Things to do

18 Memorable Things To Do In Odessa, Texas

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Odessa is a city in Texas that is situated in Ector County. Some of the famous places that one should visit include the Ellen Noel Art Museum the Presidential Museum and some other parks and museums.

There are also enjoyable events such as the Fiesta West Texas and the Shrimpfest. The climate is generally arid and hot distinctive of most parts of West Texas. Check the below list of memorable things to do in Odessa:

1. Look Around At Stonehenge Replica

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Stonehenge Replica is a cool life-size replica of Stonehenge. The structure provides some background detail on the original Stonehenge history and a description of the replica's construction and materials.

It is located at the entrance of the University of Texas Permian Basin. A very cool spot to stop by for a few pictures to explore. There's a nice paved walking path around it and several benches interspersed.

This free, public monument was built by the college and students as a replica of the original, including its celestial orientation.

2. Attend Various Events At Ector County Coliseum

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This is one of the attractions in Odessa Texas with good facilities and hosts the best events. It has everything that may require a place for holding events, the sale of food, and areas that allow you to enjoy the show decently.

It is easily accessible on the corner of Texas Highway 191 and Texas Highway 385. Being home to the NAHL Odessa Jackalopes hockey team, people from all over visit the premises for this game.

The coliseum is surrounded by different buildings. Those buildings are where the smaller special shows take place such as the gun and knife show. More so this is a meeting place for over 3,00,000 people in the area. Check their upcoming events from the Ector County Coliseum website.

3. Visit The Ellen Noel Art Museum

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Enjoy free entry to the museum which boasts multiple galleries both permanent and changing. The outdoor sculpture garden is a sensory experience and a peaceful area to listen to birds and admire nature and art.

You can see dresses worn by Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). There is also see a small portion of the President's archival material as well as two exhibits from the Ellen Noel Museum.

They also have a nice gift shop with fancy lotions, jewelry, soaps, blown glass knickknacks, stuffed toys, and a few shirts. Also, do not forget to check out one of the Bush houses behind the museum.

4. Catch A Play At The Globe Theater

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The Globe Theater continues to grow as a theatrical beacon of history, antiquity, and classical, and contemporary artistry. The annual Shakespeare Festival here hosts classical drama, operas, ballets, and chamber music events.

This theater is a replica of the famous Globe Theater from England except this one has a roof and temperature control. It doesn't matter where you sit, they have great seating.

There is even handicapped seating available though not in the front row. Besides plays by William Shakespeare, one can enjoy wonderful concerts by local artists. Occasionally, there are even special fun classes such as learning to sword fight.

5. Experience The Holiday Joy At McKinney Park

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McKinney Park holds the annual Christmas festival. The entire park is lit up during the holiday season and is visible from I-20. It can be used for jogging, walking, cycling or cycling, having a nice time with the family, etc.

This is a very big and attractive type of park featuring a children's play area, summer playground, and an area for softball, volleyball as well as tennis courts. It also has plenty of benches and picnic tables.

Also, being close to the Ector Middle School, the park hosts many ballgames as well as numerous events such as the choir performing or perhaps a special event for pet health. Visiting during the festive season is one of the best things to do in Odessa Texas.

6. Pay Respects At Chris Kyle Memorial

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The memorial focuses on Kyle's prolific military exploits and other veterans. It is a touching reminder of his service and sacrifice and that of others like him.

Chris Kyle was an all-American deadliest sniper and hero who deserves every bit of this memorial and more. If you look closely at the feet of the statue you can see the carved-in message by his family.

He holds the flag high and pushes forward as he always did with one of his signature instruments of protection. If you visit Odessa, please take the time to stop by this memorial and read his message.

7. Shop Around At Music City Mall

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Overall, Music City Mall is a tidy small mall worth only coming to for a few hours in the day. They provide several recreational and visiting interests that are quite desirable for the kids, making it preferable for families.

Apart from various stores, the mall also has an ice skating rink which operates throughout the year, an arcade, and bungee jumping. Throughout the Christmas festive season, the mall is surrounded by lights and other decorations.

Moreover, great events are held here like CPR classes and different musicals. One of the places in Odessa where you can get a lot accomplished with minimal stress. This is a win-win for parents, kids, and also young adults.

8. Explore The Presidential Archives and Leadership Library

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This is not a very large place but packed with the most wonderful exhibits. It is free and it only takes about 20 minutes to walk through.

The exhibits in the galleries include a storyboard for each president and the important aspects of their terms. It could be a campaign button, a coin, a bronze bust, etc. Each presidential collection is accompanied by dolls dressed in exact replicas of the First Lady's gowns.

The archive library is one of a kind, prestigious and unique. However, this is not just the Presidential Libraries but has some most interesting displays worthy of seeing if you are in the area.

9. Dine In At Rosa's Café & Tortilla Factory

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Looking for a quick scratch-made Mexican food meal? You can get it here and taste the freshness of the food at a reasonable amount.

Rosa's has very good breakfast meals and the setting is kind of like a fast food restaurant. Whatever you eat do not forget to grab a dozen fresh tortillas to take home. They have a nice salsa condiment bar where you can get mild, spicy, or hot salsa.

