Glenstone is a place to let your mind get lost with an almost other-worldly vibe to it. The cement pavilions, winding paths, all the incredible interactive installations both indoor and out and the scenery of the landscspe are enough to keep your attention and awe for 3+ hours easy, (I indeed have a first hand account of this mysteriously quick passage of time). Even the bathrooms make you feel like you're in the land of oz. The staff members stationed at the installations are friendly, knowledgeable and fun to discuss interpretations and ideas of meaning with.

Beautiful, beautiful, space! One of the most unique museums I’ve been to anywhere and the museum is all contemporary art with minimum signage. It will take several hours to get through the property and the mixture of art and nature is what really sets this museum apart. I recommend going on a week day because the museum is not as busy.

Great hiking spot with exhibits. Walking paths are mostly paved but the park is as natural as possible. That organic feel contrasts with the minimalist and modern architecture, yet they fit perfectly. While every piece of art was worthy of our time, our favorite was the pavilion and the audio experience. For lunch, we stopped by the Patio cafe which had tasty vegetarian and vegan options at a very reasonable price. Admission was free with advance reservation. Great to have this establishment.

This place was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. This is a great contemporary art museum. Best of all, it’s free! The modern architecture of the indoor pavilion is not to be missed as well as the collapse exhibit and water garden. The outdoor woodland trail is a nice little hike as well with some art exhibits scattered around Overall, it was a great visit.

Beautiful grounds, modern buildings, and interesting displays of art. There is a two miles paved walking trail that takes you through the property. We were there in mid-September, therefore not many blooms, but I can imagine in the spring and early summer, the fields and the hills are colorful and beautiful. Reservations are required if you want to park onside. Very friendly, responsive, and attentive staff. Security cameras, cold water stations, in- ground, animal-proof trash bins, emergency call button, and nicely designed directional signage everywhere. Entry is free. We went back to Glenstone on 12/24/2023, the day before Christmas, and it was nice to see the grounds in the winter stage. Still beautiful, and the hike was pleasant.

A hidden gem, one of those places you ask "why isn't it more popular?" It IS popular because there were plenty of visitors. What a great indoor/outdoor museum. Friendly and lively staff. Beautiful in any season.

A must visit for all lovers of contemporary art. Hot tip: most of the time they’ll let you in without a prior reservation. Their capacity is hard to reach considering how large the grounds are. If you’d rather play it safe and get a reservation, that’s smart though. Seems as though they’ve really allowed the surrounding land to grow wild for the most part. Very happy about that! Unfortunate about not being allowed to take photographs in the galleries. I can understand, but when a guard explained to me that it’s Gladstone’s way of making sure people look at/interact with art, it left me feeling uncomfortable. Institutions trying to control how people do anything is problematic. Faith Ringgold’s exhibition deserves to be seen by the world. My other criticism is that one of the Andy Goldsworthy works was locked. Luckily a friendly associate was working at the other and let us in to the locked one. They should really have an associate at EACH of the works, especially considering how fragile those works are! Also wish they let people into the park until sunset during the summer months. It’s such a beautiful space, let people in to enjoy it!

Absolutely beautiful, especially the places that no cameras are allowed. The staff is super friendly and there to answer any questions and educate you on the different artist. There are plenty of water stations and restrooms throughout the entire area. The area has limited shades so they provide you with an umbrella upon arrival. Drink plenty of water if you’re out there on a hot day. Strollers may be difficult to maneuver on the gravel trails but there is plenty of hard surfaces. Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes because it’s a lot of walking. Wear your sunscreen too!! There is a cart that you can catch if you’re too tired to walk. We went as a date and we enjoyed every minute!! There are plenty of bumblebees to see so check out the flowers throughout the trails. Tickets are free but they go QUICK! Completely worth the drive from over an hour away!!!!

A perfect short trip outside of DC. Everything about this museum is expertly curated. It's incredibly sleek and modern and their collection is impressive. I highly recommend engaging with the staff who are a wealth of knowledge about the pieces and talking to them really enhances the experience. There's no photography allowed inside the galleries, but you can elsewhere on the grounds. Know that some of the pieces are only open at specific times, so plan accordingly if you want to see everything. Definitely walk the grounds and stop at the restaurant or the cafe! Tickets are free, but you need to get them in advance on their website.

