Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Reviews

The main gallery of the museum is currently being renovated. The other two galleries, as well as the equipment displays outside are still nice. I learned about how oil is drilled from the ground, as well as the amount of work it takes to make an oil pipeline that can go up to thousands of miles. The variety of minerals was also cool to see. Nice museum, but I recommend waiting until the renovations are complete. This way you get the full experience.

It is a museum. It has a children's area, tons of info and displays about the petroleum industry, race cars and history. Plus an area for artwork. An interesting visit that you can either speed through or mosey.

If you like oil & gas, then stop in for a sip.
Okay exhibits outline the history of oil in the Periman Basin.

This museum covers the petroleum industry from it's inception all across the world. It explains the geology of it, and how the industry is literally part of all we use today. There are interactive exhibits dealing with different aspects of the industry. You can even drill your own virtual well. There is a wealth of information, machinery, videos, etc. I definitely learned some things and could have learned more if I would have had more time. There is a lot of reading, but also a lot of seeing exhibits. Along with the petroleum, there is a geology and mineral exhibit, an art gallery of paintings that catch the history of the industry, a Chaparral racing exhibit and history, and STEM educational robotics exhibits. There is just so much to see and do that the couple of hours we had there really weren't enough. Definitely worth the visit!

This museum is a really cool place to learn about the petroleum industry. Lots of interactive exhibits, really cool car exhibit, several films throughout. Takes about 2 hours to explore but very much worth it. Some things were beyond my line of thought since it uses a lot of oilfield lingo but great way to see how it all works together.

The Petroleum Museum is smack-dab in the heart of the petroleum industry in Midland. It is education at its finest, featuring the whens, hows, and whys of all things oil and gas, more than one could even think to ask about. This museum is both adult and kid friendly, featuring visuals to explain geology, history and how things work to get oil and natural gas out of the ground, transported, refined and dispersed for our everyday consumption. The Oil and Gas Hall of Fame gives bios on those whose work has been indispensable to the industry. The Oil Patch pays homage to oil field workers who do the hands-on work of extracting the fuels from the earth. Exhibits of early rigs plus all kinds of oil field equipment are on the grounds. Fascinating!
Two other exhibits highlight other aspects of the industry: The Judson Mineral Gallery displays over 90 stunning minerals, and the Chaparral Road Racers exhibit, showcases the brilliant work of Jim Hall, the engineer of these amazing race cars with a movable wing and lightweight construction materials. As my nephew and I pored over the cars, one of the engineers walked up to us and asked my nephew if he would help steer the newest car of the exhibit onto the floor as they pushed! Talk about a memorable visit! All in all, the Petroleum Museum is an outstanding attraction in Midland.

Really nice history of Midland's oil development through the years including the fantastic race car heritage part. Was very impressed with the outside examples of the oilfield environment.

Came to see the Chaparral racecars and was not disappointed. I was worried they would not give enough attention to these cars, but it was great. They are in their own section all on display. I am pretty sure there was one of every car made. It was awesome to see them all in one place.

The rest of the museum is fun and also better than expected. A lot of fun and learned a lot.

My husband, friends, and I visited the museum just a few days ago wirh my husband and a couple friends and had a wonderful experience. If you're in the oil and gas field or just new to the area it is a must. The staff are very knowledgeable and super nice! They're doing some renovations and I'll definitely be back to see what else they've added to there already great exhibits. The oil patch is definitely worth getting out and looking at. It's amazing to see how much everything has changed over the many years.

Great exhibits. Funny Video. Indoors and out. Great history of oil production in Texas. Great exhibits outdoors or drilling rigs and pump jacks. Nice to see them up close. Also an extensive mineral/jemstone gallery which i enjoyed.

Quirk museums are kind of a thing of mine, and the Petroleum Museum is a shining example of what one should be: plenty of pizzazz and a little crooked. The presentation and funds behind the museum are clearly substantial and many of the exhibits are practically sparkling. It should be obvious that a Petroleum Museum in the heart of a region that relies on drilling might be a bit biased, but that only adds to the kitsch charm for me. There are plenty of legit facts to be had among the displays, interactive games, and movies, but there are plenty of winks and nods that give the industry a rosier outlook than it probably merits. My particular favorite was a video that explained fracking. They talked about how most of the process is done with water, while there is only a small amount of questionable product used (as question marks appear in the unnamed fluid). But don't worry, it's buried far below the earth's surface. Also noteworthy is a strange futuristic oil drilling experience that is oddly similar to Mission Space (for Disney fans). The goal is to help a futuristic crew discover oil against their rival nation by pressing buttons when prompted and making your seat shake. Rival nation will continue to live in poverty. These are only a few things. Marvel at the life without petroleum video, the collection of gems, or the underwater basin diorama. Make this a stop if you are passing through.

Great place to visit... very informative. A lot to see!! Simulators, kids interest , car museum, rock and gem room...

We were driving from Lubbock to Alpine on our way to the Big Bend NP, and were desperate to get out of our car and stretch our legs for a while.
The Permian Basin Museum seemed a good idea, but I didn’t really expect much and when I saw that the adult entrance fee was 12$, I almost changed my mind.
Luckily I didn’t.
The museum has been renovated recently, and it’s very well done, and also very big.
The first part is more geological and explains how oil was formed in the Permian Basin.
Then, you can see how oil was found here, and how the oil extracting history began and developed.
It all goes on with the ‘60 and ‘70, with the oil boom, to the ‘820, when the world was either worried that oil would end soon, or enthusiast at the idea it would never end.
Another very interesting area is the one dedicated to new extraction techniques and alternative energies. there are a lot of interactive games and videos. the lady at the entrance is very kind and she explained to us all of the features of the museum so we didn’t miss anything important.
Other areas are dedicated to Chaparral cars, minerals and animals. This is really not to be missed if you are around, I’m glad I didn’t.

I realized how ignorant I was about the oil industry when I visited this museum! I learned a lot on that visit! The museum is off Interstate 20. It is geared more for adults than children, but I'm sure everyone can learn something about the industry from the visit. It doesn't take too long to tour the museum, but don't expect a museum full of artwork either! You'll see actual items used when drilling. It's well worth the stop!

This place is awesome. Not much too add from the other great reviews, but one of the best museums (outside of Smithsonian) that we have ever visited. Clearly well funded and well cared for. I really wish my father could have seen it. Worth revisiting many times.
COVID preparation update - they apparently just re-opened after almost 3 months. CLEAN. Good signage and they put excellent little hand wash stations around the museum (which I think are Rum based!)

This actually gave a lot of history of the area, as well as fossil fuels, geology, and extraction methods. We found it an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

We took our 3 kids ages 6-15 and we all had a great time. They had great hands on learning for all ages (even the adults) also don't forget the exhibits in the back of the museum which were great!

Cool place if your interested in the history surrounding the oilfield in the state of Texas. Enjoyed all aspects of this museum, I'd say it would be good for most kids as well.

I enjoyed the various equipment located on the groups. Our professional organization had a family picnic and it was a great educational facility for ALL AGES!

Curiosity got the best of me so I stopped to take a peak at the Petroleum Museum. This is about a 10 minute stop. You can get the jest of it from the side road. Not really worth the stop but if you are interested in oil rigging it might be worth the stop.

If you have any interest in the petroleum industry then this is the place to go. It is really well done. As an added benefit, there is quite a collection of race cars

When you're driving the long way through Texas (and which way isn't the long way?) you're looking for distractions and something to do. Last summer we visited an old haunt on the way from Tucson where we now live to the East Coast where we were going to catch the Queen Mary 2 to sail to Europe. What was it? Why, the Petroleum Museum, of course. Even our Labrador Retriever was fascinated by the oil rigs and pumps set up in the "front yard" before you get to the entrance. Inside, of course, you can view the history of the oil industry in Texas. You can also buy souvenirs and postcards.

I haven't been there for a long time, but there is a lot of information about oil exploration, production, and the real facts about what goes on in the oil fields.

Excellent museum and well worth the time. The exhibits are interactive and provide extensive information about Texas oil history and the Permian Basin.

Spent the afternoon and really enjoyed the visit. The Chaparral car presentation was a surprise and a bonus!

Go here to learn all about the oil and gas industry of the area. We Particularly enjoyed walking the outside area looking at all the old oil well pumps, pump houses, etc. Price of admission was a bit high at $12 per adult. There was friendly staff walking around answering all our questions which was nice.

This was an educational museum of the petroleum industry in the Permian Basin of Texas. This museum was for all ages. There were many interactive displays, a room with beautiful rocks, minerals, and crystals, and another area with the history of the Chappareal auto racing.

The Petroleum Museum in Midland Texas has an outstanding exhibit of gemstones from around the world, art, oilfield equipment both inside and on the grounds, and offers valuable learning opportunities. Located on I-20 it is easy to find, has adequate parking and welcomes global visitors annually.

Extremely interesting and very hi tech and professionally done. Limited on time so could not stay as long as I would like to have stayed but still was there for 2 1/2 hrs

I've visited this site twice and found it very interesting and educational. Great way to learn about the petroleum industry in Texas.

This museum does a great job expressing what made Midland, Midland. Great place to visit when you have some extra time. They also do special events during the year.

Great museum explaining about the development of this area and primarily the oil business. Good exhibits helping one understand how oil is produced, etc. Also, a beautiful exhibit of minerals from around the world, plus a Shelby car exhibits, Exhibits both indoors and outside. Small art exhibit.

There was a lot to see in this museum! We learned a lot about the Petroleum industry
Two separate galleries on unique & valuable crystal/minerals and art/oil paintings.
Lastly, an entire race car section on the Chaparral Cars 1963-1970 (Formula One Racers) * Indy 500
Be sure to go into the space ship that is a simulator type ride when in car section.
Allow at least 2 hours & note there are several small theaters for educational purposes

Was a bit hesitant about taking a 7 YO granddaughter, but she loved it. Enough exhibits for her to maintain an interest. The films were entertaining and kept her attention. It's good to see a positive display about the history of oil.

The Petroleum Museum has been a great place to learn about all aspects of oil and gas in the Permian Basin for many years. A renovation was made to the exhibits and it was really well done. Many of the artifacts are still there, but it is much more interactive and has a lot more things to see. It is great for everyone in the family!

Please allow at least 3 hours for a tour. Chuck full of petroleum industry information and local aspects of oil. Channing the manager was gracious, charming and very helpful. Awesome F1 Chaparral section.

The Museum is nice. There is alot of Oil drilling history with geology exhibits. The Chaparral Gallery was interesting, very good exhibit.

