Odessa, Texas Neighborhoods

Odessa, Texas: A Guide to the Neighborhoods

Odessa is a city located in western Texas in Ector County. With a population of around 120,000, it’s the largest city between Fort Worth and El Paso and serves as an important economic center for the Permian Basin region. Odessa features a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Keep reading for an in-depth guide to the neighborhoods of Odessa.

Downtown

Downtown Odessa serves as the heart of the city. Located just west of Interstate 20, it features a variety of key attractions, businesses, and government services.

Key Attractions

Some of the top attractions found downtown include:

• Globe Theatre: This 1930s theater shows classic and contemporary films.
• Presidential Archives and Leadership Library: Learn about the life and legacy of Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
• Odessa Meteor Crater Museum: Features exhibits on the Odessa Meteor Crater located west of the city.
• Oscar and Talmadge Rendall Memorial Park: Green space with a playground, walking trail and Off to Market statue.

Government Services

Downtown Odessa houses multiple government offices and services:

• Ector County Courthouse
• Odessa City Hall
• United States Post Office
• Ector County Government Center

This makes downtown a destination for conducting a variety of legal, business permitting, and administrative tasks.

Shopping and Dining

Downtown offers a range of locally-owned shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Notable establishments include:

• Betty’s Little Brisket: Popular barbecue joint open since 1958.
• Gravity Works: Retail store specializing in rocks and minerals.
• Kilkenny’s Irish Pub: Lively Irish pub with nightly live music.
• Icon Cinema: Screens independent and classic films.

Between its attractions, government services, and shops and eateries, downtown Odessa provides something for everyone while maintaining its small town Texas charm.

Morningside Park

Located northeast of downtown Odessa, Morningside Park is a family-friendly area centered around its namesake public park.

About the Neighborhood

Key facts about Morningside Park:

• Mostly single family homes built from the 1960s to the 1980s
• Anchored by the 12-acre Morningside Park
• Features Morningside Elementary School
• Mostly middle class residents composed of families, couples, and retirees

With its proximity to schools, parks, churches, and shopping, Morningside Park is among Odessa’s most desirable neighborhoods for raising families.

Morningside Park Amenities

The large public park the neighborhood is named for features:

• Playground and splash pad
• Picnic area with tables and grills
• Lighted tennis courts
• Baseball and softball fields
• Walking trails circling the park
• Large duck pond

The many amenities make Morningside Park a popular spot for community events and family gatherings.

Housing

Housing stock in Morningside Park includes:

• Mostly 3-4 bedroom homes built between the 1960s-1980s
• Mix of single story ranch style homes and two story houses
• Brick, wood, and vinyl siding home exteriors
• Many homes have covered patios, pools, large yards, and established trees

Home prices range from around $150,000 to $350,000. For homebuyers interested in move-in ready, family friendly housing, Morningside Park offers appealing options compared to many newer neighborhoods.

With its central location, popular park, and classic homes, Morningside Park has become one of Odessa’s core community hubs perfect for raising a family.

Chaparral Village

Chaparral Village refers to the area of northeast Odessa surrounding Chaparral Center, the city’s largest shopping mall.

About the Area

Key facts about Chaparral Village:

• Anchored by Chaparral Center mall with over 90 stores
• Mostly commercial with some apartments and neighborhoods nearby
• Located along Loop 338 which connects to I-20
• Contains many big box stores, restaurants, hotels and entertainment options

While not a traditional residential neighborhood, Chaparral Village’s abundance of shopping and dining draws locals across Odessa to the area daily.

Chaparral Center Mall

Chaparral Center serves as the main retail hub for the entire Permian Basin region. Stores include:

• Large department stores like Dillard’s, JCPenney, Macy’s and Sears
• Mainstream clothing stores such as Aeropostale, American Eagle, Gap and Victoria’s Secret
• Shoe stores like Foot Locker and Journey’s
• Homegoods retailers like Kirkland’s, Pier 1 and Pottery Barn
• Speciality stores such as GameStop, Kay Jewelers and LensCrafters

With its wide variety, the mall attracts shoppers from across west Texas seeking name brands and popular stores.

Dining and Entertainment

In addition to mall restaurants like Ruby Tequila’s and Food Court options, the area offers additional dining and entertainment like:

• Main Event Entertainment: Bowling alley, laser tag, arcade and restaurant
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: First-run and indie films plus food and drink service
• Buffalo Wild Wings and Chili’s Bar and Grill
• Numerous hotel restaurants nearby

The combination of dining, shopping, movies and events makes Chaparral Village a top destination for evenings and weekends in Odessa.

While not residentially focused, Chaparral Village serves as the city’s primary retail and entertainment hub for locals and visitors alike with almost any good or service available.

Parks Legado Town Center

Parks Legado Town Center refers to the mixed-use community growing in far north Odessa along State Highway 191 featuring residential neighborhoods, shopping, recreation and entertainment.

About Parks Legado

Key facts about Parks Legado:

• Master planned, mixed-use community still expanding
• Combined over 1,500 residential properties and 700,000 square feet of commercial space so far
• Features range of housing options and home types
• Community amenities include dog park, trails, recreation center, event lawn and Town Square
• Adjacent to Parks Legado Golf Course

With ample housing diversity, recreation access and community focal points, Parks Legado aims to be Odessa’s most amenity-rich neighborhood as full buildout continues over the coming years.

Housing Options

As a large master planned community, housing within Parks Legado includes:

• Single family homes from 1,500 to over 4,000 square feet
• Townhomes and duplex style housing
• Luxury apartment homes

Home styles range from contemporary to prairie-style to urban modern across house or townhouse floorplans. This variety allows growing families, professionals and retirees options to fit needs and budgets.

Shopping and Dining

Legado Town Center offers residents nearby convenience:

• Retailers like Market Street grocery store, TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less and more
• Restaurants such as Barrel and Pie and The Rusty Bucket
• Additional stores, eateries and a hotel coming soon

With additional commercial projects underway, the area aims to serve resident needs with neighborhood amenities that prevent cross-town trips.

Offering diverse housing aligned to recreation and lifestyle conveniences through phased development, Parks Legado emerges as one Odessa’s most promising up-and-coming areas to call home for years ahead.

Central Odessa

Central Odessa refers to the city’s urban core located between downtown and I-20. It features some of Odessa’s oldest neighborhoods plus industrial and transportation infrastructure flanking its borders.

History

Key facts about the history of Central Odessa:

• One of Odessa’s first settled areas outside downtown in the 1920-40s
• Historically middle and working class neighborhoods with homes still reflecting those eras
• Remains the city’s most population dense zone
• Adjacent railyards, warehouses and blue-collar worksites servicing the oil industry

With infrastructure built around early 20th century oil boom growth, Central Odessa retains much of the simple charms of Old West Odessa over modern amenities.