Remember to purchase the chips when ordering your meal. You order at the counter and then pick it up when they call out your number. If you use the drive through you are sure to be impressed with the speedy service.

10. Take An Odessa Mural Tour

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There are several murals painted in Odessa for people to be able to experience the uniqueness of this city. These murals are situated in downtown and all of them are paintings with a story to be told.

One is the Odessa Mural Fest which is held in May. This is an event where artists paint new murals right before the eyes of the audience for instance the 'day in mural' event. It also comprises jovial events such as live music and any form of food vendors.

The 'Odessa Loves Jazz' mural is dedicated to jazz culture in the city and 'Coats of Many Colors' greets musicians and alludes to the Dolly Parton songs. Another mural titled 'Whistlestop' refers to Odessa as a railway stop.

11. Tour The Historic White-Pool House

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This historic house is designed in a 19th-century format and is one of the oldest remaining structures in Ector County. It also serves as a great little venue for small weddings and parties.

The celebrations keep the museum open and free to the public. It is worth a visit to this one of the maintained attractions in Odessa even if to do nothing more than stroll the grounds. It's a lovingly restored and significant piece of West Texas history.

It holds the two-storey, Victorian farmhouse, appointed with period pieces and family heirlooms. It only takes about 20-25 minutes to tour around. Visit the White Pool House website to learn more about their policies.

12. Enjoy At Cinergy Odessa Featuring EPIC

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Located in Midland, the cinema is more than just movies. Giant screens, reclining chairs with a full menu delivered to your seat, a bowling alley plus climbing course arcade games, and multiple VR headset games make it a popular hotspot.

If you are after bowling, try to reach late evening to secure prime bowling lanes without much wait time. Be aware, that this is a cashless venue, but you can purchase and reload your fun cards in the lobby.

One pleasant surprise is the efficiency of the snack line at the movies; it moves quickly, allowing you to grab your favorite treats without a long wait.

13. Racing At Rimrock Raceway

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The Rimrock Raceway track is over 50 years old and includes some extra twists and a sloping turn. You can rent or buy go-karts for racing here.

The venue leaves an outstanding experience that leaves a lasting impression on the visitors. Because they use superlative, they are known to be the best in town. The track has a lot more grip, the steering is tight and heavy (in a good way), and the karts are genuinely quick.

You can also see your best lap time at the end and the length of a race. There is a nearby Victory Lane Bar with great taste in music. Overall the raceway and bar are some of the absolute favorites for date night, or an entire family outing.

14. Take Your Kids To Altitude Trampoline Park

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This place appears so much larger. There is a basketball hoop area, wall climbing area, puggle sticks, a small area for small children, a diving board into foam squares, a trapeze into foam squares, and a dodgeball area.

Kids will definitely love it and also very enjoyable for the adults. They have a party section, and the staff is very helpful and always on top of it when you need something.

The venue prioritizes quality and maintains a clean, pleasant atmosphere. This is among the perfect things to do Odessa Texas to burn off some energy and have quality time with your kid. Also, look forĀ things to do in Texas on the weekend.

15. Browse From Wide Collections At La Boutique Excentrique

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They sell furniture, home decor, and many gift accessories among them. This boutique holds unique products and it has items that both male and female, young and the elderly can purchase.

They are well placed at Parks Legado Town Center since people visit the store when shopping, and while doing other errands. Their products are unique and perfect for gifting purposes such as housewarming ceremonies, baby showers, or birthdays.

Also, they have some enjoyable graphic tees that seem to attract a lot of people. The boutique is open five days a week except for Sunday and Monday.

16. Take The Utpb Trail

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The UTPB Trail is a beautiful walking and exercising area located in nature. It is in the University of Texas Permian Basin and is a strip center. This one has around 5 miles of walking, hiking, and biking all through the trail.

There are three options of hiking trails; the inner loop, the outer loop, or the nature trail. They are for all levels and all the trails allow dogs. There are no steep hills around the trail, and thus anybody can easily access the area.

However, this is not the only Odessa TX attractions ideal for hiking and biking and Odessa has many such trails.

17. Witness Summer Concerts At Noel Heritage Plaza

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A delightful park next to the Ector County Library. There are outdoor concerts in summer and all year one can admire beautiful running fountains, and gorgeous sculptures to keep the kids engaged.

The plaza has a columned patio, green grass, and plenty of trees. It is positioned between two building areas, so there are copious places to park.

Great place to spend a Friday evening with the family, especially when they have concerts. The park provides lots of activities for kids and playing options.

18. Book A Room At Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

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Located at 305 East 5th Street, the hotel is within walking distance of other places to eat or drink. You need not leave once you are in for the night.

They have a very helpful staff, delicious food at the in-house restaurant, and a welcoming bar with many options. It will take one an average of 11 minutes to drive from the Midland International Airport.

Check-in is easy and the rooms are clean and large and presented comfortably. Plenty of amenities are provided for a homely stay including rooms with TV, coffee, desk, refrigerator, closet, and safe accommodation. If you have sufficient time, look at theseĀ things to do in Texas today.