I have come to this museum on more than one occasion and each time, I bring a new friend or family member and we all enjoy it. It's so interesting.

Was here for a work event and was very impressed with a fantastic layout and museum. Really nice setting and can see a lot fo thought and effort has been put into this. Highly recommend if in town to stop in by.

I loved this place. Just enough interactive exhibits to keep kids involved, nostalgic displays for us older folks, information and insight on the fracking process, and a good bit of auto racing history. If you are looking for art, it's there. Rocks, quartz, crystals, and minerals from all over the world are on display. Oh, and the outside items are open and available.

Before the "renovation" this was actually a very informative museum of the history and science of the oil industry. Now it is predominantly a car museum.

We went to this museum not expecting much and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It is sponsored by a local oil company and you can tell money was put into the museum. I don't know anything about oil drilling and it several models that made it clear. It was also a lot of fun playing an oil baron and a game answering questions about how much you know about oil. The museum led me to wanting to know more on things such as how mineral rights work and some locals who happened to be visiting that day touring with visitors filled me in (we went the day after Thanksgiving).
Would recommend 2 -3 hours for the museum but we stayed 4 hours. The price was $12 for non-senior citizen, non-children but well worth it.

The Museum has a very good collection of minerals and some good information about the oil and gas industry that is prevalent in Midland/Odessa area. They also have a large collection of antique oil and gas equipment. Also, they have a collection dedicated to the Chaparral Racing team which was started in Midland. The actual racing cars on display was really neat.

For someone interested in the oil and gas industry, the museum is a must see. Just to be able to see the past and how the industry has evolved is a real treat.

A few tips is that only half of the museum is currently open due to renovations. I was told they will not be completed until around April 2016. Also, you must take the drive/walk to the back of the museum to see the antique equipment.

Was visiting with son and was treated like crap by surly maintenance man while out viewing displays outdoors, all because I answered a call on my cell phone....OUTDOORS. My child was terrified. He stalked around after us like my son was going to break something. I had enough and left

This museum portrays many aspects of the oil and gas business which is very important to Midland Texas. It explains many of the procedures in detail and is very interactive. There is also an exhibit of the Chaparral Cars that are so famous and this is the only place you can see those and the history of how they were built. There are also live animals in one of the areas that are native to the area. It is wonderful for children and adults of all ages. Don't miss this if you are in the area.

It's so important to learn about the oil industry and this museum is a real treasure in Midland, TX!

Do not miss the timeline out of the front of the building and make sure you walk through every part of the exhibit. There's so much to learn that the average person has no idea about this all-important subject matter of energy! We rely on it so much, yet lack basic knowledge, so this is ideal for children and adults alike, even those who work in oil & gas!

The only recommendation is the Midlandia ride should be updated or change to reflect on what the museum is for. This ride was more a Captain Kirk type expedition, which many of us felt had little to relate to.

A wonderful stop, decently priced and highly recommended!

Visited the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in Midland, TX in March 2023. What a unique experience combining science and history. Spent about 2 hours, but wished for 3 hours. Absolutely loved the history part of the petroleum industry. The exhibits, old drilling equipment, vehicles, old photos, articles, diagrams, maps, and interactive displays make you feel like you are living the history of Texas oil and gas discovery. If you actually arrive in Midland/Odessa by car, you start seeing the industry come alive in real life even before you enter the museum. Really enjoyed walking around in the outside part (you can drive through it too) where they have an amazing collection of old oil field equipment. There was also a huge science influence inside the museum detailing the science about how the drilling process actually works. They have a whole room filled with info about careers in the field. Bonus display of huge gems and minerals that were donated. Plenty of educational areas for children, too.

I had visited here probably 30 years ago but was amazed at the up-dates...they have done a wonderful job of remodeling and adding things especially the inter-active exhibits. So interesting and fun. We were glad we came before school was out because the place must be climbing with kids...I appreciated that all of the exhibits worked...someine with inter-active exhibits, things get broken or dirty...everything worked and it was fresh and new and very clean. Took over 2 hours to tour and we had to skip the outside wells but this is a great place to visit.

I am 25 years old, I work in Quality at a Gas Company in South America. My dad brought me here for the first time on my trip to Midland.

I must say I was blow-away! The museum is designed in such a way it just grasps your attention from the beginning. It has something for every age group.

I learned so much about oil... especially the "then and now" and "timeline" displays. Lots of the displays were interactive. This allowed you to chose what you wanted to know more on and engaged you throughout.

Coming from a gas company environment I truly enjoyed this. I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in knowledge particularly oil and gas.

Would have loved to have seen more drilling equipment that goes under the rigs (bowls, bearings, valves, etc). But overall, this museum is well put together to give a novice a better idea of what the oilfield provides.

This museum does a great job of giving the history of oil in Midland area. It has interactive displays that children will enjoy. Great gem collection. Nicely done displays.

Glad to learn museum is undergoing multi-million $$ reno but have been there several times, never disappointed.

Also interactive in parts. Learning experience wonderful and they are planning on improving it soon.

Great museum --paintings/oil and gas information and new exhibit of Chaparral race cars -- 1st cars with the wing --

The Petroleum Museum (petroleummuseum.org) has recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation and enhancement of collections and artifacts. Conveniently located on Interstate 20, travelers crossing the country have easy access to this outstanding facility. I always take visitors to this exciting venue that ranks right up there with the Smithsonian in every way. Check the website and learn about the exhibits that will fulfill the expectations of all ages. All my guests have been excited about this outstanding place. Can't recommend too highly taking several hours out of of your travel schedule to enjoy this diverse and incredible Museum.
Features

Definitely recommend this, it was educational and fun! The whole museum was set up very nicely, I really enjoyed seeing the crystals.

Loved this place, so we'll done, easy to follow, very informative & exciting. Adults, teens & kiddos all enjoyed!!!!! A GEM in the dessert desert!!

This is a nice museum. It does have free parking. The cost of Entry was $8 for adults. They do have a car section which whatever I don't even know of that car racing team and I am an avid race fan of all types of national race series. The rest of out the drilling and everything that goes into it that was very well done. Really liked the exhibits and the Hands-On stuff that you can do. There's also a nice little park out back that you can drive through that shows you some of the many various Riggs. Really like this place.

The Petroleum Museum is a unique expereince for anyone who wants to learn about what oil is and how we go about collecting it. The museum is set up to teach everyone how we started in 1923 finding oil in West Texas and the impacts it has made on the community and our lives. They have multiple displays showing everything about life and the effects of the Oil Boom and Bust cycle. If you want to learn about the equipment they have guided tours that can show you all the unique pieces of equipment available in the oil patch and what each of them do. You will come away with a far greater understanding of what it takes to produce a barrel of oil then just pulling up to the pump.

Lots to learn, great presentation, and interactive which is fun. It is worth seeing for sure. Also a great little gift shop will all kinds of goodies.

I've been to many museums. This place is pretty cool and I know the kids would love it too. Many interesting things to see and experience. Many things to look at inside and outside. I would go again with others

This was a pleasant surprise. Had we not seen the sign on the road we would not have known about it. The receptionist said it would take about 2 hours if we checked out all of the exhibits. We were there a little longer. Besides the history of oil and how they get it out of the ground, there are exhibits of race cars, old equipment, beautiful stones and art work.

Well worth the time.

I have lived here all my lif so oil museums dont mean much to me it is justy like any other museum however it is a very nice place well kept

Here you can learn the history of oil in Texas, a geologists view of why and where oil is, as well as some amazing crystals and race cars. Should not miss this experience if you are going to be in Midland, TX

We spent a long time in the Chaparral gallery and I learned a lot about the innovations that were introduced in these cars. Very much worth while.

About half this museum is closed for renovations. Unfortunately, that was the half that I was interested in -- the actual petroleum history & information part. The open wing did have some good exhibits, including a great mineral collection very well presented, a fair gallery of paintings about oil field and West Texas history (including a painting of "Hi Jolly" and the 1851 US Army camel experiment), and a well done exhibit on Chaparral race cars. I am not a racing fan, but even I found the design and innovation aspect to be fascinating.

For now, the big draw if you are interested in oil field history is the large outdoor collection of oil well pumping and drilling equipment -- probably the largest historical collection in the world. The pumps, derricks and etc are well maintained and have good signage so you know what you are looking at. The equipment ranges from early wooden rigs to a modern drilling setup. Because the equipment is so large, it is a bit spread out, but still easily walkable.

They have a hand's on education center for the children, although most of the exhibits are hands-off static displays. Good for older children, but probably boring for younger kids.

Stop in the near-by Midland Visitor's Center and get a free treat while you are there!

We had a great experience at the Museum while visiting family. The exhibits are interesting and engaging both indoors and out. Definitely a must-see if you are visiting the Permian Basin!

Wow, did not expect to spend so much time (2.5 hours) at this place, but WOW! Great job on making the Petroleum Museum very interesting! The age range of our group was 12, 23, 30's & 50's. Definitly a hidden gem in Midland!

We went just for the Chaparrall exhibit but loved the reswt of the Museum and its historical and educational exhibits. The Cars are displayed in a beautiful setting and the story is told very well. The minerals and gems wing was a plus and strolling the grounds to see the old derricks and rigs was a great way to spend an afternoon.

This museumhas something for everyone. Not only does it tell the story of the oil industriy in interactive exhibits, it has a fabulous collection of gemsn and minerals. Their is also the Chaparral Car exhibit for the racing sport fan or just race car interest.

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in Midland Texas is very interesting and has a very good broad display from how oil is created to how the oil boom started and developed into today’s industry.

The exhibits were well displayed and as Texas is well known for producing petroleum this museum had a huge selection of information on all aspects of the industry from a rock collection from around the world, the early equipment used to extract the oil, right through to the history of why fuel prices increased over the years. There are some interesting larger exhibits outside and it takes about two or more hours to appreciate the whole museum.

One thing to skip are the two movies zones, both are total rubbish propaganda movies by the current oil companies and totally full of misinformation on current trends in the oil industry.

But overall a great well-presented museum and worth visiting.

My husband and I took our two youngest boys (18 & 15). They really enjoyed it.y fily has been in oilfield all of our lives, my grandfather, his father, my father andy husband. So, our boys loved learning about what has put food on our table over soamy generations.

Ever wonder where, when and how Texas became the energy capital of the nation? Well, this place will tell you and a lot more! Starting eons ago before civilized humanity, we learn how the colonists ventured out west in search of black gold. We see the primitive tools used in the beginning, and the major challenges faced. We then discover how and when they struck it rich, and revolutionized the face of the American life and ways of travel. As plenty of oil companies set up shop here with their wells, we discover how they drilled, along with the failures and successes, and what it took to get it done. We also discover the vast size of the Permian Basin and how much oil remains.

