The Bird and The Bean. Love walking through the Cullen Sculpture Garden. It is free to visit on the grounds of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. My two favorite pieces are The Bird by Joan Miro and The Bean by Anish Kapoor. The Bean is really titled Cloud Column. It is a precursor piece to the Cloud Gate, "The Bean," in Chicago. It is lovingly referred to locally as "El Frijole," or "The Bean" in Spanish. I love looking at the reflections of these two pieces. "Adam" by Antoine Bourdelle is so much fun to photograph. Bourdelle was a student of Rodin and a teacher of Matisse and Giacometti. They are all represented in the sculpture garden. From generation to generation. Rodin has several pieces here. Once I sent a group of students on a scavenger hunt here to find "The Walking Man." They had to take a photo as proof. The problem? There was a fundraiser going on at the time. The solution? They explained the challenge to the staff and still were able to get their photos very discreetly. Alexander Calder's The Crab. Painted in Calder Red. Look closely to see the legs of the red-shelled spider crab. Love the playfulness of this sculpture. Tony Cragg. Frank Stella. Bryan Hunt. Joel Shapiro. So many amazing modern sculptors. Check out the calendar for events. Yoga. Zumba. Lion dancing. MFAH on the Move. A great place to enjoy art. read more

See all

The Cullen Sculpture Garden was one of the first few spots I visited when exploring Houston after moving here and I've been back several times since. The garden is situated right next to the Kinder Building and Glassell School of Art at the MFAH, on the corner of Montrose and Bissonnet Streets. While located at a major intersection of the Museum District, it's tucked tastefully behind an unassuming wall, making it easy to miss while driving by but pleasantly tranquil while inside. The garden has a large number of contemporary and classical pieces by several notable 20th and 21st century artists, such as Louise Bourgeois and Henri Matisse. One of the most popular sculptures is the Cloud Column, a 30-foot reflective steel bean shaped column designed by Anish Kapoor, the same artist who created the famous Chicago bean. This sculpture is a fantastic center to take photos from any angle. The space is designed with a number of low walls to create a natural separation between the pieces but still making it easy for visitors to wander around without a defined path. The garden is completely free to visit and has a number of small tables to sit down, relax, and immerse yourself in the visual experience. read more

See all

A free, cute outdoor sculpture garden to visit if you're in the museum district and have time for a stroll. This is located across from the Museum of Fine Arts, with an adjacent garage for parking or if you don't mind walking, there is free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Definitely head up to the rooftop for views of both Downtown and the Medical Center (which looks way more impressive than Downtown from this viewpoint). The rooftop was surprisingly peaceful to me (I came on a cold day and basically had the place to myself). There are couches with coffee type tables to lounge and relax on- perfect for a quiet lunch or to reflect, all with a great view. Definitely come to view the lovely sculptures and take some good photos! read more

See all

A not to miss outdoor retreat when museum hopping. Adjacent to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Cullen Sculpture Garden is an amazing collection. Free to the public, the vibe is tranquil and relaxing. Most folks enjoying day reading, lunching in the quiet garden. read more

See all

Really nice to come and take a walk to see all the sculpted arts they have. Free parking on the streets from 9am and on read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Nice place to sit and relax. Not much going on in the small courtyard but perfect for a small lunch while visiting the museums. Nice statues to look at. I really liked the cloud and the women in the water. No outside restrooms. read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

This sculpture garden is managed by the MFAH although it is free, unlike the MFAH. It's relatively small but has quite a few pieces by famous artists like Rodin, Bourgeois, Matisse, and more. There is also Houston's version of the Chicago Bean (created by the same artist). There are a few places to sit and have lunch. I probably wouldn't come here as a stand-alone destination as it's small. However, it's a perfect addendum to either the MFAH or the Contemporary Art Museum across the street. Parking: You can certainly pay to park in the MFAH garage (5101 Montrose). However, there is free street parking in the area if you take the time to look and don't mind walking a couple blocks. For instance, Bayard Lane has free 3-hour parking (behind The Story Church). There are other streets with similar restrictions -- just pay attention to signs. read more

