted all myriad of gorgeous, euphoria inducing colors. In fact, I can remember a lesser known song from several years ago with the lyric, "peeling an orange and I am feeling optimistic..." McKissack's structure could inspire that emotion in even the most hardhearted of people. I have never forgotten the first time I visited the Orange Show in highschool. Even now, just driving down the freeway and passing Munger street I think to myself, "Yup, that's where the Orange Show is," and I feel instantly happier. There is perhaps no adequate way to describe the Orange Show in words. Nothing will prepare you for its unique vision and also its weirder moments--old stuffed animals narrating the story of the orange in mosaic as you walk through a hallway and onto the next portion of the outdoor wonder. Maybe you won't become as passionate about the orange as Jeff McKissack, but simply paying a visit to this place is bound to inspire something inside you. Nowadays, the Orange Show also oversees Houston's Art Car Parade and other events central to the life of this city. You can also catch bands like Quintron and XiuXiu there periodically as well as films and other art-related shows. Just find a reason to go--you won't regret it!

just a walk thru to see this art installation and read the original story is a great way to spend an afternoon. It was a quiet day and we just sat on top enjoying the view, the breeze and the break from a normal busy life, a chance to sit and visit a little. Obviously passionate about oranges and health, but also hiding little treasures in plain site, especially if you're familiar with other Houston landmarks. You have to slow down to enjoy this one. Truly different. Cannot wait to attend an actual concert here. cute venue. Smithers Park next door is coming along nicely and another one that you have to slow down to actually see all the hidden treasures there. Orange Show struck me not a place to entertain you, but rather a place where you can create fun.

As a Houston native, I never heard of Orange Show before. It appeared to be a tourist attraction but it wasn't particularly occupied this Saturday afternoon. The beauty behind the Orange Show is the story of the creator and appreciating the minor details. Older reviews mention live concerts and shows but the worker mentioned that hasn't happened in years. He also mentioned a broken stair so be careful. The attention to detail such as the blue tiles cut out and oriented on columns , the color coordination of the seats, the green eyes painted on the statue- the Orange show is beautiful for how man with a vision was able to create something so beautiful and eclectic. Reading about his past as an Orange farmer and his interest in nutrition and health, I wish I could have met the creator. The Orange show represents Houston in a way, accepting of all types of people. The Orange show is located in a residential area, demonstrating an irony in the Orange show deteriorating materials across from a Range Rover in the house across. Anyways I would recommend the Orange show to anyone, especially for the imaginative

WARNING: Don't pull a me and think - 'eh, its just down 45, exit Telephone. Surely, I'll see it.' You won't and you'll get lost and you'll end up in a scary place. DO go. Once you see a concert at Orange Show, you will never settle for anything else. You can go anytime to tour it and you should if you have a free afternoon - you can't NOT be happy at Orange Show. But they're programming takes it beyond 'another Houston landmark that rocks' to a day/night that will go down in history! I went down to their Foam Raiser last night with Grass Skirt and Sideshow Tramps. and it WILL go down in history. It rocked!

I don't get it... I like offbeat things, but I missed the point of this one. I don't understand how you could spend more than 5 minutes there. Maybe it would be alright to walk through if it was free, but I don't see any point in going. Honestly, maybe I'm missing something... But from my experience it was a waste.

I found the Orange Show one day I was searching for something to do on a Sunday afternoon. I invited a friend and off we went to discover this little masterpiece Jefferson D. Mckissack created. The entrance fee is only a $1 donation (but you can give more!) The Show itself is a conglomeration of different art pieces and random objects he found or just created/built. The space is probably not more than 100 square feet (if that much). There you can find a wishing well, a little room with mannequins, a train and so on. I loved all the little quotes you can find in random places. The Orange show is definitely worth visiting at least once. Enjoy your trip!

Seriously, one of the most unique and interesting places in the city of Houston, the Orange Show is utterly fascinating and bizarre all at the same time. The "museum" is so odd and eclectic. It's a photographers paradise and a great place to just wander around. Every time you go, you'll discover something new. Interestingly enough, it is a GREAT place to hear a show. The tiny amphitheater has some of the surprisingly best acoustics in town. I've played there and seen bands there and it's a joy from both perspectives. Also, the organization behind the exhibit is first class and works with other notable artistic endeavors like the Beer Can House and Art Car Parade. This is a uniquely Houston kinda place and what makes Houston the wonderfully diverse place it is.

Came here on a school field trip back in the days. Can't say much about this place except that it is wack! And boy do they have orange juice. I mean OJ is always available. I had some myself, tasted just like the OJ you get from the supermarket. It is a nice piece of history and story but other than that really nothing special. It probably takes 1 hour to know the whole place like the back of your hand.

