20 Things To Do In Midland Tx

Set in the far reaches of rural west Texas, near the New Mexico border, Midland is a small city that most people have never heard of. Not only does it lack most of the attractions of major cities, but it is also far from any major airports, making it somewhat challenging to get to. However, just because it doesn’t attract visitors by the droves doesn’t mean that it is lacking in things to offer.

Set in the Permian Basin, the city of Midland has long been a prominent location in the Texas gas and oil industries, and it is brimming with historical sites to educate and entertain visitors. As one of the larger cities in west Texas, it also provides plenty of opportunities for visitors to glimpse the stereotypical Texan culture that the “Lone Star State” is famous for. Here are 20 things to do in Midland that will cover a little bit of everything the city is known for.

Midland, Texas

20 Things To Do In Midland

1- Learn About The Region’s History At The Museum Of The Southwest

The Museum Of The Southwest is a fabulous history museum, both inside and out.

Located in the Turner Mansion, erected in 1934, it boasts exquisite designs from the period for fans of architecture to soak in.

Inside, you will find exhibits covering the archaeology, art, culture, history and science of the USA’s southwest region.

Museum Of The Southwest is at 1705 West Missouri Avenue, Midland, Texas, 79701.

2- See the Stars At Blakemore Planetarium

Adjacent to the main building of the Museum Of The Southwest, the Blakemore Planetarium is a stunning auditorium that is ideal for anyone interested in astronomy, space, or the night sky.

The domed roof presents 360-degree 3D displays of the stars moving through the sky.

Other exhibits will help educate visitors on topics including our solar system and planet, the migration patterns of certain animals and the reason behind them.

Blakemore Planetarium is at 1705 West Missouri Avenue, Midland, Texas, 79701.

3- Go On A Tour Of Fiddlesticks Farms

Fiddlesticks Farms is a functioning farm and agricultural centre where visitors of all ages can learn the ways and history of the Texas farming industry.

You can meet the animals, go on hayrides, traverse mazes, explore the pumpkin patch, relax by a campfire and sample some traditional campfire foods, or enjoy 25 attractions.

Seasonal festivities are held throughout the year, such as Halloween.

Fiddlesticks Farms is at 5610 East Country Road 120, Midland, Texas, 79706.

4- Appreciate The Exhibits In The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum is dedicated to detailing and preserving the history of the gas and oil industries in the expansive Permian Basin that stretches out across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico.

Built in 1975, the museum covers 60,000 square feet (5,600 square metres) and is full of interactive exhibits covering the history and geology of oil and the region during the Permian period and the technology of the fuel industry, plus a collection of race cars, paintings, and large oil field machines.

It even houses an expansive research library and the Petroleum Hall Of Fame.

Permian Basin Petroleum Museum is at 1500 Interstate 20, Midland, Texas, 79701.

5- Pay Your Respects At The Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a memorial park dedicated to citizens from the Permian Basin and surrounding areas who gave their lives in the Vietnam War.

It is a wonderful place to pay your respects, a pentagonal-shaped monument featuring plaques, sculptures, and models.

Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial is at 9900 Wright Drive, Midland, Texas, 79706.

6- Explore Hogan Park

Hogan Park is a city park that is by far the largest of its kind in Midland and an ideal place for those who want to spend some time relaxing or having fun outdoors without leaving the city.

Among the attractions are its sprawling areas of wide open, grassy spaces, an animal sanctuary, dog park, golf course and golf club, kid’s playground, nature centre, baseball, softball, and soccer complexes, and even a stadium.

Hogan Park 1201 East Wadley Avenue, Midland, Texas, 79705.

7- Discover The History Of The City At The Midland County History Museum

The Midland County History Museum is a small, understated historical establishment dedicated to preserving everyday life in Midland through the years.

Its collections of vintage clothes, household goods, toys, and various other pieces of memorabilia clearly show how life in the area has evolved.

The Midland County History Museum 200 North Main Street, Midland, Texas, 79701.

8- Be Amazed By The Planes On Display At The Midland Army Air Field Museum Hangar

Located on the grounds of the Midland International Air & Space Port, the Midland Army Air Field Museum Hangar is an attraction that offers visitors the chance to see crafts from the past.

Admire a huge collection of historic airplanes, look at some beautiful sculptures and memorials and, depending on when you visit, may even get to watch some of the planes be used in air shows.

It is a fabulous way to see first-hand how far aviation has come through the years.

The Midland Army Air Field Museum Hangar is at 9600 Wright Drive, Midland, Texas, 79706.

9- Examine The Historic George W. Bush Childhood Home

The George W. Bush Childhood Home is not just the house where the 43rd President Of The United States grew up but was also the home of his father and 41st US President (George H. W. Bush), from 1951 to 1955.

A historic house built in 1940, guided tours will take you around the home, which is still traditionally decorated and furnished, to show you how two of the most influential men in U.S. history lived.

George W. Bush Childhood Home is at 1412 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas, 79701.

