Midland Travel Guide, Texas

Midland is located in one of the richest oil fields, the Permian Basin and the city’s economy was and still is strongly linked to the surrounding natural resources.

The fate of the city was shaped by the oil industry and whenever there was a boom or a bust in the industry the city felt and showed it. People came and settled in the city drawn mostly by the working places. The city was never really a tourist destination and even today, people see the city as a nice stopover worth spending a day and a night that gives the visitor enough time to see the main attractions then move on.

Visitors coming to the city that once was home of two presidents, George H. W. Bush and his son George W., realize that the city has produced great personalities. And you can even trace, not the history of the great men that have lived here as other museums do, but the history of the office of the U.S. presidency by going to the Presidential Museum. The museum also is a handy information stop that exhibits an impressive collection of campaign memorabilia including visuals, posters, and aids used in campaigns.

Among the main attractions you will find a number of replicas. One of them in the replica of London’s Globe Theatre called The Globe of the Great Southwest. Here Shakespeare lovers can enjoy watching his plays in a setting like the original without having to go to London. The building was given great attention and everything was minutely planned to give the audience the best setting. Of course the main performance includes Shakespeare’s plays, but the venue hosts other productions, too.

Another replica from England is the 70% scale replica of Stonehenge. You can really full your friends you have been to England by taking some photos of yourself and the two replicas.

A museum focusing on a National Natural Landmark is the Odessa Meteor Crater Museum. You will be astounded to see a 50,000 years old crater, the second-largest meteor crater in the United States. Time has washed most part of it but it is still big enough for you to imagine its original scale of 550 feet wide and 100 feet deep. The museum mounts exhibits of parts of the actual meteorite that formed the crater and many other displays on meteors.

Another well worth stop for history buffs and aircraft lovers exhibits other remains, this time earthly remains. They can be viewed at the American Airpower Heritage Museum that hosts exhibits of more than 130 planes and choppers, from the World War II period as well as multimedia exhibits and nice collections of war artifacts. If you would like to se a livelier presentation of the World War II events, October is the month when the annual Air show is held.

As you could deduce so far the city is a mix of originality and replicas and even some kitsch. There is something for everybody denoting a vast variety of tastes. Those who fancy kitsch must not miss visiting the world’s largest jackrabbit.

Sports enthusiasts have some opportunities to practice golf at two public golf courses open to the public year-round and baseball fans can see some local teams play.

Midland is a diverse city combining history and present in a wonderful way. You can see the take things two ways: you can wonder why you went out of your way to come here, or you can relax and take the city on its own terms, as a fun, unpretentious town.