This place is magical. Well informed guides with a positive attitude and amazing service. Covid has us stir crazy and Glenstone is a great way to be inspired by such beauty. Highly recommend going spring through mid October to really get to see everything in bloom! read more

Simple the best I would love to go back I didn't finish seeing all well done It just breath taking all the exhibits are spectacular and the staff is well knowledgeable about everything. Just ask any questions about it they happy will to answer !!! read more

Glenstone - Art Museums Near Me - Potomac, Maryland

Glenstone has been a perfect way to cap my year. This unseasonably warm winter day was the perfect day to escape the city and enjoy art in this peaceful and pristine setting. The architecture is amazing and seeing art by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kerry James Marshall Jeff Koons, Ellsworth Kelly, and Keith Haring, has been such a great treat. I'm a frequent visitor of the Smithsonian museums, but I think the distance and appointments at this museum make the experience a little more unique. My only frustration would be that those who don't drive would likely not be able to experience this. read more

So enjoyed seeing the art collection; I was deeply moved by one piece especially- the Sadamasa Montonaga!! I wish the museum had a poster or print or something I could purchase of that work of art. It was easy to park and fun to walk outside and enjoy the scenery and the occasional sculptures. Keep up the great work!! read more

There is never any availability to visit. Either people are hoarding tickets or the ticket management system is inefficient.

This is a private museum that has amazing art pieces. The whole place is stunning and it is nice to to take a walk around the whole area. You will see amazing art pieces, sculptures, and paintings. The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and kind. read more

LOVE IT! I love love love this place! A place where you can truely enjoy art not everyone taking pictures for gram!

Yes, it's in a beautiful location. Yes, the buildings are innovative. Yes, the art is modern. But! One exhibit is a roomful of 35mm slides displayed on tables, with lights behind them. Is there something wonderful about the photos? Not much, they look like photos you might take on a trip. Another exhibit is a roomful of small clay figures that look like the result of a massive 8th grade class on clay modeling. Are they special? I guess it's special because there are a lot of them. Is each one special? No. I'll spare you my descriptions of more of the exhibits. Yes, it's free. Yes, you have a guide. Yes, the grounds are beautiful. But the National Gallery, with its incredible richness, is also free. It, too, is beautiful. And if you want modern art, the Hirshhorn is right across the Mall. It has great collections, and constantly changing exhibits. And the museums on the Mall are the result of the curation of many dedicated people, with governance that's visible to the public, not simply a billionaire's exercise in ego gratification. read more

Interesting museum with a lot of rules that should be advertised more prominently. A bit creepy to see staff in matching grey sack clothing and Nike sneakers Don't plan on lunch because they don't plan on guests eating Long lines and inattentive wait staff At cafe and out if food on patio by 2:15 read more

What a beautiful, quiet, and breathtaking museum tucked away in Potomac! Glenstone states on their website they'll try to accommodate walk-in's though they highly recommend reserving your free tickets online. Tickets are released for 3 months ahead of time and get booked pretty quickly. I was constantly stalking the website and luckily swiped up 2 Saturday afternoon tickets the week of (I assume someone must've cancelled and the tickets were released because there were no availabilities at all when I had looked the past couple months). When SC and I arrived, we were directed to one of the parking lots. We walked into the main building, were greeted and given a brief overview of the museum, along with a map.The museum has multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, all well marked. The main exhibits are in the Pavilions; the Gallery is the other indoor space. None of the indoor spaces allow bags (there's free lockers and a coat room for you to use at the building entrances) nor photography. Some of the spaces are small with as little as 1 piece of art to larger spaces with multiple pieces. You can wander at your own pace and there's plenty of room for visitors. Staff are dressed in minimalistic grey attire and welcome questions about exhibits. The Woodland trail links the outdoors exhibits and loops back around to near the Pavilions.The architecture is also minimalistic and the landscape offers hills, paved trails, nature trails, and great views. There's a cafe and a patio where you can purchase food and drinks. It was a little expensive but it was a nice, quiet place to look out and take a walking break. There were two special events at 3PM the day we went- one in an indoor/ outdoor exhibit space in The Pavilions and the other was an outdoor walk to the Goldsworthy houses. We participated in the latter and walked through the rest of the Woodland trail afterwards. All in all, a beautiful space and staff were very friendly. Definitely worth a visit!! read more