10- Study The Landscape At The I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center

Located just off of the freeway on the southwest edge of Midland, the I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center is a fabulous nature reserve.

With a lake, beaches, hiking trails, and viewing platforms surrounded by a range of species of plants and animals, it is ideal for nature lovers and those who just love outdoor recreation.

I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center is at 2201 South Midland Drive, Midland, Texas, 79703.

11- Enjoy The Great Outdoors In Beal Park

Beal Park is a fabulous, large city park that centres around Beal Park Lake.

With a community centre, basketball court, baseball complex, fishing pond, fountain, dog park, kid’s playground, soccer field, memorial and skate park, plus walking trails and wide open green spaces, it is a fabulous place to relax and get some fresh air.

Beal Park is at 5200 West Wall Street, Midland, Texas, 79703.

12- Embrace Your Inner Child At Dennis The Menace Park

The Dennis The Menace Park is a colourful, four-acre park and garden dedicated to the legendary cartoon character.

Statues and playground equipment based on the cartoon will please visitors of all ages, while BBQ pits, pavilions, picnic tables, and restrooms ensure the whole family can have fun.

Dennis The Menace Park is at 2201 West Indiana Avenue, Midland, Texas, 79701.

13- Marvel At The Works In Callender’s Gallery / Frame It Art Gallery

Callender’s Gallery / Frame It Art Gallery is a unique art gallery that gives both up-and-coming and established artists a place and opportunity to display their work.

This ensures visitors will be greeted by one of the widest ranges of art styles they will ever find, making it a dream stop for art lovers.

Callender’s Gallery / Frame It Art Gallery is at 2613 Loop 250 Frontage Road, Midland, Texas, 79705.

14- Make A Trip To The Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum

The Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum is dedicated to helping visitors to learn more about the history of the Midland Fire Department.

Built in 1981, the museum contains a collection of historic fire trucks and firefighting equipment, as well as photos, statues, plaques, and memorials.

Located next to the active fire station and offering free entry, it is a great place to see how the firefighting industry has evolved, have some fun, and pay your respects to the Midland firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty through the years.

Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum is at 1500 West Wall Street, Midland, Texas, 79701.

15- Unwind In Centennial Park

Located in the heart of Downtown Midland, Centennial Park is a small city park that provides an opportunity to relax in the very centre of the city.

With a dog park, kid’s play area, lawns and a pavilion that regularly hosts live entertainment, it is a fabulous place to sit back and relax, surrounded by incredible views of the city’s tallest buildings.

Centennial Park is at 200 West Wall Street, Midland, Texas, 79701.

16- Spend An Afternoon At the Sibley Nature Center

The Sibley Nature Center is a wonderful nature reserve located southwest of Hogan Park.

It houses an extensive range of exhibits while also running programs and tours that will show and educate visitors on the fauna and flora of the region.

Sibley Nature Center is at 1307 East Wadley Avenue, Midland, Texas, 79705.

17- Catch A Game Or Show At The Scharbauer Sports Complex

The Scharbauer Sports Complex boasts a ballpark, pavilion, and stadium and is the largest location in the city for major sporting and entertainment events.

The largest of its venues is the Grande Communications Stadium, a 15,000-seater outdoor stadium used for both football and soccer.

Its main tenants are the teams of Legacy and Midland high schools, making it one of the largest high school venues in the U.S.

It is also used by local pro and minor league soccer and football teams too.

You then have the Momentum Bank Ballpark baseball stadium, which holds almost 7,000 people. Opened in 2002, it is the home stadium of the Midland RockHounds of the Texas League.

With both of these, as well as the pavilion, hosting events like concerts and pro wrestling, plus some unique community features like the HEB Splash Pad, the Scharbauer Sports Complex is the number one place in Midland for entertainment.

Scharbauer Sports Complex is at 5514 Champions Drive, Midland, Texas, 79706.

18- Watch A Spectacle At the Horseshoe Arena

The Horseshoe Arena is an indoor arena used to host events such as rodeos, monster truck derbies, and horse jumping shows.

It is a fairly basic arena, yet it is one of the very best places in Midland to experience some of the activities and events most associated with Texan culture.

Horseshoe Arena is at 12 Horseshoe Arena, Backstage 2514 Arena Trail, Midland, Texas, 79701.

19- Support The Arts At The Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center

The Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center is a massive, grandly designed performing arts theatre that hosts many of the top contemporary arts performances in the city.

With ballets, concerts, dramas, musicals, operas, and even routines by stand-up comedians, it is a great place to spend an evening, taking in some of the more refined forms of entertainment the city of Midland has to offer.

Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center is at 1310 Farm To Market Road 1788, Midland, Texas, 79707.

20- Attend An Event At The Bush Convention Center

The Bush Convention Center is an exhibition hall and convention centre in the heart of Downtown Midland.

Hosting many of the largest conferences, conventions, exhibitions, fairs, and shows in the city, there is a strong chance you will find an event here to pique your interest during your stay.

Bush Convention Center is at 105 North Main Street, Midland, Texas, 79701.