There is also an interactive place that shows us today's tools and today's oil fields. For kids, there is the Chevron Energy City, where they learn what all this does for our way of life.

Later on, we come across the room of the Chapperal 2K race cars....a must for any die-hard racing fan!

We then come across the gallery of paintings dedicated to the brave people that risked it all to find oil.

Also in the gallery is a display of various, eye-catching collections of minerals.

All in all, this is a great way to learn how Texas struck it rich and helped shape the modern way of life! A must for any traveler and any aspiring geologist or well worker going through Midland or Odessa!

It offers a good value for the money. The ladies at the front desk were very nice and friendly. The museum was spotless.

We had hoped to learn about the Oil Industry, however the majority of this museum was closed due to renovation which will take about a year. We were able to see the mineral exhibit, the art collection and the cars as well as drive around the loop road to see the old equipment. Not worth our staying overnight to see the museum.

This museum shows an inside to a industry so very important to our country. It’s a very interesting walk through and many interactive displays. As well as local history, such as the Chapprel race car developed and tested in Midland. As well as many out door displays of early drilling equipment.
It also has meeting and conference rooms.

I have been in the oil industry over 30 years and was blown away by this museum. There is something for all ages to learn from this experience. I visited the museum 10 years ago but they have changed a lot of the exhibits since then. Whether you know anything about the industry or not this is worth the stop. If you enjoy car racing, you will be surprised how Midland helped shape the sport we see today.

An appropriate museum for the area, it’s why most people are in Midland and yet we know so little about it. As a oilfield professional, I learned quite a bit and it’s fun for kids. Be sure to see the Chapparel racing exhibit.

This was an amazing place to visit! It is much larger than it looks. I spent about three hours in here reading and learning how the oil business came about, who did what and I was truly amazed. I also had no idea that petroleum was in so many household items. I was just floored at the information in this place. It gave me a lot of perspective about how things were started – so many companies and products developed by people who were just trying to make a living and feed their family. Wow. I loved this museum. History is never boring when you enjoying learning. In the middle of no where….there is, this wonderful museum… and in the United States of America.

I loved the layout of the facility and I loved the fact that there were things to see both inside and outside! It was educational and very interesting.

The inside museum cost 12 dolars per adult to tour. However, there are alot of exterior exhibits that are free to walk around and read about. Nice examples of drilling and pumping equipment through the ages.

This was a must do for us, as we have not a lot of experience in this area. We learned a lot from the interactive displays.

LOVE LOVE LOVED the rocks, crystals, and items on display in the side rooms.

Hubby and son loved the car section too. And by the way, the people next to us set off the car alarms, even though it CLEARLY says, do not touch the cars! DUH! Kinda funny tho!

All the exhibits are top notch. They have numerous exhibits that included the Permian Sea where you can watch the geological way oil was formed. Then through a 1920’s boom town during the birth of the Texas petroleum industry. There are games that show you the forecasts of the industry and you can guess what came true and what didn’t. Another game you were an investor with $25 million and you answered questions about your drilling operation to see if you made a fortune or lost everything. We climbed on a futurist ride to explore oil and natural gas resources on the earth and under the sea. There were other exhibits about drilling, geology, energy, careers, minerals, and an art gallery. Outside there were several examples of drilling equipment, rigs and platforms. There is something for everyone here. We would definitely return.

What a world class museum. A great place to view an interesting historical subject. My favorite is the amazing Chaparral race car collection. This alone is worth the visit. Well laid out with interest for all ages. Easy parking and a good location by the freeway.

The exhibits were interesting and educational. The exhibit of antique drilling and servicing equipment is top notch. The drilling rig that is accessible through the museum is truly educational.

Even if you were raised in the oilfield and think you know it all you can learn a lot here! My grandkids loved the race cars but I most enjoyed the outdoor exhibit. I found all the staff to be very friendly and helpful. A must for travelers and locals! I'll definitely go back!

When people tell me there is nothing to do in Midland, they are wrong. There are a bunch of oil drilling rigs and fields near the city including seeing more of them around the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. I came about 30 mins before they closed and didn't have time to explore the exhibits that are inside the building. Instead, I rented a car and did my own exploring by driving and taking photos around the front and back of the museum. You will notice that there are different types of machineries used to drill oil from past and period times.

Great place to come and learn about what so many do in West Texas and why we need to continue. I also attended a wedding reception here that was a blast!

We enjoyed our visit but knew that the perspective would be pro-oil (obviously). Nice exhibits and historical information. The Mineral Gallery is not to be missed! On the other hand, skip Mythbusters as it is a hokey game show that is total propaganda. This museum is worth a visit if you are in the area.

Allow a few hours at least to take a self guided tour both inside and outside.
Shows early days of discoveries and present and possible future technologies.
Do not miss the equipment available to view out back.
Rock and mineral areas were very nice!

This is an impressive place to visit. Many interactive exhibits depicting the history of oil production, current practices, and even future concepts.You will come away with a much better understanding of the oil industry.

One can easily spend three hours inside and another two with the outdoor exhibits. Quite a few of the exhibits are interactive.

If you are pressed for time, skip the first part which about the history of oil. Go to the current technology section and learn all about fracking.

The only thing missing, and i may have missed it, was an explanation of how drillers make the drill head turn directions or even know where that drill head is thousands of feet under ground.

I highly recommend.

i highly recommend this to any one.

The best place to learn about the history of the Permian Basin oil business. Both adults and children will enjoy a visit to The Petroleum Museum.

Harvest Hosts directed us here for an overnight stay and we’re amazed at how big and chock full of interesting and informative exhibits it is.Funny videos, quizzes throughout,even an indoor “ ride” about the oilfields .Also a mini museum about Chaparral racing cars and an art gallery and a gallery of cool looking rocks and minerals. Great place to spend a day and an overnight!

was recently in midland for the airshow with my 9 year old grandsons--we planned to do the petroleum museum on sunday before driving back to new mexico--guess what?? not opened till 2 pm--don't understand why so many museums limit their hours on weekends when the most "tourists" are out and about--

I took my son through the museum when he was a kid--he loved it--same for my wife, 20 years later--exhibits are outstanding, both oilfield and race cars--my grandsons and I spent nearly 2 hours looking at the outdoor exhibits, along with several other people--the kids begged me to stay another 2 hours until it was scheduled to open, but it would have made us very late getting home on a night before school--I had to promise to bring them bac (but I will call first to see when they will be opened

As someone who works frequently with the petroleum industry, even I found this interesting and educational. It is neat to see stuff that I have only seen either on paper or from a distance. As a geek, I loved the technical stuff that I got a chance to see.

A great museum with a lot to offer everyone. Presentation is excellent. Very informative, great for children (not small) and adults!

Great museum if you have ever wondered where and how we get so many millions of gallons of gas to fuel the millions of cars on the road every day. The gem collection and the race car collection was very cool as well

We enjoy the museum very much! So much history of the Permian Basin! If you are in the industry or not, it is still a great stop! The Chapparal's are cool too!

They have a nice race car and natural rock exhibit but the actual petro museum is currently being renovated and will be amazing when complete I really went there for that and couldn't get in

Absolutely worth the visit. Has a great overview of the history of both West Texas and it's oil story, plus a great overview and history of the importance of oil and gas to the world. Also great explanation of equipment and techniques used. Allow your self at least 2hrs preferably more, to see all the museum has.

I liked the museum before it was remodeled, and now I love it. It's interactive, fun for kids and great information for adults.

Great museum for the family when visiting the area to learn all about the oil industry and Permian Basin region
Includes several interactive displays
Starts with a 10 min video and then it’s self guided tour we were there for 2 hours
Has a car museum included, rock collection and art collection

This very extensive museum is also very much an interactive affair. There are numerous educational short videos and short interactive games to be played to help learn about the petroleum industry. The 15-minute introduction video is done in a comic style but gets across several key points. You do get a good understanding of where the Permian Basin oil and gas finds are located and why they are there in the first place. Be prepared to give the museum a good hour of your time at least.

While visiting this OIL TOWN, this is THE PLACE to start! We were educated about the History of oil and the evolution of how it is obtained! We really enjoyed the History markers on the walk in; the rocker arm around the top of entrance way; and the OUTSIDE rig loop out the back!

This has lots to do with Oil, but that is not the only things that they have to see. There are many beautiful rocks and stones. During the year they have different displays of different interests. Most of us that live in Midland take this for granted, but for visitors it is a very interesting place to visit.

This is a wonderful museum that tells the history of the Permian Basin and the petroleum industry. There is also a great exhibit on the Indy/Chapparal cars. They also host family nights geared towards children that cover many different subjects. Well run, educational and fun for all ages.

The museum recently reopened a significant portion of its exhibits. It gives a very nice overview of the petroleum business (from the industry's point of view) from the geology to extraction, distribution, etc. There are several kid friendly exhibits plus a lot of old extraction equipment outside.

It is definitely worth spending an hour or two here. Other exhibits include some western and oiled field related art plus a large gallery devoted to the Chaparral racing team that was based in Midland.

This is where I went when I moved here to learn about oil because I had no idea. The museum is great and I actually did learn a lot! Whats more fun is my fiance and I came back here for our engagement pictures because now we are both in the oil industry!

Great local museum. Has a nice history of the oilfield and its technology, as well as a very large collection of oil and watercolor paintings that would rival an art gallery. Only downside is the museum itself is dated and hasn't been updated in the last 25 years. I like the 1970s feel, but I do wish they had information about offshore drilling and hydraulic fracking. Haven't had a chance to go back, but I heard that they are renovating and updating. Definitely worth a visit.

Good Family entertainment and education. I have not been to this museum in 26 years and my what a difference a quarter of a century makes. I worked for 15 years in the Oil & Gas Industry back in the 80’s and 90’s and I even learned about innovative technologies and discoveries. My wife is Vietnamese, and she found the place to be remarkably interesting. They added the legendary Jim Hall Chaparral Racing exhibit for any Race Car enthusiast and who would have known that all those cars they have from 1959 to 1990 era still run and drive today. You even get to sit in one. This is at least 3 hours well spent, though I will suggest you do it in the morning. The outside exhibit gets toasty in the hotter months. Nice restroom facilities and there is plenty of free parking. It is a must see if you are in the area for any time. Rate it five stars for the quality. $12.00 a ticket was well worth it.

