MUSEUMS
The Bayou City loves its museums. So much so that there are an estimated 63 museums and another 60-plus galleries and art spaces in the city alone.
Museums in the "Museum District:"
Note: Some, if not all, are free on Thursdays...
Museums outside of the "Museum District:"
Museums in the "Museum District:"
Note: Some, if not all, are free on Thursdays...
- Children’s Museum of Houston: Every square inch is packed with interactive and fun exhibits for kids of all ages. http://www.cmhouston.org/
- Asia Society: Learn more about Asian art and culture. http://asiasociety.org/texas
- Museum of Fine Arts: It is the largest in the state and, with more than 62,000 works of art, it is also the largest collection in the SW U.S. http://www.mfah.org/
- Houston Museum of Natural Science: “Step inside the Cockrell Butterfly Center and you’ll be swept away like the delicate creatures in a summer breeze. The three-story glass structure is built around a 50-foot waterfall and simulates a tropical rainforest.” The museum also has a planetarium. http://www.hmns.org/
- Houston Holocaust Museum: Commemorates and honors the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims of the Holocaust. http://www.hmh.org/
- Buffalo Soldiers National Museum: “This is the only museum in the nation dedicated to preserving the history and tradition of African-American solders through artifacts, reenactments, exhibits, lectures, etc.” http://houstonmuseumdistrict.org/museums/buffalo-soldiers-national-museum/
- Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: “Wander through American decorative arts and paintings at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, then head over to Rienzi to view the home, gardens and European decorative arts.” http://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens/
- The Menil Collection: “Don’t miss the museum’s renowned Surrealism collection, a permanent gallery that includes more than 300 works by famed artists such as Rene Magritte, Max Ernst and Salvador Dali. Head to nearby buildings for the Dan Falvin fluorescent light installation and Cy Twombly gallery.” https://www.menil.org/
- Blaffer Art Museum: This contemporary art space at the University of Houston showcases the works of emerging artists. http://www.blafferartmuseum.org/
- Cullen Sculpture Garden: A tranquil oasis of art and nature, this garden showcases masterworks of 20th and 21st century sculpture. http://www.mfah.org/visit/cullen-sculpture-garden/
- John C. Freeman Weather Museum: http://houstonmuseumdistrict.org/museums/john-c-freeman-weather-museum/
- For more information, visit http://houstonmuseumdistrict.org/museums/ and http://houstonmuseumdistrict.org/free-admission-times/
Museums outside of the "Museum District:"
- NASA’s Johnson Space Center: Visit mission control (new and historic) to experience science in action. See artifacts and ships, exhibits and presentations that tell the story of space. Hear President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 “We choose to go to the moon” speech at Rice, see where astronauts train for missions and view vehicles mocked up for future exploration. They offer an only-12-people-per-day Level 9, behind the scenes VIP tour. Match your schedule with NASA’s and have lunch with an astronaut. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/ and http://spacecenter.org/. You may also want to check out NASA’s Open House, normally scheduled once a year, along with the Ballunar Liftoff Festival.
- Lunar Receiving Laboratory: First lab to receive samples from the moon in 1969. http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-072204a.html
- David Adickes Sculptrworx Studio (pictured above) with large scale sculptures of famous people, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and The Beatles: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/david-adickes-sculpture-gallery
- Beer Can House: http://www.beercanhouse.org/. The house is covered with 39,000 beer cans, all of which were consumed over an 18-year period by John Milkovisch, who really loved beer.
- Art Car Museum: It showcases cars transformed into works of art, including a gigantic bunny, a bull, and a giant red high heel. www.artcarmuseum.com
- Houston Fire Museum: http://www.houstonfiremuseum.org/
- 1940 Air Terminal museum: Located at Hobby Airport... it is one of the few remaining examples of classic art deco architecture from the 1940s. http://www.1940airterminal.org/. Check their schedule for Wings and Wheels events.
- The Texas Flying Legends Museum: At Ellington Field. http://www.texasflyinglegends.org/
- Commemorative Air Force's Houston Wing/West Houston Squadron: They are based at West Houston Airport, north of I-10 and west of highway 6. The museum is open the first and third Saturday of every month from 10 am to 3 pm. http://www.westhoustonsqdn.org/
- Rice University Art Gallery: This is the only university museum dedicated to sit-specific installation art. http://ricegallery.org/
- Museum of Health and Medical Science: In the Medical Center... it has a 27-and-a-half foot intestine on display. http://www.mhms.org/
- Station Museum of Contemporary Art: “Maybe it’s the fact that the museum is housed in a former auto shop that makes it so interesting. Or perhaps it’s the thought-provoking displays spanning all mediums that make their temporary home here. Whatever it is, if you’re into contemporary art, the Station is for you.” http://stationmuseum.com/
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft: “This is one of the few venues in the country that emphasizes works of art made from craft materials.” http://www.crafthouston.org/
- Printing Museum: “From vintage – even ancient – printing equipment to fine art prints and rare books, this museum houses unique printing artifacts such as the Hyakumanto Dharani Scroll, one of the oldest surviving examples of printing on paper.” http://www.printingmuseum.org/
- Houston Arboretum and Nature Center: http://houstonarboretum.org/
- Project Row Houses: “Dedicated to African-American Art, it is made up of 22 renovated shotgun-style homes in the Third Ward showcasing art, photography and literary projects. http://projectrowhouses.org/
- National Museum of Funeral History: It has the country's largest collection of funeral service artifacts. It is just north of Houston and aims to "educate the public and preserve the heritage of death care." http://www.nmfh.org/
- Houston Police Department (HPD) Museum: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/museum/
- Lucky Land: This Asian-themed, two acre, outdoor park in north Houston features hands-on exhibits and historical artifacts. Strike a pose in the Kung Fu Garden, meditate among the Happy Buddhas, meander through the miniature Chinese villages, and enjoy tasty food and shopping among the many vendors.
Tour Asia without leaving Houston! www.luckylandhouston.com - Ink Spots Museum: It features pictures, albums and other mementos commemorating the career of Huey "Ink Spot" Long. http://www.inkspotsmuseum.com/
- Houston Zoo: http://www.houstonzoo.org
- Buffalo Wildlife Zoo: http://www.bayouwildlifepark.com/