60+ Things to do this Summer in Midland, TX
(updated June 2024)
West Texas folks are used to extreme heat in the summer but 10 days of 100+ degree heat starts to wear on even the toughest of Midlanders. Even on the hottest of days, there are plenty of fun opportunities around Midland to celebrate the slow and relaxing days of summer.
Everything from cold treats, water activities, and local adventures are on the list to combat any summer boredom that might be lingering as school has ended. Are we missing something?
Here’s our list of all the fun things to do in Midland, Texas this summer:
Are we missing something? Email us and let us know what we should add!
Frozen Sweet Treats in Midland
Fountainville Creamery & Soda Fountain- this family-owned and operated spot with outdoor seating boasts unique West Texas-inspired, made-from-scratch ice cream along with sodas and fudge.
Southern Sno - you know that line you see formed in the parking lot near COM Aquatics off of Wadley? These people are patiently awaiting a delicious shaved ice and you could be one of them.
Amara Gelato - authentic Italian gelato, espresso, affogato, crepes. It’s pretty clear that you’ll find something you like here to cool the heat.
The Paleta Bar - find fresh, gourmet paleta in two locations in Midland all summer long. Build this dessert as sweet or as simple as you would like to keep yourself cool in the Midland heat.
Creamlab N7- ice cream and science utilizing liquid nitrogen make this a very unique ice cream experience. You can even customize your creation to suit your dietary requirements - from dairy-free to keto-approved.
Marble Slab Creamery - this locally-owned franchise features endless mix-ins alongside their huge variety of flavors. You can even order from their drive-thru to avoid having to step out into the West Texas heat.
Refreshing Food & Beverages in Midland
Rorschach Coffee- iced lattes or iced matchas, stop over at this new coffee shop after or before a trip to Centennial Park.
HTeaO - nothing stands between a Texan and their iced tea. Add fruit and customize to your heart’s content.
Tea2Go- another great drive-thru option, you’ll find many classic teas (both hot and cold), energy teas, and craft tea creations, you’ll find your day get a little brighter with each sip.
Jimmy T’s Drive-Thru - aqua fresca, horchata, milkshakes, Red Bull creations, to-go cocktails, unique snacks, and more will soon be available both at their drive-thru location on Illinois AND inside the Midland Mall.
Far West Coffee - drop-in Monday-Saturday from 6 am-6 pm. Pour-over coffee, cold brew, kombucha, and more. Be sure to try their famous oatchata.
Eskimo Hut - somedays you just need an adult beverage. Sure, to-go booze has become a standard with takeout and curbside orders.
Family Fun in Midland
COM Aquatics - Swim and gym classes are back, offering your family a welcome respite from the heat while honing swimming and tumbling skills.
Big Sky Drive-in - pack some snacks or a drive-in and enjoy a movie, starting at 9:20 pm each evening.
Ally Outdoors- Indoor shooting range, the always delicious Ally Cafe, all of our sportsman necessities. What more could you need?
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center- your favorite musical acts, comedians, children's performance, cinema under the stars, and more in a state-of-the-art facility.
Adopt an Animal- what other time will you have the time at home to get a new animal settled in with the family.
The Little Gym - littles going crazy indoors? You can buy yourself sanity by renting out the Little Gym for a private play session. $100 for up to a group of 10 for 45 minutes.
H-E-B Splash Pad- Baseball season is in full swing this summer where the entire family can enjoy post-game fireworks and the splash pad.
Doug Russel Aquatic Center & Washington Aquatic Center - these two aquatic centers are currently on a rotating schedule as to which is open each day so be sure to check the schedule.
READ: Make a Splash in Midland, TX: A Guide to Pools & Splash Pads
Clay Desta Center- grab breakfast or lunch at the Juji’s Kitchen and stay for a tour of the atrium which features many full mounts of exotic animals from the late Clayton Williams personal collection posed in scenes around the main area.
Midland County Public Library - fun happenings all summer long. Be sure to join their newsletter and visit their website to stay up to date.
Petroleum Museum - back open to the public, you can now stroll the exhibits, enjoy some hands-on experiments, and more.
Summer Movies & Music at Centennial - Thursdays all summer long. Visit their Facebook for the most up-to-date happenings.
Sunday Summer Lawn Concerts - free to the public at the Museum of the Southwest. Grab a blanket and a few of your favorite people to wind down your Sunday in style.
Centennial Park Splash Pad & Play Structure- watch the kids from a shaded table or join in on the fun to stay cool. Grab yourself a picnic while you’re at it and make a day of it.
Outdoor Recreation in Midland
Getting outside might be the furthest thing from your mind right now but it is more important than ever to spent time outside of the four walls of your own home or office. Get an early start and check out and one of these awesome nearby spots.
Sibley Nature Center- enjoy the dog-friendly trails at Sibley Nature center from sunrise to sunset. Don’t miss their special summer program for kids, either!
I-20 Wildlife Preserve- 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday through Sunday you boardwalks, swampland, education
Odessa Mountain Bike Park - every day of the week you could honing your technical mountain skills. Join Friends of Permian Basin Bicycle Association on Facebook to learn more.
Midland Mountain Bike Park - trail systems are still underway but some trails are open for mountain biking, hiking, and more. This is also a West Texas Trails Alliance / Permian Basin Bicycle Association project.
