Fun Things to Do in Midland TX
BIG SKY Drive-in Movie Theatre
6200 W. Hwy. 80
(432) 617‑3001 | www.bigskytheatre.com
A favored destination for West Texans since 2005, this ultimate drive-in is open seven days a week, 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Eve. Hosting double features on three titanic screens, the family complex brings to life current movie titles and big seasonal events. Four vibrant playgrounds and games with prizes give the kids plentiful pre-movie pastimes.
Blakemore Planetarium at the Museum of the Southwest
1705 W. Missouri
(432) 683‑2882 | www.museumsw.org
Marian Blakemore Planetarium, located on the Museum of the Southwest campus, provides an awesome environment for discovering astronomy. Visitors may peruse the permanent space-science exhibit, which features an excursion through the solar system with dramatic backlit graphics, neat interactive activities and stunning images from the Hubble Telescope. The planetarium projects high-definition video productions on a 40-foot dome. Exceptional lectures with regional astronomers and educators regularly accompany shows.
Brown-Dorsey Medallion Home
231 N. Weatherford St.
http://midlandhistoricalsociety.com
UNDER CONSTRUCTION – See website for details.
Cinergy Cinemas
1917 Liberty Dr.
(432) 689‑8180 | www.cinergy.com
Just when you may have thought Texas couldn’t get any bigger, Midland’s latest entertainment venue offers quantity and quality in a multimillion-dollar, multi-screen complex that includes Cinergy’s Experience Perfection in Cinema, or EPIC, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screen. A casual dining menu offers appetizers and pizzas, Angus burgers and sandwiches. Entertaining diversions include a stunning arcade, a laser maze and the “Sky Walker” elevated ropes course.
Fiddlesticks Farms Cornfield Maze
& Pumpkin Patch
5610 E County Rd. 120
(432) 687‑6293 | www.fiddlesticksfarms.com
Open October and November, Fiddlesticks Farms features a cornfield maze and more than 25 courtyard attractions that are a perfect adventure for all ages. The young or young at heart, will enjoy our farm-related outdoor activities, scrum-ditty-umptious food…and campfires!
Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum at the Museum of the Southwest
1705 W. Missouri
(432) 683‑2882 | www.museumsw.org
The Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum provides educational opportunities to stimulate discovery, learning and understanding. Year-round craft camps extend an opportunity for children to enjoy artistic projects utilizing countless mediums and techniques. The Children’s Museum programming and activities have moved to the Turner Memorial Art Museum & Blakemore Planetarium for the time being as the building is being renovated.
George W. Bush Childhood Home
1412 W. Ohio Ave.
(432) 685‑1112
www.bushchildhoodhome.org
This 1,492-square-foot home captures the life of George W. Bush, America’s 43rd president, and his famous parents, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara, who lived in the home from 1951 to 1955. ›
Noted in the National Register of Historic Places and as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, the home has been faithfully restored to depict the lifestyle and décor of the 1950s.
Since its 2006 dedication, more than 30,000 guests from every state and upward of 40 countries have visited. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The gift shop offers nostalgia, souvenirs, books and apparel.
George W. Bush Driving Tour
(432) 687‑8285
Interested in seeing the president’s former homes? Stop by the VisitMidland Information & Travel Center at 1406 W. I-20, for your free guide to a self-paced driving tour.
I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center
2201 S. Midland Dr.
(432) 853‑9453 | www.i20wp.org
I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center is an eco-tourism attraction boasting 3.4 miles of hiking and biking trails amidst conservation wetlands, with areas for bird watching and wildlife observation. “Playa wetlands” and “playa lakes” are shallow, circular depressions filled by rainwater during wet cycles. They serve a number of functions such as recharging groundwater, habitat for native and migratory wildlife and refuge for native plants. The state-of-the-art Nature Center offers quality environmental education to college students and the public, both in the preserve and in orientation-demonstration areas at the center. Preserve highlights include observation decks, viewing platforms and bird blinds.
Midland Army Airfield Museum
9600 Wright Dr.
(432) 703‑3142 | www.HighSkyWing.org
The Midland Army Air Field Museum is a step back in time to WWII and it is maintained by volunteers. The museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment for groups.
Midland Downtown Lions Club
Fire Museum
1500 W. Wall
(432) 685‑7335
This free museum offers an intimate look at the city’s first fire trucks, now fully restored: a 1916 unit with a 40-gallon tank and a 1928 American La France T-91 engine. Other exhibits include early firefighting equipment, photographs and a collection of early fire markers. Located on the east end of the Central Fire Station building; open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Museum of the Southwest
1705 W. Missouri
(432) 683‑2882 | www.museumsw.org
Museum of the Southwest, founded in 1965 and open since 1966, is housed in the Turner Mansion – listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum serves the Midland and West Texas region with exhibitions, programs and events focused on art, astronomy, archaeology, science, history and culture. Boasting Southwest artwork from ancient times to the present, the collection includes more than 12,000 works, including paintings, ›
prints, sculpture, drawings, textiles, ceramics and basketry. The Archaeology Collection hosts more than 45,000 artifacts, the largest surface collection in Texas.
In 2016, the museum completed a multi-million dollar renovation and added a stunning interactive Kentucky Derby exhibit to its permanent collection. Additionally, the museum hosts exhibitions throughout the year of works from national, international and local artists. Annual events include Summer Sunday lawn concerts, SeptemberFest – a juried arts and crafts festival, Christmas at the Mansion and an auction.
