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Rienzi, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1406 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019, United States
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Re
Review №1

This Museum was very well taken care of. The door guide was very sweet and very informative. They allowed us to ask so many questions and she gave the best answers she could possibly give. She was very kind to the children and help them with answers to their questions. She took her time out to explain to them something that would help them understand the reference of its meaning. Over all this is a must see!

Br
Review №2

Interior is very small - takes about 1hour for complete self tour. Extensive gardens. Use service driveway to see some of back gardens if in a wheelchair, but there are stairs to the reflecting pool. Front gardens are accessible, but some trails are difficult.

Er
Review №3

I found the self guided tour almost useless, hence I missed a LOT. The map doesnt include a suggested path. And, the list containing the telephone codes for the audio for the various rooms doesnt follow a logical path either And the rooms need to be identified by signs. Using pictures makes the tour a puzzle challenge for seniors.Also, the curb at the entrance to the grounds nearest the White Garden is a genuine tripping hazard!Wonderful displays but gave up on trying to figure out what they were.Attendants more fluent in English would help too, but can make do with heavily accented speech.Do the emergency exits exit to a clearly marked path to the parking lot and do the window covers fall away easily? Rhetorical but ... my memory is that the stairs from the balcony were closed on Sept. 7.

An
Review №4

Absolutely lovely tour and tour guide. It is about an hour long and guided inside. Beautiful artworks and furniture. Mainly European, but also some Spanish and Asian inspired art. If you are into art history you will enjoy this

Tr
Review №5

My son took me here on Mothers Day and we had a wonderful time. Every mother received a long stemmed rose to compliment their visit. The staff was extremely knowledgeable.

He
Review №6

Pretty nice place in Houston area. The garden is free and nice. We didn’t have enough time to wait for the next tour ( at 3pm), maybe next time.There are admissions fee with tour for 10 dollars. The tour lasted about an hour.

Fr
Review №7

Great little museum and gardens to visit with the family.

Yi
Review №8

The decorations inside the building are very beautiful. For the garden, there are not many flowers (only some roses) in the end of August.

Da
Review №9

Its what would call a Mediterranean style Villa. The beautiful building is well maintained and the gardens are coming back after the Harvey flood.

Ge
Review №10

Beautiful place and friendly staff

B
Review №11

Would have given this place 5 star but there are a lot of areas of their garden that was inaccessible or closed.

Ma
Review №12

Took daughter to First Saturday Sketch. Wife and I took a tour of the gardens. Glad to see the Mastersons vision is being preserved. Just beautiful.

Ja
Review №13

Wonderful atmosphere staff very friendly and knowledgeable Love this place to see some fine contemporary art!

Ri
Review №14

Hidden MFAH gem decorative arts museum. The house and grounds alone are worth the visit.

Ro
Review №15

Beautiful former residence of former patrons of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Now a property of the museum containing pieces of the collections of the former owners and the museums European decorative arts. Nestled in about 4 acres on Buffalo Bayou. Beautiful grounds and gardens with always blooming flowers.

M
Review №16

I agree that the guided tour is brilliant. The house is very interesting, and the gardens are beautiful, especially in the spring. The tour is guided, and lasts about an hour - just the right amount of time. Perfect for a nice Sunday afternoon date. The Museum of Fine Arts is doing a terrific job with this absolute gem in River Oaks.

Ch
Review №17

Beautiful art. Great atmosphere. I really enjoyed walking around and viewing the pieces they had. The guides were extremely knowledgeable.

du
Review №18

The guided tour is brilliant. It was just me and my date and the tour guide. She was very knowledgeable about all the pieces and the setups in every room were amazing. The history contained in this house is amazing and I would recommend it. The outside is pretty interesting as well but I understand its more impressive in the spring.

Ch
Review №19

Nice gardens for an afternoon walk in urban Houston. Docent-led tour of the Masterson home was interesting, took about 45 min.

