how could i not give the menil collection 5 stars?!! i can't think of another place in town where you can see such an amazing collection of art for free. every menil building is in immaculately curated. whenever you're in the area, please do yourself a favor and visit!! make sure to take your time and visit all of the buildings! read more

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I have never been to a worse museum. Thank god it was free because I wouldn't pay a single penny to go here again. They should've owned me money for going. The security guards are rude as hell. Apparently you can't point at the art and god forbid you had your PAMPHLET open while you are walking. To the man who told me to close it, you are insufferable. The pamphlets are for the people and they can do whatever the hell they want with it. He must be so bored standing around doing nothing with his life that he decided to make an issue with my PIECE OF PAPER. The art is utter dog sh*t. I don't need to go to art school to say the art was awful. The art looks like someone took their poop and smeared it on canvas with scribbles. I think a toddler can create better art. Everyone looked so depressed to be working there which I can see why if I was staring at bullsh*t all day. I've been to so many art museums over the years and I have never had such an awful experience with the pieces and the staff. Rude staff, crap art. Only people who know nothing about art will enjoy this "collection". Make sure to not take pictures of the trash work, point at it, or have your pamphlet open because they will cause an issue with you. read more

Absolutely loved the exhibits at the Menil Collection! This Montrose museum has an amazing, thoughtfully curated collection of modern and contemporary art, with pieces ranging from Surrealism to African and Pacific art. The galleries are spacious and serene. Admission is free, and I feel I can't complain, but the vibe was off because of the security. They were overly watchful and grim and it was off putting and took away from the visit. Not sure what happened in the past but but they should revisit their approach IMHO. read more

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Dear Menil, My first experience at the The Menil Collection was extremely disappointing and honestly overwhelming as an African American visitor. A friend referred our group to come check out the museum, and instead of feeling welcomed, we were treated like suspects from the moment we walked in. The staff followed myself and my friends throughout the entire museum as if we were there to steal the kindergarten art collection. Nobody wants to steal kindergarten "scribble scapes" or K-5 art class arts and crafts. The constant surveillance and profiling were insulting, degrading, and completely unnecessary. The atmosphere felt cold, judgmental, and unwelcoming. We were constantly watched, followed, and made to feel uncomfortable simply for existing in the space. As African Americans, we should not have to feel racially profiled while trying to enjoy art and culture. This museum sucks. I expected professionalism, inclusion, and respect. Instead, the experience felt hostile, discriminatory, and emotionally exhausting. Do better. read more

Very close to downtown Houston, the Menil Collection (located in the Houston Museum District) is both a set of museums that house the art collection of patrons of John and Dominque de Menil, and the collection itself. It is located inside the Menil Campus in Menil Park (a 30 acre greenspace of 20th century bungalow homes and oak trees). It is run by the Menil Foundation, and its holdings are diverse, being displayed in the main building along with 4 satellite galleries on the campus. Admission is free, and I had the opportunity to visit one of the buildings, the Cy Twombly Gallery, on a Saturday afternoon during my solo tour around Houston by public transit. Cy Twombly was an influential American modern art painter and sculptor. The largest permanent collection of his work is in Munich, Germany, with other famous locations being MoMA and the Louvre. The Menil Collection has the only permanent retrospective exhibition, holding five decades of his work. Passing in 2011, he personally had the opportunity to select and arrange his work in this permanent collection on its opening in 1992. The gallery consists of nine rooms, and each room is documented/explained in an informative pamphlet given from the front desk. Everything is modern art, which I admittedly don't have any experience with. The visit ended up being about 30 minutes, and because it wasn't very crowded, had the opportunity to closely examine pieces with no hurriedness. Room seven provided me the most innate understanding, housing his Green Paintings (all completed within 48 hours, by only using his fingertips and hands, with acrylic paint)...reminded me of what you might see on a pacific northwest riverbank as the sun is setting. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the galleries. read more

The Menil Collection - Menil campus - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My husband took me on a date and they had amazing art pieces! The gallery is soo big that we only saw the right Wing, we left the second Wing for another date. Ambience is relaxing and outside is beautiful! Best part is that it is free! Although you can give a donation at the entrance. Overall beautiful experience! read more

The Menil Collection - Front Entrance - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

A great place to enjoy different art for FREE! They have many different things to look at and art that I couldn't photo. read more

