Things to Do in Odessa (2025)
The Ector Theatre
Live music venue · Odessa
A restored 1951 downtown landmark now hosting touring concerts, throwback films, fundraisers, and community nights. Its current calendar shows a steady stream of regional acts and specials, making it a reliable anchor for an evening out in Odessa.
The Globe of the Great Southwest
Performing arts theater · Odessa
On the Odessa College campus, this faithful Globe Theatre replica stages classics and new work. 2025 programming includes Shakespeare-focused productions and community cabaret nights, highlighted by Odessa Arts and festival listings throughout the year.
Ellen Noël Art Museum
Museum · Odessa
Odessa’s accredited art museum is running exhibitions and community programs while renovating for a December 2025 reopening. Expect pop‑ups, talks, and family days noted by local cultural calendars—then return to see the expanded museum shine.
White-Pool House
Event venue · Odessa
Built in 1887 by a Quaker family, this house museum offers a tactile look at early Odessa—period rooms, local lore, and a barnyard complex. Open most Fridays and Saturdays, it’s frequently recommended by state heritage guides and local tourism sources.
Odessa Meteor Crater
Visitor center · Ector County
Ten miles west of town lies a registered natural landmark with a small, friendly museum. Walk the desert trail, see iron meteorites, and catch seasonal programs. Hours and 2025 notices are posted by the site’s volunteer-run museum.
Brantley Creek Barbecue
Barbecue restaurant · Odessa
Pitmaster Brandon McPherson turned a beloved trailer into a brick‑and‑mortar that Texas Monthly has praised, and locals line up early for brisket and jalapeño sausage. Expect live music evenings and sell‑outs—arrive before dinner for the choicest cuts.
Curb Side Bistro
Restaurant · Odessa
Chef Alejandro Barrientos—winner of Food Network’s Chopped—serves playful West Texas comfort: sliders, swine fries, and seasonal specials. Local media frequently note the team’s community work, making this a flavorful stop with heart.
Teak & Charlie's Jersey Girl Pizza
Pizza restaurant · Odessa
A family‑run Odessa staple known for New Jersey‑style pies and playful specials like jalapeño popper pizza. Consistently recommended by travelers and locals alike, it’s a relaxed, independent counterpoint to big‑brand slices.
El Taco Loco Birrieria
Mexican restaurant · Odessa
Odessa’s go‑to for birria tacos, ramen, and the occasional pizzadilla—a local operation that grew from a food truck into multiple stands around town. Late hours make it a tasty cap to a show or market night.
Parks Legado Town Center
Community center · Odessa
Second Saturdays, June through October: Odessa producers, bakers, and makers fill the square with produce, goods, and family activities. Official listings confirm the 2025 dates and the market’s community-first mission.
Homemade Wines Downtown Bistro
Bistro · Odessa
Small‑batch local wines poured in a relaxed downtown bistro with live‑event tie‑ins and First Friday participation. Recent moves consolidated operations here, and local coverage highlights its role in downtown’s revival.
Dos Amigos
Restaurant · Odessa
A longtime Odessa music venue and cantina with a big outdoor stage, Mexican‑American plates, and weekend spectacles—from regional Norteño stars to watch parties and boxing nights—backed by an active 2025 event slate.