Tr
Review №20

Amazing and unique museum in Houston. Wonderful collection. Beautiful gardens.

Rh
Review №21

Very pleasant way to spend a couple hours. Excellent collection and beautiful architecture.

By
Review №22

THE PICTURES BAND performed here for the Costolnik wedding and wow, it was awesome and was even featured in magazines!

Rh
Review №23

Beautiful collection. A true Houston gem of European art.

Jo
Review №24

What a curious fine art museum site. Worth a visit. We walked up, asked about tour availability (all docent led). Staff were exceptionally polite and signed us up for the next one. We enjoyed exploring the grounds in the meantime (some impacts from Hurricane Harvey, but still worth checking out). The tour was interesting, both due to the art but also the home and what you learn about Houstons high society past elements.

Sh
Review №25

The tour is wonderful. The tour guide is knowledgeable. No time wasted from the beginning and end of the tour. The artworks and furniture will keep you inspired. Like us here in Okey Dokey Locksmith our technician are professionally trained and knowledgeable in the services they performed. For sure you will have an awesome experience with us.

Ro
Review №26

Van Gogh exhibit was cool. But I probably wouldnt care to see reproductions. Vs the real thing.Outdoor happy hour was really nice. There are nice trees to look at and a nice breeze.Parking off of Binz and San jacinto. $10 for 30 min to 4 hrs

Br
Review №27

Lovely, well-cared. The docent was very prepared and well-informed and helpful to answer all questions.This is a must-see museum in Houston

Jo
Review №28

Rienzi, hosts an alluring array of antiques....

Na
Review №29

Loved it. Not much else to say. It was great to see and very well kept

Al
Review №30

Beautiful mini museum that was donated not too long ago. So much to see in every room. The background is stunning with its stairs and pool. Perfect for a venue. Staff are all very professional and helpful.

Vi
Review №31

Nice place to see. You might spend between 1 to 2 hrs there. The staff is great friendly people. Gardens are beautiful.

Wa
Review №32

If youre into decorative arts, this is 5 stars. Be sure to engage with the docents, in any case.

Ya
Review №33

Elegant and Devine. Highly recommended!

An
Review №34

Love the guided tour. Very informative and worth it!

Sh
Review №35

Awesome!!!!, Minister Bridgette Goodjoint, In Jesus.

Am
Review №36

Absolutely amazing museum. Highly recommend!

Le
Review №37

I didnt know what to expect when I visited, but I am so very glad I went. The house is amazing and you can feel the love for art, entertaining, and educating that Mr. and Mrs. Masterson cared about. I will definitely be back to learn more!

ME
Review №38

Previously a residence, showcases their collections plus other things on loan. Nice for an hour tour.

Ra
Review №39

Lovely place ,worth visiting

Tr
Review №40

Guide was extremely polite and very knowledgeable. The house was beautiful.

Ve
Review №41

Great gem in the middle of Houston.

Na
Review №42

Very nice place for pictures.

my
Review №43

Great place. Its a guided tour, well worth checking out.

Gr
Review №44

Impressive collection of art, paintings, porcelain, furniture and artifacts.

Be
Review №45

This a jewel hidden in uptown

Le
Review №46

Beautiful collection of art, decor and antiques in historic Houston house.Very impressed with guide Tatyana Gelfund who knows so much about the house and every item in collection: era, country of origin, author, story behind and much more, and enthusiastically shares it. Unfortunately not very many familiar with this museum. I think that better advertising and attractive street sign would help. Recommend to every fine art lover and definitely coming back.

ja
Review №47

Enjoyable, unique museum experience with very knowledgeable docents. My wife and I have gone during normal hours and had a good experience, but the events in the evening really stand out as special. I probably wouldnt take young children again, unless it is to one of the family events that they host.

Ge
Review №48

It offers a glimpse of the life style of upper class Texas oil tycoon. the decorative arts are priceless and the guide was very knowledgeable

Ma
Review №49

A beauty of a museum, perfect for a cool experience- closed now for August.

