Odessa, TX Attractions

The Ellen Noel Art Museum offers changing exhibits of contemporary art, photography, sculpture and design. Educational programs and work shops are also provided.

The Globe of the Great Southwest is located on the grounds of Odessa College. The Globe, built in the 1960s, is a replica of the original Shakespearean Globe Theatre. This octagonal theater hosts community theater as well as the professional Southwest Shakespeare Festival each year.

Next door to the Globe is a replica of Anne Hathaway's cottage.

The restored 1935 house features the history of the Parker family in the early to mid 1900's.

The museum offers displays on the American presidency, campaigns and election procedures and historical presidential artifacts.

This 1887 house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. White-Pool House is furnished in period, portraying the ranching and oil periods, and features changing exhibits.

The park's main attraction is an artesian spring pool which is 1 3/4-acres and 7 1/2 meters (25-feet) deep and always between 72 to 76 degrees. It also has a variety of aquatic life and is popular with divers.

The "Big Spring" for which the town was named is now part of the 400 acre Big Spring State Park which provides a huge recreational area for the town.

The Heritage Museum of Big Spring features displays related to the town's history. Of particular interest is the collection of photographs from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Potton House was built in 1901 as the home of Joseph Potton family. The home contains many turn-of-the-century furnishings that belonged to family members.

Big Spring State Park is a 343 acre park with a swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts, and trails. Overnight camping is permitted within the park.

The museum is the former home of Nick Mersfelter, the town's justice of the peace, barber, and area music master. The collection contains pioneer, ranch, trail and law enforcement artifacts

This well preserved fort serves as a memorial to the soldiers who help settlers, travelers and merchants along the San Antonio/El Paso Road.

Fort Lancaster was established is 1855 to guard against Indian attacks along the San Antonio-El Paso Road. It only operated for six years. History, natural history and archaeology exhibits and a nature trail are located on the grounds.

The town dates from 1858 when the U.S. Army set up a cavalry post on this site.

Located in the 1899 restored hotel, the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum displays clothing, photographs, Indian artifacts, cowboy gear, household utensils and religious items.

This military post was established in 1858 and occupied until 1886. The fort contains 35 buildings, four of which are original structures.

This area was inhabited by American Indians until the mid 1800's. The town was settled in the early 1880's with the arrival of the railroad.

Monahans Sandhills State Park covers 3,840 acres of active dunes which move and change shape. A visitors center provides information on the history of the area.

Crockett County Museum displays antiques, Indian artifacts, historical items from Fort Lancaster as well as range equipment and household items from the time of settlers.

Pecos (pop. 11,500) maintains an old west atmosphere. It is often referred to as the town where rodeos began. Cowboy contests were held here in the 1880's and said to be the basis for the modern day sport.

Located in the Orient Hotel, the museum displays Western and Spanish memorabilia, among other items.

The museum features displays on the history of the area including Indian artifacts, Catholic heritage, cowboy articles, pictures, and oil and railroad activities.