Wonderful mix of art and wide open spaces. Did the loop clockwise before the sun went down, enjoying the outdoor installations first. The sound installation and Tony Smith’s Smug sculpture were probably my favorites outside. The interior design of the main pavilion was art in itself, framing the water garden and grounds in beautiful ways through the wide panoramic windows. Enjoyed the art on display this season, especially the photography by Jeff Wall and the various sculpture works.

Very cool free private contemporary art museum in Potomac, MD. I didn't even know it existed until my friend told me about it. Met up here with my friends and tried to see as many things as possible indoors and outdoors. Ate at their indoor cafe which was pretty good. We walked close to four miles I think. I recommend checking out this museum whenever you get a chance!

The Glenstone is an experience if you live in the DC area or visiting is truly a must see. The perfect combination of art, nature and architecture design that will make you feel like you are in a different world. The architecture design of the campus is so thought out and the art exhibits are breathtaking. The passion, depth and detail each Artist puts on display with their art is second to none. Yes, the DC area is full of museums, art exhibits and plenty of galleries but none will stimulate your senses like The Glenstone. The staff are knowledgeable and provide amazing insight into the Artist and their works. I can promise my pictures are just a small glimpse into what you will experience. You are not allowed to take pictures in any of the indoor exhibits so you have to take my word but I can confidently say you won't be disappointed. Support The Glenstone, an art oasis right in our backyard. They support artists that have beautiful perspectives and create pieces that you can connect with and be excited about.

One of the top 5 art museums I visited so far all around the world. It’s not just the integration of landscape, architecture and art works, but the very clear intent in curating the space to minimize intervention. Tickets are hard to get, but there’s a reason for it. Limit in capacity enables uninterrupted appreciation of the art, and minimization of explanation makes you come up with your own interpretation. It was such a unique experience, and I’m still grateful and surprised that you can enter a place like this for free.

Beautiful museum that is very walkable. Completely free and a refreshing take on contemporary art. Even the food is relatively reasonably priced at ~20 dollars per person. I would highly recommend going.

Breathtakingly beautiful. Make sure you see (hear) the Cardiff & Miller space. Just sit on a stump and close your eyes. You will thank me later. I went on a slightly rainy, misty day and it was perfect. The sights, sounds and smells are Heavenly!

I love this space, indoors and outdoors. It's an amazing gallery and the 230 acres grounds are great for just doing a nice walk. On my visit my pedometer clocked 3.5 miles. Definitely worth visiting.

What a treat to be able to enjoy the largest contemporary art in the US for free. Reservations required unless you take the Ride On 301, but well worth having to plan ahead. It's incredible how stark yet evocative the entire space is, between the wetlands upon which it sits to the individual galleries and exhibits. It's impossible to say more and would be detrimental to because this is truly a place meant to be experienced in full in person.

I'm not really an art person, but I was stunned by the show of modern art and statues in this place. There we're a lot of very unique and interesting things to see. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits making it great for everyone. There were also two quaint little cafes that serves a really great lunch.

Amazing! Definitely recommend to visit at least once…. The gallery changed once awhile depending on the artist! The boardwalks are so pretty…. And all the staffs are super friendly and acknowledge the arts! Just need to reserve the tickets 2months ahead…. And it will take more than 2 hours to walk all around and see everything!

I have been here a few times now and have enjoyed each visit. I do like that it has something for everyone -- a gallery of traditional art (paintings, sculptures, etc) but also large sculptures sprinkled throughout it's vast and beautiful landscape along with immersive/interactive experiences. One such installation was an audio recording of a battle/scene that may have (or in fact did, I'm not entirely sure) take place in the forest complete with makeshift tree-stump stools from which you could witness the audio track from well-hidden speakers. We also love the cafes - there are two on premise but the one across the pond from the private residence that has nice pounding chairs and an outdoor patio is our preferred stop for a good coffee and charcuterie board. Yesterday, we tried the vegan Chili, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (a much less sweet, but I'd argue better, version of the drink Starbucks popularized), and the charcuterie which were all delicious while soaking up some rays.

