Things to do

West Texas, wide open.

Andrews sits in the middle of the Permian Basin — parks and birding in town, Odessa and Midland a short drive east, and the sandhills beyond that.

5 min · in town

Lakeside Park

The green heart of Andrews — a pond, shade, picnic tables and some of the best sunsets in the Basin.

1 hr · Monahans

Monahans Sandhills

Miles of white dunes you can sled down. Rent a disc at the headquarters and go at sunset.

10 min · in town

Wetlands Park

A disc golf course, walking loop and fitness stations — and the best birding in Andrews County.

50 min · Midland

The Petroleum Museum

The story of the Permian Basin told properly — rigs, rocks and a hall of racing cars.

Further afield

Worth the drive

Shafter Lake

15 min

A salt playa and a near-ghost town north of Andrews — strange, quiet and worth the detour.

Andrews Golf Course

10 min

An 18-hole Warren Cantrell course from 1955, narrow and well kept.

Downtown Odessa

40 min

The Globe Theatre, the Ellen Noël Art Museum and a proper night out.

Carter Park

5 min

Walking and biking trails and a playground, right in town.

Andrews Bird Viewing Area

10 min

A quiet blind on the migratory flyway — spring and fall are the seasons.

Carlsbad Caverns

2½ hrs

A long day trip over the New Mexico line, and worth every mile.

Drive times are approximate — most of these are an easy run on US-385 or SH-176.

Three days at Midwest

Friday

Roll in, level up, and hook up. Supper in town, then an easy evening under the cover as the sun drops.

Saturday

Out to the Monahans sandhills for the morning, barbecue on the way back, and an easy evening at Lakeside Park.

Sunday

The Petroleum Museum in Midland before the drive home — or one more night, if the dog gets a vote.

Make a weekend of it

Two nights covers the dunes and the museum. Three is better.