Like many other Permian Basin towns, Big Spring, Texas was built up due to the thriving industry of the area…..oil! The city is located in one of the largest oil-producing regions in the United States. Oil equals jobs, jobs equal people, and people want stuff to do. Which begs the question what is there to do in Big Spring, Texas?
After you drive through the miles of desert decorated with pumpjacks and oil rigs, you come into the tiny worn down town of Big Spring. Believe me, you will know the second you arrive in Big Spring because of the rumble strip roads. This isn’t the most beautiful town you will ever visit, but surprisingly enough this old town has got some hidden gems up its sleeves!
Outdoor Activities:
Float Down The Lazy River Of Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center
There is only way to survive the intense summer heat of West Texas and that is living life poolside! Big Spring has one of our most favorite aquatic centers in all of West Texas (for a list of all of the West Texas aquatic centers click here). This aquatic center is not big by any means, but it has all the basics of what you are looking for, for a day at the pool!
Complete with 2 big waterslides, a lazy river, a splash pad, a toddler waterslide, a kiddie area, a water ropes obstacle course, and a small inclined beach area. This place is a kids paradise! My kids love visiting because the water is maybe 4 ft max so they can still touch the bottom for the most part, plus there’s so much to do.
What I love most about it is that it is not near as busy as the aquatic centers nearby in other towns. Don’t get me wrong there are still plenty of people that go, but compared to others it is less crowded. This is by far the best thing to do in Big Spring, Texas!
Location: 911 Golf Course Road, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: Tues-Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 1pm-8pm, CLOSED MONDAY
Admission: $5 ages 4 and up, 3 and under are FREE
Take A Stroll Through Time At The Historic Spring Site
With how hot West Texas gets, going for a walk might be the last thing on your mind, but this is a walk worth taking. This small historic site walks you through the history of Big Spring in the form of metal art on giant stones. It is just a short walk on a sidewalk with a couple stairs, so super easy. My kids enjoyed the giant rock benches that you can sit on.
Besides the art area there is an overlook to an old pond/well. First time I ever visited we watched a rattlesnake swim across the pond so keep your eyes out.
Location: 2801 Buffalo Trail, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: open 24 hours
Admission: FREE
Hike To The Overlook Of Big Spring State Park
What makes Big Spring so unique compared to all the other nearby West Texas towns is that it overlooking the town there is a hill!! This may not sound like a big deal, but in West Texas this is a very big deal considering how flat it is! This hill is Big Spring State Park!
As far as state parks go, this one is tiny. Just because it is tiny though does not mean its not a good one! There are only 2 trails at this state park if that shows you just how small it is! As far as activities available at this state park, there is hiking, picnicking, and a playground.
Our favorite trail is the nature trail, right at the entrance of the park and it is pretty easy. My 3 year old and 2 year old were able to do the whole 1.3 miles all on their own. The trail will take you to the top of the hill and back down. Saying this that means you are either hiking up or down.
The trail is pretty rocky so hiking boots will save your ankles and feet quite a bit of pain. All in all though the trail is pretty easy. I loved hiking by all the cactus!
Location: 6GM5+4XH, 1 State Park Rd 8, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: 8am-8:30pm daily
Admission: FREE
Go Boating On Moss Creek Lake
One of the hardest parts about living in West Texas is the lack of bodies of water! Rivers and lakes are few and far between. Being married to a man that grew up spending summers on a lake, makes living here difficult. Luckily we found Moss Creek Lake!
This lake is smaller than most, but still big enough for us to wakeboard and tube on! It does get pretty busy on weekends so I suggest you get here early so that you get a good spot to set up your lake day gear. We usually bring our grounded umbrella and I love this thing. It is so easy to set up and it shades from the sun so well. Here is a list of our favorite gear for a day at Moss Creek Lake.
I am obsessed with this umbrella! It is so easy to set up and take down. You can secure it to the ground so it doesn’t blow away. It has a lot of room and keeps my baby well shaded and room to play!
As a half red head, sunscreen is my number one lake day gear! I burn so fast and so bad, I can not live with out sunscreen! Spray is my favorite because it is quick, easy, doesn’t turn you white, and normally smells good!
By far the best life jackets ever. The fabric is neoprene and so soft! It doesn’t cause chaffing on your skin either. It isn’t bulky and still gives you plenty of room to move!