The Menil Collection - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Free museum with a variety of exhibits. You can get lost in all it has to offer. I did wish they offered a bit more to the experience, but overall it was a good time. My favorite part was the light installation even though it was quite small. I would've been cool if it was interactive. Bonus is the aromatic magnolia tree outside of the main building. read more

The Menil Collection - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

Really lovely space, in a beautifully designed building with lots of natural light. The whole place felt very clean, and with lots of care and attention to the exhibit itself. There's lots of green space integrated in the building itself, which adds a lot. The only thing I was hoping for was a bit more diversity in terms of the genres of art - generally the focus was exclusively in modern art. But overall an amazing exhibit in Houston! read more

A solid choice for a short rainy day excursion if you have visited Houston more than once. Beautifully designed galleries and public spaces in the main building connect centuries of art and culture. The Cy Twombly gallery was also a unique educational experience. Free admission. No photography allowed. Well staffed with knowledgeable people. Grounds are lovely and the Rothko Chapel is a short walk across the park as well. read more

It has been a few years since have visited the Menil . This museum offers Medieval and Byzantine art, African art , Modern and Contemporary Art. Each cool room is dedicated to art for life's sake with tributes to civil rights photography and Byzantine icons. This serene landmark opened in 1987 and Cy Twombly gallery completed in 1995. Love that this museum is gratis allowing accessibility to all without an entry charge. Parking is available on street and gallery is worth a look . read more

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Really enjoyed this museum as a visitor from out of town. Couldn't believe it was free/ by donation only for such a great collection and a brilliant building. The building was designed by famed architect Renzo Piano (also architect of LACMA in Los Angeles) so just being there is special. The collection featured mostly contemporary and surrealist art when we visited, with my favorite being a room dedicated to Rene Magritte. Parking is free- there is street parking or a lot nearby- and suggested donation was $20. read more

The Menil Collection - Beautiful roof structure - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

There was all kinds of nice artwork here! There are security guards almost everywhere you look around here. There is so much artwork here! Picture taking is limited to the hallways. read more

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An institution for free art in the Houston area. They have rotating exhibits which bring variety and freshness to the gallery's. Each visit brings something new to observe, contemplate and ponder. Gallery's are well laid out with seating for looking at the art. Buildings Architecture is unique and modern. Docents in every room to answer questions and protect the art. Cool gift store with books and other art related gifts. Cafe looks yummy. Free parking and free admission read more

The Menil Collection was one of several museums that one of my friends suggested to check out during my time in Houston. This one stood out in particular because it was somewhat away from the Museum District, and that it was more so a private collection vs pieces curated from multiple sources. That, combined with the fact that admission was free, was all I needed to know to place it on my itinerary. I had some free time before dinner during my last day in Houston, so I decided to check it out. The Menil Collection is the private art collection of John and Dominique de Menil; they have amassed an impressive inventory of art from multiple channels and time frames. Besides that, what makes this collection unique is that I noticed some of the pieces are not pinpointed to a specific time period, rather it is inferred. The collection is spread across three buildings, and additionally they have outdoor spaces with some art, a bookstore/gift shop, and some administrative offices. The buildings are embedded in a residential area of Montrose, but they're close and it's easy to walk between them. Admission to Menil is free, upon entry I grabbed a visitor's guide which explained the collection and contained a map. Photographs are not allowed when browsing the galleries, and they have multiple staff members situated throughout the entire museum making sure you don't snap any. The buildings have very high ceilings and a minimalist aesthetic which really helps the pieces pop. I was able to browse two of the three main buildings, unfortunately the Drawing Institute was closed when I visited. In general, though, I was really impressed with the collection - the sheer variety of pieces kept me on my toes; I would see an ancient artifact in one room and then move onto contemporary art in another. I love clean lines and contemporary design, so even outside of the pieces themselves I found it very enjoyable to walk through the buildings and the campus at large. Overall, I had a great experience at The Menil Collection. I really enjoyed viewing all of the works, and the setting provided a peaceful afternoon of discovery. Menil is a standout museum amongst the many that Houston offers, and is definitely worth checking out. read more

Looking for a free, sophisticated way to spend an afternoon? The Menil Collection is probably my most recommended activity for newcomers to the city who are on a tight budget or anyone who enjoys art and museums. As you enter, you are welcomed into a bright foyer with white walls, floor to ceiling windows, and a couple security guards who watch your every move. You can check in with the worker at the front desk if it is your first time. Otherwise, you choose to start on the right or left side and roam through the ~2-3 exhibits on either side of the building. The artwork are changed out after some interval of time, but I believe some stay longer than others. The exhibits range from ancient, African sculptures to abstract and surrealist paintings. Honestly, you have to explore the place for yourself to see the variety. There are several other artsy spots to hit nearby, such as Rothko Chapel, so if you have the time, do some research about what you're interested in. You could spend ~2 hours exploring all of Menil Collection. I also recommend Waffle Bus or Lua Viet Kitchen nearby for food! read more