Good information about petroleum industry and geology. Some of the displays are dumbed down Hollywood style to more entertainment than factual education. But our teenager gravitated toward these. Overall a good value. Outside display of drilling rigs and equipment is very good.

In case you hadn't noticed while driving along I-20, this part of Texas is ALL about oil and gas. This museum describes how the oil deposits formed, how they were found, what's involved in producing from them, and what the future may hold for all types of energy.

Be sure to go outside to the Oil Patch and see the historical rigs. For those not of a technical bent, see the excellent gallery of oil-field art, and the race-car exhibit. Great gift shop, too.

So I had family in town for the holidays and they wanted to learn more about the oil industry. So we decided to take them to the museum however not the museum I had previously remembered from previous visits. We took the tour of the inside which was cool but when we made it out side everything went way down hill. My children and I where playing a game on my phone while walking around the exhibits outside the majority of the family ahead of us a good ways. Me trying to keep the children occupied as the museum is more for an older demographic. While playing the game with the kids a man on a golf cart pulls up being very rude and nasty about me playing this game with my kids. If you take your family to this place don't pull out your phone or you will be accosted and harassed. Plus not worth the money. This place has went way down hill from what it was. You see the best of it from the road.

We had a couple of hours so we decided to tour the museum. We enjoyed the topography map maker near the entrance and we learned a lot about the history and current practices and equipment in the oilfield. There is also an impressive race car exhibit and a rock/gem exhibit. The museum has been renovated in the past year or so and it is highly educational and up to date. Teachers get in free and there's a senior rate, too. It's definitely worth the time.

We learned something about the oil business. We would recommend this to others. It gives you an understanding as to how Odessa developed

The Petroleum Museum is a hidden gem. The oil & gas exhibits are a bit of a commercial for the industry, but it is clear they had tons of money to spend on developing the exhibits. They made them informative and engaging and there are plenty of knobs and buttons for kids and adults who like to have fun.

There are exhibits on the Chaparral race cars developed in Midland, west Texas frontier art, and a superb Gem & Mineral display.

Lots of art and quartz/rocks. Outside are different kinds of rigs but not when they were used. Wanted to learn about drilling for oil and that was not tgere.

If you want to know about developing oil and oil wells in history, check this place out. They have knowledgeable staff who will answer any questions. It has a great tour of old oil well history. They are trying to raise funds for new projects and items to see. If your in Midland, make it a point to stop by here. It is right on I 20, easy off and on.

Upgraded and can learn a lot about the oil industry and history of oil and earth and is very interesting to learn other history lessons of the Permian basin

If you or your family is in oil business or if you have no clue about the subject its a great place to go & learn.

fun educational we go every year when the Read a rama is there. no matter how many times we go we love to see the exhibits

Amazing museum! Amazing people! We highly recommended seeing the history. We will visit again............................

Located just off of Interstate 20 just southwest of Midland, Texas, this museum is a must see for anyone interested in the old "oil" west. Check the caledar for special events occuring at the Museum.

I visited The Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas today and it was quite fascinating. there are exterior exhibits of the early days of the oil industry with historical drilling and rig equipment to modern day equipment. the museum is under some renovation right now, so I did not get to see all of it, but what I did see was great.

One area that was of interest to me, being a racing fan, was a wing dedicated to the Chaparral Car and Jim Hall. Jim actually started and based his company right there in Midland and donated some of his early concept/racing cars to the museum. It was really great looking at some of the inventions and advanced he brought to the world of racing. He was a real innovator.

The other areas of the museum open today included several other exhibits and a kids corner space, which looked like kids would really enjoy this area. I can't wait to come back to this museum when renovations are complete.

Great presentation of petroleum historical development-fantastic mineral display and some hand's on stuff for kid's too! Check out the adjacent racing hall of fame. You can actually sit in one of the winning cars!

A great place to come and learn about the industry. Lots of time has been put in to make this great for everyone.

This museum will surprise you! We weren’t too excited when we read about the “petroleum museum.” It is so much more!
The museum itself is done very well with a variety of mediums telling the story, including movies, interactive displays, actual tools, historical personalities, etc.
in addition it has a world class western art display and the gems are displayed from all over the world. Don’t forget that they also have a section on the Chaparral Racing team that changed the racing circuit.
Definitely worth our time!

Good presentation and very educational. Would recommend this for the family. The race cars are interesting also.

This museum offers a good look at the history of the oil industry in Texas. It was undergoing renovations when we stopped by but it still offered a fun and an educational look at an important industry. The mineral gallery offered a look at some unique minerals and where they can be found. Outside in the Oil Patch area we got to see some huge pieces of equipment that have been used through the years in the oil industry. It wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon in Midland.

Museum is nice. A lot of exhibits inside and out. Mostly oil field history, some geology exhibits, some nice cars. Something to catch the interest of anyone I think. Not a lot to do in Midland but this is one of the places you need to visit at least once.

Great way to learn about the petroleum industry, fact versus fiction. Museum is well laid-out with a number features. Worth the time spent and glad that we took the time to visit.

If you are into auto racing be sure to walk through the Chaparral Racing wing of the museum.

We went here last month with our kids ( ages 3 & 1) for Read-Rama. There were several things to do that day for the kids. My 3 year old really liked the museum too. There were several displays that he really liked. There was even a full-size race car he could get in and you can take pictures. There was also a very cool general store and an underground tunnel display that showed what the land here looked like under water millions of years ago. The gift shop was also cool. I would go here again.

They have worked hard to give people of any age something they would want and expect to see in this type of museum .

We (three adults) visited last week, passing through town on our way to Big Bend.
Bad news, the indoor museum exhibits about the petroleum industry were closed due to some remodeling.
Good news. Admission was free the day we were there last week, because of the remodeling.
Even better news, the visit was fascinating, even with part closed. The racing cars exhibit was cool and accessible even to someone who does not follow racing. The mineral exhibit was jaw-dropping. The paintings drew us in. And the cruise through the Oil Patch outdoor exhibit of historic oil production machinery was enlightening. And to top it off, the gift shop had tempting items for all ages. We spent at least an hour very enjoyably-if the indoor section is open when you stop, allow plenty more time-I'm sure it will be well spent.
All the parts that were open were well done. I've dinged them one star just because I was disappointed not to be able to see the indoor part of the petroleum exhibit. We would highly recommend this place.

Very informative on oil industry, but, the part I like most is the Chaparral Auto section.
Ued to follow jim hall when he was competing w/ the factory teams and was amazed at his success.

We visited the museum for the first time after the remodel, and I was very impressed. Old, outdated exhibits have been replaced with fun, interactive screens, hands on demonstrations, and vibrant pictures. I was impressed by the level of sophistication, both for kids and adults. If you are unfamiliar with the oil and gas industry or if you are a seasoned veteran, the exhibits have something for everyone. The museum facility overall is clean and suitable for large groups. Great job PM!

This is good place to visit if you are in Midland Texas. There is a rock exhibit and lots of oil field equipment outdoors showing vintage museum like equipment. If you are in the oil business you should visit this museum. If not, you can learn a lot as well.

I found most of the stuff inside somewhat boring, but did enjoy all the exhibits on the grounds. I was there on Halloween night, and it was crowded with families taking their kids inside to trick or treat.

This is a very done museum explaining anything & everything you ever wanted to know about the history of drilling/pumping oil in Texas. There is lots to view/see/read etc. I would recommend minimum of 2 hours to see the whole museum inside and outside. It’s definitely interesting to learn & understand about one of our most precious resources

Seriously--where else IS there a "Petroleum Museum?" Simply a must-see on a visit to the Permian Basin of Texas. I got a huge amount of oil-and-gas education here. But the museum is social as well as industrial: enjoy the fabulous paintings of some very human scenes from the oil life.

This is a great place that explains the history of the Permian Basin and the petroleum industry's importance to this area. They host wonderful family nights aimed at the children, but with activities for the entire family to participate. The Chapparral portion is just an added bonus.

What a super stop over on the way from Phoenix to Dallas. We were planning to spend an hour, ended up staying 4. It's very well put together, and the exhibits were well done. All of the kids electronic activities worked perfectly, and even my 5 year old loved our time there. Must see if you are in the area.

The history of oil's discovery in West Texas and samples of cores found in this area are the highlights of the museum. The displays of life in oil field towns in years past and the large aquarium representing life before oil was formed are favorites of children. The exhibits are enjoyed by both the young and the old. This museum is a good representation of what the oil business is all about.

This is a great museum, very informative about the oil boom. Interesting displays, several interactive displays. I'd say fun for all ages. Not expensive either. Be sure to go around back outside and look at all the neat stuff back there! Great place to visit!

Husband and I visited and we both enjoyed it. He's been in the oilfield all his adult life and finally he was able to answer a lot of my questions by showing me the displays and how things work

I was at a function at the museum last weekend. I hadn't been there since the major upgrade. I was EXTREMELY impressed with what has been done. New rooms, new technology tell the story of the Permian Basin in a unique and beautiful way. If you've not been here, it's a MUST SEE!

For sure that's the place to visit. And it's not just for oilers: nice gems, educational movies and games for kids & adults and of course outdoor display of oil production history - beam pumps, drilling rigs, wellhead...

The museum itself was closed when I was there, but they have a surprisingly large number of outdoor exhibits that are accessible at all times. You can see actual oil drilling equipment and oil wells with signs that explain how everything works. Even without the full-fledged museum, I found it quite interesting.

I was in Midland to visit a friend and we both worked in the petro-chemical industry, I'm retired, she is still plugging away, so this was up our alley. Nice museum, lot of displays, very well presented with one small thing that annoyed the two of us. Piping designers tend to be very anal about things, we tend to create and like order, to that the "gallery guide" handed out did not have map of interior and exterior displays. It had a description of each section but I was hoping for a floor/site plan with each area designated, just to have an idea where things were. Again, personalities at work and the gallery guide was not how I was expecting or how "I'd have done it". I was slightly disappointed in the Chaparral Gallery area, for the huge impact that Jim Hall had on racing in the 1960's it seemed to be short on details. I realize that the focus of a petroleum museum is not racing and this section would not be enough for a dedicated museum but he was a hometown boy and Chaparral Race cars were a very big thing back in the day. more could have been done, in my opinion. Otherwise it is well worth the visit. If you have any interest in the industry, and as the hotel manager told me "...the only reason to come to Midland is if you're in the oil business..." this is a stop to make. It was not overly crowded, they were setting up for an event that night for kids which I thought was a good thing to see.

