In Midland, outstanding cultural opportunities range from music and theater to science and the arts. The Midland Center for the Arts provides state-of-the-art stages for audiences of 400 to 1500 and has featured everything from local performances to world-class orchestras and dance companies.

The home of well-known mid-20th century architect Alden B. Dow makes for an interesting tour, as does the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center, where you can learn the history of Midland County, Fortune 500 company The Dow Chemical Company, and the Bradley House, one of Midland's first homes dating back to the 1800s.

The City of Midland maintains 72 City parks. Small neighborhood parks nestled within residential areas are found throughout the city so that each neighborhood has a place of quiet recreation.

While neighborhood parks are just right for smaller gatherings, larger gatherings can enjoy the amenities of two of Midland's largest parks, Emerson and Plymouth, which feature large sheltered picnic areas, playgrounds and a pool.

Nature is also found in abundance at Midland's Dow Gardens. Spread over 100 acres, Dow Gardens shares with its visitors the landscaping designed for the home of The Dow Chemical Company founder, Herbert H. Dow, in 1899.

Sister city in Handa, Japan, has made our community more beautiful with the gifts of a Stone Lantern Garden, located outside of the reading room at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, many gifts that are on display at the library, and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees that dot our community's landscape.

More than 85 places of worship represent most denominations and a variety of architectural styles.

And when it comes to rolling up your sleeves to help out those in need, the Midland community rises to the occasion.

Our local United Way Volunteer Center recruits up to 2,000 volunteers each year, and the United Way of Midland County supports 25 community organizations with more than $4.1 million in community giving and the priceless donation of community members' time and talents.

The Dow Chemical Company and Dow Corning Corporation are two Fortune 500 companies with world headquarters and major manufacturing plants in the community, adding to the excellence of Midland through their continued scientific research and development.

The Midland Cogeneration Venture, one of the largest gas-fired cogeneration power plants in the world, came aboard in 1991 and is the City's largest taxpayer.

Other professional opportunities can be found at hundreds of large and small businesses throughout Midland and our neighboring communities and at Midland's state-of-the-art medical facility, MidMichigan Medical Center, featuring the Neuroscience Institute and Pardee Cancer Center.

Midland is conveniently located in the center of Michigan, just 15 minutes away from MBS International Airport.

Private and corporate jets can also be serviced at our community's general aviation airport, Jack Barstow Municipal Airport, located in the city of Midland. Visitors and aviators can lounge in the airport's new 2,100-square-foot terminal building while waiting for a plane to land or take off.

If a nice drive is more your style, a two- to three-hour jaunt in any direction by car will fulfill most all of your vacation, sightseeing or big-city needs including spending time on the shores of Michigan's five Great Lakes.

The outstanding Midland Public School System is comprised of 13 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools.

Close-to-home higher education is provided by six area institutes, colleges and universities including: Central Michigan University, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College, Davenport University and Michigan Molecular Institute.

Unofficially the "World Softball Capital", Midland continually hosts state, national and international softball tournaments. In 1999, Midland was the site of the final qualifier for the 2000 Olympics' USA Women's Softball Team. In 2004, the USA Softball Women's National Team visited Midland for an exhibition game against the Midland Lady Explorers. Midland was the only stop in Michigan for the U.S. team that won the gold during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece.

Midland is also on deck for Mid-Michigan's first and only minor league baseball team, which will play its first game ever in April 2007. A 5,500-seat baseball stadium is currently under construction near downtown Midland. Click here to find out more about minor league baseball in Midland.

For the skater in you, Midland provides three indoor ice-skating rinks at its 107,000-square-foot Midland Civic Arena, which opened in September 2005. The facility features a total of three rinks: two NHL-sized and one Olympic-sized.

A highly-praised outdoor in-line skate rink that doubles as an ice skating rink in the winter also graces the community's landscape. In 1999, Midland proudly opened the first Michigan outdoor skatepark facility where skateboarders and in-line skaters of all ages can practice and perform the latest skateboarding and in-line skating techniques.

The Midland Community Center provides everything from racquetball courts to a 20,000-square-foot indoor leisure pool. The Midland Community Tennis Center is recognized as one of the top 25 tennis facilities in the country and is home to the annual Dow Corning Women's Tennis Tournament, drawing top professionals from around the world.

Two public golf courses with a total of 54 holes; two community pools; and a Midland Soccer Complex round out a community with outstanding facilities.