Unfortunately there is a lot of littering at this lake, I suggest water shoes just to protect your feet from the broken glass and bottle caps. Also the sand does get pretty hot so it is nice to not burn your feet.
My number one pet peeve about the lake/beach….sand! There is no avoiding the sandy feet that get sand everywhere! You can stake down this blanket and it sift the sand through the blanket so you don’t get sand everywhere!
Moss Creek Lake also offers other outdoor activities besides boating and jet skiing. I have never gone to this lake without seeing a ton of horses! A lot of people will go trail riding here. The trails aren’t just for horses though! I have seen 4-wheelers and dirt bikes also! Don’t forget camping! There are multiple types of camp set ups and hook ups available for RV and tent!
Even if you don’t have any of the big toys like a boat or 4-wheeler, you can still come to the lake just to swim. There is a small beach area that is marked off just for swimmers!
Location: 10000 E Moss Lake Rd, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: 7am-10pm
Admission: $20 a vehicle, and $10 a boat, $9 camping fee per vehicle in addition to daily entry fee, $15 per vehicle for OHV trail, $15 Full RV hookup, $12 Partial RV hookup
Honor Those Who Served At The Big Spring Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Walk around the grounds dedicated to the Vietnam War Veterans. Did I mention there’s a tank!? There is also a helicopter. It is a real nice memorial to remember the soldiers by.
Location: corner of Ave D & 8th St
Hours: open 24 hours
Admission: FREE
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Indoor Activities:
Learn About Big Spring History At Heritage Museum & Potton House
Big Spring has been around since the early 1880s, so there is a lot of history in this town. Figures there would be a museum to remember the past by. The heritage museum is full of art, antiques, and pictures of the past.
Potton House is an actual house that is set up like it would have been back in the 1900s. You can walk through this house and pretty much experience what if would have been like to walk through history.
Location: 510 Scurry St, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm, CLOSED SUN-MON
Admission:
Try A Deep Fried Burger At Big John’s Feed Lot By Brenda
You can not visit Texas and not visit a BBQ! Big John’s is one of my favorite BBQ’s in West Texas! This restaurant is so quirky and I love it! You pull up to it and think, what then heck is this place. It is wood and metal and scrapped together somehow. They you walk in the door and it looks like you are in a old barn.
Best part is that it is decorated with all sorts of John Wayne themed antiques and memorabilia! I am a huge John Wayne fan so of course I loved this place! There were John Wayne pictures, newspaper articles, hats, and shirts. I mean before you even walk in the door there is a John Wayne cut out to greet you. Even the bathroom is labeled as the cowboy version of the John!
The atmosphere is so rustic, but you came for the food and you will not be disappointed! The food was so good!! I tried their deep fried cheeseburger just because I was curious, though in my mind I was prepping myself for some major grease. It wasn’t! It was so good and they give you so much!
Lets not forget to mention that you get a free desert with every meal! Who doesn’t love a good cobbler for desert?
Location: 802 W 3rd St, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, CLOSED SAT-SUN
Get Up Close To Airplanes At Hanger 25 Museum
History, heritage, and honor are the 3 things promised at the Hanger 25 Museum. This museum has photo ops, history, and airplanes! This museum is just a small museum, but it has plenty of history! You can walk through this airplane hanger and get right up close to actual airplanes!
Location: 1911 Apron Dr, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-2pm, CLOSED MONDAY
Admission: FREE
Day Trips From Big Spring, Texas:
Midland
Hike around the I-20 Wildlife Preserve
Go on a mural hunt
Play at the Fredda Turner’s Durham Children’s Museum
Abilene
Slide down water slides at Redbud Park Splash
Find your favorite storybook character at Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
Feed giraffes at Abilene Zoo.
San Angelo
Learn about dinosaurs at the Mayer Museum
Take some fun pictures with the interactive art at the Pop Art Museum
Go find all the painted sheep
Final Thoughts On Big Spring, Texas:
If I look back on all of my West Texas adventures, surprisingly enough a good portion of my best memories were made in the small Texas town of Big Spring. If you don’t understand what I mean when I say surprisingly, then you have obviously never driven through Big Spring! This town is worn out and old. It is filled with history and in serious need of updating on its buildings.
Despite its looks, this town has more to it than most towns in the area. I have spent many days boating on its lake, had many picnics on the top of the hill, and made a lot of memories exploring these streets with my kids. This tiny town will surprise you with the memories you can make here!
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