Houston Arts
Hobby Center for Performing Arts at night; (c) Visit Houston
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
DESCRIPTION: This venue features art from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas from antiquity to the present; includes an outdoor sculpture garden, the Glassell School of Art, many temporary exhibitions and public programs, and weekly showings of Hollywood classics and foreign films. MFAH is the nation’s sixth-largest art museum. The Straus Collection of Renaissance and 18th-century art and the Beck Collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art are superb. See works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Paul Gaugin that are equally inspiring.
ADMISSION: A matrix of prices on their website
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Wed 10a-5p, Thu 10a-9p, Fri-Sat 10a-7p, Sun Noon-7p
ADDRESS: 1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: east of the Beck and Law buildings in the MFAH Visitors Center
PHONE: 713-639-7300
WEBSITE: http://www.mfah.org
Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1948, the new venue housed in an award-winning metal-sheathed parallelogram opened in 1972. The museum exemplifies the dynamic relationship between contemporary art and contemporary society through its exhibitions and public and educational programs. It has hosted art by Vincent Van Gogh, Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Max Ernst, and John Biggers, this non-collecting institution is dedicated to presenting the most exciting international, national, and regional art. It has a first-rate gift shop.
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Wed 10a-5p, Thu 10a-9p, Fri-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-284-8250
WEBSITE: http://www.camh.org
The Menil Collection
DESCRIPTION: World-renowned art collectors John and Dominique de Menil, created this exceptional 15,000-piece museum of Byzantine art to the 20th-century schools of Cubism, Minimalism, and Surrealist works. The museum is noted for attracting leaders of the contemporary art world through touring exhibitions.
ADMISSION: Free, donations accepted
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 11a-7p
ADDRESS: 1515 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on West Alabama Street at Mulberry Street
PHONE: 713-525-9400
WEBSITE: http://www.menil.org
Cy Twombly Gallery
DESCRIPTION: A small, exquisite gallery designed by architect Renzo Piano to specifically contain works by American artist Cy Twombly. As such, the museum conveys as much that is good with natural light, as it does art.
ADMISSION: Free, donations accepted
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 11a–7p
ADDRESS: 1501 Branard Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on West Alabama Street at Mulberry Street
PHONE: 713-525-9400
WEBSITE: http://www.menil.org/visit/twombly.php
Rothko Chapel
DESCRIPTION: Founded by John and Dominique de Menil, it was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary to people of every belief it functions as a chapel, a museum, and a forum. This modern meditative environment inspired by the mural canvasses of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, welcomes thousands of visitors each year from all parts of the world. The eight-sided structure is adorned only by 14 paintings by modern artist Mark Rothko. The reflecting pool in front contains Barnet Newman’s memorial sculpture to Martin Luther King, Jr. — it’s called Broken Obelisk.
ADMISSION: Free, donations welcome
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 1409 Sul Ross Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: Yupon and Sul Ross Streets
PHONE: 713-524-9839
WEBSITE: http://www.rothkochapel.org
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2001, it emphasizes objects of art made primarily of fiber, metal, glass, clay, and wood. The 3,000 square feet of the center exhibit the work of local and national artists and art educators. Additional space is allocated for artist studios. Asher Gallery, within the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, serves as a retail showcase for the work of internationally acclaimed and emerging artists in all craft media.
ADMISSION: Free, donations accepted and art may be purchased
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 4848 Main Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises and street
PHONE: 713-529-4848
WEBSITE: http://www.crafthouston.org
Lawndale Art and Performance Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1979, this alternative exhibition space for contemporary works in all media focuses on Houston area artists. With four galleries in its architecturally significant Art Deco building, Lawndale includes close to 500 artists annually in changing exhibitions. Over twenty exhibitions, informal talks, and special events are offered yearly.
ADMISSION: Free, donations accepted and art may be purchased
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-5p, Sat Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 4912 Main Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-528-5858
WEBSITE: http://www.lawndaleartcenter.org
Holocaust Museum Houston
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1996, it’s dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust in Europe, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims and honoring the survivors’ legacy. The museum uses the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, to teach the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and apathy to a civil society. Permanent exhibits include Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers and many touring exhibits stop here as well.
ADMISSION: Free, donations welcome
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p, Sat-Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 5401 Caroline Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: Free parking in front and on the sides of the museum
PHONE: 713-942-8000
WEBSITE: http://www.hmh.org
Health Museum Houston
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1969, today it has evolved into an interactive science learning center and a member institution of Texas Medical Center, it encourages growing interest and regard for healthier lifestyles, fitness, and good physical, mental, and spiritual health. It’s conveniently located across from the Children’s Museum and near the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
ADMISSION: Adults $8, Ages 3-12 and Ages 65+ $6
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 9a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-premises
PHONE: 713-521-1515
WEBSITE: http://www.thehealthmuseum.org
Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
DESCRIPTION: A non-profit organization founded to preserve, present, promote, and popularize the artistic expressions of ordinary people. Jeff McKissack created The Orange Show in honor of his favorite fruit and his belief that longevity results from hard work and good nutrition. Working in isolation from 1956 until he died in 1980, McKissack used common building materials and found objects to transform an East End lot into an architectural maze of walkways, balconies, arenas, and exhibits decorated with mosaics and brightly painted iron figures.
ADMISSION: $$
DAYS & HOURS: Sat-Sun Noon-5p; Summer hours include Wed-Fri 9a-1p
ADDRESS: 2402 Munger Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-926-6368
WEBSITE: http://www.orangeshow.org
Art Car Museum
DESCRIPTION: A private institution that provides exhibition space and forums for artists to discuss the art of cars. See unique mind-blowing car art from many genres of cars. If you love art on cars, you must make a pilgrimage here.