Move aside Chicago, Houston has its own bean sculpture. Created by the same architect (Anish Kapoor) who created the Chicago "Cloud Gate" aka "The Bean," the "Cloud Column" went up in Houston in spring 2018. The Lillie and Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden itself has been around for many years, with the Cloud Column being a new addition. I wouldn't say any sculptures are amazing here, but it's a nice, quiet place to enjoy on a day out. Best part is that it's free unlike the MFAH, which can be pricey. There's also a staircase that allows you climb up on top of the MFAH Glassell Building here. There's not much of a view, but it offers some good exercise. I recommend parking at Bell Park or any of the other neighborhood streets and walking over if you want to avoid paying for parking in the MFAH garage. If you can visit at a quiet hour, you may also be able to find parking off Montrose right next to the park. read more

This is a fairly secret park tucked away in downtown Houston. After visiting the art museum, I happened to find this park while walking in the neighborhood. It is very easy to miss. Once you find the entrance, you will immediately see all of the beauty sculptures. It's sort of small, but it is a good place to stop and have lunch. I also noticed there was a door to the art museum, but I happened to see it at night. I'm not sure if that is a door that's normally open. All and all this a cute place to see in Houston. Definitely a secret spot for all of the natives. read more

What I like about the Cullen Sculpture Garden is the large collection of seemingly asymmetrical artists/sculptors'. Work from poets, architects and painters etc. Those one do not assume they are sculptors. I also like the fact the work is outdoors and must face/age with nature. What I found troubling is the casual juxtaposition of the work in a seemingly in a nonsensical path. Are they supposed to tell a singular narrative along the path? Also troubling is how close the artwork are from each other, without giving the viewer any blank space or time to ponder and reflect. Overall the curation is chaotic at best but the artwork themselves are definitely worth a visit. read more

See all

I've been meaning to visit this garden for some time, specifically to see the cloud column structure built by the same artist who had built the cloud gate (aka the bean) in Chicago. But, I was excited to see that there were other sculptures and works of art here. Greek sculptures of male and female figures, metal works of art, and art brought to life from nature. I loved how the works of art melded with all the natural elements around it creating a wonderful outdoor space. There were also various tables, chairs, and sitting areas to relax and contemplate on your thoughts. This was definitely much needed during this COVID-19 pandemic. If you haven't already been here, come check this spot out. read more

See all

Lovely large sculpture garden that is connected to the Museum of Fine Arts. And it's free. A bit of shade, a few spots to sit, a lot of lovely and large sculptures that are well worth the effort to view. I particularly enjoyed the Rodin "Cybele" and the Cloud Column. Cloud Column is smaller version of the Cloud Gate that is a feature in Chicago. From the same artist, but this one is vertical. Absolutely beautiful. read more

See all

As far as sculpture gardens go, this is a pretty good one. Made 1000x more exciting by the recent addition of the Cloud Column (aka The Houston "Bean")! The Cloud Column was created by Anish Kapoor, the same artist who made the Cloud Gate ("The Bean") in Chicago...you know, the big famous shiny thing everybody takes pictures with the second they arrive in Chi-town. And now we have our own awesome, shiny landmark! The Cullen Sculpture Garden beautifully links the Glassell School of Art and leads you directly to the Museum of Fine Arts. It is free to explore, which is another great feature. There is often a vender selling popsicles near the entrance, which is great on hot Houston days! read more

See all

I've been to the Museum District many times and have somehow missed the Cullen Sculpture Garden. I also forgot about the Cloud Column sculpture by Anish Kapoor which is the same artist that sculpted Cloud Gate aka "The Bean" in Chicago. Today, there was a program called Sunday Best that took place in the Sculpture Garden as well as other areas of the MFAH to celebrate The Obama Portraits Tour. I missed most of the programming but I did walk around the garden including the roof top garden. The sculptures are really cool and it's really tempting to touch them, but don't because you will get yelled at by security lol. The Cloud Column is not as big as "The Bean," but it is a really cool piece! The garden is situated off of Montrose and Bissonnet next to the Glassell School of Art. Cafe Leonelli and Le Jardinier are right next to the park as well. There's lots of areas to sit and enjoy the scenery. If you like photography, there's lots of great photo ops as well. It's really a nice space tucked on the grounds of the MFAH. read more

