90+ Things To Do in Odessa, TX This Summer
Have you been sitting inside just waiting for the heat to subside? We’re making it easy to have fun in Odessa this summer whether you’re an “inside and air conditioned” kind of Texas summer-er or a “bring the heat, as long as there is water” sort of person. We may even have you trying something new!
Here our list of things to do all summer long in Odessa, Texas:
Is one of your favorite summer things to do in Odessa missing from this list? We need to know! Email us and we’ll get it added.
Family Fun in Odessa, TX
Parks Legado Farmers Market - summer’s most popular farmers market. Catch this massive farmers market only once per month this summer. Next one is on July 10th from 8AM to 12PM.
4Kidz Fun Park - a local, family-owned indoor fun center. Enjoy their playground, warrior course, ball blaster area, and more.
Altitude Trampoline Park - fun for all ages. The whole family can let loose on this altitude trampoline park.
Big Sky Drive-in - grab your favorite snacks and head to this drive-in movie theatre. Movies start at 9:20PM.
Cinergy - movies, bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and more! What more could you want?
Diamond Lanes - you up for some bowling? Good fun and food, plus great prices.
Exotic Animals Experience - a drive-thru zoo between 11th and 16th Street on Tripp Avenue. Camels, zebras, and more!
Fab Lab at Odessa College - laser engravers, 3D printers, pancake bot, computer lab, virtual reality platform, and the list goes on. This fun, educational experience is one you don’t want to miss out on.
Jackrabbit Jamboree - can you find all of the jackrabbits? Make it a mission to find all of the jackrabbits scattered across Odessa.
MCM Ice - the only place you can go ice skating in Odessa. Go skate for fun or sign up for their skating classes.
Ratliff Stadium - the famous football stadium from Friday Night Lights. Bring the whole family and watch some summer games.
Rimrock Raceway - go karting for the whole family. Tuesday’s are Family Nights and Thursday’s are League Nights for the competitive racers.
Sherwood Family Aquatics Center - take a dip in their outdoor pool for a small fee. Family nights are on Tuesdays from 5PM to 8PM.
The Junior League Jurassic Jungle Sprayground - welcome to the jungle! This sprayground offers a variety of spraying, sliding, dumping, and cascading water features.
McKinney Park Sprayground - offers a variety of spraying and cascading water features. Picnic pavilions are available to rent and umbrellas on a first come first serve basis.
The Painted Potter - Take the family or your date for a wine and paint class. They also offer children’s classes throughout the week.
UTPB Park Sprayground - free to the public. This sprayground is a must for those with young kiddos.
Woodson Park Family Aquatics Center - swimming, concessions, and lots of fun. Family nights are on Thursdays from 5PM to 8PM.
UTPB Swimming Pool - The largest pool in Odessa is open to the public! Entrance passes can be purchased for one day or Family Membership passes.
Frozen Sweet Treats in Odessa
The Cool Zone - cool off this summer with a delicious snow cone. Try their Coke Float Dreamsicle.
Ella’s Tropical Treats Shaved Ice - isn’t just a regular snow cone place. Grab a snow cone with all the toppings you can think of - from fresh fruit to candy straws to cheesecake chunks and more.
Emilios Paleteria - fruity paletas that will make your mouth water. Also try their elote (Mexican street corn) and dorinachos.
Mango Tango - snow cones, Blue Bell ice cream, and more. We love their mango snow cones with tajin for a little spicy kick.
PopBar at Parks Legado - coming soon this summer to Parks Legado. Midland’s Popbar is expanding to Odessa and their popsicles are much needed to cool down in the summer heat.
Skoopy’s Island - a tropical themed ice cream shop that feels like a trip to the islands. Grab an ice cream cone and check out their fish tank.
Sno King - try their “Diablito” snow cone topped with chamoy or ice cream nachos.
Toys Paleteria - refreshing drinks, delicious snow cones, and savory snacks. We heard their cheetos with melted cheese is a must try.
West Texas Sno - half off on weekends. This snow cone shack serves all the goods to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Refreshing Food & Beverages in Odessa
Chelsea Tea’s - more than tea, we recommend a West Texas Sunset, Cookies n’ Cream Latte, or Strawberry LemonRita. Feeling a little extra? Add some glitter or bursting bobas.
Coffee 903 - whether you’re in the mood for a blended coffee, a fruit smoothie, or a pink dragonfruit iced tea, check out Coffee 903 in Odessa.
CPL Rays - grab an iced latte or RayRay’s Mocha. Plus you’ll be supporting a locally owned cafe with an endearing backstory.
