On our last trip to Odessa I was shocked to make some new discoveries that I thought were awesome. The bars have gotten better, there are some newer restaurants that are fantastic, and they are more things to do with kids!
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Better bars these days!
Shack in the Back – The first one is Shack in the Back. It is no longer what it was when I was in high school. If I recall correctly, it was a BBW joint back then. Now days during the warm months it opens every Wednesday night. They have live music, a couple of bars, outdoor fire pits, pool tables. It is just an all around great hang. Probably the best hangout I have been to in Odessa ever.
Proof – Proof at Parks Lagado was probably one of the biggest shocks I had during my visit. It’s classy and looks like a bar you would find in Dallas or Vegas.
The Beer Garden – Out on highway 80 is The Beer Garden. They have a variety of draft beer available as well as wine in an open-air venue with picnic tables & live music. Located at: 7112 W Hwy 80, Midland, TX 79706
Rolling 7 Ranch Saloon – Another place out off highway 80, but set back a bit is Rolling 7 Ranch. I am not sure that they have specific hours, but if you can catch them open on a none event night it’s an awesome place to hang out. They’ve got live music, horseshoes & beer! Located at: 11700 West County Road 122, Odessa, Texas.
Hanging out with friends at Rolling 7 Ranch
Better restaurants too!
Well, a few new restaurants, because lets face it, Odessa has always had great restaurants!
Mi Piaci – The second one is a great little restaurant near Grandview and University called Mi Piaci. It is a bring your own wine concept, but you can also bring your own beer if you like. The food was awesome. It is what I would call Tex – Italian. Meaning there were jalapenos in my entree! I always get the Chicken Murphy made with sauteed mushrooms, jalapenos, sherry wine cream and marinara. They are a local, family-owned and operated Italian Restaurant serving pizza, pasta, calzones, sub sandwiches, steak, and all of the classic Italian food favorites.
Cafe at the Gardens – There is a restaurant now at Aldridge Gardens. Located at: 3300 N Fairgrounds Rd, Midland, TX 79705
More things to do in Midland/Odessa!
Big Sky Drive Inn – Odessa has always had great weather, so it just makes sense that they would have a drive in theater and after all these years, they finally have one again. It is a pet-friendly drive-in cinema offering 3 double features nightly, plus a large concession menu.
Located at: 6200 W Hwy 80, Midland, TX 79706
Cinergy – Midland and Odessa both have Cinergy Movie complexes now. Both have an arcade. The one in Odessa has a bowling alley and the one in Midland has a ropes course. The Midland location also has Escape rooms.
Cinergy Odessa: 8250 TX-191, Odessa, TX 79765
Cinergy Midland: 1917 Liberty Dr, Midland, TX 79706
Altitude Trampoline Park
Odessa has a huge indoor trampoline park and it’s super fun. They have Olympic trampolines too! It’s about $10 per hour per person.
Sherwood Park Pool
Odessa has a great community pool at Sherwood Park. They have special rates on family night.
Doug Russell Pool
Midland has a fantastic community pool that kids will love.
Jurassic Jungle Sprayground
This water playground located on UTPB is free! It offers a variety of spraying, dumping, sliding and cascading water features.
Wine and Canvas
Wine and Canvas is a painting class with wine or cocktails. A local artist helps customers step-by-step to create their finished masterpiece. They also have Cookies and Canvas for kids ages 5 and up.
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Love love love !! Spending a Father’s Day trip this weekend w 2 little ones to Odessa & this article & the midland one will be my your guide for the weekend this was super helpful!! Thank you sm!
I’m always looking for new things to do with my kids, and I found the Big Sky Drive Inn through your blog. They loved watching the new Venom movie this past weekend!