Midland

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

Getting there

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 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.

By bus Midland is served by Greyhound. The bus station is on Front St, near downtown.

Getting 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 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.

Museums 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. 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

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. 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.

Stadiums 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.

Festivals 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. Septemberfest is held on the grounds of the beautiful Turner Mansion at the Museum of the Southwest. 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 TNT Donuts. Local donut and coffee store very popular with the locals. There are several locations located across town.

Lunch Murray's Delicatessen. Located on the corner of Wadley and Midkiff across from HEB, this adorable restaurant attracts customers of al