See all

FREE sculpture garden. Yeah...I don't know much about art or museums. I'm still a rookie and learning the ways. But I do know FREE. I came here on a recent journey through the museum district. It was nice to enter without any people bothering me. I was able to move through the garden at my pace and take as many pictures as I wanted. Seemed like a very relaxing area. read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Such a great new addition to this area. Now we have our very own bean! Our Mini Htown bean! If you are visiting Houston and want to explore I would definitely recommend Visiting Cullen sculpture garden! read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

A free, slightly hidden sculpture garden with lots of seating and some shade... what's not to love? I've been coming here since I was a kid and took art classes at Glassell. I realized quite young that I had zero artistic ability but still had a good time in the classes. I enjoyed then and still enjoy the Cullen sculpture garden. I love that some of the art has stayed the same for decades. The large kinetic sculpture centrally located is one of my favorites. I love sitting on the bench and watching it spin in the wind. The sculptures are varied from classic sculptures to more modern ones. There are some made of glass, stone, bronze, etc... Some are inspired by and obviously realistic and others are completely abstract. I love the variety. Parking can be found in several of the side streets for free or you can park in the MFAH lot next door or the garage. If you are at any of the art museums, make sure to make a stop in this lovely sculpture garden. read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

Very unique and interesting but wish there were more. Lots of shade so it's out of direct sun. Would be even more enticing if they had some plants or flowers to accentuate the art. Definitely a nice little stroll. read more

See all

Beautiful, serene, and pristine. I love this area - it is never that crowded so it's a great place to unwind amid the hustle and bustle of Houston. While in the area, check out the nearby Museum of Fine Arts. read more

See all

Very cool (and free) sculpture garden just behind the Museum of Fine Arts Houston! Open daily between 9 am and 10 pm. Pieces by Louise Bourgeois, Dan Graham, Henri Matisse, Auguste Rodin, and David Smith! read more

See all

not huge on this sculpture garden. the theme/aesthetic of most the sculptures is not appealing. could use more color too.

A small but well displayed and beautiful sculpture garden to stroll through. There is even an authentic Rodin! There are some tables and chairs placed in one spot of the sculpture garden to allow guests a quiet, relaxing space to think, or a spot to enjoy a beverage while viewing the sculpture garden, or to sit and sketch. The newly installed (2018) Anish Kapoor sculpture is a highlight of this attraction and is a fabulous photographic element against the beautiful blue Texas sky. There is no cost to view this garden... It is located on the art studio campus on Montrose across from the MFAH. read more

See all

Could definitely earn a 5th star except 2 of the 3 garbage bins located here were literally overflowing with trash. C'mon, city of Houston. This part of town is beautiful and I adore it and this awesome sculpture garden deserves better. There's also a ton of construction going on around this nice enclosed space. It makes it less pretty, but therefore it's also a nice place to escape for a bit of peace and quiet in the city. read more

This is a calm, peaceful space. A nice place to be by yourself and reflect, contemplate, sit, wander, plot, write a letter or post card to a long lost friend, read, snack, or pass through on your way from the Glassell to the MFAH across the street. Sculpture gardens are like that, well mostly. The other two that I'm familiar with are the Hirshorn at the Smithsonian (yes, I am addicted) and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in Austin. The former is too congested with well-known sculptures, while the latter is a bit out of the foot-traffic way. Cullen is accessible, yet hidden. Each sculpture has it's own breathing room. It's a mini-sanctuary for those who know about it, or those who wander past the "random gate over there." Many people frown upon the excessive use of clean lines made with basic building materials in Houston's structures that house art. I laud them. Here simple perfection is beauty; light, space, and art are the main focal points. I won't go into a dissertation-length essay on sculpture (one of my absolute favorite types of art to look at and make), but you reader, yes you, just need to go wander through this space. It's modern outdoor sculpture, so if you need that sort of warning, there you go. Oh, and like Olivia's son, I too wanted to touch a few of the sculptures. I almost touched the pretty one that spun with the wind, "Oh IT touched MY arm," but I refrained. It took much restraint. Perhaps I'll go tomorrow and say that I was just getting the bird poo off of it. read more