I visited here for Father's Day, at my husband's request. I wasn't sure what to expect. We started at the nearby park - they are clearly still working on the art in the park. Wonderful to observe the process. We really enjoyed it. Once Orange Show opened we "played around" exploring. It was interesting. I enjoyed the various quotes in the walls and columns. The biggest surprise was how much our kids enjoyed themselves, especially our 9 yr old daughter. (The boys are 11 and 14). She asked if we could return the next day! I would like to go back and see a band perform there.

Such a great establishment, so special to Houston. I love their connection to St. Arnold's brewery, art car parade, and the beer can house. This place is vital and speaks volumes about Houston's art scene. You can't truly call yourself a Houstonian till you have paid this place a visit. Check their calendar for events, that's the most fun. I know pumpkin carving workshop is coming up next month and some cool shows.

I had always heard of the Orange Show but never been. Do yourself a favor and go just a bit further up the street and visit Smither Park, instead. There are some mosaic art walls that are very fun to look at and take photos with. There is also an amphitheater where if you stand in a certain spot, and speak softly, you can hear yourself reverbed as if you were on a microphone. Also, when two people stand on opposite sides of the amphitheater, you can whisper and hear each other as if you were speaking right into each other's ear. As far the Orange Show, it's quirky and kitschy, for sure. My issue is that they charge the same admission to enter when there is no planned event as they do when they have live performances. The girl up front charged us $5.00 each and then apologized when we didn't find anything of real interest. They would be better off having a donation jar and a sign up front explaining that "Without your donation, it would be impossible to manage the upkeep of such an 'eclectic' attraction". Someone who manages the attraction approached us as we were leaving and offered us a couple of pumpkins. I thought that was a very kind gesture to make to us and did lessen the overall "we got duped" feeling we had. I would definitely look up their event calendar before thinking of going back.

The Orange Show is a folk-art environment - a monumental work of handmade architecture - in Houston's east end. It was built single handedly from 1956 until its completion in 1979, by the late Jefferson Davis McKissack, Houston postal worker. The outdoor 3,000 square foot monument is maze like in design and includes an oasis, a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop, and several upper decks. It is constructed of concrete, brick, steel and found objects including gears, tiles, wagon wheels, mannequins, tractor seats and statuettes. You just got to see this place. They have movies and bands from time to time. They show The 10,000 Fingers of Dr. T every year and it is a very unusual film but a must see to believe.

This is probably the strangest tourist attraction I've ever visited; an odd folk art installation full of insane poetry, oranges, disturbing mannequins, and even some sort of amphitheater, all of which apparently sprung from the mind of one intrepid Houstonian. I can't say I enjoyed this. But the Orange Show somehow epitomizes Houston's eclectic, ad hoc culture. Just go with the flow - and remember to vote! (you'll know what I mean when you get here).

Bittersweet and beautiful. An interactive artistic experience.. I had never seen anything like it and felt it was well worth the money.

Why would you give this place any less than 5 stars.........it's a Houston gem. It is so wacky that is hard to believe that the owner thought it could really be a successful park. Its a true oddity hidden in a neighborhood. You can google the orange show on youtube and there are videos of it when it opened and of the owner talking about his dream Houston park. very interesting and it is only a $1!!!!!!!!

I'm sad to give this place two stars because the story of this place is sweet and sad at the same time. The mosaics reminded me a bit of Gaudi's park in Barcelona in style but in a junky backyard way. I took my two kids and hubby since I insisted on the trip--everyone was (sadly) unimpressed. Other reviewers rave about it being great, but most go for an event/concert. I bet an evening concert would be fun there. We saw a group of people who planned a visit and brought oranges...they seemed to be having a good time...maybe they had mimosas too! :)

Jefferson McKissack was a tragic folk art genius. When he was building the Orange Show, he believed it would become a bigger tourist draw than the Grand Canyon. This didn't quite work out, despite how awesome the Orange Show is. It's a mazelike monument to the power and nutrition of oranges, with a carnivalesque vibe, and lots of found-object art. While it's not as spectacular as the Grand Canyon, you only need a $ to explore it. In the gift shop, you can buy an Orange Show t-shirt designed by Daniel Johnston. My flickr set of the Orange Show is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50568517@N00/sets/72157605714211570/

Not worth your money or time, even if you do appreciate folk art. They allowed me in without charging me and after 4 minutes of nothing when we are on our way out they charged me and my wife 10 bucks. The only good thing was the exit.