Wi
Review №50

Impressive collection. Phenomenally knowledgable tour guide. With the ability to get so up close and personal with this collection, the docents are the most protective Ive ever seen. Unfortunately most of the outside grounds were barricaded, unlike comparable tours like the Hogg mansion. While appreciative of art, our 15 yr old daughter has no art history training and was mindlessly bored throughout.

Re
Review №51

I wanted to take pictures in the garden area. One employee said it was ok. 5 minutes later a different employee told us it wasnt ok. It wasnt flash photography or anything like that.

Na
Review №52

What a gem!

Ch
Review №53

Very informative. Our children learned a great deal.

No
Review №54

Very fancy

Yo
Review №55

Awesome

Ri
Review №56

Went for an open air screening of Alfred Hitchcock movie. It was fun.

Da
Review №57

Historic. A must if a lover of. Houston. Arts. And. History

Jo
Review №58

Very nice museum

Ma
Review №59

I very cool home with lots of 17-1800 art and furniture. Beautiful gardens as well.

T
Review №60

Great place to take guests when theyre in town. However, you must make reservations in order to tour Rienzi. Call before you go.

Jo
Review №61

Love their art

Lo
Review №62

This is another of Houstons treasures collected and then donated by very rich white people. This family collected American and British furniture, china, silver, paintings, and clearly enjoyed themselves in this lovely house.

Ch
Review №63

Gorgeous collection of art from around the world, displayed in a beautifully craftedansion

Ke
Review №64

Make sure you phone ahead for reservations... Exceptional!

Gr
Review №65

Loved the house and gardens. Gardens not as extensive as at Bayou Bend, but beautiful nonetheless.

Sp
Review №66

I felt like I was in heaven. Beautiful property.

ma
Review №67

Incredible collection! Fantastic tour guide.

Jo
Review №68

Rienzi is one of my favorite Houston museums. When you come here, you get a good dose of art and architecture to explore, but also a fair bit of Houston history. The house was owned by the Masterson family (Harris Masterson III and Carroll Sterling Cowan) of Humble Oil fame and is named for Harris grandfather, Rienzi Melville Johnston.The house itself is beautiful and a tour guide will tell you about its history and additions, and the house is filled with European art and a very large porcelain collection. You can also go and enjoy the grounds around the house, including various gardens and fountains. Its a nice visit!

So
Review №69

Nice nice

Sa
Review №70

My favorite place to visit and take photos for my watercolor art work!

Ci
Review №71

Beautiful, European, serene.

B
Review №72

History and wealth at its finest.

Ye
Review №73

Learned new perspectives from the exhibits

B.
Review №74

Beautiful property.

Ar
Review №75

Amazing collection. Outstanding house.

He
Review №76

Love their gardens.

Ha
Review №77

Comforting atmosphere, great historical experience always.

Ti
Review №78

Beautiful home that offers great events

Da
Review №79

Stunning.

Eu
Review №80

Good experience

Ma
Review №81

Lovely, amazing.

ma
Review №82

Beautiful!

Ch
Review №83

Very beautiful

Na
Review №84

At first I thought it was antiquated but this place is the real deal

li
Review №85

Houstons history

Wi
Review №86

Private, guided tours, reminds me of Paris...

ri
Review №87

Very beautiful furniture

Information
98 Photos
87 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:1406 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019, United States
  • Site:http://www.mfah.org/rienzi
  • Phone:+1 713-639-7800
Categories
  • Art museum
  • Garden
  • Museum
  • Tourist attraction
Working hours
  • Monday:Closed
  • Tuesday:10am–5pm
  • Wednesday:10am–5pm
  • Thursday:10am–5pm
  • Friday:10am–5pm
  • Saturday:1–5pm
  • Sunday:Closed
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible lift:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Restaurant:No
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