See all

came here for the houston version of the Chicago bean. was a huge let down. it's nothing in comparison. you basically circle around the bean, which takes about 5 steps and you're done. i mean its the museum district, so you can check out the other places after the disappointment which can turn it into a fun day... read more

A very beautiful park. yet with public art you have the public and their response unless you have explicit signs saying to have the art not be touched or have gates around the public and those who don't know will want to touch. especially because it is a park young children do not know any better. read more

I love sculptures. This was easy to find, next to the parking lot for the Museum of Fine Arts, across the street from the museum. What makes this unusual is there is also an auditory display throughout the garden of sounds and voices. There was a little man sitting on a folding chair in the corner, I thought he was one of the displays then I saw him talking to a museum worker. He must be security for the sculptures. Place wasn't large and easy to walk thru. read more

See all

No trip to the museum district is complete without a stroll through the Cullen sculpture garden. When I was an art student in high school, we would come here to sketch. Now, as an adult, I come here for pleasure. It is a beautiful space with a number of works by artists that anyone would recognize: Rodin, Anish Kapoor & Ellsworth Kelly, to name a few. There are bistro tables & chairs, if you have the urge to sit and contemplate the art (or maybe just do some people watching). The garden is almost always open, I believe, rain or shine. And I think it remained open while they did construction next door. A lovely courtyard of sorts has been added with some sycamore trees and more tables. There is a fountain now in front of the new building. And steps to the right that lead all the way up to the roof, if you'd like to look out over the garden. The MFAH is across the street & the CAM is next door. The garden is usually quiet & is laid out in such a way to encourage exploration. You can look across the garden & see artwork on the other side. The space is open & inviting. All the work benefits from multiple viewings. Most of the sculptures will look differently from other sides, seemingly changing as you walk around them. Overall, this is a place of beauty & serenity that has never failed to leave me feeling inspired. read more

See all

This a gem in Houston! A really great sculpture exhibit with pieces from Rodin and Matisse. So nice that Houston has big name artists in a free to explore arena! My husband and I try to visit the Sculpture Garden at least a few times a year while the weather is nice. We learned our first year in Houston that going midday in August was a sweaty, uncomfortable, and hot idea. Yes, I chose those adjectives on purpose. Lovely place and bring cold water to enjoy the pieces at ease :) read more

An outdoor sculpture museum, the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden is a lovely place to be up close and personal to art and nature at the same time. More than 20 beautiful sculptures dot the landscape in this acre of garden. The sculpture garden is an extension of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Wandering through here, you can achieve a tranquility in the heart of the city and gain a new appreciation for this exhibit of art in the sunshine. Go here for moments when you want life to slow down a little bit and appreciate the world around you. read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

First time coming here, havent been to this side of town for a while. They have totally remodelled this area and it's looking good. Good for romantic night strolls ;-) read more

See all

Very pretty spot but wish they had more of a variety of sculptures and more Andreas to sit

The Cullen Sculpture Garden was lovely. We enjoyed starting our morning walking around the garden while the temps were cool. If you're in the Museum District you should pop in, after all it's free! read more