Great facility with well maintained facilities and walking paths. The art exhibits are interesting and some are definitely "art in the eyes of the beholder". Overall a great place to visit and walk the trails. There are only a few areas where older folks may have slight issues but easily trafficable. Plan to spend two to three hours and bring sunscreen if you don't use the umbrellasbforbshade

A hidden gem near North Potomac. Wonderful museum and trail. It's worth to spend half day to visit this great place in a sunny day. Take a rest at the Patio, drink a coffee, sitting outside to listen surrounding natural sounds by the whispering of wind, and the sounds made by flying leaves. It's quite enjoyable and relax. The only minor thing is the bani mi sandswitches still have a room to improve. The bread is not hot and can use baguette would be better. 風景優美，步道清幽，適合半日悠閑。

10/10 recommend. From the seamless entry process to park and check in, this is an absolute must to visit and be in total awe. I love the aspect of having no cell phones in some of the areas, it makes the experience so much more personal and enjoyable by being PRESENT. The weather was perfect on our visit, so the sites seemed to shine extra bright. Their on sight cafe was an open table seating with others, which was surprisingly comfortable. All of the employees were very professional and willing to help when they had to. Overall, could not recommend more. I would suggest wearing comfortable clothes / shoes as the property covers a lot of ground.

This place is the perfect way to spend your day surrounded by beautiful modern art. The galleries inside feel spacious and the art pieces are unique! But there are art installations outside as well. Tickets are free but you have to reserve a spot. It's easier to get spots during the week days.

This museum is absolutely gorgeous! I visit it every time I’m in Washington and it’s beautiful in every season. The trail you get to take through the fields and then through the forest is breathtaking and serene. The architecture and landscape design here are exceptional. The lily pond in the center of the main gallery is soooo beautiful! And I haven’t even mentioned the displayed art collections! In short: it’s fantastic, do yourself a favor and visit. Note: if you haven’t bought tickets in advance, you can take free bus to Glenstone and receive tickets this way. Directions are on their website.

I love this museum. Ive been there for myself and also had the chance to photograph an engagement session there. So much to see and the museum grounds are so large you never have to worry about a crowd. So much color and art. Also a great, unique spot for an engagement session thats not cliche.

Great exploration to wander with a student! Didn’t need reservations when going with a student, which made the spontaneous day at Glenstone feel good. This felt like a sculpture park, with the bonus of ac buildings on a warm day and an-actually-delicious cafe. Food is art too, and it’s nice that they put some thought into food pairings here. Gluten free options were very available, which was refreshing. One of the art exhibits made me feel something deep, and that made it worth the trip. Gorgeous grounds to wonder around on.

I hadn't heard of this place until recently, and it was a gem. Several large sculptures are spaced at intervals along a path which winds through all sorts of wonderful flora, and there are a few fine art museums further along the path (which also winds through woods and along ponds, with benches at many intervals). I wouldn't recommend this place to a person who uses a wheelchair, but for people in distress, there are a few places along the trail where a call for assistance can be made, if necessary. The walk was decent, but some people might find it strenuous. It's a private museum on private land which is available to organized tours as well as independent visitors. Parking space is limited, so tickets must be secured in advance. ~ I did not visit/eat at the patio cafe, as I assumed it would be a bit too expensive for my budget (this is Potomac, after all), but the art exhibits inside the museums were outstanding. This is not an ideal place to bring young children, as they will almost certainly become too tired and bored to finish this walk; but for adults who appreciate art, exercise, and nature, Glenstone Museum offers all of these in one. (Even their minimalist "White Box" bathrooms were inspired!) I would like to return.

It’s a really pretty museum - while it takes some effort to get there, it’s totally worth it! It also kind of remind me of Karuizawa, Japan. Summer is definitely a great time to visit, with all shades of green. The walk at the trial is really pleasant, and the museum even incorporated some outdoor artworks in the trial, making it feels like a treasury hunt!

This is not your ordinary museum. Bring comfortable walking attire and be ready to have nature be part of the experience. The exhibits are spread out across acres of rolling greenery and trees and ponds. They are in building and outside of them as well. You can look at them, go inside of them, or sit and enjoy the sounds they make. This is a wonderful multi sensory experience for art lovers of all ages, races, and backgrounds.

One of the more remarkable and memorable recent museum experiences I've had. The architecture is edificial and yet submits graciously to the carefully curated works. Each piece has room to breathe allowing for contemplation and mindful appreciation. The meadow and woods are an invigorating contrast that make the entire visit feel grounded and complete.

