Midland, located in West Texas, boasts an array of exciting activities from the stereotypical to unique. For instance, visiting the Museum of the Southwest – listed on the National Register of Historic Places – with its impressive architecture is sure to satisfy history buffs as well as art enthusiasts alike.
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum provides a lively and educational tour of its local history. Open to guests of all ages, children can learn all about oil’s impactful history in modern life thanks to Mythcrackers Theater which dispels urban legends about petroleum; also featured is 1920s Boom Town which contains antique gas pumps from this time in Texas’ oil boom history and more!
Established by over 500 community leaders, the Petroleum Museum educates visitors on petroleum and energy history as it impacts our world today. Each year it welcomes over one million visitors and features interactive exhibits, archives center and Petroleum Hall of Fame; additionally it includes Turner Mansion which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum has undergone significant renovations, with a new Oil City exhibit featuring restored and recreated industrial structures, an Oil Patch simulation, and outdoor Oil Field simulated environments. Furthermore, family and educational activities including Family Science Nights, Lunch & Lectures, Puppet Shows, summer day camps and Scout Camp-ins are provided as well as many others.
Midland offers visitors another popular activity in I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center, situated along Interstate 20. This tranquil space provides shelter for an assortment of creatures – pocket gophers, rabbits, flycatchers and dragonflies among them. There is also an urban playa lake which provides an aquatic biome for various aquatic species that call this home.
Visit the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center for an experience rich in culture. Designed to support arts of all levels from college performances to national touring acts, this center hosts over 150 live events annually such as Broadway shows, rock concerts and symphony performances. Plus guests can explore its beautiful Sculpture Garden or watch local artists at work during a tour.
Cinergy Midland Featuring EPIC
Midland offers something to satisfy every visitor, whether they prefer luxury dining or family entertainment at the movies. Check out one of its concerts, visit museums or planetariums, shop farmer’s markets or boutiques, catch a performance at its state-of-the-art performing arts center or simply stroll along its 30+ parks, playgrounds, fishing ponds, skate parks or dog parks to satisfy every taste!
Are you ready to venture beyond our galaxy? Step inside the Blakemore Planetarium at the Museum of the Southwest for a stellar adventure. Featuring state-of-the-art Spitz SciDome projector dome shows Tuesday through Saturday and a permanent exhibition area and classroom, visitors can gain insight into our solar system through observation objects and taking part in star talks.
Hogan Park’s Sibley Nature Center covers 49 acres and showcases West Texas regions such as Southern Llano Estacado, Edwards Plateau, and Transpecos. Along with taxidermy exhibits, there are trails and a nature center library which highlight local flora and fauna – perfect for kids to see hummingbirds and see native plants such as Juniper or Cacti! In addition, educational sessions and seasonal activities take place frequently at this park.
Midland offers many popular activities for visitors and residents, including boutique shopping and farmer’s markets. Midland favorites The Pink Pug offers everything from baby clothes and furniture, while Le Bebe Boutique specializes in baby apparel and accessories. Also popular among visitors are The Bean and Grape Wine Bar and Abuelo’s, both offering delicious Mexican fare.
Stay cool during West Texas summer heat by visiting one of the community pools or water parks available in Fort Worth. Doug Russell Pool provides open swimming while Washington Aquatic Center features two giant slides with pools located within its walls. Fort Worth also boasts several “splash pads”, upward fountain designs resembling backyard sprinklers that you can find throughout its streets and parks.
Haley Memorial Library and History Center provides researchers with an incredible resource to explore the culture and history of Old West regions. Boasting thousands of books, manuscripts, and computers dedicated solely for research, this library can serve as an invaluable source of research into Western Americana culture and history.
Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial provides an unforgettable experience for visitors from Midland TX. Situated near the airport, the memorial commemorates servicemen and women from 30 West Texas counties who died fighting in Vietnam, with their names etched onto its walls as part of an engraved wall display. Also present at the memorial is a statue showing soldiers helping wounded comrades into Huey helicopters for transport back home as well as United States, Texas and POW-MIA flags – making a visit one of Midland TX’s most meaningful attractions!
History enthusiasts in Midland will love exploring the Haley Memorial Library and History Center’s intriguing exhibits at this museum and library center. Their exhibits and library resources cover various subjects from western culture to local history; plus there are community events like art shows or storytelling sessions featuring cowboy ballads or barbecues held here!
History buffs won’t want to miss visiting Midland County Historical Museum. Showcasing a wide range of rotating exhibitions that reflect its rich past, this museum is open seven days a week with free admission.
Sports fans can catch all their sporting needs at the Scharbauer Sports Complex, featuring baseball, football and soccer games on an ongoing basis. It serves as home to two professional teams – Midland RockHounds of Minor League Baseball and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC from professional soccer – that offer games there regularly.
Visit Hogan Park, Midland’s largest city park for a more relaxing activity. Featuring open spaces, an animal sanctuary, off-leash dog park, golf course and nature center – as well as hosting various festivals and special events throughout the year (such as summer mummers parade).
Are you looking for an enjoyable way to spend a day with your children? Look no further than Midland Family Aquatic Center, boasting larger slides than any of the community pools nearby and making an excellent way to meet other families from your community.
Presidential Museum and Leadership Library
Midland has a rich history in oil and gas industry, so Midland offers many attractions that showcase typical Texas culture. One such venue is Museum of the Southwest – home to several attractions such as Turner Memorial Art Museum, Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum and Blakemore Planetarium as well as 15 magnificent sculpture pieces in its sculpture garden which can be explored independently by visitors. Furthermore, special events such as Sunday Lawn Concerts, SciFridays Star Parties or Art Socials take place all throughout the year at this wonderful facility.
The Ellen Noel Art Museum of the Permian Basin offers another great place to experience culture. Boasting three galleries showcasing old and contemporary artwork, as well as its sensory garden – perfect for relaxing or reading a book – visitors can get their fill of art here.
Old Miner’s Maze offers an action-packed maze experience perfect for families with young children, while also offering thrill-seeking activities such as mechanical bull riding and bungee jumping for more thrill-seekers.
Monahans Sandhills State Park provides stunning sand dunes to admire throughout West Texas, just a short drive from Austin. Here, towering dunes create an eye-catching contrast against its flat landscape.
Sporting events are an integral part of life in Midland, and locals and visitors alike take pleasure in attending them at the Scharbauer Sports Complex. Home to baseball parks, soccer stadiums and football stadiums – you are sure to always find something going on here!
If arts and culture are at the top of your itinerary for Midland, be sure to visit the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center. Here, a wide range of performances awaits, including everything from orchestra concerts to mariachi music performances; not forgetting comedian performances too!
