Permian Basin Petroleum Museum image

Permian Basin Petroleum Museum

Museum Art gallery History museum Science museum

One of the Best Places To Visits in Midland


Address

1500 I-20, Midland, TX 79701, United States

Website

petroleummuseum.org

Contact

+1 432-683-4403

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (851 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: (Martin Luther King Jr
  • Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 2 to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (18) visit (9) interactive (8) petroleum (8) history (7) information (7) experience (7) hours (7) exhibits (6) time (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Anna H. 1 year ago on Google
    Very exciting museum, even for adults. Even if you already know something about the oil field. We are 2 adults, one of us works in the oil field: and both of us loved it! We enjoyed the history of the region and the clever way they presented the tools that started the exploration of the Permian Basin. There was a lot of info on geology explained in an easy way, good information on the history of all the major oil companies in the world. Also, a lot of interactive experience for kids and not only kids. We also liked the outside exhibits. You can visit those for free.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angela R. 1 year ago on Google
    Our 11 yr old son requested that we go and tour this museum. We weren’t sure at first but quickly realized what a wonderful and interesting place this was. Our son loved the museum! It has so much interesting material and is laid out in very nicely. There are things to look at, read about and even interactive things to do. We are very pleased that we took the time to stop and tour this wonderful museum. We learned a lot more than we thought we would. If you are ever near then this place is a must stop!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Austin P. 2 years ago on Google
    Great experience, solid information, and an awesome museum. We spent about two hours wandering the museum, and learning all about the Oil Industry and where Oil comes from. Highly recommend stopping by, and checking this out. Great place for Kids and Adults.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris T. 1 year ago on Google
    This has been on my bucket list for a long long time and it definitely did not disappoint! If you’re a race fan the Chaparral collection from Jim Hall’s foray into Can Am and Indy is a MUST see. The details you can get up close to and see are incredible. Even the displays that give the museum its name are interesting — oil derricks and other old oil field equipment. Excellent stop on the way through west Texas.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim R. 2 months ago on Google New
    Nice an hour long visit. Lots of hands-on visuals, videos and questions/answers. Had paintings and automobiles sections. Outdoors numerous old oil/gas rigs to walk to.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy S. 4 months ago on Google
    We visited from out of town and this is one of the best museums we have been to. So much to see for all ages. The geods, lego dinosaurs, race cars, interactive displays, and timelines. We spent a couple of hours learning and having fun. Don't miss it!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 The Random S. 2 years ago on Google
    We spent two hours there. It was amazing. It looks small on the outside, and walk throught the entire museum it's surprising how big it is. The first part was more informational but the last parts where very interactive and are perfect for kids older then 5. It walks you through the dates and events and how the petroleum is found and dug up. It has short games and interactives for everyone. It also had two other sections that where equally as interesting. It has a drive through to look at the different "nodding donkeys" or pump jacks. Was not very crowded and definitely a good indoor activity. Recommended!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chuck S. 9 months ago on Google
    Excellent facility, we'll worth the $12 fee to get in. Highly recommend it if you're in the area.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael M. 2 years ago on Google
    Much better than I would have expected. It starts with a cheesy "game show" that aims to debunk misconceptions of the oil industry. After that, however, it really has some fine displays of history, technology and even controversy. Lots of hands-on exhibits for the kids. Even more than that there is an impressive display of minerals, a nice art gallery and a gallery of formula one cars not to mention all of the outdoor rigs on display. Overall a really nice experience. I highly recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Simon X. 1 year ago on Google
    Very much appreciate this gem museum in the Midland which is quickly moving up to the new capital city of oil and gas growing business. In addition to the petroleum industry history, the hall of fame for petroleum people and the paintings on Texas oil pioneers are all impressive and great! Highly recommended .

  • 5/5 James S. 2 years ago on Google
    Very cool place to visit. Worth the trip if you’re in town. Lots of history and the story to modern production is pretty good. They’ve got some neat games so it’s not all just reading and looking.

  • 5/5 Tom 4 months ago on Google
    Thanksgiving day so only got to walk the grounds. Lots of oil memorabilia on site outside and easy parking. Welcome center is on the same property.

