Midland, TX Road Trips

Midland was founded in 1885 as a railroad stop on the barren west Texas plains, and named for its location midway between Fort Worth and El Paso. Since then, Midland has served as a center for agriculture, ranching, and transportation for the southern plains. Midland was a relatively small town until the discovery of oil in the 1920s, when it was quickly transformed into the administrative hub of the Permian Basin. One of the world's largest petroleum-producing regions, today the basin supplies nearly 20 percent of the country's oil and gas output, and thousands of people are employed locally to extract it. Nowhere is the oil influence more visible than downtown, where the streets are lined by high-rise office buildings constructed by oil companies. The Bank of America Building is reputably the tallest building between Fort Worth and Phoenix, and the Wilco Building is only a little shorter. The Petroleum Building is a beautiful example of architecture from the Roaring Twenties, while Claydesta Center (a business park of several 5- & 6-story buildings) showplaces the splendour of the heyday of Midland's oil business. The oil crash in the late 1980s dealt a firm blow to the area, and Midland fell into a bit of disrepair, but has since bounced back and is chugging along. Notable former residents are George W Bush and Laura Bush, in their younger years. Visit Midland website

1 The Yucca Theater. Historic theater in downtown Midland, built in the Assyrian Revival style in the 1920s. Now owned by the Midland Community Theater, the Yucca is home to Summer Mummers as well as several plays throughout the year. 2 Cole Theater, Wadley Ave. Cole Theater is the home of Midland Community Theaters, one of the most highly recognized community theaters in the country. Cole Theater is also connected to the Midland College campus via a footbridge over Midland Draw. 3 American Airpower Heritage Museum, 9600 Wright Dr (at Midland International Airport), ☏ +1 432 563-1000. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su and holidays noon-5PM. Located near the airport, this museum houses the headquarters of the Commemorative Air Force, as well as the world's large airplane nose art collections, and one of the finest privately held aircraft collections in existence. Notable airplanes on display include B-24's, B-25's, and the only flying B-29 bomber left in the world. The yearly CAF airshow in October is also a must. Open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission charged. Group rates available. 4 The Museum of the Southwest, 1705 W. Missouri, ☏ +1 432 683-2882. The Museum, housed in the Turner Mansion posted in the National Register of Historic Places, collects and exhibits art and astronomy from the American Southwest. It also hosts traveling and temporary exhibitions covering a broad range of art, from Currier & Ives to Andy Warhol, archaeology to astronomy. 5 Fredda Durham Turner Children's Museum, 1705 W. Missouri, ☏ +1 432 683-2882.

Golf at Hogan Park. Hogan Park is home to 36 holes of the best public golfing in the state. Hogan Park is usually open 7 days a week and has fairly inexpensive greens fees. The I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center, 2201 S Midland Dr, ☏ +1 432-853-9453. Tu-Su 8AM-8PM. An oasis with reeds and open body of water that seems out of place in this oil pumping desert landscape. Good for naturalists or anyone just needing rejuvenation. 1 Scharbauer Sports Complex. State-of-the-art baseball and football/soccer complex located on the western edge of town. The baseball stadium, Security Bank Ballpark, is home to the Double-A minor league Midland RockHounds baseball team. The football field, Grande Stadium, seat up to 18 000 and is home to the Midland High and Lee High football teams. There is usually a football game going on in the fall on Friday nights. Chaparral Center. Basketball arena, home to the Midland College Chaparrals. Also home to functions such as high school graduations. Celebration of the Arts. Three days of art, entertainment, food and fun at Centennial Plaze in downtown Midland. 70 juried artists, 5 stages of entertainment, Run for the Arts, Teen Scene, children's activity tent, and Experience the Arts area. Festival takes place every year in May. Septemberfest. This event draws crowds from far and wide. You will enjoy a weekend of arts and crafts, music and live performances, food and games for the entire family. Make sure you bring an appetite and sample all the good tasting treats.