A definite visit when you’re in Midland. First class museum. While the focus is on Texas oil/gas history, they also cover an international energy perspective, and oil/gas alternatives. There are also exhibits that should appeal to kids. Maybe spur their interest in geology and energy! Their mineral exhibit is spectacular. I truly now appreciate more than ever the importance of the Permian Basin and the people who developed it. Permian has had a very impactful significance on the history of the USA and the world. Oh, take a drive/walk around the back and view a terrific display of oil field equipment.

Recently renovated, this museum's attractive exhibits tell the story of oil, beginning with ancient diatoms. Despite the Sinclair logo, oil doesn't come from dinosaurs!

Don't miss the beautiful mineral exhibit or the hands-on robotic display. Tom Lovell's paintings of early days in the Permian Basin dramatically depict the oil workers' (and their families') grit and determination in an unforgiving landscape. The drilling samples' vertical display hints at the variety of rocks hidden beneath the surface. A race-car exhibit depicts a popular use for oil. A series of easily understandable diagrams show how geologists know where to seek oil.

Informative and enjoyable, this museum is well worth the trip for both adults and children.

I expected this to be a run-of-the-mill museum, but was pleasantly surprised. Lots of information on the geology & methodology of collecting oil & natural gas. It also details the history, economic effects, and sources of alternative energy for the future. Environmental effects were mysteriously missing. Exhibits were interactive, and kids would enjoy. There is also beautiful mineral & art exhibits. The gift shop was pricey, though.

The Petroleum Museum is located on I-20 in south Midland. I had hoped to see a lot of history of oil development in the area but the museum is almost entirely composed of displays donated by oil well service companies, showing oil drilling and other generic aspects of crude oil production. Many of the displays look very dated. The museum has a wing devoted to Chapparal race cars from the 1960's and 70's which is interesting but not really related to petroleum. There is not a lot to see in Midland so I guess this will have to do. Admission is only $8 and it is worth maybe an hour of two.

We first visited this museum about five years ago. When we visited this year, we were pleased to see that some of the exhibits had changed but the best parts were still there. The outside section of the museum with the pump jacks and the actual drilling rig remain my favorite parts (I grew up with all of that).

If you have any interest in all in the petroleum industry's history, technology, or people, then you must visit this museum. Since it is conveniently located on Interstate 20, getting there is a breeze. However, you might not want to leave.

The museum has many exhibits which are all very informative. Currently, (September 2015) the museum is undergoing many changes, all of which I believe to be very exciting! My last visit was in March when the talk about new funding and big changes was just being talked about. Expect the museum to be back from the renovations in the spring but I'd recommend you visit anyway.

The museum has been remodeled and is better than ever! They have great interactive exhibits! The children's area is great for the little ones! The museum store has wonderful things for sale also. Loved it!!

Coming to the Petroleum Musuem offers guests a complete history of the oil industry starting with the geological evolution of the Permian Basin, early history of Texas, the start up of the industry, its early Mavericks, technology innovations, the various companies, the plays in the Basin and even a special wing dedicated to Jim Hall, designer of the Chaparral Grand Prix race car.

This has alot is history. It's a must see to better understand the oilfield industry.
Very good thought put into this.

I was able to visit the museum with my elementary kids and they absolutely loved it!! The exhibits are thoughtfully arranged kid-friendly! After the renovation is done we will definitely be going back!

This museum has TONS of early oilfield equipment. There is also a great display of the Chaparral race cars and the history of their development.

Don't know a pump jack from an oil derrick? Get educated on the area! Very informative and fun for visitors!

I stopped by on a Thursday afternoon and learned that much of the museum is under refurbishment through next March. The cost during rehab is only $5. The gem exhibit is beautiful and worth a few pictures. The chaparral cars are beautiful as well. Most of the petroleum exhibits are outside and can be seen by just walking around (no need to pay $5). The signage could have a little more explanation but they do have some neat old equipment.

A really great museum for the city. We've visited any number of times over the past 30 years and the exhibits are always interesting and informative.

My 60 something brother, his wife and I had such a good time! A little something for everyone in the family—-From race cars to space ships. Lots of interactive exhibits, lots of interesting geological displays, history of the earth and the Texas oil business. It is a must “ To Do” for everyone, no matter your age.

We really enjoyed this visit. We were with family who are in the Oil industry so that helped add to the experience. The museum is very well maintained and a nice place to spend a couple hours.

What a wonderful collection of drill rigs and pumpjacks! The outdoor walking tour of the history and evolution of the drill rigs and pumpjacks is top-notch. They go from the earliest of drill rigs like you'd see on There Will Be Blood to a modern hydraulic fracturing rig.

The interior of the museum is quite nice as well. I really enjoyed the oil painting exhibit on the history and community of Midland, and the gem and mineral exhibit is definitely on par with the quality you'd get in a big natural history museum, if a bit smaller. The showing of the Chaparral cars was great too, if for no other reason than to see another facet of the Midland community.

It's undergoing a major renovation at the moment, so it's not as big as it could be, but the outdoor rig exhibits are the absolute best part.

Okay, so I have lived in DC and Philly so I've been to some great museums and I think this one is great esp for a town the size of Midland. You can really get a good overview of the oil and gas industry and there is fun hands on for the kids...and adults to. I recommend to anyone passing through or stopping for a visit!

Nice museum, not too big, not too small. Has a political agenda in some exhibits, not too pushy about it but it's there. Good presentation of science and history.

Wonderful! Probably one of the best museums in the southwest, closely rivaling those in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Was interesting and interactive for everyone, young (2) and old (80), in our family. Highly recommend! Plus the staff is very friendly and accommodating. They provided a wheel chair for our senior and the kids stayed for an program in the fabulous education hall. We saw animals of all shapes and sizes. It was a fun and memorable day for our family!

Great place, loved the race cars section of the museum. I have never seen an Indy race car up close. I didn't know a whole lot about the oil field industry, the pump jacks out back, truly give you a real life perspective.

Was too expensive it should have been under $10 to visit. I didn't enjoy the propaganda aspect touting the future with petroleum and never mentioning climate change and global warming.
The history was fabulous as were the mineral exhibits and art. I missed the outdoor exhibit sadly , I didn't see any signage about it inside of the museum. Spent about an hour here

We enjoyed our trip immensely. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum was nothing like we expected employees were super nice and friendly .
We took our time. The chapparell race cars were fantastic. My SO had chapparell slot cars as a kid..
Tried to upload a photo but link wouldn't work..can't share darn.
We came home with 326 photos on camera

Very interesting history and real examples to see outside. I learned so much about the oil and gas industry.
Very nice facility and the gift shop has some nice things - jewelry, books, stones, souvenirs, and also items for children.

My daughter and her new boyfriend made a special trip here to explore the Midland that my daughter remembered growing up. After exploring all of the possiblities from the City of Midland webstie the Petroleum museum was one of the things that she remembered the most. We went on a Saturday morning. Yes, it was informative, but most of the automated and active things that she remembered do not work anymore although the instructions were still there as though they did work. As a host, I was embarassed that the place had run down so much. With the amount of money that this town is bringing in due to the latest oil and gas boom, it is very disappointing and embarassing that we can't do a better job and keep the venue that tells the world what Midland/Odessa is about in a better state of repair and a place that the latest kids growing up here will want to bring their friends back to experience!

I was on a limited time budget and didn't give this museum the time it deserves. We stayed an hour and could have done another hour if we'd had the time. A 7 and a 9 year old and both had a great time. The rock collection was as good as I've ever seen. Did not check out the art gallery but it looked good as we passed through. All connected to the oil patch of course so I think kids would enjoy it too.

This delightful museum teaches in an interesting and amusing way - with a simulator, with a game show, with exhibits, even a children's area. Even younger children will be intrigued. We are retired and enjoyed ourselves immensely while learning.

Exceptionally clean.

BONUS galleries (3) - Racing Chapparel cars for the sports enthusiasts, a Mineral and Gem Gallery with spectacular specimens, and an Art Gallery with magnificent "Western Art" oils by Tom Lovell.

I was in Midland for a conference and stopped in here as a way to spend the lunch hour. This place was really well done, clean and informative, good for all. The way they have it set up is in a manner that is a walk through time with sounds playing overhead to recreate what the period would sound like; EG: hammers on steel, cable lifts, rotary rigs. It even has interactive things for the kids to do along the way...which as a grown adult I tried out to entertain the lunch hour. $12 admission seems reasonable, and the art gallery is impressive. The only down side would be that the outdoor exhibit behind the building is a very far walk, unmarked and designed to be a driving thing I guess. Easier access would be nice.

Interesting place. From what I can remember. If you've ever wondered about the History of the Petroleum industry or where oil comes from, this is the place to go. Some parts of the interior are laughably outdated, you can tell the place was built during the last boom, but the information is solid.

It was pretty cool learning about the history of how oil started out. Also how we're using a lot of different energies to use as different resources for our daily lives. Seeing the evolution of oil rigs when they 1st started out to what they are now was pretty interesting. I learned a lot.

Featuring outdoor exhibits of large oilfield equipment used over the years, and indoor exhibits of geology, artwork, and even racecars developed in this area (Jim Hall's Chapporell racing cars) provide unique historical vantage of the development and significance of this area.

My wife had while visiting before Christmas. We stopped on the way from San Antonio to New Mexico specifically to see the Chaparral Gallery, which I have been interested in since first learning about it last year.

The exhibit was everything I had hoped for - the cars were magnificent, the accompanying information well presented, and the quality of the facility first rate. The Museum and all involved deserve a lot of credit for one of the best automotive exhibits I've had the pleasure to experience.

For those not familiar with the Chaparral legacy, they were perhaps the most innovative and successful sports racing cars of the 1960s. Every important model of the marque is represented with a fine restoration by the people in Midland who originally built them. It was something I'll never forget, and hope to experience again in the future, with more time to see the entire Museum.

The museum is undergoing a major refit, so the internal pary is 90% closed until next year. You can still seee the external exhibition of oil pumps.
The Chaparral racing team section, which is somewhat incongruously located here is fully open, and very good too.

If you like race cars, you need to check out the Chaparral cars at the Petroleum Museum in Midland! Jim Hall's cars are truly superb! Along with the cars, the museum has "over 40,000 square feet of interactive education and entertainment for adventurers of all ages." www.petroleummuseum.org/

Learn all about the Permian Basin and its part in the oil and gas industry. A beautiful facility

Museum is nice and it is obvious the money put into it by the oil companies. Many of the exterior exhibits are lacking maintenance and details.

