Why Is Midland Worth Visiting?
Midland is one of the most rapidly growing cities in Texas and has become a hub for oil and gas companies. The city is also home to the Midland International Air & Space Port, which is known as one of the best places to see planes taking off and landing.
The city boasts some of the best shopping in West Texas, with luxury brands like Saks Fifth Avenue having locations here. You can also find plenty of restaurants, including some that have been featured on national television shows.
Midland has a small town feel but all of the amenities you’d expect from a big city. This makes it an ideal place for anyone who wants to live somewhere that feels like home but still offers access to all of the things they love about living in a bigger city.
Things to Do in Midland, TX – Museums and Historic Sites
Looking for things to do in Midland, TX for history buffs? The Midland County History Museum is a great place to start. This museum chronicles the history of the city from its beginnings as a frontier town to its present-day status as an oil and gas hub. Below, you’ll find the best attractions to check out!
Museum of the Southwest
This museum is a great place to learn about the history of Texas. It has exhibits about paleontology, geology and archaeology. The natural history collection includes fossils from ancient animals that once roamed Texas. There are also exhibits about Native Americans and settlers who lived here hundreds of years ago, as well as a planetarium.
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum has exhibits that show how oil drilling works today and in the past. You can see how oil rigs work, learn about different types of oil fields and look at real drill bits used in past drilling projects. There’s also an audio tour where you can hear stories about how people made money off of oil in Texas during its boom years in the 1920s through 1950s!
George W. Bush Childhood Home
President George W. Bush lived in Midland before he became president, so he could go to school there while his father worked as an oilman during the 1970s oil boom years in Texas. The Bush Childhood Home is now a museum that tells the story of how George W. Bush grew up in Midland and how it shaped him into the man he is today.
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center – Attractions for Art Lovers
Visiting Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center is one of the best things to do in Midland, TX. The venue is home to the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra, which performs in three series every season:
- Masterworks series;
- Pops & Family series;
- Grand Series.
It also hosts traveling Broadway shows, concerts and other performances. The center has hosted many musical acts over the years including Bob Dylan, ThePianoGuys, Abba, and the Oak Ridge Boys. The venue was also used for several sporting events, including wrestling matches and pro boxing matches.
Natural Attractions in Midland
Looking for things to do in Midland, TX that have to do with nature? There’s no better place to stroll and take in the sights and smells of the flowers than at the Sibley Nature Center. The center has 49 acres of nature to explore, including hiking trails, a pond and an arboretum.
The center also offers educational programs for all ages about the plants and animals that live in West Texas. It’s a great place to learn about the ecology of the area and how to protect the environment.
The I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center is a 100-acre wildlife preserve located near Midland International Airport. It features hiking trails through woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. The center also offers programs for all ages, as well as an interpretive center that includes a gift shop and educational exhibits on wildlife native to West Texas.
If you haven’t been to Odessa yet, it’s worth the drive to visit Odessa Meteor Crater. The crater is the result of a meteor that hit the earth millions of years ago and is now a National Natural Landmark. It’s one of the best things to see in West Texas.
Shopping and Foodie Things to Do in Midland, TX
If you’re looking for things to do in Midland, TX that involve shopping and food, then you’ll want to head to Downtown Midland. This area is home to many unique shops and restaurants. Some of the best places to eat in Downtown Midland include:
- Wall Street Bar & Grill, which has a large selection of burgers, salads and seafood;
- Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, which serves authentic Italian food;
- Ajuua’s Mexican Restaurant, which has a wide variety of Mexican dishes.
If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to visit Susie’s South Forty Confections, which is a local candy store that sells homemade fudge, chocolates and other sweets.
Downtown Midland is also home to many unique shops, such as Tobacco Alley of Midland, which sells cigars, cigarettes and tobacco products, and Fountainville Creamery & Soda Fountain, which is a 1950s-style ice cream shop. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in Downtown Midland!
Scharbauer Sports Complex – Get Active on Your Trip
The Scharbauer Sports Complex is a great place to get active on your trip to Midland, TX. The complex features a variety of sports facilities, including:
- baseball fields;
- softball fields;
- tennis courts;
- basketball courts;
- volleyball courts.
If you’re looking for things to do in Midland, TX that involve getting active and spending time outdoors, then the Scharbauer Sports Complex is the perfect place for you!
These are just a few of the many things to do in Midland, TX. Whether you’re planning to visit Midland before or after your trip to Odessa, there’s something for everyone!
What are your favorite things to do in Midland? Let us know in the comments below!
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