I've been seeing a giant green head on the side of Glen Road for years and I was excited to see it up close! The blooms weren't out yet, so I hope to re-visit in the summer. It's a little crazy that this place is free and that it's essentially in a neighborhood, although on a huge plot of beautiful land. The people who work there are all dressed like dystopian movie characters, but they're friendly and knowledgeable and they answer questions and don't get annoyed with silly observations. None of the staff were pretentious at all. The grounds are very nice and there are a couple of cafes and a great nature path with art to walk past in the wooded area near a stream. It makes for a nice day out. Some of the art is weird, but some left a real impression, and which fit those descriptions probably depends on who is looking at them. It's easy to get very close to the works, and see the sculptures from all angles. The idea that these are privately owned pieces and so much access is given to the public is very impressive. We walked over 9000 steps there, so wear good shoes and schedule a few hours to wander around. read more

Just excellent. Impressive architecture, friendly and intellectual staff, contemporary exhibits, good cafe, and beautiful greens to walk around. Definitely worth the wait for a ticket. I was very impressed that every single staff member was so inviting even though the space at times felt a little institutional and corporate. read more

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Last Saturday I (along with my fellow museum snob Ms. Turner), had the pleasure of visiting The Glenstone Museum in Potomac MD. I've visited some very distinguished museums in my time (the Lourve, Musée D'Orsay in Paris, the Tate and National Gallery in London, most of all the famous ones in Italy plus the greats right here in the USA). So I kind of have some understanding of what is a great cultural art institution. The Glenstone is most definitely a place the engulfs you as soon as you hit the grounds. The overall flow of the layout is a thing of genius. It's not just about the art that's on display that holds your attention, it's the total user experience. We were there for 4.5 hours and didn't want to leave. The staff was very knowledgeable. The art on display was both thought provoking and beautiful. There's something there for all. Tickets are extremely difficult to get, I would advise anyone to stay on their site for future releases. You will not be disappointed. I'll be back in the spring. read more

Glenstone - The main entrance - Art Museums Near Me - Potomac, Maryland

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Awesome museum! Made reservations online for Friday afternoon. Entered the museum and you will be greeted by a person near the gate to check in. On the website it says you can walk in if there is space available. You walk in to the main building to formally check-in and they tell you where to start. Either in the building next door or you can walk on the trail. They also provide white umbrellas to everyone if it rains since most of it is walking. The art in the buildings are very unique and beautiful. No pictures are allowed inside. My favorite was the theatre room where they were showing a small film and bean bags to lay on. During our walk we went to the cafe to grab a snack. Everything is organic, but little pricey. Food is small portions. Our group got the cobb salad which is delicious! We all got coffee but wasn't that great. After it started pouring so we decided to end the tour. This is mostly an all day thing and shouldn't plan something right after or you will feel rushed. I will def come back to finish it. read more

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Beautiful outdoor exhibit as well as artworks in the pavilion! There's two cafes that close at 4pm. Staff were very friendly! read more

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Beautiful place, very modern, great selection of art, nice staff......and great soup!

The meseum requires reservations but, what the site does not state clearly is that you need reservations just to enter the grounds! My wife has wanted to see this meseum for 2 weeks. We came from out of state and went an hour out of our way on our anniversary just to be turned away at the door. Could not be more disappointed. read more

One of my all time favorite museums. Very unique. Beautiful area. I love how landscape, architecture & art are all intergrated together. Very cool artwork. The hikes are interesting. Cafe has good soups & their biscotti is delicious. Can't wait to go back there again! read more