Great collection of artwork from around the world from Hellenic, Egypt and beyond great choice of art read more

The Menil Collection - Main lobby - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Another negative experience here. Security watching you like a hawk every step of the way. Very unwelcoming energy. No photos allowed in the galleries. Just an overall bad energy there. read more

free museum with free street parking or a lot across the street. essentially its 4 large rooms. you will have modern, classic, historical, contemporary, and avant garde type of art here. no photos what so ever. even without flash. 1 room allowed photos, no flash, standing far back from the item. we spent a little over an hour here. loved it, i feel it has a bit of everything here. everything is labeled perfectly. and its a great way to spend an afternoon. read more

There is a good diversity of art at this location! I like how there is always free admission. You can reserve your ticket online in advance. There is a bookstore outside of the main art building. Some of the employees had a rude tone when reminding people not to get too close to the artwork. I understand the importance of their jobs, but the way they spoke towards us created an unfriendly and uncomfortable atmosphere. read more

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A small and humble museum in a quiet beautiful neighborhood. We mainly wanted to check Menil Collection out for the structure since it was designed by Renzo Piano but the art collection they had were nice to experience as well. I believe they rotate art/exhibits quarterly-ish which gives you a reason to keep coming back for new stuff! Entrance is free but please donate what you can to keep the spirit of the museum alive! read more

If you have an extra 45 mins in your day this is a beautiful, but small, collection to view. The grounds outside are stunning and a perfect spot for a picnic. It's a free museum and no photos are allowed inside. read more

The Menil Collection - Front - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

Always free parking and free entry, great way to spend a lazy afternoon. How about some 2300 BC art figurines?? Great collection of Magritte, glad to see they have brought some new ones into rotation. It's intimate and only one floor, so not overwhelming. Bathrooms are in the middle and clean. There is a central area to sit and be found. Highly recommended! read more

The Menil Collection - Museum from the Menil Bistro view - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

I came here for a class project I decided to take however as a person that does not appreciate art like other would I decided to visit a spot that is free or nearly free (did make a donation) and being open on a Sunday was a plus. I appreciate the free parking to start with, as I live outside of the city I have this tendency of believing that parking should be free with nice spacious spots for our Texas vehicles but that is just a personal thing but luckily I did find a decent spot to park which was right across their cafe. The building is beautiful and I am so on board for the vibe that the outside had. The music, the people, the pets on their leash, it was all great until I walked in. Walking in it is so quite and restricted, no saying that you should touch the art pieces but it almost feels like walking into an Abercrombie and Fitch in it's prime back in the early 2000's. We made our way into the front desk where we were guided by one of their staff members, deposited our donation and walked into one of the halls. The floors were creaky and there was staff EVERYWHERE which it makes sense as a security measure for the sake of the art. Just make sure you are behind the line at all times! Photography is prohibited, makes sense but I did have to pull out my phone various times to make notes of each masterpiece I was making my project about. It truly is a nice place to come and have a date, just not my favorite type of venue but it's a good reason to visit the city. read more

Let's start with the good: for a free to visit art museum with plenty of free parking, love the building, the artwork and the display which created a peaceful and calm environment. Now, the bad and ugly: The de Menils who gifted the Menil Collection to the Houston public believed art was to be experienced in an intensely personal way. Fast forward today, there seems to be some misunderstanding on the execution, as the staffs' interpretation of "intense" was more of a "intense personal attack". From the unfriendly greeting from the front desk to the glowers on staffs' face, and the loud and harsh "DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS" every exhibit when we were not even remotely close to any artwork, the whole experience felt nothing but disrespectful and stressful. It is a shame for an establishment built to promote understanding and culture through the arts to turn interested public away for its rude staffs. read more