TNT Donuts. Local donut and coffee store very popular with the locals. There are several locations located across town. Murray's Delicatessen. Located on the corner of Wadley and Midkiff across from HEB, this adorable restaurant attracts customers of all ages. The decor reflects the culture of Midland, from its newspapers hanging on the wall to the local school posters. Try not to overindulge on the meal itself so you can save room for their famous brownies and cheesecake! Rosa's Cafe. Rosa's has locations on Andrews Highway, Big Spring St, and Midland Dr. Rosa's is a local chain serving sit-down style Mexican food. Oscar's Super Burrito, 4306 Neely Ave, ☏ +1 432 699-0242. Oscar's Super Burrito is quickly becoming a Midland staple that has to experienced with any visit to Midland. Caramba's Spanish Inn, 3116 W Front St, ☏ +1 432 520-9724. This small, family-run restaurant is conveniently located near the downtown area. Its quick service provides a good place for businessmen and families alike to sit and grab a quick bite to eat. Their chips and homemade salsa is a great appetizer every time! Doña Anita's, 305 West Florida Ave, ☏ +1 432 683-6727. An old favorite since the early 1980s. 1 Venezia, 2101 W Wadley Ave #20, ☏ +1 432 687-0900. This restaurant serves Northern Italian cuisine including fresh veal, seafood, pastas, and steaks, complemented by a large selection of high quality wines. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. (updated Jan 2017) 2 Luigi's Italian Restaurant, 111 N Big Spring St (at W. Wall St), ☏ +1 432 683-6363.

1 The Bar, 606 W Missouri Ave (near downtown), ☏ +1 432 685-1757. The Bar features live entertainment on weekends by local and area bands. Offering several televisions for sporting events, this is a local favorite. Happy Hour M-Th 4PM-8PM. (updated Jan 2017) 2 The Double Bar Saloon, 621 W Wall St, ☏ +1 432-218-6935.

Quality Suites, 4706 N Garfield St, ☏ +1 432 897-2738. A little farther down Garfield from the Fairfield; has a pool and free wireless in the rooms. $60 (Jan 2022). 1 Wyndham Midland Downtown, 117 West Wall St, ☏ +1 432-683-6131. This property that used to be a Doubletree is downtown across the street from the courthouse and Centennial Plaza. It contains two towers with a restaurant and rooftop patio. 2 Fairfield Inn, 2300 Faulkner Dr (near the Garfield St. exit off of Loop 250), ☏ +1 432 570-7155. $84 (Jan 2022). Hampton Inn Midland South, 2201 Camp St, ☏ +1 432 218-6972. Very corporate-looking. $87 (Jan 2022). Sleep Inn & Suites Midland West, 5612 Deauville Blvd, ☏ +1 432 694-4200. This motel is a great place to stay if you're budget minded but would like a clean & straightforward room. Has Wi-fi in all rooms. $59 (Jan 2022). Homewood Suites by Hilton, 1401 Tradewinds Blvd, ☏ +1 432 695-6905. This one has an indoor aquatic area with a hot tub that overflows into a pool. $75. (updated Jan 2022)

Midland is on I-20 between Fort Worth and El Paso. Other highways connect Midland to San Angelo, Lubbock, Andrews, and Fort Stockton. Midland is just over two hours south of Lubbock, and four to five hours from both El Paso and Fort Worth. 1 Midland International Airport (and Space Port MAF IATA) (10 miles west of Midland). Southwest Airlines, United Express, and American Eagle provide daily service. Flights are regularly available to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Love Field, Houston (Bush), Houston (Hobby), Denver, and Las Vegas. Midland is served by Greyhound. The bus station is on Front St, near downtown.

The easiest way to get around Midland is by car. Car rentals are available at Midland International Airport. Midland is laid out in a grid surrounded by Loop 250 and I-20. Traffic is generally light, with some very high congestion possible during peak hours. Parking is readily available across the city. Downtown, the streets are lined by free two hour parking places. You can park in some parking garages for longer periods of time for a fee. The EZRider bus system provides affordable access to most of the city. Bus stops are located near most shopping centers and hotels. Fares normally run $1. The main bus stop is located downtown behind the Midland Center. A parking lot is located at this stop for bus users.

Midland is a very safe city. Violent crime is rare, while muggings and pickpocketings are practically unheard of. Midland police are available by dialing 911. During heavy rainstorms, Midland's streets are prone to flooding. These floods have been known to wash away cars in the past, so be careful of driving across a flooded road.