Odessa (Texas)

Odessa is a city in West Texas, 20 mi (32 km) west of its sister city, Midland. Much of the major industry in the area is oil- and gas-related. As such, the Midland/Odessa area is colloquially known as the petroplex. Much of the attractions you will find in the area are in Midland, so if you're visiting Odessa, the Midland article deserves a look as well. It's also notable as the fountainhead for the Friday Night Lights media franchise, which began with a 1990 book that explored football at the city's Permian High School, later followed by a movie that was mostly faithful to the book, and then a TV series that was a looser adaptation.

Get in

By car

Odessa is at the junction of US Highway 385 and Interstate 20 in West Texas. Heading east on I-20 will take you through cities like Abilene on your way to Dallas/Fort Worth. Heading west on I-20 takes you through some of the most barren parts of Texas at 80 mph (130 km/h) (the fastest speed limit in the U.S.) on your way to El Paso. Going south on 385 will take you to Big Bend National Park, while heading north on US 385 will take you through the Texas Panhandle.

By plane

• Midland/Odessa International Airport (MAF ^IATA), 9506 Laforce Blvd. Ten miles east of Odessa. Southwest Airlines is the only mainline airline service to the area. It provides direct flights to Dallas-Love, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas and Albuquerque. United Express provides service to Denver and Houston-Intercontinental, and American Eagle provides service to/from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

By bus

• Greyhound Bus Lines, 2624 E 8th St (at 2nd St), [phone].

Get around

• EZRider, 8007 E Highway 80, [phone]. Odessa and Midland have a shared bus system that does not travel between cities. Inter-city routes serving Midland International and both cities are planned to start soon. There are 6 bus routes that serve Odessa, and each bus route runs once hourly. Fares for adults 19+ are $1.25, children 6-18 and students with a valid ID are $1.00, seniors 60+ and people with disabilities are $0.60 and children 5 and under are Free. Monthly passes and Paratransit are available too. EZRider runs M-F 6:15AM-7:10PM and Sa 6:15AM-6:10PM.

See

• Ector Theater, 5th and Texas. A renovated 1951 classic movie theater that shows classic movies and showcases live music. In downtown Odessa. 
• Ellen Noel Art Museum, 4909 East University Blvd (from Interstate 20- Take Exit 121 and head north on Loop 338 to University Ave.; take a left on to University; museum will be on right near next stop light), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Sun 2PM-5PM. There is a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits. Free, donations accepted. 
• Jack Ben Rabbit (World's Largest Jackrabbit), 802 North Sam Houston, ☎ [phone]. The largest jackrabbit in the world, a 10-foot-tall statue that is the unofficial mascot of the region. Free. 
• Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery, UT Permian Basin Campus, ☎ [phone]. Student and Art Faculty shows are presented here on a semi-regular basis. Artwork may be purchased and starving college students will be very appreciative. 
• Presidential Museum and Leadership Library, 4919 East University Blvd, ☎ +1 432-363-PRES (7737). Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. This museum suffered from its move from downtown. There is a permanent exhibit of memorabilia from each presidency, however it is not nearly as vast as it was. There has also been the addition of George W. Bush's childhood home onto the grounds. Adults $8, students $5. 
• Pecos Depot, 2140 North Grant, ☎ [phone]. The old rail depot from Pecos, built in 1892 and moved to Odessa in 1950. The depot is part of the Barn Door Steakhouse. 
• Stonehenge Odessa, UT Permian Basin Campus. A full-size replica of the original neolithic Stonehenge site 
• 🌍 White-Pool House, 112 East Murphy St, ☎ [phone]. W-Sa 10AM-3PM. Turn of the century home with rotating exhibits on various aspects of West Texas life. Free.  

Do

• Globe of the Great Southwest (The Globe Theatre), 2308 Shakespeare Rd, ☎ [phone]. Full-sized reproduction of the Globe Theatre of London. Various productions throughout the year. In addition there is a replica of the Anne Hathaway Cottage which Shakespeare built for his love. 

