Reviews of Glenstone (Museum)

padma prasad

A most enchanting museum. Set in a magical location, the museum is incorporated into the land, with gorgeous vistas of grasslands casually splattered with wild flowers, tranquil water bodies and majestic trees. The geometric lily pond within the museum feels like walking into Monet's painting. To see art in such conditions was a spiritual experience. They have a collection of great 20th century modern/post-modern art. Currently showing Louise Bourgeois, whose statement: "I bear the map of the world on my skin, but I can't locate myself"---moved me immensely.

Suzanne Ehlers

Amazing. Visit, more than once, and give yourself time.

simon blood

Really great art and landscaping

Lyndi Scott

Great art and atmosphere. Half the exhibit is inside and half is outside, loved that combination. Would recommend if you enjoy modern, cubist, pop, and multimedia art. They have umbrellas you can use for the rain or the sun. Photography is for private use only.

Eric Yen

You can not miss this museum. Pictures do not do it justice. Just go and bring some water if its a hot day. Absolutely wonderful.

Mark Hamilton

What an elitist, horrible place. I have two children that have experienced many of the best museums for art, culture and architecture in the world and they were unable to attend this museum. It is apparently listed on the museum website but not in clear enough view for those of us with well behaved children who appreciate quality museums. Why have a museum if it is not accessible for all to enjoy.

Alex B.

Amazing new venue (opened October 2018). Museum is located in the D.C. suburb of Potomac, MD on 130 acres of lush countryside. Outside exhibits include topiary designs, ponds, winding trails. Inside are beautiful arts of work by world renowned artists. Mr. Rales and his wife have created a magnificent museum and associated pavilions.

Brandy C

I love this place! How can a place combine art, architecture, and nature so well.

Aarti Bansal

Tucked away in Potomac, Glenstone is among the DMV's most artistic museums. Even the architecture of the buildings and landscaping are works of art! Definitely worth the drive from NOVA/DC and the numerous attempts over the past 6+ months to finally secure tickets! Tickets are available precisely at 10am on the 1st Wed of the month, and sold out in less than a minute. You gotta be stealthy! It takes 2-3 hours to leisurely visit all of the exhibits and explore the grounds. We got there around 3:45pm with just over an hour left before the museum closed at 5pm - definitely wasn't enough time! The expansive property is like a maze full of trails in a large loop. It reminds of walking through IKEA. Would be nice if dogs were welcomed outdoors. You can't take photos inside the Pavilions and some of the exhibition halls. The Andy Goldsworthy Clay Houses and Sound Exhibit close sharply at 4pm. We sadly missed the Houses as they were closing right when we got there and the staff abrasively turned us away along with a mother/daughter. The expansive 300 acre property is full of sculptures, paintings, and unique art forms made from different textures and materials.The Charles Ray "Baled Truck" is captivating with its heavily compressed composition made from solid stainless steel at the Pavilions. The Felix Gonzalez-Torres "Untitled" water installation was fascinating to watch water flowing between the circular stone slabs right outside the Gallery. Even the food is art form! The Curry Pumpkin soup was bursting with flavor while the scrumptious Tacos served at the Gallery was a nice treat! There were cool T-shirts with empowering phrases freshly painted in black (I saw people stealing them, I held off!) The Koi pond carved out in the center of the Pavilions building was truly the centerpiece! The aquatic gardens feel like a nice oasis from the museum's drab white walls. The sweeping views of the beautiful meadow and hilltop from the Reading Room left me awestruck. Definitely a great cozy spot to read a book! The grumpy staff dampened my experience. They were unwelcoming and stone cold like the structures. They couldn't crack a smile on their face. We got there after our allotted time slot around 3:45 and were almost turned away and hassled by the staff for the late arrival albeit I had called ahead informing the staff. I would love to come back (if I can get tickets!) to leisurely explore the grounds and get a close-up of the beautiful floral dinosaur Jeff Koons Split Rocker structure and peek inside the Clay Houses.

Mike D

I have been multiple times now and I love it. First time was for the Fred Sandback exhibit and I was hooked. The new Pavillions is a beautiful space and Emily Rales does a great job, even down to the small details. Wear your hiking boots (or walking shoes) so you can walk the grounds with comfort, the landscape architecture is wonderful to enjoy.

Richard Boly

Worth the wait for tickets.

Izabela Benjamin

I like the idea of limiting the number of visitors in order to better the quality of the experience but having to reserve tickets 3-4 months in advance is a bit excessive. As for the collection - I liked the outdoor part though it's pretty sparse. The indoor part is not exactly my cup of tea but, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, everyone has to decide for themselves. I liked the architecture of the pavilions. Very spacious, modern, concrete structures. There is also an inner courtyard water garden which is a nice, kind of meditative space. One more thing I liked were the community tables in the restaurant. What a great idea to encourage conversations between strangers.

Laura Fries

Really beautiful and special place. Be sure to wear walking shoes and give yourself plenty of time. The art is spaced thoughtfully and they have an impressive collection. The docents are friendly and well prepared. The cafe had a limited menu, but good food. We were there 3 hours and it wasn't nearly enough time, especially to walk the grounds.

