Rienzi, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston image

Rienzi, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Tourist attraction Museum Garden Art museum

Converted 1950s mansion is now an art gallery featuring 17th- to 19th-century antiques & home decor. People often mention tour, time, Houston, beautiful, gardens, house, nice,


Address

1406 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019, United States

Website

www.mfah.org

Contact

+1 713-639-7800

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (255 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 1 to 5 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: tour (15) time (9) Houston (7) beautiful (6) gardens (6) house (6) nice (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 David P. 1 year ago on Google • 43 reviews
    Arrived close to closing. Didn't go inside. Got many awesome pics outside, around back, and in the garden. This is a hidden gems for exclusive photo shoots. Place is well kept, and clean outside. Had a good time there, may go back again.
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nate C. 2 years ago on Google • 698 reviews
    What a cool little place. I had no idea it was in Houston and was delighted to take a tour! We were the only ones on the entire tour and it was super neat to see some very cool collections of plates, sculptures, and paintings. The garden out back is also beautiful and simply lovely to walk around. This place deserves more publicity as it was a very unique thing to do here in H Town, I really enjoyed it and found a “hidden gem” activity. Very neat to explore if you’ve never been!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Diana 1 year ago on Google • 225 reviews
    The Rienzi is a little gem in the middle of the city. The gardens are gorgeous and well maintained and the house is stunning. Dustin ing our visit, docents we’re in the rooms throughout the house to give details of the room and little bits of information about the Mastersons. I had no idea the family supported the arts to the degree which they did and most of the arts in Houston are a result of their generosity. There are events held at the house throughout the year. It’s a lovely place to spend some time wandering through the gardens or sitting by the pool.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 K. D. P. 2 years ago on Google
    I love taking my daughter's to museums. This museum was nice and small, however the employees watched us constantly and followed us in every single room, literally. We could not look at anything without someone in the room to watch us. It made me feel extremely uncomfortable, to the point I didn't enjoy the museum as much. I know that they had expensive items on display, but I didn't have that kind of treatment at the museum's that I visited in Paris and Greece, that had pricier items on display. I'm not sure if it's a "color" issue or is it normal protocol.I definitely will not be back and will not recommend.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Claudia A. 1 year ago on Google • 275 reviews
    A beautiful experience, our tour guide was so informative and humorous 😄. I need to bring my child. You need to buy your ticket before coming. Luxury and historic mansion.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca M. 4 years ago on Google • 219 reviews
    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!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angela Ferr (. 5 years ago on Google • 150 reviews
    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
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marsha B. 2 months ago on Google • 11 reviews New
    The moment I walked in, I thought: “The Versailles of Texas…!” Go & see rare, exquisite art & artifacts from around the globe. You won’t be disappointed!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brennan R. 3 years ago on Google
    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.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin C. 1 year ago on Google
    The countless 18th century works of art left me amazed. The volunteers knew their stuff and made the visit even more enjoyable.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher R. 8 months ago on Google • 210 reviews
    A wonderful slice of Houston history and nice artwork. The grounds are well maintained and was happy to have had the chance to visit. Was able to get a tour, I’m not sure if there always one available but it made the experience more enjoyable and educational.

  • 5/5 Doria R. 1 year ago on Google • 161 reviews
    This art gallery is a historical and artful look at examples of Mexican, English, French, and Spanish art gathered together in this beautiful historic home, in River Oaks along the buffalo bayou. The collection ranges from 1700-1950 and belonged to an influential couple, Carrol and Harris Masterson in Houston's high society built in 1952.

  • 5/5 Henry T. 5 years ago on Google
    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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Everitt S. 1 month ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    Perfect Twilight Tour of a beautiful historical mansion deep in River Oaks. The ballroom blew us away with all the historical artwork. Thank you, Museum of Fine Arts Houston. We are glad to be members of MFAH

  • 3/5 J S. 5 months ago on Google
    The docent tour was appreciated to give some more context around what the history of the house is. It was a pleasant experience overall.

  • 5/5 Vera L. 8 months ago on Google
    I had no idea it was in Houston and was delighted to take a tour! This place deserves more publicity as it was a very unique thing to do here in Houston. The property is pretty fantastic. Great atmosphere. I really enjoyed walking around and viewing the pieces they had. Excellent collection and beautiful architecture. Our tour guide Tanya was amazing, very knowledgeable and did an outstanding job, made me want to come back.

  • 4/5 Ray L. 1 year ago on Google
    The building appears nice, but the outside needs help. Museum attendants were supposed to be helpful, but would stop mid explanation and move on to other visitors. Most of the art is behind a velvet rope. What's the point of all the art if we cannot truly enjoy it?

  • 5/5 cammy o. 1 year ago on Google
    JoAnn you’re amazing. She was our guide and very knowledgeable. She was so sweet to me and my husband. Will definitely be going back.

  • 5/5 Anne K. 1 year ago on Google
    First time visit after living here for 30 years. We had a docent led tour - highly recommend. Much of the collection is from the owners, but some items are from other Museum collections of similar styles.

  • 4/5 Jeff G. 1 year ago on Google
    Interesting house in Baroque style. The property is rather fantastic.

  • 5/5 Sara 1 year ago on Google
    The dosant is soo knowledgeable! I had such a great time doing the tour. You have to get the tickets in advance- they are only available by purchase. The gardens are free to visit and beautifully managed.

  • 5/5 Peter J. 1 year ago on Google
    Please purchase ticket before visiting (Adult $10/person) Volunteer tourguide is on site - They will explain the history of Renzi Family

  • 5/5 Jake B. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful however we missed the best time of year by about 3 weeks when the flowers are in bloom. Beat time according to volunteers is mid to late March

  • 4/5 Mike O. 2 years ago on Google
    Great River Oaks house with classic furnishings and art collection. A glimpse into the high society of Houston's heyday. Place recommended masks but no longer required it (Mid-March). Get tickets online.

  • 5/5 Eric 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful interior and collection. Small but nice.

  • 4/5 Yi-Nung Y. 4 years ago on Google
    The decorations inside the building are very beautiful. For the garden, there are not many flowers (only some roses) in the end of August.


Call +1 713-639-7800 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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