The Museum of Fine Arts of Houston is the largest museum in the U.S. south of Chicago, west of Washington, D.C., and east of Los Angeles. While it’s known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, other areas of strength include Baroque, Renaissance, and African Tribal art.
The museum grounds also include a sculpture garden, teaching wing, and a special section for top Texas artists and students to display their work, a feature not found in other large museums.
An insider’s scoop for those with families: The museum offers a particularly great range and volume of programs for kids, with a weekly Creation Station (where children gather to create their next masterpieces), Sketching in the Gallery on Sundays, as well as Story-Time Hours and Target Free Sundays. Another example of the MFAH’s academic outreach is the Glassell School, an institution that offers a full selection of courses for adults and children.
Museum of Fine Arts Information
- Public Transportation: Excellent (the museum is accessible via Metro’s Light Rail, which delivers you directly to the front door)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good (the museum’s galleries and grounds are all fully handicapped accessible)
- Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 12:15–7p.m., closed Mondays (except some holidays)
- Admission: $7, seniors and youth $3.50, members and children under 5 are free. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available. (Other discount offers available. Check with museum office for more details.)
- Free Day: Thursday
- Tours: Free. The museum offers a wealth of tours, including Explore the MFAH, an hour-long overview of the museum’s permanent collection; Exhibition Tour, a 45-minute tour highlighting a specific current exhibition; and Art 101, a tour that discusses art from the ancient world and lasts approximately an hour. Group tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday for 10 or more guests
- Membership: Individual membership is $50 and includes free unlimited general admission for one, free admission to museum lectures and programs for adults, discounted admission at Bayou Bend and Rienzi, invitations to selected preview parties, the annual fall party, and discounts at the MFAH Shops and on Films Program tickets. Student ($40) and Dual ($65) memberships are also offered
- Other Benefits: Membership in the Texas Museum Reciprocal Program is offered at the Patron Level ($150).