Doughboy’s Cafe - this place off the beaten path doesn’t just make great donuts, but their savory breakfast items are delicious as well.
Good Life Nutrition - welcome to the good life! Delicious smoothies, açai bowls, and raw juices.
HTeaO - nothing better than a sweet tea on a hot afternoon. Happy hour is 2PM to 4PM.
Presotea - smoothies and teas galore. They have every tea you can think of + boba.
The Human Bean - making keeping cool and caffeinated easy. Grab an iced coffee in their double drive-thru or try a frosty granita.
Pho House - somedays there is nothing a boba tea won’t fix. Try the Tarot flavor!
Healthy Living Nutrition - grab a cucumber limeade topped with tajin for a refresh or a tasty nutritional shake.
Outdoor & Patio Dining in Odessa
Curb Side Bistro
Cork and Pig Odessa - stay cool with one of their seasonal cocktails while you sit on the shaded patio.
Frisky Restaurant & Brewing Company - Odessa’s local brewery. Enjoy some craft beers on a double-decker patio overlooking the Odessa Mountain bike park.
Grub Burger Bar - one of our favorite burger spots in Parks Legado. From burgers to salads to craft cocktails to boozy shakes, you can enjoy it all on their shaded patio.
Jack Jordan’s Bar-B-Que - good ole’ barbecue and seasonal crawfish. Did we say crawfish? You heard that right.
Press Cafe - a hidden gem located inside of the Sewell Ford Lincoln dealership. Gourmet breakfast, sandwiches and salads for lunch, and hot beverages make this a must-try spot.
Red Oak Kitchen - with a relaxed atmosphere, this Odessa restaurant has a cool little beer garden and patio perfect for a hot summer evening.
The Agave Bar - Permian Basin’s first Tequila bar with the largest selection of Tequilas. Gather your friends and relax with your favorite beverages.
Curbside Bistro - this stop is a two for one: delicious food + patio and amazing murals inside and out.
Odessa Marriott - sip a cocktail poolside and enjoy live music or one of their other fun events.
Dos Amigos - enjoy a beer and a band all in one place. This outdoor venue hosts concerts you will never forget.
SIDE Bar- one of the newer bar & restaurants to the Downtown Odessa scene, enjoy shade or full sun beside a fountain while you enjoy happy hour, lunch, or dinner.
Taqueria Guadalajara - what’s better than a huge wrap around patio with a frozen margarita in hand?
Shack in the Back - last but certainly not least on this sublist, Shack in the Back on a Wednesday, West Texas evening are a rite of passage here in West Texas.
Outdoor Recreation in Odessa
Comanche Trail
Bellaire Park - plenty of playgrounds for the kids to play. Enjoy a picnic under one of their pavilions.
Caprock Motorplex - also known as Penwell Knights Raceway. This premier state-of-the-art drag strip holds races on Friday and Saturday nights.
Comanche Trail - go for a walk or play some disc golf on this beautiful trail. There are lots of trees that make you feel like you aren’t in Odessa.
Comanche Trail Fishing Pond - grab your fishing pole and head on over to Comanche Trail’s fishing pond. Don’t forget your fishing license if you are 18 or older.
Floyd Gwin Park - While currently undergoing renovations, there is still plenty of green space and a public pool to enjoy at this city park.
Memorial Garden/Buffalo Wallow Park - features a sculpture garden, duck pond, and walking trail. Have a fun-filled time feeding the ducks, walking the trail, and having a picnic all in one place.
Monahans Sandhills State Park - just under an hour from Odessa, we recommend you head out early to the sandhills before the heat sets in. You can rent sand disks to slide down the dunes, have a picnic under their shaded areas, and pull your RV in for some camping. During sunset is a perfect time to get professional photos taken.
Noel Heritage Plaza - great place to wind down, have a picnic, or read a book. On weekends you can enjoy live musical performances.
Odessa Mountain Bike Park - biking trails the whole family will enjoy. From beginner to more skilled mountain bikers, you can all enjoy cruising across the West Texas terrain.
Paul Slater Park - the one and only dog park in Odessa. Bring the family and your furry friends to this off-leash dog park.
Progressive Park - Located near the hospital district, Progressive Park has many different play options for younger children.
Ratliff Ranch Golf Links - a beautiful golf course with rolling hills that sits on 125 acres. Day passes and annual passes available.
Ruben Pier Memorial Skatepark - skaters of all types and abilities will enjoy this skatepark in Odessa. If you’re into long boarding or practicing tricks on your penny board, this is the place for you.
San Jacinto Park - tucked into a neighborhood off West County Road, San Jacinto Park has a play area, a walking path, and huge trees that offer plenty of shade for your family’s picnic.