I recommend visitors to the Permian Basin take time to visit two iconic venues: the Petroleum Museum and the Commemorative Air Force. The former does a great job illustrating and explaining all aspects of the Petroleum industry as well as the impact petroleum products and petroleum byproducts have on our economy. It depicts the evolution of the oil industry from early "wildcatters" to the current "resource plays". Well worth a visit.

This is a great museum on the history of petroleum. And it has some great futuristic areas regarding future exploration which is very appealing to kids. Especially the space capsule which visits the skies and the ocean.

There are rooms with gorgeous geo rocks from all over the world and beautiful western paintings.

There are rooms with Chaparral race cars and their history as they originate from the area.

This museum is highly recommended for people of all ages.

I am not saying that kids are the only ones who can enjoy the Museum! Full grown adults and even a few not so grown adults that have a lot of kid in them can enjoy the Museum. Plenty of interactive activities and information for all! I like that there are a lot of options to avoid others. I know that sounds odd but sometimes when walking through a museum I like to stare at a piece of art for a period of time and a gaggle of screaming school groups can make that hard. Granted it can still happen but the lay out of the museum definitely creates a sense of alone. A great stop and see place the bathrooms are clean and while I have not dealt with much of the staff they have always been polite.

What a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in Midland. Lots of activities to engage in, educational, history of the petroleum industry in Texas, photos, artifacts, had some nice specimens in the gem and mineral section. The best part of the museum shop was the book section. They also had a section of vehicles that didn't interest me, but would any race car lover. The facility was neat, clean, and I'd go again.

I live in Midland and have always enjoyed visiting the museum. I took some out of town friends on my last visit. Since I have seen most of it I spent some time visiting with lady up front about the remodeling and expansión. She said the mineral exhibit at the entrance will become a large exhibit in 3 large rooms for geology study. Don't miss them now as they are beautiful. The paintings tell the history of the area and are really beautiful. The kids love getting in the model race car. I always like the under water exhibit. I'm glad to hear it's all being updated but my guests really enjoyed it now.

A very well organized small museum. I thought I knew a lot about oil and gas, but this museum surprised me – turned out I had some of my facts wrong. It was a real learning experience, in a fast paced interactive atmosphere.

The museum is currently starting a multimillion dollar renovation, so much of it is closed. The parts that are open are very interesting.

Inside: There's a large collection of Western paintings and painting of oil drillings. It's an outstanding collection. They also have a mineral collection (if you like to look at rocks). And, some displays of oil drilling equipment.

Outside: are historic oil drilling rigs.

It would have been better if there were more explanations. Maybe they'll add that as a part of the renovations. Honestly, I don't feel that I know that much more about the oil industry after visiting the museum that I did before.

Was looking to burn some time while taking a break from moving son out of apartment. Found this on trip advisor and saw their high rating. I glad we went here. We went to check in and because my son works from a oil company we got free passes. I will tell you it is worth the regular price if we had to pay. Loved all the interactive stuff and the videos and other displays show how the oil patch came to be and how they use to drill and how fracking has opened up the new opportunity to extract more gas and oil. The cars were a great display because I work in Southern California and would watch them at Riverside raceway. I was also amazed at the mineral displays. We made a drive through the equipment on display in back and would have stopped but we were hot and tired. This is a must see for anyone passing through or living close by.

The Permian basin is a gigantic wasteland full of nodding donkeys. In the midst stands the city of MIdland, basically developed (if not founded) on oil. It’s a notoriously tough industry and I guess MIdland reflects this. The museum is sited just outside downtown on a main route in. It’s a great introduction to the mysteries of how the black stuff is extracted from Mother Earth, how they drill sideways, what the geology is, and how oil is used. It’s worth a couple of hours of anyone’s time if you’re in the area because, after all, we all need and use oil or oil products in our daily lives. The only problem for the museum is that it’s endless advocacy for oil,to the exclusion of renewable energy sources does seem a bit dated. Sure, the museum, and the city, is founded on the stuff, but only a fool cannotsee that the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for potentially catastrophic climate change. So the museum would command a huge amount of extra respect if it at least acknowledged newer energy sources and the inevitability of change.

Live in the midst of Petro Production, grew up in it and made a living for 15 years in Oil Fields. Great visit for those unfamiliar with the Drilling/Production of Oil and the advances made since 1869's 1st Discovery in PA.

Good Field trip for kids and adults who do not know or understand the underlying demands and challenges of bringing Oil/Natural Gas from the ground to your home.

Worth the detour from your planned route. Even if you are anti-oil, you will be impressed with the ingenuity of raw American Spirit in the original heyday and discoveries of oil.

Both indoor and outdoor attractions. Even those who work in the industry visit the museum at least once a year.

You could easily spend a couple hours here. There are many interesting exhibits for kids and adults. Don't forget to check out the animals in the education room and the race car exhibit.

A fantastic way to spend hours learning about the history and future of the Permian Basin. Many arenas within the facility detail the contributions of those who created an oil-based empire. Best of all this museum were the staff & their enthusiasm of not only the museum but also the exhibits. Plan to spend hours exploring the inside exhibits and outside parks. The interactive video rooms were most appreciated!

We visited the Petroleum Museum this weekend knowing that the museum is under renovation. About half of the indoor exhibit space is closed, but most of this the space is specific to he petroleum industry.

The galleries that are open include a very brief description of the exploration and midstream business, a display of crystals and minerals, artwork depicting the energy exploration business plus a gallery on Chaparral race cars that were built in Midland. The Chaparral exhibit is at least half of the currently open space. I remember these cars from the 1960's so I was interested in this gallery, but my wife and son do not remember them so they really weren't that interested.

Outside there is an exhibit of extraction and pumping machinery from the 1910's through the 1960's. This exhibit is well done, but since it was over 100 degrees when we were there I'm not sure that we got everything out of it we could.

During renovation the museum is free, so if you have an interest in the Chaparral exhibit, this may the best time to see it. I am eagerly awaiting the reopening of the east wing in 2016 and will re-rate then.

The exhibits here are exquisitely done! So much more than just petroleum related subjects. A must see if visiting Midland

Enjoyable for kids to adults. I have not been since the remodel. All the exhibits were nicely displayed and it was very interesting.

A must see! Enjoyed very much - particularly liked the minerals and learning about the Chaparral cars!

If your from out of town or local to Midland and have children The Petroleum Museum should be on your list of places to visit. Interact and learn about the Permian Basin, the oil here and how it got here. There is much more to learn than just how the oil got here of course but ill leave the rest for you to learn on your visit! A added bonus for you Pokémon Go players is there is a Pokestop right out front of the museum.

We took our kids here when they were younger. They really enjoyed it and it was a great way to help them understand the importance and history of the oil industry. It was all very interesting and engaging, and the adults in our group enjoyed it too. My husband and I went back and found it to be just as fun as it was when we brought the family. My favorite parts are seeing the old technology and methods

Good place to discover how they get oil out of the ground. The Chaparral part of the museum was also fascinating. I would also recommended for young kids 12 + years of age.

Pleasantly surprised at this museum! Lots of history and artifacts of the oil and gas industry. We only gave ourselves a couple hours and really need 4-5 hours to read everything. So much information! Great outside exhibits too.

I cannot say enough good things about this museum. On our recent trip to Midland we pretty much had it to ourselves. There was one other couple visiting and one lady working the front desk. The museum tells the story of the discovery of oil and drilling in and around the Permian Basin in Midland. There is also a collection of race cars made in Midland. The museum has a lot of stuff which is well presented and maintained. It is well worth a couple of hours if you are in he Midland area.

Loved the extensive geode displays and the oilfield paintings. Great place to learn about the oil industry and a bit of history in the area. Great for all ages. Nice gift shop.

Totally devoted to the oil industry and geological concerns, the Petroleum Museum in Midland is a great stop and informative place to understand more about the oil industry and its impact on industry and society.

This is always a great go to when in Midland. The staff is extremely helpful and extremely knowledgable. There is a lot of information on the walls but the real interesting information comes from the tours.

If you want to learn about the Permian Oil fields this is the place to visit. It will provide a wealth of information to you and also teach about the oil industry.

I was in Odessa with 11 year old grandsons for the air show--2 years ago when we were there, we were unable to wait until the museum opened at 2 pm (why do museums have reduced hours on weekends when the most tourists are out and about?????), but spent a couple of hours viewing the outdoor exhibits--did so again this year, and spent 2 hours inside--the boys would have stayed until it closed, but we had a 5 hour drive--since the last time I visited, the inside exhibits have been changed--there are a multitude of interactive activities for kids in both the petroleum portion, and jim hall's race car exhibit--given the chance, my grandsons would go back tomorrow--this was my 4th visit in the last 30 odd years--better every time.

The Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas is an outstanding museum where you can gain a better understanding of the Oil and Gas industry, which is currently driving and sustaining a struggling economy in the US. Oil companies invest and risk billions of dollars into finding and producing oil and gas. The museum provides an outstanding overview and historical perspective on the oil and gas industry. Exhibits are often hands on and very informative. The museum has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade and expansion of the museum. The upgrade will better inform and educate the public on the horizontal drilling and shale boom that is leading America to energy independence. While there, also enjoy the wing that features race cars that are on exhibit. This is a must-see for locals and for visitors to the area.

I truly enjoyed my visit. Very informative on the local history of the oil and gas development and also a look into how it all comes together from drilling, processing, and delivery to your home. Lots of great interactive exhibits. I’m sure kids have a fun time here. Great rock and crystal displays as well as some great artwork. Love the Chaparral car exhibit too. Check it out it’s well worth your time.

When we first saw the Petroleum Museum, we thought it was a way to kill a little time. Once there however, we found the museum to be very enlightening. Between all the exhibits, videos, the Chapparl collection, and all, it turned out to be an amazing visit. And to top it off, we drove back to the antique collection of drilling machines and well heads for an added bonus. Highly recommended

This Museum is a great place to learn about the petroleum industry. We had people of all ages from 5-65 and it was well worth the price of admission. They do offer senior rates and children under 5 are free. We ask about AAA and AARP which they did accept.

Although this is set up as a hands-on museum geared for young children my husband and I really enjoyed it. The exhibits were well done and interesting. We learned a thing or two ourselves! Don't miss the outdoor exhibits. Definitely worth the stop and the price of admission.

The museum has an amazing outdoor display of oil drill rigs from old to new. You can walk around and see a little bit about each one on a nice path. Inside is a full history and a gift shop. The inside is being remodeled and is almost done. We got a preview and it will be even better than it is now. It is well (sorry, couldn't resist)worth the stop and you will need 4 hours to do it well. Easy access right off I-20. Nice parking. This is very family friendly and educational too. Even during the construction and remodel, it was well worth the stop.