Comanche Trail- take a trip to Odessa for this one. This trail from the Westside is well-shaded and feels like a forest far from the desert landscape you’re used to. You can also play a serious game of disk golf, or visit the fishing pond on the Eastside.
Midland Run Crew- each Thursday at 6 pm you can join the Midland Run Crew for a 5K starting from Tall City Brewery and follow it with a to-go growler or a beer with food on the patio.
Big Spring State Park- less than one hour from Midland, here’s an opportunity to gain some altitude, barbecue or picnic atop the Big Spring bluff, mountain bike, hike, run, or just enjoy the desert blooms.
Monahans Sandhills - also just under an hour from Midland, we recommend you arrive at 8 am to get the most out of the sandhills before the heat sets in. There are shaded areas to enjoy a picnic and places to camp with an RV with electricity and water.
Honorable mention - a little further trip:
Balmorhea Lake - just over two hours from Midland, you can enjoy time in or near the water. Balmorhea State Park pool reopens June 26th, we highly recommend booking a trip to check it out!
Star Gazing- visit McDonald Observatory for their famous Star Parties. As a whole, Fort Davis (and the surrounding areas) is still the best spot in West Texas to stargaze. Find a camping spot, hotel, etc., and enjoy the open night sky.
Outdoor & Patio Dining in Midland
Venezia Restaurant- a paperless menu via QR code and a VERY extensive wine menu to enjoy al fresco all while feeling that you might actually be in Europe. This one tops the patio list!
Taco Di Vino- from creative, delicious tacos to frosé and elote, this cash-only eatery + patio seating is sure to please the whole family. You’ll even find shaved ice right next door.
Hand Cafe - Hand Cafe offers breakfast, lunch, early dinner, craft coffee beverages, along with beer and wine 7 days a week. Did we mention their VERY child-friendly patio? We think you deserve this.
The Bar- Open 6 days per week for lunch and dinner and a special Saturday Brunch, you have many opportunities to go enjoy their outdoor dining.
Mac’s BBQ & Catering - live music on the weekends, Mac’s has a lot to offer from the menu to the ambiance for the whole family.
The Patio Drafthouse - open for lunch and dinner all week long, they also offer brunch service on both Saturdays and Sundays. They also offer a great happy hour and one of the best opportunities to enjoy craft beer.
The Fuel Bar - a dog-friendly patio where you can enjoy a variety of healthy menu items from smoothies and espresso to wraps - you may have just found your new favorite “work from anywhere” spot. Check out our post on smoothies in Midland, TX.
JumBurrito - this local chain not only offers patio seating at select locations, but you’ll also find that they make an effort to use local ingredients, such as meat from Midland Meat Co.
MMC HalfAcre - if you’ve driven north on Big Spring, you may have noticed that MMC HalfAcre has relocated now offering indoor dining as well as a very ample, in-progress patio.
Mulberry Cafe - service six days a week from morning through the afternoon and a dog-friendly patio, you can enjoy a full menu of breakfast and lunch items or just an iced latte or mimosa.
Pi Social - admire Centennial Park’s while enjoying some tasty pizza and craft cocktails from this intimate patio.
The Blue Door - this is an all-season and paw-friendly patio to enjoy $5 happy hour drinks, trivia, or even a limited menu of Tkilaz food items.
Tall City Brewing Co - you’ll always find a food truck or two to please a crowd on this all-season patio. The locally brewed, craft beer doesn’t hurt either.
Honorable mention - Atrium dining:
Cafe at the Gardens - inside Alldredge Gardens greenhouse and alongside a koi pond, this is truly a unique dining experience.
La Bodega - tasty Mexican food at this Midland staple can be consumed in air conditioning while having a touch of the outdoors inside.
Juji’s Kitchen - get a taste of Clayton Williams's legacy and enjoy the atrium seating inside the Clay Desta Center.
Art & Photo Ops Tour of Midland
Midland Downtown Library- you’ll find no shortage of photo opportunities here which is why it should be your first stop. The front of the library features classic books, around the corner an homage to Starry Night, the Velveteen Rabbit, the Longhorn Herd, and oil-field scrap metal artwork.
Volunteer Park- across from the YMCA and adjacent to King & I, this mural encompasses the spirit and history of Midland in one wall.
Pumpjacks - while this mural may defy the actual physics of a pumpjack, it is still a great representation of what makes Midland go round.
Ally Village - from the street art adorning the Pop Bar wall to the ornate vines crawling the numerous trellises on the Ally Village property, this is an art stop that will keep you busy.
Museum of the Southwest Sculpture Garden - while the Museum of the Southwest is not yet open again to the public, a visit to the Museum of the Southwest grounds (like during Midland Downtown Farmer’s Market) can really lift your spirits and provide ample photo opportunities.
Beal Family Courtyard - located onsite at COM Aquatics, this is one of the best-kept secrets in Midland for lovely photos when the vines are in full bloom.
Friends of Libraries and Literacy Mural- not only is this used bookstore (with odd hours) a local gem, you will also find a mural adorning the side of the building that houses it.
Love You Mural - an ArtsWorks Midland project, this is one of several community-based murals that invigorates local business walls and engages kids in the community, as well.
Basin PBS Mural - completed in December of 2020, the mural is meant to demonstrate unity while celebrating individuality. Word has it that this mural also marks the beginning of what will become “Art in the Alley”.
Take a look at our post on Murals in Midland, TX and our post on Kids’ Summer Camps in Midland, TX.
Check out our post on Midland, TX 4th of July Activities.