The Midland guidebook
Things to do in the Tall City.
Wondering what there is to do in Midland? Plenty. The city pairs big-league attractions, a Double-A ballpark and West Texas' long-running arts scene with easy-going parks and trails. This guide rounds up the places locals actually take their guests, plus the annual traditions worth planning around.
About the city
A quick Tall City primer.
Founded in 1881 as Midway Station, a water stop exactly halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso on the Texas and Pacific Railway, Midland grew from ranch town to oil capital after the Santa Rita No. 1 well blew in southeast of town in 1923. Those oil-money high-rises still rise abruptly from the plains, which is how the city got its nickname.
- residents at the 2020 U.S. Census
- 132,524
- founded as Midway Station on the railway
- 1881
- Santa Rita No. 1 launched the Permian boom
- 1923
- west to sister city Odessa on I-20
- 20 mi
residents at the 2020 U.S. Census
founded as Midway Station on the railway
Santa Rita No. 1 launched the Permian boom
west to sister city Odessa on I-20
Top attractions
Start with these six.
Hours and exhibit lineups change, so check the official site before you go. All are within a short drive of downtown.
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
Midland's flagship attraction, with hands-on oil field exhibits and the Chaparral racecar gallery. A must for anyone curious about the industry that built the Tall City.
Museum of the Southwest
A campus of culture at the historic Turner estate: the Turner Memorial Art Museum, the Durham Children's Museum, the Blakemore Planetarium and a sculpture garden.
Momentum Bank Ballpark & the RockHounds
Double-A baseball, Texas style. Catch the Midland RockHounds, the Oakland Athletics' affiliate, on the grassy berm from April through August.
George W. Bush Childhood Home
The restored 1950s home where a future president spent his boyhood, now a National Historic Site with family stories and Midland memorabilia.
Sibley Nature Center
Trails and programs that introduce West Texas wildlife and landscapes, from sand dunes to playa lakes. Great for a low-key afternoon outdoors.
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
Ballet, Broadway tours, symphony and comedy on the Midland-Odessa campus. The region's big stage for a night out.
Seasonal
Spring through fall, the calendar fills up.
From April ballpark nights to the June fiesta to the biennial oil show, Midland's event calendar follows the West Texas seasons. Plan a visit around one of these and you will see the city at its liveliest.
See events & resources
Annual traditions
Midland events locals plan around.
RockHounds season
April through August
The city's signature sporting draw: affordable seats, fireworks nights and the best berm scene in the Texas League at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
Celebration of the Arts
Annual arts festival
West Texas' longest-running arts festival, hosted by the Arts Council of Midland. Live music, food and art across the historic downtown district.
Permian Basin International Oil Show
Every other year
One of the world's largest oil and gas trade shows, held in Midland when the industry comes home to the Permian Basin.
Scottish-Irish Faire
Annual faire
A Celtic culture celebration at the Midland County Horseshoe with music, dance, food and pipe bands. A springtime favorite.
Mex-Tex Family Fiesta
Every June
Hispanic heritage celebrated with food, music and dance, organized by the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce each summer.
From the 2026 New to Midland Guide
What locals do all year.
Alli's guide breaks the Midland calendar into four seasons, with a local pick for each. Here is the whole year at a glance, from Ruidoso weekends to summer ballpark nights.
Winter
- Weekend trip to Ruidoso, NM, about a four-hour drive
- Centennial Park for the Christmas tree, and downtown's Midland Merry Lights
- A show at Midland Community Theatre or Wagner Noël
Spring
- Crawfish boil at a local venue
- Easter egg hunt at local churches
- Downtown Farmers Market stroll
- Day trip to the Monahans sand dunes
Summer
- Movie in the Park at Centennial Park
- Star Spangled Salute downtown on the 4th
- Summer Mummers by Midland Community Theatre
- City pools at Doug Russell or Washington
- Sunday Night Lawn Concert at the Museum of the Southwest
Fall
- St. Ann's Fair
- Walk the I-20 Wildlife Preserve
- High school football: cheer on the Rebels or the Dawgs
- Triple Threat or Little Woodrow's for the adults
Always in season
Year-round favorites.
These hold up in any weather. Most are low-cost and family-friendly, and several land on Alli's own short list.
- Tall City Brewing
- Centennial Park
- The Petroleum Museum, and check out their Science Nights
- Sibley Nature Center
- Fishing at the stocked ponds
- Disc golf at Windlands Park or Midland College
- A RockHounds game
- A Jackalopes game
Plan your visit
Get the full roundup from the conventions bureau.
For current event dates, ticket links and seasonal happenings, Visit Midland and the Explore Texas roundup are the trusty go-tos. Bookmark them alongside this guide.
Moving to Midland? Alli can pair every one of these outings with the right neighborhood to come home to. Say hello, or read the neighborhood guides.