A beautiful collection amassed by its billionaire owner and his wife who started him collecting. They have snatched up all the surrounding properties to create this compound of modern art. Somehow this modernism, as sleek and outsized as it is leaves one feeling a sense of sterility and coldness. To think they live here. When not in their rooftop palace in Manhattan. But that's madame Fortuna. She picks who she wants. I myself would give away that kind of money to feed the hungry, educate those who can't afford colleges, but that's me. read more

If youre into modern art or into outdoor museums then this place will float your boat And the price is right! Thank you to the Rales for building this masterpiece and for improving the neighborhood with something truly special- we neighbors inPotomac are grateful read more

Went here last fall for a school field trip and loved every minute I spent! To kick off the day, with my school, I ate lunch in their beautiful cafeteria. The food was surprisingly delicious and all of the utensils were sustainable. Onto the actual reason we were there, the museum. The atmosphere was serene and almost surreal. It so quiet everywhere but every other sense was fully active. There were towering garden displays outside and inside there was such a large variety of artwork. It was truly amazing. I won't get too much into details because I think everyone should experience this museum with their own eyes - and not mine. PS the people working there were all friendly and genuine which is just an added bonus to the museum. Glenstone is unique and a sort of diamond in the rough country side of Potomac. read more

What a unique and interesting art museum! I visited this free indoor/outdoor art museum per a friend's recommendation. We made a reservation for a 3pm time slot and were greeted at the gate for entry. After parking we were greeted by multiple very friendly attendants who encouraged us to go on a tour of some of the grounds including areas that are not accessible without a guide. Through the free tour we were allowed to enter each of the unique clay houses and learn a bit about the grounds, founders of the museum pieces and artists. The property seamlessly combines architecture and natural beauty including lakes, forests, and fields. Make sure to check out the indoor rotating exhibits and explore the large topiary installation at the entrance. My favorite exhibit was the 28 minute long sound installation located in small clearing in the woods. I never would have thought that I could be captivated by the immersive sounds and scenes for so long. I would definitely recommend staying for the whole cycle! For hot days, guests can also use the provided umbrellas before exploring the grounds. Overall, this made for a perfect afternoon at a hidden gem in Maryland. read more

I can't wait to go back. So relaxing and beautiful!! Surprises around every corner including an unexpectedly delicious and affordable restaurant. read more

Wow wow wow. The Glenstone is a unique experience that I highly recommend to any art lover. While it is intimidating to make a reservation and drive out there, it is completely worth it to see a stunning collection of modern art in such a different and intimate setting. Let me confirm that it is all FREE. I booked our Sunday afternoon tour about 4 days in advance without trouble. I then took the metro out to the White Flint station on the Red line, where a friend picked me up and drove us to the Glenstone. It was about 15 minutes from the train station and would have been an affordable Uber ride if we didn't have a car. Although we were late for our tour, the place was nearly empty and they let us join the next tour. The main museum is 5 rooms, currently featuring an excellent Fred Sandback exhibit. But the real attraction here is the grounds of the Glenstone property, which are beautifully landscaped and feature installations by some of the world's greatest contemporary sculptors. I have been to art museums all over the world and this was the most luxurious experience I have had by far. Why? There are no crowds. The experience of driving into a quiet private property and seeing a Jeff Koons installation with nobody around it is surreal. TIPS: Go soon, as the Glenstone is opening a massive new complex to house its permanent collection in 2017. This museum is a few months away from becoming a global landmark. read more

Just an unbelievable place. Even if you don't like art museums you'll enjoy it. Only thing is tickets are next to impossible to procure.

Beautiful museum, different than any other museum I've ever been to. Spectacular artwork from around the world, outdoor sculptures that you can walk through and around, and a beautiful garden (the property is over 200 acres). Plan for a long day, it takes a couple of hours to get through and see everything, but you will walk away a changed person. The experience will stick with you long after you leave. read more

Horrific customer service. We showed up at 416pm. And they refused to let us in because their drop dead time is 415pm. After driving 25 minutes, with a young infant mind you, they showed no remorse. I've been there before and was skeptical about going back. Now I have no interest. Truly sad. Not worth it. And if you do decide to go, be prepared to follow all of their draconian rules. read more