Absolutely wonderful establishment where visitors may enjoy rather unique indoor and outdoor exhibits! We began going to Glenstone for Jazz on the Patio on Saturdays in September and what an amazing experience we had! The staff are so attentive, the grounds so well kept, and we loved the live music performed by Tripleroot, a local jazz band - @triple.root is their Instagram handle. They performed nonstop for over 2 hours and it was such a lovely concert in a beautiful setting. The hummus and pita chips we ordered were delicious too. We look forward to returning every season and walking the property to enjoy more of the 400 acres, especially the plants, trees, and wildlife! Also worth noting is that military members and teachers have guaranteed entry to Glenstone which means advance ticket reservations are not required.

Such a calm and serene space. Quiet and very modern buildings with fascinating art. While it’s free to enter, you need to make a reservation and leave your pets and kids at home, as they’re not allowed. Can’t wait to come back in another season.

Really gorgeous place. I preferred the outdoor sculptures, but my friend loves impressionist art so she really liked indoors. Also, you aren’t allowed to take pictures anywhere except for outside, so get your notes app ready to write down the name of the art and its artist! We were able to enjoy a guided tour with a horticulturist as well! Learned some cool facts, that came in handy when we left the tour. Questions about architecture choices (how plants were kept) were answered and the weather was delightful. MASSIVE outdoor grounds. Put on sneakers or at least comfortable shoes. If you saunter and take a stop to eat at the cafe, i’d say you could spend at the very least 4 hours. Only this is that i’d probably enjoy the place more in spring or summer. There’s one sculpture that look beautiful with blooming flowers on it, but unfortunately we didn’t get to see all the colors. We still loved it though :) Lastly, we got free tickets in advance a month before our entry. Thanks, Glenstone.

Embracing the art of life at Glenstone, a reminder that beyond our routines, there’s a world waiting to be explored. A perfect combination of nature and art 🌿 Make sure to get free tickets in advance on their website. You will love this place!

What a fantastic place ! It is better to reserve tickets in advance. Admissions is free. Glenstone is a mixture of nature, art, architecture, and history all rolled up in to one integrated place. Go and enjoy!

Every aspect of Glenstone has been fully thought through: from the minimalist architecture, the undulating landscape, the outdoor art installations, even the chic grey staff uniforms. It’s the perfect venue for the current Ellsworth Kelly retrospective. My TOP TIPS: 1. Make reservations way in advance. Tickets are free but they sell out quickly. 2. Wear comfortable footwear, especially if you plan to walk the trails. 3. Engage with the staff. While they respect your space, they’re more than happy to give background information. 4. Plan a return visit. In the winter, for example, the grounds have an austere otherworldly feel; it makes for a different experience.

The largest private contemporary art museum in the US, surrounded by over 200 acres of nature. It's a treat visiting this place. Walk on the trail slows down and prepares the mind to take in the art hosted in the galleries. The architecture of Glenstone is special. Natural light fills the pavillions through skylights and enormous windows while the water court is as captivating as the art itself. The entry is free but limited to a certain number of visitors per day, so it's best to book your visit in advance.

The visit to Glenstone definitely lived up to my expectations. Beautiful art and grounds . I went in late May when lots of things were in bloom (including the flowers on split rocker) before it was too hot. You can visit anytime of year, but I think the best time would be to visit between May-October to increase your chance of seeing as many of the outdoor and indoor exhibits. Check the website for further details but some of the outdoor exhibits are closed certain months to avoid freezing and other harsh weather. Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and maybe some bug spray - beautiful trails but minimal shade in the fields. Outside food not allowed, but you can carry bottled water in and outdoors

A nice experience to walk the grounds and be able to take as much time as you need to view the various exhibits. A few were undergoing construction (including one of the cafes) while we were there so that was a bit disappointing but overall a nice experience. The weather will play a big role in the experience since the exhibits are a good walking distance from the entrance (unless you take the shuttle). The pavilion had several different exhibits which provided an entire indoor experience. No picture taking inside the pavilion.

Beautiful museum including outdoor art installations, beautiful grounds, understated modern architecture with an impressive pond space in the middle. Guides are spaced throughout the facility and very knowledgeable on all the spaces and pieces. For anyone with a curious mind and an eagerness to explore, this is a great space for you to check out.