  • 5/5 small potato in the U. 5 months ago on Google
    This is an experience like no others. What was initially thought as a quick stop turned into hours of visit. A replica of one of the first oil rigs in Permian Basin, Santa Rita #2 sits next to the museum parking. My visit began with an introduction of how fossil fuels are formed, followed by how the region thrilled after the discovery of oil reservoirs, along with a section that transports visitors back in time. Some of the most intriguing exhibits are different earth layers collected from drilling activities, a variety of drilling heads, and how petroleum companies make the most of a reservoir. It is a shame that Permian Basin was out-competed by the rise of the demonic OPEC in the 1960s, of whom everyone's pocket is at the mercy. Let's also not forget how the avaricious giants are profited from such establishment. There are also fascinating paintings portraying the industry and recreated race cars that you don't think they would ever exist.

  • 5/5 Kazera328 7 months ago on Google
    Outstanding museum and interactive learning experience. It is more than just a museum, the aesthetic design, antiques, lights and displays, all fantastic. Its like walking through a chronological portal of the entire 20th century. Well worth the price of admission for my son and I. You could easily spend a couple of hours there. In addition to the petroleum exhibits, there was a huge stone/crystal display room which was super cool to see!

  • 5/5 David H. 3 months ago on Google New
    A lot more than we had imagined. We thought it was going to be a typical museum that would take us 30 minutes to an hour to go through. We were there for 3 hours. They have tons of interactive displays. Great for all ages.

  • 5/5 Fernando Haver (. 4 months ago on Google
    I loved the Petroleum Museum, there was a lot of information to learn and a lot of fun exhibits for the young ones. I enjoyed the Lego Dinosaur and the Rocks and fossils they had in their collection. I got to see the speed racing vehicles and they had one car you could take pictures in. I would highly recommend; me, my fiance, and my family loved it and would return to visit again when we see family in Texas again.

  • 5/5 Tiffany D. 3 months ago on Google New
    Being an oilfield family is why I wanted to take our youngest here in hopes she could understand better. We LOVED this place so much! Very informative, tons of things to read, watch and look at from all aspects of the oil/gas family. My 7 year old had a blast. Definitely recommend.

  • 4/5 Mighty M. 10 months ago on Google
    First time in the museum and it was really cool! Very clean and very well laid out. My only concern is the simulator. I had no idea that their would be a strobbing affect inside and I have epilepsy. Thank goodness the doors don't stay shut during it so I was able to leave. A sign would be nice. Other then that it was fantastic 👏

  • 5/5 Nazar H. 10 months ago on Google
    I wasn't expecting to see oil fields museum, it is fantastic, and I'm recommending even for non oil fields related activities to visit to get more exposure about oil fields.

  • 5/5 George K. 10 months ago on Google
    We visit many museums on our travels and this is in the top 5. Well done, everything works and is well maintained.

  • 5/5 M Ray A. 11 months ago on Google
    The petroleum exhibits were interesting and information, but the Jim Hall/ Chaparral car exhibit was AWESOME!!

  • 5/5 Steve L. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome experience. Really tells the history and future of drilling for and marketing petroleum products, not just on the Permian Basin but worldwide. Great museum well done. A must see experience..

  • 4/5 Anita R. 2 years ago on Google
    The young man we met at the information counter was very nice and gave us plenty of needed information. The museum was nice, my husband works in the oil field like his father. Now that his father has past it brought happy memories for my hubby when his father would show him around where he worked in the oil field ❤ 😊

  • 5/5 Mark F. 1 year ago on Google
    Well done interactive museum and information about the history of oil worldwide and specifics for this region and area. The methods, machinery, economy, global scene, political impacts, future of energy all included. Can spend 40 minutes or 4 hours.

  • 5/5 Bob A. 2 years ago on Google
    Totally remodeled from the last time I visited. The petroleum exhibit is really informative and has lots of interactive stations. The Chaparral race cars are amazing! Beautiful new artwork as well. Definitely take the time to visit the outdoor equipment as well!


Call +1 432-683-4403 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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