Everything about Glenstone is top shelf. The buildings are a work of art and well as the art inside. You won't fine a better run organization. read more

I don't usually give poor ratings to art museums... ever. As a professional artist, I have 2 art degrees at a Masters level, and I have visited prominant art museums all over the world, but for some reason this one relatively unknown museum doesn't allow children under age 12. I was hoping to bring my 2 kids who are really into the arts so that I can teach them about the art first-hand. I don't know what event prompted this one museum from allowing children from coming, but they are turning off families and future patrons. May I offer a solution? Have a family day once per week. Limit them to certain areas on the museum and grounds. Hire extra staff to oversee the families, and so what if you charge them a little for the extra support... Because your current rules are ridiculous. They don't have such rules at the Uffitsi, the Duomo, the Louvre, the Smithsonian Museums, I can go on and on. No museum that I have ever been to restricts younger children from entering. Consider changing your policy. There can be other ways to keep the artworks safe while allowing younger families to enter. read more

What a delightful little "gem" hidden away in Potomac. I am just an Average Joe with only a modicum of knowledge related to art, particularly Modern Art, but this peaceful and picturesque oasis was really thought provoking and endearing. Frankly I have never heard of any of the exhibited artists, but their work was inspiring and the placement of the work was very thoughtful. In theory I understand the importance of context, but you can really appreciate it at Glenstone. Because of COVID restrictions, we only saw the outside exhibits, so we anxiously await the opening the inside exhibits, hopefully this summer. read more

Beautiful! The convenient location, thoughtful layout, and extraordinary art collection make this a must-attend visit in suburban Maryland. The cafe on site offered delicious and organic food and a lovely opportunity to relax and discuss the paintings and sculpture we'd just seen. read more

I have been to museums the world over and this one is truly transcendent. The greatest surprise for me: rather than a cold and unwelcoming space, the docents here make this museum inviting, welcoming and a place to explore. I was so surprised to see them help the guests explore the art, smiling, laughing and chatting up attendees. From an architectural perspective, it is spectacular. The Getty seems somewhat similar (although obviously on a much larger scale). And incredible experience. read more

Make reservations months in advance on the first day of the month at midnight. Be quick! When i made reservations in Nov 2018, all the weekend tickets were gone within 7 minutes. That said: it's awesome. A whole day of relaxing intellectual stimulation for free. I'd recommend it to anyone. A rare oasis of taste in McMansion Hell. Expect to spend several hours here and walk a lot. Food options inside the museum are limited and quite expensive, so I strongly recommend bringing your own food. Water fountains and restrooms are easy to find. Bring binoculars if you have them to view outdoor sculptures and birds. read more

This place is awesome! It's a beautiful museum on a giant property in the middle of Potomac. It has amazing landscape art, a beautiful grounds and professional guides who were excited to talk about the work. I didn't really know what to expect, but this absolutely blew it out of the water. read more

Simply amazing! I can't stop thinking about the meditative and serene venue which allowed us to bask in wonder at the art. Don't wait to visit because you'll want to go back more than once. My husband isn't an art museum enthusiast but even he was enthralled. read more

Extraordinary architecture (the Pavilions, especially) in stunning landscape with handsome, wonderfully sited sculptures and delicious views across fields and through woods. The indoors art is pretty good too. I cannot agree with those who find Glenstone to be "dystopian" -- at least, it certainly wasn't on a brilliantly sunny October day, with the Jeff Koons sculpture in brilliant bloom, the fields rich with colors of autumn, sunlight warm through the Pavilions' many windows, and the sky a perfect blue. The only very minor disappointment was that several fine vistas are mildly compromised by bumptious Potomac McMansions rearing up in the far distance: anyone considering tall, fast-growing evergreens at the relevant perimeters? Also, the cafe food is good and the room is warm and elegant, but so incredibly loud at 12:30-ish, when every seat is taken, that you should plan on shouting your lunchtime conversation or delaying lunch until later, when you can see if much of the crowd has moved on. Glenstone is a rare treasure, to be savored. It more than repays taking time to experience it quietly and fully. read more