The Petroleum Museum is a must see if passing through or staying a while as it has good history of the area and what drives it. anyone interested in finding out about the oil field it is a great place.

Had come to Midland to see my college aged son who was working in Midland on an internship. Went there Saturday afternoon. He is a petroleum engineer major so it was wonderful having the visuals as he explained things even further. Great museum!! Had already heard about it before we ever got there.

The museum is very well done and there is something for everyone from the oilfield pro to the curious traveller. Allow at least an hour and a half to see it all. For racing fans there is a wing dedicated to Midlanders involved in the Indy 500 with several cars on dispay. This is a must stop for anyone coming through the area.

Love it there. Kids love there activities.Love looking at the Geos on display. Been touring the Patrolium Mussume is i was a Very young girl im 46 and now tour it with my grandkids

Go- it's a must- see for Midland. True to the industry and its pioneers. Great for both adults and children. A very fun and interactive visit. The Chaparral auto piece is also amazing!

They have a variety of displays: history of the Permian basin, local art, mineral displays, current oil exploration issues and a bunch of oil field equipment.

Well worth the visit on a trip through the Midland area. The inside exhibits are geared towards kids and adults. Outside the old equipment is set up on a walking path that gets you close so can really appreciate. Only suggestion is more seating such as benches throughout the inside/outside for those who have walking limitations as there are minimal. Stayed about 90 minutes.

The collection of Jim Hall's Chaparral racing cars shows the evolution of the innovations introduced by Hall. There is an example of each 2 series car with the exception of the 2G. Currently the rear body panels are removed from the 2J so you can view the detail and, in particular, the little engine that powered the fans.

I had been thru museum many years ago , went back recently and was told they spent 18 million dollars on upgrading it , and it shows . It was awesome and extremely interesting . Plan on spending a good amount of time when u go , there is a lot to read and see. Cool place

We took our 3 and 7 year old grandchildren and stayed longer than I'd anticipated. There was lots to keep them amused with some interactive features they really enjoyed. They loved the sticky sand, the racing cars, films etc. A big thankyou the man on the desk who was really lovely and really helpful to finds Pocket money toys to take home. We were impressed and enjoyed learning more about oil exploration and there was much to see but as non Texans and maybe more concerned about the negative effects of petroleum products thought the slant was a bit biased .

Absolutely incredible interactive displays!!! Great for a family trip, as they have an entire section devoted to kids. I've been to a lot of museums, but the minute you walk into the Midland Petroleum museum, you understand that there was no expense spared. First class, and I mean FIRST CLASS all the way! They designed everything to be presented in a very professional and educational way, and above all, designed to peak your interest. Because of time limitations, we only spent about two hours there, but you could easily spend the better part of the day if you wanted to take it all in. You will see vintage exhibits showing the evolution of oil/gas drilling rigs. You can watch a fifteen minute movie in their theater, then see actual how it all works with interactive displays. Some things that you might not expect to see an entire wing of the museum displaying vintage chaparral racing cars, and another wing displaying exotic and incredibly beautiful rocks, crystals, crystals, geodes, and other minerals. Did I mention all of this is FREE? Wow, well worth your time!!!

We stopped here on our way through Midland. My wife and I both enjoyed our visit.

Nice exhibits to learn some of the history of oil/gas drilling and basic ideas of how they do it. My wife really enjoyed an area where they had a collection of minerals.

It is worth a stop, especially when traveling through this part of the country with as much oil production you see from the highway, its nice to get a better understanding of what you're looking at.

This place has something for ages. Exhibits cover the petroleum industry, history, mineral gems, and the chaperel race cars. There are interactive exhibits that are extremely informative in every area. Everything is first rate here. Outside there is an amazing collection of drilling equipment. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, it is well worth it. And bring a camera, the pictures will be amazing.

The petroleum museum is an eye opener for non-oil industry people. It is worth the tour and the time to get an understanding of why the Permian Basin is the most important oil basin in the entire US. If you are warm in your house and drive your car - you owe it to yourself to stop and see what the oil industry truly does.

Good afternoon trip with the kids or grandkids. Let them see the drilling rigs and race cars. The local West Texas history is so interesting to see this area boom.

The Petroleum Museum is an amazing place if you are involved in the oil & gas industry or even if you know nothing about it. The interactive displays are engaging and the historical exhibits show how the industry developed over the past 100 years. Anyone interested in how the oil industry developed will enjoy this museum. As an added attraction, there is a wing devoted to Jim Hall and the Chaparral race car. Anyone familiar with auto racing will love seeing the history of one of auto racing's most innovative engineers and radically advanced race cars.

My husband is in oil and gas business so of course we had to go to this. Outside exhibit of history of oil rigs and pump jacks great. Inside learn about the day to day operations of oil business thru the years. Some TLC needs to be made to some of the exhibits but overall good to visit.

I am in the oil industry and also a racecar owner so this museum was of very much interest to me. The gift shop employee older gentleman was informative and very friendly. We ended up buying a few items from the gift shop and enjoyed a great afternoon on the grounds. The car exhibition has a demo car you can sit in for photo ops so please put on a race coat hanging on the wall and get in! The outdoor oil machinery exhibition is very neat to see. It is worth the drive around back of the building to see. Many many pieces to see and able touch! I have seen some of the modern oilfield pumpjacks from the road so it was a treat to see these up close in a safe environment for even children. Inside the museum there is a gallery of artwork and gems. The gems are beautifully displayed and a must see! I loved this place so much that I am considering getting a membership

The Petroleum Museum located on I-20 between Midland and Odessa is one of the most unique specialty museums in Texas. This museum documents the historical significance of the Permian period in geological history. Learn the meaning of “Permian Basin” where two intercontinental basins come together to produce one of the most prolific oil and natural gas reserve and industry in the United States. Worth the time for a quick tour with kids as an educational discovery along the trip through Texas.

The Petroleum Museum is a great place to go by yourself, in a group, or with family. The are great displays of historical oil & gas industry, interative displays, and lots of fun hands on things for kids to do while they are there. One place you need to visit when you visit Midland to really understand why oil & gas is such an important part of West Texas or the Permian Basin.

Wow what a great find. We stopped here because we are harvest host members and we're traveling by. What a great stop and very informative. Thank you so much.

Nicely laid out floor plan. Very informative but a lot of reading. Both movies were geared for school age kids. Wishing there was a map to the floor plan. Radical get list.

This is a great place to present to your customers. The staff bends over backward to help. Your audience then can visit the museum and see oilfield history.

Love this place! What a wonderful, educational step into the world of petroleum, all the way from millions of years ago to the present. The ticket price was reasonable and there was plenty to see. The staff were kind and friendly and the place was very clean and fun. So many different things to do and a great gift shop to boot! Great for adults as well as children. Definitely worth a visit...or two haha!

I enjoyed this very much it give people an idea of what this part of the world is about and what go's on here. If you are in this area and have not been you must go and support this Museum we need this here.

We were very surprised and impressed with this museum! Lots of amazing interactive exhibits and a special children's area. We will return!

Neat exhibits. Fun for the family.
Also has a great area in the back to rent out for events (business or family).

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum is a jewel! Very interesting and informative. However I, as a Fire Protection Engineer, was pretty disappointed that there is no mention of fire protection or fire safety, namely Red Adair, the famous oil well firefighter. The potential for fires is significant, and it would be beneficial for patrons to learn about fire protection measures used to mitigate the occurance of fires and the heroes that risk their lives, like Red Adair.

This place will take you back in time to the present of the oil business and is very interesting and educational.

We decided to stop while driving across the US to stretch our legs and to give our 3 kids some education on the oil industry. The museum was divided into 3 sections, Oil, art, and race car. (interesting combination) The oil portion was the smallest and there was absolutely no educational benefit.We hoped there would be at least a short video or something to help the kids understand how oil is formed, or extracted form the ground but nothing.

I thought this was going to be a boring museum....I mean really who wants to learn about Petroleum!! Boy was I wrong....This was an exciting time for my husband and I and our daughter who is 14. Lots of fun interesting facts and learning experiences. Not dull at all!! Also has a racecar museum and art!! Awesome!!!

Good history, especially about all the predictions regarding oil/gas usage. The architecture of the building is beautiful and I liked the outdoor exhibits, too! Definitely worth seeing and I appreciated the senior discount.

The price for admission is reasonable for all you get to see inside the museum. There is also a little to see outside. Due to the heat in west Texas I recommend going in the morning if you are going to do the outside walk. There is a nice art exhibit and some west Texas Wildlife also. It is a LOT more than just an oil museum.

This is a nice and big museum explaining Texas’s history of their Oil Industry. It’s pretty interesting the whole history & exploration of the Oil Reserves etc. Give yourself a hour minimum I think to view everything they have inside. Outside can be viewed if museum is closed.

This is a real hidden gem and what seeing. I learned a lot about the geology and production of oil which is ubiquitous in our daily life. There was a geologist on hand was wonderful at explaining everything. The exhibitions of quartz and paintings and racing cars was delightful. You really need to go!

Great dinner buffet meal served after group toured this facility.
Staff was very friendly & accommodating!

We're glad we returned to see the petroleum portion of the museum now that the multi-million dollar renovation is complete.

The Petroleum Museum is a lovely place. The staff is really nice. You can rent the banquet hall and patio for a private affair. It's a good place for a big celebration like a wedding reception or big engagement party. There is a nice gift shop. The litter on the interstate can be bad, but do not let that deter you. You will enjoy learning about the history of the oil business in West Texas.

This is a very interesting and informative museum (particularly for anyone working in the oil and gas industry).

Lots of old drilling rigs and associated equipment to look at as well as interactive exhibits that explain some of the exploration and extraction techniques.

There is also a great collection of minerals / crystals and also some racing cars.

Something for everyone who has an interest in where the black stuff comes from !!

This museum focuses on the energy industry with many interesting exhibits. The inside exhibits are easy to understand with good signage. The outside exhibits are great for a stroll (or a dead run for the kids) with the ability to get up close to historical and contemporary rigs. There are also exhibits on the area and an interesting building with a professional race car focus. Good way to spend 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

Midland does not have a lot to offer but this museum is worth to visit. Besides the fact that they gave a very good presentation and explanation of the history of oil and gas winning they exhibition a very complete range of machinery. The staff was very helpful.

