Location: Neartown/ Montrose
Top Things to do in Neartown/ Montrose
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5 Museums in Neartown/ Montrose That You Shouldn't Miss
Houston hums with an energy and independent spirit all its own. A leading cultural and culinary destination in the South, the city is home to over 11,000 restaurants featuring cuisine from more than 70 countries. The thriving arts scene includes resident opera, ballet, symphony and theater companies. The Museum District houses 19 museums, all within walking distance. Be sure to visit Space Center Houston, where you can visit NASA’s Historic Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center.
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1. Byzantine Fresco Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reopened in 2015, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel has been repurposed to house an experimental series of year-long, site-specific contemporary art installations. Originally opened in 1997, the BFC was designed by architect Francois de Menil to house an installation of two 13th-century Christian frescoes from Cyprus that were on long-term loan.
2. The Menil Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 936 reviews
A legacy of the philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil, the Menil Collection opened in 1987. The museum presents regular rotations of artworks from its growing permanent collection, organizes special exhibitions and programs throughout the year, publishes scholarly books, and conducts research. The Menil Collection’s main museum building anchors a parklike 30-acre campus, which also includes the Cy Twombly Gallery, a site-specific Dan Flavin installation, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel—now a venue for long-term installations by contemporary artists—and outdoor sculpture.
Reviewed By FoodieinNOHO - California, United States
The eclectic collection of art is AMAZING!! Including early to mid-twentieth century works of Yves Tanguy, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, among others. I DIDN'T make it to the other side of the museum. My main interest was the Aboriginal Art exhibit Also included in the museum's permanent collection are antiquities and works of Byzantine, Medieval and tribal art. I really enjoyed the space of the tribal collection. It is a must to see the art aspect of Houston....I took my adult daughter here for the first time and it did not disappoint. The art, paintings, and sculptures were very interesting. There is also a nice little park across from the gallery. Parking is FREE!!!! French expat Dominique de Menil, heiress to the Schlumberger fortune, came to Houston after World War II and began amassing an impressive mid-century art collection. Dominique befriended and collected many of the biggies: Ernst, Magrite, Johns, Rauschenberg, Warhol, and others. This intimate museum within a quaint residential section of Montrose/Museum District showcases. A museum in the middle of a residential neighborhood is a surprising delight. The René Magritte, "The Meaning of Night" is so thought provoking. His unique surrealist work moved me in such an surprising way!!
3. The Printing Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
The Printing Museum explores the intersections of the history, art, and technology of printing and demonstrates its enduring impact through exhibitions, interactive tours, and creative workshops. With over 10,000 items in its permanent collection—including one of the earliest printed documents, fine-art facsimiles such as the Gutenberg Bible, and contemporary limited-edition works on paper—the Museum is an engaging place for kids and adults alike.
Reviewed By ransom007 - Anaheim, United States
The museum has free parking. When I visited (February 2020) the museum was undergoing substantial remodeling and many exhibits were not available. I was still very favorably impressed with the museum. There are pages of newspapers on display going as far back as colonial times in America. There are several printing presses on display. There is a goodly amount of artwork displayed as well. It is a good way to spend a couple of hours. I can only imagine how good it would be if all the exhibits were available. There is a small gift shop.
4. Rothko Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 426 reviews
A sacred art space open to all since 1971. Commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil, the Rothko Chapel is an interfaith sacred art space housing 14 large-scale murals by artist Mark Rothko. On the grounds is the "Broken Obelisk" sculpture by Barnett Newman, dedicated to the human rights legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Due to COVID-19, free timed-tickets are required for entry. Reserve on our website.
Reviewed By mjsheridan130 - New York City, United States
It helped that I knew in advance about the chapel and its purpose which helped to mentally prepare me before the experience. As a huge Rothko found, I absolutely enjoyed my time in the chapel, just sitting in near silence and reflecting on the art and myself in a dead quiet space. I can see how not everyone would enjoy it, but if you're looking for a quiet place to sit and reflect, it is a fantastic experience.
5. Cy Twombly Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 25 reviews
Adjacent to the Menil Collection's main museum, the eponymous Cy Twombly Gallery houses a body of work that is at once baroque and spare, ancient and modern. Cy Twombly (1928–2011) emerged from the New York art world of the early 1950s, though his approach to painting and sculpture defied affiliation with any predominant movement of the mid-20th century (such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, or Minimalism).
