Best Museums in Houston
If you’re in Houston, Texas, and looking for the best things to see and do, consider visiting the museums that Houston is famous for. From fine art to space travel, dinosaur fossils to moon landing missions, Houston has a museum for you. From dinosaur fossils to Jurassic Park exhibits, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few of the top Houston museums. Let’s dive into each of them!
The Menil Collection
The Menil Collection is a fine art museum in the quiet neighborhood of Houston, Texas. It is situated within a 30-acre neighborhood that features art of all types. The Menil offers rotating exhibitions of artworks from its growing permanent collection, organizes special events, and publishes scholarly books. They also conduct conservation research on modern art. Over 17,000 objects make up the Menil’s diverse collection. The Menil embodies the ideals of its founders, John and Dominique de Menil. The Menil is open Wednesday through Sunday for free admission.
Dominique de Menil was the wife of an oil magnate. She had fled Nazi occupation in France and emigrated to the United States. She brought cultural intellectualism, European flair, and political ideologies with her. Her father, John de Menil, founded the Schlumberger oil empire in Houston. After John de Menil’s death in 1973, Dominique continued to collect art. After she started her collection, she built support for a separate museum for her art collection. Dominique de Menil’s vision for the building was embraced by architect Renzo Piano. The result is an art museum that is both spacious and intimate.
The Menil Art Museum exhibits works by world-renowned artists, as well as rare books and publications. In the current exhibition, “Surrealism & Witnesses: Surrealist Works of Art,” the Menil features more than 200 objects from the Menil and private collections. The Surrealist galleries, which were once dark and dreary, are now painted a lighter gray. The paintings in the Surrealist galleries are often grouped by artist rather than by genre.
The Menil Art Museum is Houston’s most popular art museum. It features a diverse selection of art across several buildings. A visit here is guaranteed to keep you there for the entire day. The museum also offers a café and restaurant for lunch, so you can take in the museum’s offerings in a single visit. It is worth visiting both the permanent and temporary exhibitions. There’s a lot to see at The Menil Collection.
Whether you’re looking for contemporary art or abstract art, The Menil Collection is one of the best Houston museums. The building was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano in the mid-1980s. Its innovative design incorporates natural light into the galleries while a roof that allows light to filter through has a tropical winter garden. Afterwards, you can enjoy the collection’s permanent and temporary exhibits, including a Cy Twombly Gallery.
Bistro Menil offers a full lunch and dinner menu. Its wine list is extensive, and the Bistro Menil offers afternoon tea and happy hour options. The Bistro Menil serves salads, sandwiches, and other delicious meals. The bistro offers wine glasses to take to the lawn for an after-museum picnic. There are many other restaurants in Houston, but the Menil Collection offers some of the best dining in Houston.
The Holocaust Museum of Houston
Located in the heart of the Museum District, the Holocaust Memorial Museum of Houston is dedicated to six million victims of the Holocaust. Its permanent exhibitions, rotating special exhibits, and films will help you understand the horrors of this terrible period in history. The museum’s mission is to educate visitors about the history of Europe’s greatest tragedy, and to offer a glimpse of hope for the future.
One of the most unique exhibits at the Holocaust Memorial Museum is the Butterfly Loft sculpture. This striking sculpture features 1,500 butterflies, each representing a child who died during the Holocaust. This moving memorial pays homage to the 1.5 million children who were killed during the Holocaust. The Holocaust Museum of Houston is also home to the Butterfly Loft Theater, a performance-sized stage and an artist’s dressing room. This theater has a capacity of 195 people and provides an excellent setting for a variety of presentations.
The Holocaust Museum of Houston is an amazing place to visit. Located near the Houston Museum of Natural Science, this museum is an important part of Houston’s cultural life. Its history is one of its best-preserved pieces, and the Holocaust Museum Houston will leave you speechless. In addition, the Holocaust Memorial Houston is a great place to meet a friend. This museum is well worth the trip if you want to learn more about Houston’s history.
Another important museum in Houston is the Menil Collection, a modern art museum and one of the world’s largest private art collections. Located on 23 acres in Montrose, this museum offers free admission to the public. It features an invisible sound sculpture and is home to a vast collection of modern and classical art. It has a modern architecture masterpiece, as well as a unique interactive museum that educates its visitors against hatred.
Another must-visit museum in Houston is the Asia Society Texas Center. This museum is a multi-million dollar complex that features many free programs and exhibits. The museum focuses on the history and culture of African-Americans in the U.S. The museum has an excellent education program and is a great place for families. And, because it is free, it also features a renowned education program.
Children of all ages are bound to enjoy this museum. With exhibits aimed at different age groups, it provides a fun and educational day out. The Children’s Museum of Houston is a wonderful option for young visitors. This museum is a fantastic option for families with children as there are special exhibits for children, as well as a World War II-era railcar. It is open every day and has free admission on selected holidays.
The Menil Collection is an outstanding collection, and the museum houses works by Warhol and Matisse. A special exhibition on Byzatine icons is a highlight. The Menil Collection also houses a research library and cafe. This museum is one of the best museums in Houston. There are no better places to spend an afternoon. So, when visiting Houston, don’t skip this museum. Enjoy your time in Houston!
The Asian Society Texas Center
The Asia Society Texas Center is one of Houston’s premier cultural institutions. Designed by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the building is a beautiful blend of contemporary design and Asian serenity. Spread over two stories and a basement, the building’s layout and design make it a great choice for weddings and special events. During the holidays, the center serves as a hot spot for holiday celebrations and offers a unique atmosphere, with misty roofs that create a tranquil environment.
If you’re planning a Houston wedding or celebration, the museum can serve as the perfect location for your event. It also offers yoga, tai chi, and Chinese language classes. If you’re visiting on a budget, you might even want to book a table at the restaurant’s sister restaurant, Pondi, which serves breakfast and lunch. The restaurant’s innovative menu includes butter chicken, saffron shrimp salad, and roti wraps. The Asia Society Texas Center is closed on Mondays and has limited parking, so you might want to consider using the parking lot next door for the day.
The new headquarters building is a striking addition to the center. It’s designed by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi and is slated to open on April 12th, 2016. The building’s interior will house an exhibition of Asian art from the Rockefeller Collection. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the rich history of Houston’s Asian community. The museum is also a great place to celebrate Japanese culture.
There’s no shortage of cultural institutions in Houston. In fact, many Houston museums offer free admission on certain days. In addition to their excellent exhibitions, museums offer educational programs and unique experiences. If you’re visiting Houston, don’t miss out on the Asian Society Texas Center! It’s one of 12 in the country, and the center hosts numerous community programs. Its mission is to connect people through art.
The Museum of Craft and Design is another museum worth visiting. Run by nonprofit arts organization, the museum is home to some impressive contemporary craft. Many of the works on display here are made from recycled materials. Artists exhibit their work and interact with museum-goers. It’s a great place to explore contemporary craft while in Houston. The museum’s collection includes an extensive variety of Japanese art. A great place for families and children to visit with the family!
Located in the Museum District, the Holocaust Museum Houston is one of the most informative and powerful exhibits in Houston. Founded by Holocaust survivor Siegi Izakson, the museum’s permanent collection is a highlight. The Museum’s rotating exhibits include a Pompeii exhibit that examines life in the city before and after the volcanic eruption. It is the 4th largest Holocaust museum in the country, and underwent a massive renovation in 2019. Despite its impressive collection, this museum has plenty to offer visitors.