Whether it’s a planned destination or a last-minute stop on your road trip, the West Texas city of Odessa is a great place to spend a few days relaxing and exploring.
From grabbing a beer at the local brewery or strolling through the park, to staying at Ocean Front Properties’ RV park near Odessa, there is no shortage of fun activities to try.
As such, it can be difficult to decide how to spend your time here. If you need some itinerary inspiration and help planning your days, here are 10 things you can do to make your Odessa trip a memorable one:
1. Visit Odessa’s Stonehenge Replica
You don’t have to fly to England to enjoy the beauty of a 3,000 BC prehistoric monument. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa is home to an incredible Stonehenge replica that almost perfectly matches the original structure. Here, you can meander through the large, perfectly placed limestone slabs and learn about the history of this incredible British landmark that took over 2,000 years to build.
2. Enjoy Shakespeare at Odessa College’s Globe Theatre
While visiting Odessa, you can take a little trip to the past at Odessa College’s Globe Theatre — a beautiful reconstruction of the original. The theatre puts on an annual Shakespeare Festival where they perform well-known works such as Macbeth, As You Like It, and Hamlet. Considered to be highly unique to Odessa’s West Texas culture, The Globe Theatre offers an incredible venue to enjoy the arts.
3. Relax at Ocean Front Property’s RV Park
There’s no better way to truly enjoy the city of Odessa than by staying at Ocean Front Property’s RV park in nearby Kermit, Texas. With cozy cabins, expansive trailer pads, and exceptional amenities, you can kick back and relax for a few days in this fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Guests and residents will enjoy a fully-equipped fitness center, clubhouse kitchen, outdoor pool, game areas, and multiple different courts for their kids’ favorite sports. Stress-free and located less than an hour from Downtown Odessa, Ocean Front Property’s RV park is one of the best places to stay.
4. Shop and Listen to Live Music at Music City Mall
With all the major department stores and unique, local shops, Music City Mall is the perfect spot to fulfill your retail therapy needs and purchase a few souvenirs in Odessa. What makes it even more of a tourist and local favorite is the live music on stages within the mall that all customers can enjoy.
5. Picnic at McKinney Park
Take the family out for a fun day under the sun at McKinney Park. With covered picnic areas and a large sprayground for the kids, this park is a local favorite in Odessa. Take your pup for a walk, play catch with the kids, or break out the wine and relax in the sun.
6. Tour the Historic White-Pool House
For a little bit of Odessa history, you can tour the White-Pool House, which was built in 1887 and then opened to the public in 1984. Known as the oldest surviving structure in Odessa, the interior rooms parallel two significant periods of history — the pioneer era and the oil boom. Whether you are a history buff or are looking for a budget-friendly activity to enjoy with the kids, the White-Pool House offers a fun way to explore some of the town’s important past through admission-free guided tours.
7. Try an Escape Room
Looking for a little action and thrill for the whole family? Try to solve clues and break out of an escape room. Cinergy’s Extreme Escape Rooms in Odessa features an exciting way for families and friends to collaborate and test each other’s puzzle-solving skills in an intriguing atmosphere.
8. Grab a Drink at Frisky Brewing Company
Indulge in a delicious meal and frothy beer at Odessa’s Frisky Brewing Company. With a huge beer list, you can go on a tasting-spree to find your new favorite drink and relax under the Odessa night sky.
9. Jump Around at Altitude Trampoline Park
With more than 30,000 square feet of trampolines, Altitude Trampoline Park is another action-packed activity to enjoy in Odessa. Plus, this family-friendly entertainment zone goes beyond trampolines; there’s also the wipeout zone, trapeze bar, extreme dodgeball, trampoline basketball, battle beam, rock wall, foam pit, and a kid’s court. With so many exciting options, there is something for every member of your group to enjoy.
10. Skate at McM ICE!
A great place to visit in Odessa, McM ICE offers low-cost ice skating. With open skating sessions for multiple hours every day, you can stop by any time and sail across the ice. Plus, McM ICE offers a refreshing reprieve from the sweltering Texas heat.
For a small city, Odessa packs a punch when it comes to fun things to do. With many local spots, historical landmarks, and family-friendly activities, Odessa is an extremely underrated Texas destination.