Nita Stewart Haley Memorial Library and J. Evetts Haley History Center
1805 W. Indiana Ave.
(432) 682‑5785 | www.haleylibrary.com
Haley Library and History Center, founded in 1976 for preservation of the history, traditions and ideas of early Texas and the Southwest, holds nearly 30,000 books, personal manuscripts, photos and printed material chronicling Western history. The relationships among the cowboys, the range cattle industry, the military and railroads are explored in collections and programs that show how each industry helped the others grow. J. Evetts Haley’s personal interviews with hundreds of Southwestern pioneers have been an invaluable resource for educators, historians and writers. Historian Robert Utley leaned on Haley Library research for his acclaimed book on Billy the Kid, and Western novelist Elmer Kelton credited the Haley Library materials for stimulating many of his books.
Fine Western art is showcased in permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and annual art shows. The collection includes works by Charlie Dye, William Moyers, Joe Beeler, Wayne Baize and Glenna Goodacre. The museum also cares for artifacts that include the first bell (cast in 1722) to hang in the Alamo, saddles, spurs, firearms and artisan pieces such as Indian blankets, baskets and glassware.
Old Miner’s Maze
4305 N. County Rd. 1140
(432) 556‑5867 | www.oldminersmaze.com
As a locally owned small business proudly serving the Permian Basin, Old Miner’s Maze offers the perfect mix of action-oriented fun. Just a few minutes from downtown Midland, Old Miner’s Maze is a place where families come together for interactive adventures. In addition to the maze, thrill-seeking visitors can ride the mechanical bull and even bungee jump.
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
and Chaparral Gallery
1500 W. Interstate 20 West
(432) 683‑4403
www.petroleummuseum.org
Explore the history of the petroleum industry in a fun and interactive way as you experience the recently completed $18 million renovation. While you are here, don’t miss the jaw-dropping mineral gallery or the world’s largest collection of antique oil drilling equipment. The Transportation Wing houses the Chaparral Gallery and explains the interdependent relationship between petroleum and transportation, including the history of the Chaparral Road Racers. The gallery is home to all seven of Jim Hall’s Chaparral race cars. ›
The museum is also home to the largest collection of artwork by Western artist Tom Lovell, who worked with museum founder George Abell to create works reflecting the history of the Permian Basin. ›
Scarborough-Lineberry House
802 S. Main St.
(432) 685‑7368
Kara and W.E. Scarborough had Midland’s second-oldest home, built in 1907. This early ranch remained in the family for over 90 years before being donated to the city. Now used for weddings, receptions, dinner parties and other functions, it is open by appointment for guided tours.
Susie’s South Forty Confections
401 S. Marienfeld
(432) 570‑4040 or (800) 221‑4442
www.susiessouthforty.com
Any trip to Midland wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Susie’s South Forty. Guests can take a guided tour of the factory – with free samples – and then visit the candy and gift store to purchase their favorites from among the delectable treats. In 2017, Susie’s South Forty celebrated its 25th anniversary.
A Guinness World Record holder for the largest piece of toffee (shaped like Texas), Susie’s was featured on the Food Network show Unwrapped and won the “Best in Fudge” and “Best Frozen Dessert” categories at the Austin Fancy Foods Show.
Specialties include Susie’s Texas Trash, a custom blend of pretzels, cereals and pecans covered in white chocolate; Texas Pecan Toffee; Kickers Pralines; Blueberry Dark Fudge; and Key Lime Bark. The shop features a diverse and fun assortment of souvenir candies and gifts, including edible Texas River Rocks and Keepsake Sequined Boots filled with Texas Trash candies.
Texas Sun Winery
3415 N. Loop 250 W., Ste. 305
(432) 704‑5563
Welcome to the first urban winery in Midland, Texas. Texas Sun Winery is a family owned and operated business, offering a warm, friendly, relaxing and inviting atmosphere for enjoying wine and a variety of small bites, while spending time with friends and family. You may delight in some wine therapy at the tasting bar, or relax at one of the tables. You may also reserve the private room for your special events. At Texas Sun Winery, the wines are from the finest grapes sourced from vineyards around the world, offering a wide selection of red and white wines, as well as a variety of sangria and fruit-infused wines. You can even design your own custom label to place on that perfect bottle of wine you purchase for someone special.
Sibley Nature Center
1307 E. Wadley
(432) 684‑6827 | www.sibleynaturecenter.org
Sibley Nature Center’s mission is to increase awareness of the natural and historical environment of the Llano Estacado through a broad range of interpretive programs and personal experiences. The 5,200-square-foot center boasts four major rooms with exhibits on the eight major habitats of the region. A 70-seat auditorium is frequented by educational presentations. Via extensive workshops, seminars and tours, the center educates all comers on the flora, fauna and history of the region. Visitors are able to partake in nature trail hikes, educational habitat gardens, a wildlife garden, bird watching and a variety of day trips are available for nature enthusiasts.
Tall City Brewing
3303 W. Golf Course Rd.
(432) 770‑8679 | www.tallcitybrewing.com
It all started as a dream to bring Midland and the fine folks of the Permian Basin a unique brewery/tap room experience to the area. Opened in the fall of 2019, Tall City Brewing offers tours and tastings in the taproom or on the patio. To provide their great local brews, Tall City Brewing sticks to its Texas roots and proudly sources many ingredients from around the state.