Midland, nicknamed The Tall City, stands high on the West Texas horizon and offers experiences with presidents, petroleum, art, and history.
Located on Interstate 20 halfway between Dallas and El Paso, Midland is the business headquarters of the Permian Basin, the largest oil-producing region in the country.
In recent years, Forbes Magazine named Midland #1 Best Small City for Jobs in 2016 and in 2017, WalletHub named Midland the #2 fastest growing city in Texas.
The city’s successes in the oil industry have allowed a community of its size to offer visitors world-class attractions like the $81-million Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum and the George W. Bush Childhood Home. Several new Midland hotels have opened their doors within the last few years, providing visitors with a multitude of options for places to stay.
Midland is known as the gateway to the Big Bend region, so be sure to make your way to Texas’ picturesque mountains while you’re here.
The Tall City is a few hours away from a number of remarkable natural areas, including the rolling sand dunes at Monahans Sandhills State Park and Balmorhea State Park, home to the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Of course, Midland is a great starting point for your adventure to Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, two of the most spectacular places in the Lone Star State. Midland International Air & Space Port is the closest commercial airport to Big Bend National Park.
Travel to Midland and you’ll discover a unique combination of big-city culture and small-town charm. Add in its convenient location to some of the most popular parks in Texas and you’ve got a great choice for your next vacation.
Local Midland Attractions:
George W. Bush Childhood Home
Step back in time to the 1950’s at the George W. Bush Childhood Home in Midland, restored with furnishings and exhibits to showcase the home as it was when the Bush family lived here. Be sure to check out the turquoise refrigerator and take your photo with the life-size cutout of the 43rd president himself.
1412 West Ohio Avenue
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 685-1112
Haley Memorial Library & History Center 
Named after historian and political activist J. Evetts Haley, the Haley Library & History Center is a revered treasure for Western writers and journalists. The Haley Library features the first bell that hung over The Alamo, more than 30,000 rare and original volumes on Western exploration and development, and first-hand interviews from trail drives across the American plains. An extensive collection on the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid can also be found in the library, which hosts Western art sales twice a year.
1805 West Indiana
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 682-5785
I-20 Wildlife Preserve and Jenna Welch Nature Study Center
Walk the boardwalk and hike the 3.4-mile trail across a 30-acre urban playa wetland at the I-20 Wildlife Preserve, an urban oasis, and the place to spot birds, reptiles, butterflies—maybe even a bobcat. Be sure to check out the Hawk Observation Tower when you visit. This is also a great place to photograph a famous West Texas sunset.
2201 South Midland Drive
Midland, TX 79703
(432) 853-9453
Museum of the Southwest
The grounds of the Museum of the Southwest include the Turner Memorial Art Museum, the Durham Children’s Museum, the Blakemore Planetarium and the sculpture garden. The museum is in the historic Turner Mansion & Stables, on the National Register of Historic Places and past home to two Kentucky Derby-winning horses. It hosts special events like Sunday Lawn Concerts, SciFridays, Star Parties, and Art Socials, so be sure to check out their calendar when planning your trip to Midland.
1705 West Missouri
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 683-2882
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum & Chaparral Racecar Gallery
Known as one of the best petroleum museums in the country, Midlands’ Permian Basin Petroleum Museum provides an inside look at how the oil industry works. Exhibits include the Permian Reef (it’s like you’re walking on the ocean floor), The Voyage of the PetroTrekker (a trip across land, under the sea, and to space to find new sources of petroleum), and the world’s largest collection of antique oil drilling equipment. Don’t miss the Chaparral Racecar Gallery, home to vintage autos used by the Chaparral Cars race team.
1500 West Interstate 20
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 683-4403
Sibley Nature Center
Hike the nature trail and discover the flora, fauna, and history of West Texas at the Sibley Nature Center, located on 49 acres in northwest Midland. The grounds include an interpretive center with a wildlife viewing area and beehive, a research library, greenhouses, and a hiking trail with views of a salt playa, a pond, grassland and mesquites.
1301 East Wadley Avenue
Midland, TX 79705
(432) 684-6827
Susie’s South Forty Confections
Susie’s South Forty Confections has long been a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Owner Susie Hitchcock-Hall started her business in 1991 on 40 acres south of Midland and the business has quickly grown to a large candy factory and retail store. This Midland candy factory holds the Guinness World Record for making the world’s largest piece of toffee — shaped like the state of Texas, of course, and has been featured on Food Network’s “Unwrapped.”
401 South Marienfeld
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 570-4040
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
The Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center is an $81-million, state-of-the-art, stunning venue in Midland that hosts off-Broadway productions, Cirque du Soleil performances, Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale concerts, world-famous musical and comedy acts from the likes of Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Loretta Lynn and ZZ Top.
1310 North FM 1788
Midland, TX 79707
(432) 552-4430
Come visit the Tall City!