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I never heard of this museum with my girlfriend suggested we should check it out and I'm glad we did. The Parkins a little confusing but once you figure it out, it's not so hard at all. The staff that works at the museum is extremely nice and very helpful. We really enjoyed all of the different rooms and all of the artwork. Can someone please tell me why you cannot take pictures. I have no idea why they don't let you take pictures but I think would be really cool to take pictures so you can inspire yourself to decorate your home with the type of art that you see. You can see everything in under an hour. It doesn't take long at all. I would definitely recommend checking this museum out if you never been to it before. This was the first time for us and I'm really glad that that we stopped by. I forgot to mention they do let you take pictures in the lobby, but that's about it. Always wondered where the art comes from. I assume donations. read more

The Menil Collection - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

During our recent visit to the Menil Collection, my family and I encountered an unsettling interaction that negatively impacted our experience. While touring the various buildings, we were stopped by a staff member--an older African gentleman with glasses, possibly in his late 60s--who physically extended his hands in front of me to prevent me from entering a room at the Drawing Institute. He proceeded to reiterate the visitor rules in a manner that felt abrupt and unnecessary. We had already reviewed the guidelines prior to our visit, as we were visiting with our 7- and 13-year-old children. We were also cautioned so much at the other buildings. Both are well-mannered, respectful, and have a deep appreciation for art. We chose the Menil Collection as a source of inspiration for their own creative interests. Unfortunately, this encounter left us feeling alarm and even more uncomfortable. We chose to leave shortly after to avoid any potential confrontations. As we're exiting the staff member attempted to engage us in conversation about our early departure, which only added to our discomfort. This moment, along with some of the other employees being quite rude, and watching us constantly made us pretty uncomfortable, which made us rush through the visit. I've never felt like this in a museum. After an unsuccessful attempt to contact the Menil Collection by phone, I emailed them and, I have yet to hear anything back. Looking at the reviews I should have done more research before visiting. This type of experience is very common and possibly the culture of the establishment. This left me wondering if it was racial profiling or colorism, or maybe both. It's sad and for future generations to have to experience this it's even more disturbing. read more

I'm writing this review with mixed emotions after many positive visits to The Menil over the years. During our recent visit with our well-behaved 3.5-year-old child, who has visited numerous museums and galleries, we encountered some concerning issues regarding child policies and staff interaction. While my son was transitioning from his stroller to walking (far away from any artwork) at an exhibit entrance, a security guard approached us abruptly and sternly chastised us that it was a rule that children must either remain in strollers or hold an adult's hand. What followed was uncomfortable surveillance throughout our visit, with security staff following us and communicating about our presence via walkie-talkies, which ultimately led us to cut our visit short. Two suggestions for improvement: 1) Please clearly communicate any child-related policies at the entrance or on your website. This would allow parents to prepare their children and ensure a positive museum experience for everyone. 2) Consider additional staff training on how to communicate policies to families in a welcoming, professional manner that aligns with The Menil's mission of being an inclusive, empathetic, and community-oriented institution. Other Yelp reviews suggest similar experiences, indicating this may be a broader issue worth addressing. The Menil is a cultural treasure, and I hope these suggestions help make it more accessible and welcoming for families with younger children while maintaining its high standards of art preservation. read more

Great and diverse collections that span several buildings. The Menil is free to the public with decent street parking. Outside of the Menil, the neighborhood is calm enough for a chill walk or place to sit still read more

Wow-- we couldn't believe this museum was free. The museum consists of multiple buildings and we only explored the main building today. With artwork from Magritte, Picasso, and Andy Warhol, there were so many amazing pieces just in the one building we visited. The museum had all different types of art, and every exhibit was impressive. Photography was allowed in the foyer area (pictured) but not in the galleries. I would recommend anyone visiting or living in Houston to check this collection out. We will definitely be back at some point to see the rest of it! read more

The Menil Collection - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Fabulous collection of art! We recommend visiting the bookstore across the street from the museum. Admission is free, and cute, artsy shops and restaurants nearby. read more