So much fun! I've been here twice and I love introducing new people to it! If only they were open Friday afternoons, they'd fit into my schedule better. One man's colorful concrete playground / outdoor exhibit on the real or imagined benefits of oranges. "When you eat an orange, you can truly say, 'I am getting chemicals left by the sea'". It's a Houston institution! Remember: "CLOWNS NEVER LIE"

Another wacky piece of Houston outsider art (we somehow ended up doing quite the tour). Definitely do the scavenger hunt; although word to the wise: you only need to count the big hearts in the side show stage and not ALL 1304 tiny heart tiles... Whoops! Apparently that was a first, per the docent. While there was a lot that was interesting, there were parts that left us all feeling a little depressed. Houston postman Jeff McKissack built the Orange Show thinking it'd be bigger than Disneyland, but when the crowds failed to materialize, McKissack fell into a depression and died of a stroke 7 months later. It's tough to wallow in someone else's failed dreams, but I suppose there's some consolation in the fact that his art and vision are being enjoyed by many now.

Amazingly weird... this place should be a must visit for anyone that visits or lives in Houston. The story behind this place is ridiculous and other reviews do a good job of summarizing it, so I won't retell it. It is one of those places that must be seen to be believed. Mr. McKissack was incredibly resourceful and actually pretty talented; he was just a bit... misunderstood. Go visit, you won't forget it!

This is really a great place to visit and experience. The only reason I am giving this 4 stars is because its really something you can do in about 15 minutes (unless you are actually there for a show) and it isn't free. Don't get me wrong, it is really cool and quirky. I have 2 small kids, next time we will stick to Smither park, right next door which is also just as creative and fun.

Great little spot that remains to be the pride of the neighborhood. If your ever on the south side of Houston definitely pass by and check it. Very imaginative perspective on Art.

For music, a fantastic venue. You sit outdoors surrounded by what can only be described as a quirky atmosphere. St. Arnold's beer on draft, and fritos 2 for 1 if that's your style. Kids run around the knees of tattooed-pierced young people and folks my parents' age. The atmosphere is hard to describe as the stage is in what looks like a converted kiddie pool made of concrete, surrounded by multiple elevated platforms with old subway bucket seats topped off with metal sculpture adornments in fluorescent colors. The acoustics were surprisingly good. Shows are infrequent but keep an eye out. This is a unique locale with definite Houston charm.

McKissack was an interesting man, in love with oranges. I've now had the benefit of enjoying the fruit of his labor: The Orange Show. It is a really cool attraction. Listen to the guides spiel for a couple minutes, then wander around looking at all the cool pieces McKissack collected and assembled to create the grounds. When I saw the theater area, I thought how cool it would be to see a show here--and seeing the reviews I now know that it apparently happens! I can't wait to come back again, hopefully for a show, and I think it is a great place to take out-of-town visitors, as we did this past weekend.

If I could give this disaster no stars I would. As a native Houstonian, I understood for years that this is one of the top tourist sites in Houston. On Saturday, we took my visiting daughter and her fiancé to see this mess and the Art Car Museum. At least the museum was free. We had to pay $5 per person to see this embarrassment. It is dirty, run-down, dangerous because of the narrow stairs, and a total waste of our time and money. Is this what Houston offers its visitors as something to be proud of? My husband and I were embarrassed and we felt ripped off. Don't waste your time on this horror.

Pathetic. This collection of welded wheels and tractor seats along with various other strange items sadly portrays the lifetime achievements of a very unusual man. We were told: ultimately he died without achieving his lifelong goal of building a better juicer; a voice told him to name this the Orange Show; he believed it would be better than Disney world. Sadly, he must have lived in his own special reality. Sure, if there is a party going on, it might be fun if you don't fall into the "art". But, if you can't think of anything else to do, keep thinking. Even nothing would have been better than this. I would pay more than $5 not to go back. FYI: other "attractions" on their website are neither co-located nor included.

Eh. Sure this place is neat and quirky but it gets boring really fast. I actually thought it was going to be a place completely made out of "trash" and random objects but it wasn't. The guy/artist's story is great and it is interesting but don't make a trip to Houston to just visit this place because it only takes about 5 minutes to enjoy.

Love the Orange Show Monument! I love bringing new people who've never seen it before. A great story and great inspiration.

Sorry, I'm not a visual art person, if you are into it, this is the place for you. When you are done, just walk down the street at Smither Park to check out more art works.

One of the best things about this city. A treasure. Creative, whimsical, clever. A structure made of everyday items and discarded objects dedicated to the Orange. It's right in a residential area in not the best part of town. Makes it even more special.