ADMISSION: Free, donations welcome
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 11a-6p
ADDRESS: 140 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX MAP
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 713-861-5526
WEBSITE: http://www.artcarmuseum.com
Alley Theatre
DESCRIPTION: One of the oldest professional theater companies in the country, and as its name implies, began in an alley over 60 years ago. No longer roughing it, the theater has long since moved to this post-modernist structure. Though brutish on the outside, it deserves rousing cheers on the inside housing two intimate stages. The resident theatrical troupe was awarded a Tony Award as an outstanding regional theater. Hubbard Stage seats 824 and Neuhaus Stage seats 310.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-6p, Sun Noon-6p
ADDRESS: 615 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX
PARKING: paid parking on-premises
PHONE: 713-228-8421
WEBSITE: http://www.alleytheatre.org
Jones Hall
DESCRIPTION: Since opening in 1966, The Jones is still stunning to look at day or night. Entering the venue, visitors will notice the Gemini II sculpture hovering from the ceiling and curved marble walls – timeless taste. The Jones is home to the Houston Symphony and Society for the Performing Arts. It features a 2,745-seat shoe-box shape, multi-mezzanine venue for international solo artists, orchestras, and dance companies.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 9a-6p, Sat 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 615 Louisiana Avenue, Houston, TX
PARKING: garage under Theater District Plaza
PHONE: 713-224-7575
WEBSITE: http://www.joneshall.org
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: This iconic structure features a sweeping glass facade that faces the downtown skyline; exquisite detail abounds from the creamy limestone throughout to the transcendental gold leaf of the Grand Lobby ceiling. The 2,650-seat Sarafim auditorium with a star-studded ceiling, is an appropriate home for touring Broadway plays. The popular Theatre Under The Stars troupe playing in the 500-seat Zilkha Hall. Touring R&B, Reggae, and Jazz artists also perform here
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat-Sun 11a-4p
ADDRESS: 800 Bagby Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: a 7-level, 800-car garage behind complex
PHONE: 713-678-5440
WEBSITE: http://www.thehobbycenter.org
Verizon Wireless Theater
DESCRIPTION: An anchor venue of Bayou Place, this venue has been voted Best Live Music Venue for 3 years running by the Houston Press. Many Jazz, Country, R&B, Rock, and Hip-Hop groups perform at this 2,933-seat, shoebox-shaped theater where fans get a close view of top national performers and nice acoustics.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat 10a-2p
ADDRESS: 520 Texas Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: Theater District Underground Parking Garage
PHONE: 713-230-1666
WEBSITE: http://www.livenation.com/venue/verizon-wireless-theater-tickets
Theatre District Plaza
DESCRIPTION: An open-air plaza for free performances to host several hundred people downtown. Kids will enjoy the oversized chess board and pieces. A glue-like location that unifies Houston’s Theatre District between Bayou Place, Verizon Wireless Theater, Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, and Wortham Center; better yet, it sits over a large secured garage.
ADDRESS: surrounded by Texas, Smith, Capitol, and Louisiana, Houston, TX
PARKING: under the plaza
Wortham Center
DESCRIPTION: This is a grand performing arts venue from the outside with its oversized balls and flashy billboard guiding you to the entrance. Once inside, the dramatic Grand Foyer lets you choose between the elegant 1,100-seat Cullen Theater or the larger and equally polished 2,254-seat Brown Theater. The beloved, privately-funded Wortham Center is home to the Houston Grand Opera, Society for the Performing Arts, and Houston Ballet.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 9a-5p, Sat 11a-5p
ADDRESS: 550 Prairie Street, Houston, TX
PARKING: Theater District Parking Garage
PHONE: 713-237-1439
WEBSITE: http://www.worthamcenter.org
Miller Outdoor Theater
DESCRIPTION: Offers the most diverse season of professional entertainment of any Houston venue, and it’s all FREE; Classical, Jazz, Ballet, Afrocentric dance, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and more. Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside, because all performances at Miller are family-friendly. Hillside seating is not reserved, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. NO glass containers are allowed. Tickets are available at the Box Office on a first-come first-serve basis between 11:30a-1p on the day of the performance, remaining tickets are given out one hour before curtain call.
BOX OFFICE: Free
ADDRESS: 100 Concert Drive in Hermann Park, Houston, TX
PARKING: Miller lot behind the theater
PHONE: 713-533-3276
WEBSITE: http://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
Arena Theatre
DESCRIPTION: One of Houston’s oldest and most successful concert venues, it features a theater in the round design, with no seat more than sixty feet from the stage. Guests have an intimate evening with their favorite entertainers. This 2,750-seat live theater has presented legendary artists such as BB King, Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Howard Hewett, Kirk Whalum, and Smokey Robinson.
BOX OFFICE: Mon–Fri 10:30a–6p; Sat-Sun open at Noon ONLY if an event is scheduled
ADDRESS: 7322 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX
PARKING: garage nearby
PHONE: 713-772-5900
WEBSITE: http://www.arenahouston.com
Da Camera of Houston
DESCRIPTION: one of America’s leading presenters and producers of ensemble music. As such, it’s a nice venue for chamber music and jazz.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 9a-5p; Tickets may also be purchased at Wortham Center 90 minutes before the performance
ADDRESS: Wortham Theater Center, Houston, TX
and another venue at The Menil CollectionMAP
PARKING: Located under Theatre District Plaza; When at the Menil Collection, park on West Alabama Street at Mulberry Street
PHONE: 713-524-5050
WEBSITE: http://www.dacamera.com