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If you were a philanthropist, what would you collect? During World War II, Menil Collection founders John and Dominique de Menil moved to Houston. They began collecting art intensively in the 1940s beginning with a purchase of Paul Cézanne's 1895 painting Montagne (Mountain) in 1945. Over time, they acquired an eclectic and quite diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and rare books. Imagine being able to own multiple works from artists like René Magritte, Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Pablo Picasso and then decide to create a free public museum. From Modern European art to sculptures and urns from classic Greek and Roman times, Byzantine religious artifacts to objects from the Pacific Islands and the Americas, the collection truly represents the world globally. Read the rules before you go and talk to the docents in the galleries. Grab a brochure or visitor guide that explains the collection. Interesting to learn how and why John and Dominique de Menil (a member of the Schlumberger family) moved to Houston. What inspired their collection. Where their travels led them to collect. Why they wanted to create a campus to allow anyone to enjoy their collection for free. The stories the docents shared were so interesting and gave different perspectives. The main collection is housed in a museum designed by architect Renzo Piano. Renzo Piano also collaborated on the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France. From an open airy hallway that spans the entire length of the museum, the multiple galleries open. Photography is welcome in the foyer and hallways, but not in the individual galleries which include Modern, Contemporary, Surrealism, Ancient, Medieval, African and Pacific Island Art. Witness to a Surrealist Vision is a room filled with tribal arts and artifacts. Circular tags correspond to treasures that are grouped as mythic images, spirit impersonators, transformation masks and more. Loved the Louis XV Display Table filled with a wide variety of small sundry items. Imagine being a child visiting Dominique de Menil's home and being able to touch the treasures held in this table from 1750. The Menil Collection also includes the Menil Drawing Institute, the Cy Twombly Gallery, Byzantine Fresco Chapel and the Dan Flavin Installation at Richmond Hall. Each museum in the collection is free. The Main Menil Building requires a ticket which can be reserved online. Free neighborhood parking is available. It was so nice and peaceful to walk throughout the neighborhood just enjoying art and the history of art. read more

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I highly recommend visiting the Menil museum if your visiting houston for the first time or seeking something to do on a lazy day around town! This space offers a wide range of activities from lounging on the front lawns to perusing a bookstore for unique thoughts or brunch at the menil bistro. You could spend the entire day at this place and not realize your day has past. Also, there are various easter eggs on the premise that can be unlocked by simply inquiring with staff. I ll give you a hint, the gutters infront of the entrance arent gutters! read more

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For a free to visit art museum, the Menil is one of the best that I've been to! The galleries are so open and spacious. The work covers everything from classic European to Asian and Post-Modern. The Menil rotates their collection, so be sure to go on different days to see various works moving through. The museum is located in a fantastic area of Houston that is really walkable and just gives you such a calm and relaxed feeling. Definitely put this art museum on your list of must see locations if you find yourself visiting Houston in the future! :) read more

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I went here for the first time Sunday. I love the Hardy and Nance studio and Sawyer yards, because it's up-and-coming artist, but some of the art in here was mind blowing! There's an amazing painting of glaciers that's like 25 feet tall and 50 feet wide that just takes your breath away. I mean they've got all kinds of stuff in this place stuff from 3000 years ago to 100 years ago and the painting I was talking about with the ice glaciers is from last year, but it's just amazing. Best of all it's free! I totally recommend going to check it out and eating at the little cafe next door. read more

Let me preface this 1-star review by saying that my boyfriend really wanted to check out this free museum because some of the pictures on Yelp looked really cool. The museum is located in a great neighborhood, and has a nearby bookstore and bistro. It is the perfect spot to take photos. We saw a couple groups doing just that on the lawn of the museum. It should have been a clue that we were entering a disorganized mess when there was no signage near the front desk indicating the need to "check in." The lady there was helping another pair out, but we grabbed a map and tried to figure out if we indeed had to sign in. Maybe I'm used to museum personnel being friendlier, but a simple, "Please, check in," and eye contact when we entered would have sufficed. Since the trio was chatting for a bit, and our presence was ignored, we started walking deeper into the halls of the museum. Of course, it was then that we hear the front desk lady sternly yelling for us to "check in." I write "check in" because only one of us had to sign in with name and zip code, which oddly defeats the purpose of attaining a census of museum-goers. As we entered into the first exhibit from the halls of the museum, I go to take a photo, when one of the museum security politely says "no photos are allowed." We weren't warned by the front desk of this and neither are there any words anywhere stating "no photography." I later noticed that were were small icons on the open doors of the exhibit with a slash thru a camera. I was confused as to how people are supposed to notice the small icons when walking past these open doors. I personally was too focused on looking at the art, rather than examining the doors. Within that same first exhibit, another museum security began stalking us as we looked at the art. Yes, I used the word "stalk" because he was blatantly always 2 feet behind us and followed from where he was initially posted (at one end of the exhibit) to the opposite end of the exhibit. It was very uncomfortable and felt highly unwelcoming. It almost seemed like he didn't want us looking at the art or that he was afraid we would steal something. As a matter of fact, almost all the museum security looked miserable and acted as if they were protecting art worth billions of dollars. Everyone gave a cold hard stare and/or followed us around (not as closely as the first guy, but definitely in an inappropriately accusatory way lol). At one point, there were 3 museum security personnel, each sitting down on a different bench outside the exhibit doors. None of them must have heard us walking out to the hall because the first of the three stood up rather quickly when he saw us and gave an obviously loud warning cough for the other two individuals to stand up. I couldn't help but chuckle when that occurred because it had already been a poop show up to that point. Ironically, the exhibit my boyfriend wanted to check out the most was the one with flowers, but it was closed. A final nail to the coffin... There was, however, an outstanding young man working amongst the hardened museum security, whom we encountered in the last exhibit by happenstance. He smiled and greeted everyone walking in, making us feel like he wanted museum goers to actually look at the art displayed and enjoy their time there. He definitely needs a pay raise, or perhaps a relocation to a better museum. While art experts may enjoy coming here to look at a variety of pieces, I would recommend skipping this freebie experience if you're not a true art connoisseur. Yelp defaults the lowest possible rating to 1-star, but this experience truly embodies zero stars. read more

