Overview
Midland is a city in the Permian Basin region of Texas. Its warm climate, friendly people, and central location are the primary reasons for the city's popularity. Twenty minutes to the west is Odessa, with a population of about 100,000. Nearly a quarter of a million people reside in the Midland/Odessa metropolitan area.
13 sights · 7 things to do · 11 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Midland
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.
The Museum of the Southwest
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…
Fredda Durham Turner Children's Museum
The children's museum features three exhibition areas filled with natural light from twelve skylights and numerous glass block clerestory windows. The museum is an exciting place that stresses interactive learning. Throu…
George W. Bush Childhood Home
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
This interactive museum, spread over 40 acres, takes you step by step through the dynamic search for black gold. Life sized murals, ancient artifacts and colorful memorabilia help you relive the Basin's turbulent past. A…
Marian Blakemore Planetarium
One of the largest planetariums in Texas, The Marion Blakemore Planetarium is the perfect place to learn about the history of astronomy. Sky shows for school groups, clubs and organizations are scheduled in advance. Publ…
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MAF Midland International Air and Space Port, Midland — 8 mi away. Directions
- HOB Lea County Regional Airport, Hobbs — 82 mi away. Directions
- ELP El Paso International Airport, El Paso — 252 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $59–$84 a night (typical $75), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$250.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Yucca Theater, The Midland Center, George W. Bush Childhood Home
- Lunch Luigi's Italian Restaurant
- Afternoon The Museum of the Southwest, Fredda Durham Turner Children's Museum
- Dinner Venezia
- Evening The Double Bar Saloon
Day 2
- Morning American Airpower Heritage Museum, Scharbauer Sports Complex, Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum
- Lunch TNT Donuts
- Afternoon Golf at Hogan Park, Celebration of the Arts
- Dinner Murray's Delicatessen
- Evening The Bar
Day 3
- Morning Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, Haley Library and History Center
- Lunch Rosa's Cafe
- Afternoon The I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center, Septemberfest
- Dinner Oscar's Super Burrito
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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.
Tourist information
- Visit Midland website
Get in
By car
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.
By plane
Go Midland International Airport (and Space Port MAF)
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.
By bus
Midland is served by Greyhound. The bus station is on Front St, near downtown.
Get around
By car
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.
By bus
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.
See
Theaters
See 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.
See Cole Theater
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.
Museums
See American Airpower Heritage Museum
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.
See The Museum of the Southwest
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.
See Fredda Durham Turner Children's Museum
The children's museum features three exhibition areas filled with natural light from twelve skylights and numerous glass block clerestory windows. The museum is an exciting place that stresses interactive learning. Through pure creation and imagination, the hands-on exhibits make learning fun. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM to 5PM and Sunday, 2PM to 5PM. Closed Mondays and holidays. Guided tours by reservation. Children 1 and under are free. Sundays will be free for all visitors. Call for program information.
See Midland County Historical Museum
Exhibits include early Midland history, photos, pioneer relics, mementos of the Civil War, World Wars I & II, replicated remains of the 20,000-year-old "Midland Man", and Indian artifacts. Collection housed in Midland County Library.
See Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum
This museum contains Midland's first two fire trucks and other early fire fighting equipment. Photographs line the walls, and an original collection of early fire markers is on exhibit. Free.
See Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
This interactive museum, spread over 40 acres, takes you step by step through the dynamic search for black gold. Life sized murals, ancient artifacts and colorful memorabilia help you relive the Basin's turbulent past. Also featured are the largest collection of Tom Lovell paintings and antique drilling equipment in the nation. The Transportation Gallery is the home of Jim Hall's Chaparral Race Cars.
See Marian Blakemore Planetarium
One of the largest planetariums in Texas, The Marion Blakemore Planetarium is the perfect place to learn about the history of astronomy. Sky shows for school groups, clubs and organizations are scheduled in advance. Public shows run Friday evenings at 8PM, with star viewing in the adjoining park, conditions permitting. Admission charged.
See Haley Library and History Center
Learn all about Texas and Southwestern history, including the background of the cattle industry and the individuals who began it. There are more than 30,000 collected volumes on display covering western exploration, early railroads, the development of ranching, mining, petroleum and politics. The library also contains one of the most extensive collections in the world on the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid. You will be amazed at the collection of Western bronze sculptures, paintings, drawings and artifacts made available to the public. Free.
Convention centers
See The Midland Center
Downtown next to Centennial Plaza on the corner of Wall St. and Main. Home to numerous conventions and functions throughout the year.
See The Horseshoe
County convention center location at Cotton Flat Rd. and I-20 on the south side of town. Several stock shows and rodeos take place throughout the year.
Do
Do 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.
Stadiums
Do 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.
Do Chaparral Center
Basketball arena, home to the Midland College Chaparrals. Also home to functions such as high school graduations.
Festivals
Do 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.
Do 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. Septemberfest is held on the grounds of the beautiful Turner Mansion at the Museum of the Southwest.
Do Christmas at the Mansion
Held at the Museum of the Southwest, the annual holiday extravaganza with the "Southwest Express" train exhibit, carolers and beautifully decorated holiday displays begins after Thanksgiving.
Eat
Breakfast
Eat TNT Donuts
Local donut and coffee store very popular with the locals. There are several locations located across town.
Lunch
Eat 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!
Mexican
Eat 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.
Eat Oscar's Super Burrito
Oscar's Super Burrito is quickly becoming a Midland staple that has to experienced with any visit to Midland.
Eat Caramba's Spanish Inn
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!
Eat Doña Anita's
An old favorite since the early 1980s.
Italian
Eat Venezia
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.
Eat Luigi's Italian Restaurant
This small trattoria has been serving Italian dishes such as veal scaloppine and eggplant parmigiana on traditional red-checked tablecloths for more than a quarter of a century. Located downtown.
Asian
Eat The King & I (Thai Cuisine)
Small Thai restaurant very popular with the lunch crowd.
Eat Kuo's
In the shopping center at the corner of Midkiff and Wadley, across the street from HEB. Kuo's is one of Midland's best sit-down style Chinese restaurants.
Steak and seafood
Eat Wall Street Bar and Grill
A downtown restaurant serving a wide variety of dishes. An excellent restaurant in a beautiful old building.
Drink
Drink The Bar
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.
Sleep
Stay safe
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.
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