Things to Do in Odessa

What do William Shakespeare, the Smithsonian Institution, and Stonehenge have in common? Odessa, Texas! This quintessential West Texas town is full of one-of-a-kind experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Catch a play at a re-creation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, browse an exhaustive collection of art at a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, and hang out at Odessa’s very own Stonehenge. Did we mention surfing on sand dunes? There’s that too! In fact, there are so many fantastic things to do in Odessa that it may be hard to know where to get started. To help you plan your next stay in Odessa, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to do while you’re here. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and experience Odessa for yourself.

Attend a Show at the Globe Theatre

If you’re a lover of theatre, this headline probably caught your eye. Indeed, most theatre fans know that the Globe Theatre is the world-famous theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare. What does it have to do with Odessa, Texas? Odessa just so happens to be the home of the Globe of the Great Southwest, a 410-seat theatre designed as a replica of the London original right down to the wooden stage and timber-framed façade. Like its English cousin, the Globe Theatre in Odessa hosts numerous Shakespearean plays throughout the year, as well as other classical and modern plays on its Elizabethan stage. The theatre complex, located on Odessa College’s campus, also has a faithful reproduction of the cottage where Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, lived.

Odessa may be known for its cowboy charm, but the Shakespearean Globe of the Great Southwest is one of its many surprises and an essential part of any stay.

Check out Odessa’s Unique Attractions

Speaking of surprises, did you know Odessa has one of the few astronomically aligned Stonehenge replicas in the world, as well as the second-largest meteor crater in the United States? It’s true, and both sites are two of the most popular attractions in town. The Stonehenge replica in Odessa is composed of 20 limestone blocks similar in size and shape to the English original, so you don’t have to go across an ocean to experience one of the world’s most famous prehistoric sites. Stonehenge Odessa is housed on the campus of the University of Texas Permian Basin and is open year-round.

There’s another must-see place in Odessa that predates even the original Stonehenge. Between 20,000 and 50,000 years ago, several meteors smashed into the Earth just a few miles south of Odessa. That impact left what is today known as the Odessa Meteor Crater, a 550-foot-wide meteor crater that is one of the largest in the United States. You can see the crater from a nature trail within the park. While you’re there, make sure to stop by the visitor center, where you can see meteorite displays and exhibits outlining the history of the area.

Last, but certainly not least, we can’t talk about Odessa’s one-of-a-kind attractions without bringing up Jack Ben Rabbit, the "World’s Largest Jackrabbit." The rabbit, an eight-foot-tall fiberglass statue, is Odessa’s unofficial mascot as well as a Texas historical landmark. He’s perched across the street from the Ector County Independent School District Administration Building, so make sure to stop by and snap a picture. Although Jack Ben Rabbit is a well-known bunny, he’s not the only rabbit in town. In fact, there are 37 smaller rabbit statues, all uniquely decorated, located throughout Odessa. You could spend an entire day going on a scavenger hunt for these bunnies, which just so happens to be one of the most fun ways to visit some of Odessa’s best places.

Surf the Sand Dunes

Sand dunes in Texas? Believe it or not, that’s exactly what you’ll find at Monahans Sandhills State Park, a spectacular 3,840-acre park full of gently sloping sand dunes that would look more at home in the Sahara Desert. These wind-swept dunes are not just a breathtaking sight; they also provide the perfect foundation for a rather unusual sport here in the Lone Star State: sandboarding. If you have a sandboard, there’s plenty of territory for you to surf. Don’t have one? Sand toboggans and discs can be rented at park headquarters. Monahans Sandhills State Park also has various hiking trails, an 800-acre equestrian area, campsites, and a visitor center that houses exhibits outlining the history of the area. All of this is just 35 miles southwest of Odessa, making it a must-do day trip while you’re in town.

Experience Odessa’s Artsy Side

No visit to Odessa is complete without experiencing the town’s thriving arts scene, which includes a notable art museum, a theatre, and a symphony and chorale. Start with the Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin, one of only two Smithsonian Affiliates in Texas. The museum features a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art crafted by more than 400 American artists, as well as temporary exhibits provided by the Smithsonian.

If you’re more musically inclined, catch a performance by the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale, composed of a full orchestra, a chorale, and the Lone Star Brass, Permian Basin String Quartet, and West Texas Winds instrumental ensembles. The concert season runs from September until the beginning of May, and all shows are held at the state-of-the-art Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Touring Broadway plays, professional dance productions, contemporary music performances, and other events are held at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center as well. If you’re looking for inspiring works of art, entertaining theatre, and world-class music, you’ll find it all in Odessa.