For a detailed review from my recent visit to Glenstone, see: http://craigmichaelmeklir.com/glenstone-an-art-museum-and-sculpture-garden-that-is-itself-a-work-of-art/ read more

Glenstone, the mysterious yet reachable gem of Potomac! The article about this state of the art museum was featured in a Sunday addition of Washington Post with raving review about how wonderful the place is. I had to check it out! Museum is booked into December, good luck getting a ticket. You must book through the online system and have the tickets electronically available when you are there. Everything was so promising at the beginning. The beautiful scenic road that takes you to Glenstone sets you in a mood of "something magical is about to happen." A mysterious man meets you upon the arrival, it's like he knows who you are and expects you. The organization deserves 10 stars!!! It's so beautifully constructed, zen/minimalist design with 230 acres of land at its feet. Nature is breathtaking! The panoramic windows of the museum pavilions are definitely what I will take away from the trip along with the lilies pond. I want to applaud the most amazing architectural talent that designed the massive "monument" so to speak. The interior design is so modern, I would even say it's quite futuristic. I felt as if we are transferred to a facility of some sort where the experiments are about to begin. For those who watch Netflix "Maniac" is what I felt like but without an interesting story to tell. Modern art is not my cup of tea and as much as I want to like it and have all the respect for the owners of the museum and the artists, it was just plain creepy. The gallery did it for me, I could not get anymore uncomfortable after trying to conceive how people admired a story like this: "I cut my wife into pieces and made a stew out of her, then I invited my friends for dinner." Other pieces of this pavilion were rather violent and got me thinking as to what might have inspired the disturbing nature of those exhibits. I did not enjoy it at all. The nature outside was, however, peaceful and beautiful until we reached a point where very scary sounds were loudly produced in the middle of the forest. The creepiness of the exhibit just did it for me. I wish I could understand the deep thoughts and meaning that was meant to be seen here. 230 acres of priceless land and nature turned into a hollow, disturbing spot at the end of the visit. I hope others don't take it personally! I am grateful for the incredible effort the family placed into Glenstone but be prepared to get into serious, violent modern art. read more

Glenstone. The name itself is so fittingly named for a demure, understated, yet magical place. I almost have a slight hesitancy in writing this because Glenstone is like a clandestine secret that you want to keep in your pocket. A holistic expression of landscape architecture, interiors, art, and just design in general - Glenstone is a cultural respite in the area. Tucked away in Potomac, MD sits a stunning estate filled with thoughtfully curated art that impresses upon the creative soul. My companion and I made our way over here on a crisp fall weekend with no expectations of what was to come. We went on the outdoor sculptural tour with a fantastic guide that provided conversation, rather than a lecture. Each piece that we viewed had so many layers underneath the initial fabric of the first impression. Following the walking tour, we perused the exhibition within Glenstone and had the luxury of being the only people viewing art. Privacy and art museums are not two words that typically go together, but Glenstone is extremely thoughtful in ensuring that each piece gets the respect, space, and time that it diligently deserves. A contemporary secret garden. read more

This place is absolutely fantastic. So here's the deal - you make a "reservation" online through Glenstone's website (Don't let the word reservation scare you -- Glenstone is COMPLETELY free, there's not even one of those dreaded museum stores selling crap you don't need). This system ensures that the museum never feels crowded. You arrive at your set time (no more than 15 minutes beforehand) and a docent meets you and the rest of your group and escorts you into the museum. The current exhibit - Fischli & Weiss - is absolutely worth seeing. It is at times funny, at times whimsical, at times conceptual, and always visually interesting. And the docents here are fantastic. They aren't tour guides - so no one is talking at you while you try to enjoy art. Instead, they are present if you have comments or questions, and they share great little tidbits about the space, the collection, post 1945 art and so on. Go check it out now- see it before it expands (I think it's T-3 years away from being a LARGE museum), see it while it's still intimate and very, very quiet. Also, word on the street is a landscape tour will be coming soon, which is very exciting. read more