Beyoncé and Travis Scott are but two of many musical legends that have emerged from the great city of Houston, but there's more to H-Town than what you hear on the radio. In fact, this city booms with culture from every corner, and one way to soak all that inspiration up is by taking a tour of our amazing museums.
The city embraces and welcomes exhibits of all kinds, with institutions celebrating art, ancient works, automobiles, graffiti and more. There's even a must-see museum all about death! If you are a resident or tourist passing through, make time for a stop by one of these must-see Houston museums.
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1533 Sul Ross St. / Website
Occupying an entire block in a 22-acre compound, The 79-year old Menil Collection property was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and houses the art collection of Dominique and John de Menil. Over the span of 40 years, the couple has accumulated pieces ranging from paleolithic times to the present. The collection consists of about 17,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, rare books and more. This collection is unlike other museums as it features pieces based on the personal taste of the de Menil rather than historical ones. This makes the collection experience much more intimate for visitors. Entrance is free into the Menil Collection: Home, so you've no reason not to check it out.
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140 Heights Blvd. / Website
This museum is exactly what it sounds like—cars. The space houses a bunch of different cars painted and decorated in outlandish manners. The museum opened in 1998 and features a variety of different automobiles including low riders, derby racers, hippie vans and more. Each car is decorated with a theme, including a vehicle fully adorned entirely in plastic fruits. These are some crazy cars you have to see to believe. While the space is small, visitors are sure to see a different art car piece each time they visit. Aside from cars, the museum also houses modern sculptures and paintings. This museum is perfect for lovers of abstract and street art. Admission is free.
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415 Barren Springs Dr. / Website
This museum surely is a little offbeat, designed for those with a peculiar taste. Nevertheless, it is interesting and a great spot to go for an out-of-the-ordinary history lesson. The National Museum of Funeral History houses America’s largest collection of historical funeral items, caskets and coffins, hearses through history as well as an insight into the funerals of Presidents and other famous people. Also featured are funeral traditions throughout the world. At the museum, you will find a wax or plaster (death mask) of former President Abraham Lincoln, molded from his corpse. Your morbid curiosity is sure to be satisfied after a visit to this museum. For adults, admission is $10 and for children, it is $7. Seniors and Veterans get a discounted price of $9 while children under five are free.
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2306 S Texas 6 / Website
Seismique is a great museum if you are looking for an immersive experience. The 40,000-square-foot space features more than 40 exhibits filled with light displays generated by millions of LEDs, vibrant colors and sounds. The trippy displays use projectors, holograms, motion tracking, augmented reality and other technological elements to create an otherworldly experience for guests. The most notable exhibit is the futuristic playground that includes extra-terrestrial beings and an Alien Grass installation, where touch-sensitive LED blades light up according to visitor trails. Local Houston artists as well as artists from around the world have contributed their work to Seismique. Admission is $35 for adults and $28 for ages 12 and younger.
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1503 Chartres St. / Website
While this is not necessarily a museum, it encompasses all things art and culture about Houston. Seen as a tribute to the city, The Houston Graffiti Building is covered from top to bottom in murals that effectively represent the city. From NASA to the Astros, this is the perfect place to really get to know the city. The area surrounding the building is known as the Graffiti Park where you can find street art and murals on every corner. Many like to use these spots for photo opportunities. The murals were a citywide effort to add color and display the uniqueness of Houston. There is no admission. Street parking is available around the block starting at $2.
Photography by: Carl Hunley JR. / Unsplash