See all

We ended up walking through the sculpture garden on our way from the parking garage to the museum. It's a small area filled with unique sculptures and works of art. I never would have known it was here if not for parking in the new MFAH underground parking garage. It's a quick walk to see all the sculptures. You basically stick to the path and on the way back, you can follow the fork in the path to see the other part of the garden if you wish or just walk through it all at one time. There are sculptures set in the grass, set on concrete or attached/hanging to concrete walls. It's just a mix of different art placed in sections together and apart. There is a small section by the (Bissonnet street) entrance that has tables and chairs. I imagine you can have a nice, peaceful meal here while admiring the art and sheltered from the traffic on the other side of the wall. There is enough shade here from the trees hanging overhead that you could even be sitting out here on a sunny day. It's a nice little garden and easy to walk through but not too memorable for me. Maybe if I were an avid art enthusiast I might appreciate it more. read more

See all

This is one of my favorite places in the Museum District, because again it's free. I usually give it a good walk through on my way to Hermann Park. The exterior walls are high so it secludes you from the busy street outside, instantly calming. There is usually security here to make sure you don't touch anything. Even though it's outside it's not quite a park, so its not made for your children to climb on. I wish I had been around when the place opened in 1986, John Cage premered a composition at the opening. I'm sure it couldn't top his carpet squares or 4:33, but I'm sure it was an interesting experience. Sorry for the nerd talk, but John Cage is just a wacky guy. This is a great place to take pictures if you looking for a location for your Senior or Engagement session. read more

This little pocket of modernist sculpture is definitely an underappreciated Houston arts resource, but the traffic noise and Houston heat don't make outdoor exhibits all that enticing. There are 20-ish pieces here, many of them quite significant historically, so once (if?) the weather cools off a bit, take a stroll through this sculpture garden and appreciate the forms. There's quite a variety, even a few exciting abstract works. And please, please, stop posing your children for photographs on top of the horse sculpture. Please. Thanks. If you wouldn't want someone to do it to your most prized possession, don't do it to a work of art. read more

I was SO disappointed in the security staff here. I love art. I want my children to have the same appreciation of it that I have. However, it is very hard for them to relate happily to anything when they are being stalked by a giant ding-dong. (not like an abstract art ding-dong, more like the jackass security guards who make a living making others feel uncomfortable) Anywho...We arrived early in the afternoon and I told the kids (6 and 2 years old) not to touch the art. Every time we moved from one piece to another the security staff (2 guys) followed us around. The two year old accidentally set one foot in the grass and the security guard told me to get him off the grass. The older boy did touch a piece with one finger (like ET phoning home, really) just to see how it felt and the security guard was right there before I could even tell the boy to stop. I respect art and the artist. However, I would say that these pieces are so accessible. It is hard for a kid not to touch/climb/molest them in so many unimaginable ways. But, all in all my kids (for once in their short lives) were actually being good. Plus, if the issue with not touching them is related to changing the patina then I would argue that all the bird poop on the art could also mar the patina. Something similar happened to us at MFA-H and my husband doesn't even want me taking the kids back there (and NO my kids did not touch the works of art in the museum) Art security has NO idea how to balance keeping the works safe and welcoming a learning experience for all. We literally ran the gauntlet to see each piece and have light discussion and then I told them that we had to go. When my kids asked, "why", I said, "we are probably going to get kicked out." "Why" again, the kids asked. "Because they are nazi's", was my reply. read more

One of the most overlooked gems in Houston. Quiet and serene I myself tend to forget this place is here. This is a great place for a quiet lunch time or afternoon walk; it is a great place to take your kids and little relatives to culture them up a little bit. If anything...it is Free.99. In the last year or so the museum has allowed a sectioned off area for food trucks to park and serve up during the lunch hours. There is enough room for two trucks! On the side of the road where the entrance is there is a chalk board with who is there at that time. It works well because as you enter the sculpture garden on the Bissonnet side there is a group of bistro style tables and chairs for people to enjoy their food truck cuisine. Culture, food trucks, and free entertainment? Why not go more often? read more

Great spot to stroll after a good museum exhibit. Very peaceful and the sculptures are varied and beautiful. It does get hot though, so bring some water, some shades and enjoy the view. read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Tables and Chairs. Outdoor Benches. Sculptures all around for inspiration. This is an awesome spot to work out of in a nice day like today read more

Cullen Sculpture Garden - Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all