Oil and gas are essential to everyone’s daily life, regardless of whatever they live. This museum tells the petroleum industry story and how it part of more than we expect. Terrific indoor exhibits, touchscreens and a movie. Outdoor exhibits are even more fabulous. They give you the full scale look into drilling equipment. Definitely a place for the whole family.

Much of the museum was under renovation but what we saw was well done. The rock displays are beautiful. The Chaparral exhibit was educational, entertaining and well done.

Very interesting place to explore. Indoor scene has fascinating stuff to discover. Outside are trails that lead to oil field scenes from way back in history. Lots of old antiques from oilfield from way back in the old times and progressive to more modern stuff. Pretty cool experience.

The Petroleum Club is a great place to host a company Christmas party. My boyfriend and I were there for a couple parties this December. The decorations are beautiful, the food is exceptional, and staff is incredibly helpful.

One party was held in a smaller room for a closer, family feel with sit down dinning! For larger events the ballroom is the place to be with heavy hors d'oeuvres being served. The fried quail and Brie cheese is a highlight of each event.

The museum was off a service road parallel to the interstate just south of Midland. It was undergoing renovation and the cost was reduced from $8 to $5. They used Chip and PIN on the credit card. This was the only time I have used Chip & PIN in the USA and I go a lot. The information was poorly organised. There was a big racing car section which was interesting. There was also a wonderful rock crystal display. The outside display of oil field machinery was repetitive and the customer would need to be an expert to appreciate the most of the displays. Overall a disappointing visit. Maybe the renovated museum will be better, doubtful!

The museum's location at exit 136 off Interstate 20 makes it a great place to stop for a rest to break-up a long road trip. This was our third visit to the Petroleum Museum over the last 30 years. The friendly staff at the entrance greeted us warmly and welcomed us back. The name of the museum is somewhat misleading; while they do have outstanding exhibits about geology and the history of the petroleum industry, they also have a gallery of Western artwork, a stunning display of minerals, and the new Chaparral gallery displaying the race cars of local driver and innovator Jim Hall. The Chaparral Gallery was the primary reason for our most recent visit, since it was completed since our last visit and my husband was eager to see it. The new section that houses the cars is modern, spacious and full of interesting and educational exhibits about the science of aerodynamics and downforce. We have always found this museum to be impressive, with excellent, high-quality displays both indoors and out. There are two films, multi-media displays and entertaining hands-on learning opportunities. Obviously, it's funded at least in part by the petroleum companies, but we were pleased to see that they have added exhibits about conservation and other energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear. We noticed that the information in the petroleum exhibits is being kept up-to-date as well. I recommend at least two hours or more to absorb it all and visit the outdoor equipment displays. The museum is open Monday through Saturday 10:00-5:00 and Sunday 2:00-5:00 (closed major holidays). Admission is $8-12 (under age 5 free). Wheelchair access is excellent. A nice shop offers books, collectibles and souvenirs. The museum doesn't have a cafe', but there are several restaurants within a mile at I-20 and Rankin Highway (exit 136).

I visited about an hour from closing time so I had to rush through everything, but I was very impressed. There were lots of displays explaining the setup of the permian basin. A ton of old petroleum related antiques. A large area with various minerals and gem formations. Then there is an outside area with a lot of large oil field equipment I didn't have the time to check out. The only thing I wasn't too thrilled about was the high prices in the gift shop, but that's to be expected as most the people who visit work in the oil field and make pretty good money.

Where else would you learn about the oil industry besides Midland, TX? This museum is very well done--good history--some interactive exhibits--also art, race cars, and gems/geology. Well worth a visit.

I loved all of the exhibits, inside and out. Make sure you take the time to drive the loop behind the museum.

If you are curious and want to know about oil and exploration you will not be disappointed. Quite a few interactive activities from children

Still under renovation, went to see the racing cars.

Amazing to see them up close.

All maintained in ready to race condition.

The Petroleum Museum recently completed a massive renovation and expansion, and it has to be one of the most educational facilities available with respect to the petroleum industry, which is the lifeblood of Midland. It has learning experiences for all ages--the technology is top notch. It also has a great collection of Jim Hall - Chaparral Racing cars showing their evolution during the years that they were among the most competitive on the track. The museum is a quality presentation.

Nice place to tour and very educational. Relatively easy to get to off I-20 westbound.
Plenty of outdoor free parking, and clean inside the facility.

My husband and I take our 3&5 yr old boys there monthly and they absolutely love it. All the exhibits are kid friendly and the staff is very helpful.

The museum was very informative and worth the time to see. I enjoyed it very much. They have a couple of movies that are a complete waste of time. The rest of the museum is great. Definitely go if you have the time .

This Museum was recommended to us by a worker at the Texas visitor center. So glad he did, it was so much fun. Very interactive. Gives historical perspective of the oil industry as well as explanations of current technological advances. Gave you insights into the challenges we face with meeting our energy needs. The mineral exhibit was fascinating. Gear heads will enjoy the Chaparral Gallery. Wish we had the grandkids with us. They would have loved it.

Sorry about the title but I just had to do it :) Inside you'll see some very nice art work depicting oil field work through out the years along with numerous pictures. enjoy the numerous rocks displayed throughout and if you're an auto racing person don't forget to visit Jim Hall's Chaparrals at the end of the hall. Plenty of picture opportunities here as there is one replica(all other cars are actual race cars that did do just that-race). Once complete inside you may drive to "out back" and see numerous oil rigs. Again plenty of picture opportunities here.

From how they find it, how the method of extraction is determined, how the various methods are used and the oil is processed. The outdoor displays help you see what the displays taught. Very informative. If you are at all interested in auto racing the Jim Hall and Chapparal display is a must see! The art gallery and mineral displays are quite nice as well. Well worth the trip!

The museum is very convenient, and gives a great view of a West Texas Sunset. On Family nights, we can go for free, and there is so much to see and do. With many visual exhibits, including a car museum, my family enjoyed learning more about the town we live in and the oil industry that keeps it going. I would also recommend going here without kids, so you can really read the details and history of the Permian Basin without a little one and a short attention span, but either way, this museum is very nice.

Very interesting and there are many drilling rigs on the grounds that are set up like they were in operation.

We loved the museum as children in the 80s. It didn't let us down. They have continued to improve and add on to the exhibits. The staff has done a great job presenting information in captivating ways.
They offer discounts including teacher and student discounts. The original price is very affordable and a great value for all that you get to experience.

We had dinner here for a business event and enjoyed touring the museum afterwards. Very informative and plenty of interactive displays. It was just my husband and I, but my four children would have loved this museum, especially my son. The Chaparral cars were great!

Enjoyed the visit here very much. This is the heart of oil country and they have the displays to show it. The outdoor exhibits are facinating. Many of the oil rigs are so old, they are made of wood. All well maintained and well documented as to what makes them special. The building is beautiful and has a delightful gift shop. Definitely worth a look!

This is one great museum. My grandson's love to go every time they are in Midland. Excellent history of the story of oil and the oil industry. The Cars are there favorite part of the museum, they really like to sit in the car. The museum rotates enough of the exhibits so there is always something new to see and learn about.

We went as a group to the museum and had a blast. This was my first time in since they have remodeled and I was impressed. Most of the displays have been updated and are modern. I did find one of the exhibits a little unnecessary, where you were part of a team that rushed to discover oil in a space craft of sorts. Other than that it was fantastic and well worth the trip to check out.

I had lived in Midland for years before going to see the Museum. What a trip! Wonderful exhibits and more information than you can find anywhere else about the Petroleum Industry. A great place for a field trip!

The Petroleum Museum is so cool! Every time I am in Midland I go! It's wonderful. The cars are so cool to look at. I also enjoy the process of how the pump the oil.

The Petroleum Museum has always been a good place to learn about the oil industry. Adding the Chaparral cars lets you see how a genius from Midland turned the racing industry on its head.

The museum is undergoing a massive renovation. Should be better than ever.

Very well done museum with many pieces of large scale historical equipment on display. Exhibits both indoor and outdoor including race cars which I wasn’t expecting. Kids enjoyed the museum which had a mix of self guided reading, movies, and interactive games.

Pristine exhibitions nicely set, but so much more could have been said about the geology of the Permian basin and the petroleum Industry. And yes I did click on all of those interactive screens.
It is overly simplified and a bit on the propaganda side... I was sorry that there were no books to buy at the museum shop... Petroleum museum for those who don’t want to overuse their brain.

Texas is famous for producing petroleum, this wonderful museum provide vast knowledge of all aspect of the petroleum industry.

It attract me the most is the wonderful rock collection from around the world.
Being a rock hound, I lingered in this hall the longest time while we’re there. Most of the species was grand and gorgeous! Made me on drooling.

I only wish the gift shop’s rock sold there is not only aimed at novice rock collectors also aimed at serious rock collectors.

If you're in the Permian and interested in the history of oil and the region, this place is a MUST. Spent 4 hours soaking up everything it offered. Historical to modern day Midland; this was a fascinating experience. Time well spent.

Overall, this is an excellent museum but the film at the very beginning was rather off putting with its pro-fossil fuels propaganda. It made it hard to view the rest of the exhibits objectively. There was a lot to learn and enjoy if one can set aside the obvious agenda of the petroleum industry.

From the title, you might think this is too much for one place to handle well. You would be mistaken. Eye-popping minerals from around the United States and the world take up two rooms. A wonderful collection of western paintings by a local artist who could be mistaken for Remington occupies another two rooms. Sports car loves will be awed by the history of the Chapparral car company which was based in Midland in the late 1960s. The petroleum exhibit could be seen, but was closed for additions until April. There is something for everyone in the family.

When we have friends come from out of the state we like tho take them to the petroleum museum. It's a great way to see how oils is produced. Very well run.

Wonderful hidden gem of Midland. Best place to explain in layman's terms how the oil fields and wells work. This is a great place to take children.

They were in the process of a remodel during our last visit. It is now complete and even better. The oil exhibits alone are worth a good part of your day. We love all the old stuff and the fact that these have been preserved for us. Fun to actually understand what is going on as we drive by these rigs across the country. Quite a lesson in drilling and even some of the more modern alternative methods to extract oil. Get the facts here. We learned a lot. Our country is experiencing serious growth in this industry and we are anxious to become less dependent on foreign oil. Thankful for the learning part of this display. On top of this, there are galleries of art work on beautiful display that would outdo many art museums. And if that wasn't enough, there's the Chaparral Race cars and some amazing history. Add in a lot of interactive displays and this place is a good spot to spend a day. Clean, cool, and orderly. Love it.