The Menil Collection - Outside - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

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After visiting the Rothko Chapel we headed to the Menil Collection, a private art collection, and were so glad we had the privilege to visit this incredible place. First of all, let's start with the building, it's HUGE and it's not just one building, its several buildings so make sure to plan your day as it would be a shame to miss out on the other buildings. As an art aficionado and collector of folk and contemporary art, I've had the privilege of visiting many museums around the world, but none have compared to the private collection and variety of the Menil Collection. The private collection is incredibly diverse and encompasses a vast array of contemporary art that is both vibrant and captivating. The multi cultural exhibitions are well-curated, and the pieces on display are thought-provoking, inspiring, and often unexpected. Ranging from contemporary to European to dedicated art collections broken down by region, this FREE gallery-like experience cannot be missed. The museum's design and architecture are exceptional, with natural light streaming in to showcase the artwork and create a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The space is spotless and meticulously well maintained. While large in scale, the Menil Collection has a unique and intimate feel, and I found myself lingering in front of each room and section, taking in the details and immersing myself in the story behind the art. Note, while there were a few reviews pointing out that there was a lot of staff hanging out and guarding every room and that sometimes guests felt put upon but for me and my family our experience was different. We found that the staff, in every single section, were friendly and shared their knowledge with us about their favorite pieces and activities that went on in the space. Side note, I actually got to see my first Picasso. I was so close to the Picasso that it gave me chills. In addition, my favorite room was Max Ernst's collection which was on display. You cannot see this place and the many collections and buildings in one day. This is a 2-3 day affair and investment in time. So if you're an art lover, this is well worth your time, as its not only vast in the range of art you can experience and admire but like all good experiences, you shouldn't be rushed. Overall, the Menil Collection is hands down one of the best art experiences I have ever seen, in the world. As another side note, the staff encouraged us to visit 2-3X a year since the collection is rotated. Love this about this place! I can't say enough positive things about this experience, the collections are a true gem, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to experience it. read more

The Menil Collection - Outside the Menil Bistro - Art Museums Near Me - Houston, Texas

Sometimes I forget about the Menil b/c it's not in the Museum District, but located in Montrose in a quaint neighborhood. The Menil is free with a suggested donation and is composed of several buildings. You can't take pics of any of the art, except for the ones in the lobby. I was surprised that a few well known artists were located in the lobby. The space around it is simple and beautiful with huge gorgeous trees. The Cy Twombly Gallery is a must, plus there's the new to me Drawing Institute which was very nice. Be sure to check out the Menil Collection Bookstore or grab a bite at Bistro Menil between gallery visits. read more

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Fantastic visit to the Manil! I was very impressed by the collection available to view. The collection included Pacific Northwest and American, Middle Eastern, African, Pacific Island, and European art pieces in addition to some 20th century and modern art paintings and sculptures. Eclectic, but excellent. The gallery itself was beautiful and serene. They put a lot of energy and care into ensuring the art is maintained well and in good condition. The receptionists and attendants are very friendly. Bonus, the location is in a beautiful neighborhood and next to the Rothko Chapel. One can spend a few hours in this area. How generous that all is open and free to the public! A hidden gem! read more

Easy free street parking Free museum- reserve time on line before arrival Small enough less than an hour perfect for quick tour Quiet neighborhood with nice house and old trees The main building has a variety - a coffee shop next door- gift shop and another exhibit across the street read more