Sherwood Park - multiple playgrounds, slides, and structures to play on - not to mention an aquatics center and skate park. The kids will love climbing on their trademark octopus and ant structures.
UTPB Duck Pond - enjoy a West Texas evening with the kiddos at the duck pond next to UTPB. There is a short nature trail that you can explore as well.
UTPB Walking Trail - a trail with almost 5 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails to explore. Grab your sunscreen and plenty of water.
West Texas Motocross Park - situated just between Odessa and Midland is this motocross park. It is free to the public on Wednesday’s from 5PM to 9PM and Saturday’s from 12PM to 5PM.
Lake Nasworthy - up for a quick drive to some water fun? Just two hours from Odessa is Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo. It’s the closest lake where you can get on a boat and go wakeboarding.
Art & Photo Ops in Odessa
Hollywood Mural
Hollywood Mural - painted by Odessa High students on an abandoned movie house. This mural portrays Hollywood’s most famous actors in their best-known movie roles.
Butterfly Wings Mural - it’s a lot smaller than Nashville’s popular butterfly wings mural. It’s hard to find in downtown Odessa, but it’s worth looking to get some photos.
Visit the Chris Kyle Memorial - the best military sniper in U.S. history. This memorial commemorates Chris Kyle and his service for our country.
Doughboy’s Cafe Mural - this huge mural on the side of the cafe is a great spot for photos and an amazing homage to Odessa’s culture.
Curb Side Bistro - where else can you go where you greeted by a mural around every corner? Biggie Smalls greets you at the front door, Anthony Bourdain at the bathroom, and the mural you can enjoy from the patio
Ellen Noel Art Museum - unique, interactive art exhibits and music for all ages. Be sure to check out their summer programs and camps.
Graffiti Wall - secret graffiti wall on S. Meadow Ave in Odessa, Texas. The art is constantly changing and you’ll see a bunch of car lovers taking their car pictures there.
Henderson Drug Building - Odessa’s oldest drug store that was a popular place for gathering. You’ll find photos by the soda fountain and booths when this place was popping.
Longhorn Statue and Oilfield Mural - located at the corner of 4th and Grant Avenue. This 10-foot rusted steel Longhorn was made by sculptor Joe Barrington and Oilfield Mural is by artist Janet Pontious.
READ: Murals & Street Art of Odessa, Texas
Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery - located in UTPB’s Visual Arts building. Enjoy studio visits, lectures, and hands-on workshops.
Odessa Meteor Crater Museum - History and geography buffs in your family will dig this real-life meteor crater on the outskirts of Odessa. Go before the sun is truly out as there is no shade.
Parker House Ranching Museum - Looking for a historical site to visit in Odessa? Take a tour of the Parker House, one of the best ways to explore the ranching history of the Permian Basin while staying out of the sun.
Pecos Depot - a train depot built by the Panhandle Santa Fe Railway in 1982, now it is part of the Legendary Barn Door Steakhouse.
Permian Playhouse - Catch a performance of talented actors right here in the Permian Basin. This is a great spot to watch a play and also enjoy some much-welcomed air conditioning.
Post Office Mural - “The Stampede” mural was painted by Tom Lea for the historic post office, before it was relocated to Odessa’s city post office. The mural was inspired by the song “Little Joe the Wrangler.”
Presidential Archives & Leadership Library - go see the Hall of Presidents and embark on an informative journey through American history.
The Black Cat Tattoo Company - After the mass shooting that devastated our city, tattoo artists at the Black Cat Tattoo Company painted a mural to bring the community together. This mural reminds West Texans of how strong we are and brings hope to our community members.
The Bush House - a restored home of George H.W. Bush and his son George W. Bush and family.
The Ector Theatre - catch a concert at the Ector Theatre’s Hot Summer Nights. Concerts are free to the public and start at 8PM.
The Globe Theatre - An Odessa institution, the Globe Theatre is an amazing experience if you’re looking to dive into the world of theatre. Watch a show and pretend you’re back in Shakespeare’s time.
The Historic White-Pool House - the oldest remaining structure in Odessa from 1887. It offers a perfect venue for your wedding day or a indoor escape from the heat.
UTPB Stonehenge Replica - located at the entrance of the UTPB. This Stonehenge Replica is 70% of the size of England’s but looks pretty close to identical.
Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center - watch your favorite musicians, comedians, dancers, and more at this state-of-the-art facility.
If you are a fan of wine and charcuterie boards, then take a look at our list of 7 LOCAL places that have great wine and cheese.
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