Buy

• Music City Mall, 4101 E. 42nd St.. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. Music City Mall has 4 anchor tenants (Sears, JC Penney, Dillard's, and Burlington Coat Factory), an 11-screen movie theater, an indoor ice rink, local CBS affiliate, carousel and food court. 
• TJ Rabbit's Texas Music Store, 3952 East 42nd Street, Ste. I (Santa Fe Shopping Center), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11AM-7PM, extended hours on Tu until, roughly, midnight. Offering CDs, and musical instruments, there is also a "Tuesday Nite Pickin' Party" which is open to the public. 
• Winwood Town Center, 3801 E. 42nd St.. This is a strip mall at the busiest intersection in Odessa. Stores include H.E.B., Big 5 Sporting Goods, Ross Dress for Less, GameStop, Hastings, Target and Office Depot. 

Eat

Due to its proximity to Mexico, Odessa has quite a bit of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex. Most of these authentic restaurants are found off the beaten path, but are usually well worth the trip.

Budget

Many chain restaurants have set up shop in Odessa. It's not hard to find a McDonald's or Burger King.

• Ben's Little Mexico, 1351 E. 8th St, ☎ [phone]. Ben's is a local restaurant serving Tex-Mex. 
• Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory, 4945 E. 42nd Street; 1310 E. 8th.; 1701 West County Road.. Su-Th 10AM-11PM F Sa 10AM-midnight. Rosa's is a favorite among locals. The restaurant started in this area before spreading out all over Texas. Try the Fajitas and the tortillas made in the restaurant. There is a window into the kitchen where you can watch the tortillas being made. 
• Bush's Chicken, 1627 E. 8th St.; 2701 Andrews Hwy.; 3901 N. Grandview Ave.; 1705 W County Rd.. Daily 10AM-10PM. Bush's Chicken has a strong following amongst locals. Be sure to try their Tender Rolls. 
• Fajitas and More, 620 East 8th St, ☎ [phone]. Delicious authentic Mexican food. 
• El Taco Tako, 718 W. Clements St., ☎ [phone]. Yet another local Mexican food restaurant. Very popular amongst locals. 
• Keith's Hamburger Station, 4324 Andrews Hwy., ☎ [phone]. Much of the menu consists of Southern and Homestyle cooking, such as chicken strips, steak fingers, mashed potatoes, and fried catfish. 

Mid-range

• Big Daddy's Catfish and Chicken, 1121 E. 42nd St., ☎ [phone]. Southern cuisine. 
• Mi Piaci, 2607 N. Grandview Ave., ☎ [phone]. Italian cuisine. The owners of the restaurant are from Albania and create an authentic experience when eating at their restaurant. Most plates are around $10, but if you're on a budget, or want something simple, try the pizza. The Mi Piaci pizza is probably some of the best in town, and certainly the best pizza by a locally owned restaurant. 
• Ajuua's, 2120 Andrews Hwy, ☎ [phone]. Ajuua's serves authentic Tex-Mex in a sit-down atmosphere. The restaurant just recently moved from their old location next door into their new building. 

Splurge

• The Barn Door and Pecos Depot Steakhouse, 2140 Andrews Hwy, ☎ [phone]. The Barn Door is probably the most reputable and high-class restaurant in town. The food is typical steakhouse fare. 
• Zucchi's Italian Restaurant, 1541 JBS Parkway, ☎ [phone]. 

Drink

• Graham Central Station, 4242 Preston Smith Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• Zucchi's Sports Bar & Grill, 1541 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy, ☎ [phone]. 

Sleep

Budget

• Best Western Garden Oasis, 110 West I-20, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Days Inn, 3075 E. Business Loop-20, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Continental breakfast. 

Mid-range

• Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, 3933 JBS Parkway, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• MCM Grande & Fundome, 6201 E. Business Loop-20, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Free airport shuttle. 

Splurge

• MCM Eleganté, 5200 E. University Blvd, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 

Go next

• Odessa Meteor Crater - Exit from I-20 10 miles southwest of town (take exit 108 and drive 3 miles south, following the signs). This National Natural Landmark is the third biggest crater in the country and sixth in the world. Self-paced tours available 9AM-5PM daily. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Free.

Routes through Odessa

Jct W E ← Monahans ←	W  E	→ Midland → Abilene
Hereford ← Brownfield ←	N  S	→ Fort Stockton → Big Bend