Frank Bennett

Washingtons newest modern art museum. Impressive archtecture, incredible interpretive staff who have studied the artists. Good coffee and sweet potato scones!

Laura Bellows

Loved every exquisite, minimalist detail.

D Jeff

Amazing experience!! I can’t decide what I loved more - the Gallery or the outdoor exhibits. What a relief from a tough work week. So relaxing and an impressive quality of modern art - Pollack, Warhol, Calder, etc.

nikki manoussos

The staff are wonderful. The grounds are amazing. Art collection is unparalleled. DON'T SKIP THE CAFE!!!!! Food was delicious in a beautiful setting. Staff wonderful. Thankfully we live 5 mins away, we will be visiting often!!!! Wish kids were allowed.

Matt Grice

Simply AWESOME ART. <3

J. Liu

Beautiful exquisite modern art.

Shivani S. Purvis

It is the few places on Earth I naturally fall into an almost meditative state looking or experiencing the views and the outside installations. I keep going on unseasonably hot days and still wish I had more time there.

Jorge Kulionis

Impossible to get tickets. The very limited number of visitors allowed daily makes impossible to get tickets if you didn't make into the very limited time frame to make reservations. The option to get in if you ride the local bus is not feasible if you are out of state or try to bring overseas visitors.

Walid Nazari

Amazing place to visit, the expansion is a great addition. A great place if you love art!

Francine Seltzer

Amazing art, space, sculptures, & other wonderful exhibits.

Dana Render

What a neat place to go to! It's a mixture of an arboretum and a museum all in one. It is not open every single day so keep that in mind and be sure you call before you go. Photography cannot be taken inside of the museum but you're welcome to photograph the grounds and the sculptures outdoors. This is the perfect mix of someone who is a nature enthusiasts and also appreciates modern art.

nikki york

Glenstone is 100% worth a visit. The grounds are lovely the art is engaging and varies. You are encouraged to stroll and as opposed to being told by 1 docent about the art they have one per room and you can ask about the pieces in the room or a specific piece. 1no pictures indoor, which only matters to me because I like to take pictures of the artists name so I can recall it.

M. Brogan

Amazing unique museum! Spacious outdoor sculpture garden. Wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking on dirt trails and boardwalks. Indoor museum has a beautiful meditative view of a pond with Water Lillies throughout. Sci-Fi uniforms of the docents adds to the allure of the minimalist atmosphere.

Matthew McDowell

There collection of art and architecture and landscaping goes so well with each other. The guides are super nice and there uniforms are the coolest outfits I've ever seen. You pull up the place and it's like a scene from black mirror (though not as scary).

Ken

Beautiful buildings and setting. Good docents. I did not like the art.

David Harwell

The grounds are beautifully maintained and feature many varied works of art. The buildings are filled with collections of contemporary art. It will take several hours to see everything if that is even possible. So much beauty to see and much of it is set in nature.

grecks twenty

Nice locations and interesting contemporary art... Different concept for the small restaurant ....portions a little bit small... But still was a good experience

Mike

A great experience for anyone who is even remotely interested in art or even just "finer things in life." If you check and the say they are booked you can call the day of and ask if they are accepting walk ins and the answer is normally yes for small groups.

Freddie Krol

I would like to give it 5 stars but only one docent knew what she was talking about. Can you image that one asked what we wanted to know!!! Another said we should just enjoy the experience! I was a docent at the St. Petersburg Fine Arts Museum in Florida and we had to take and pass a one year course so that we would be knowledgeable enough to introduce the art and artist as well as be able to answer any questions the public may ask.

Charles Nelson

I'm a son went visit the museum. We were both delighted and educated from our visit. I had the opportunity to share with him some of my experiences based on the exhibits and he was able to give his perspective based on his experiences. Too much to see in a single visit but he and I plan to return. I've attached a postcard of one ofhe exhibits that we both found interesting.

Qi Gan

This place is such a quiet, tuck-away museum that at first, it seemed a bit surreal. The exhibit featured currently are those of Louise Bourgeois, to me, thought provoking contemporary pieces, though a bit morbid. Considering the size of the museum, it definitely holds a sizable collection, while worth the visit and is not a quick stroll of the park, per se. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Now to the parts I don’t find as fun, the grounds in itself is kind of boring, considering all much space there is, it feels a bit empty because all there is to see is grass. Though I am sure there is a reason it is not called a garden. The locker system they have seemed a bit at odds with the collection, while the collections are expressive pieces, the locker is out of touch because it is so modern and high tech. I don’t remember having to go to Smithsonian museum and having to put my belongings in a digital locker. Food is okay, though I have better in Ikea, which cost less. Overall, if you like the artist, you will enjoy the place. And there is one or two pieces that is quite witty, if only in a sarcastic humour kind of way.

Richard Davis

The free tickets aren't easy to get, but worth the effort to see an art "farm" not quite like any other. Because visitors are limited, you never have to fight crowds. No photography allowed inside. The art seems to be almost all post-WWII American art. Many pieces are quite large and can't be taken in by standing on one spot.

Laura Peters

The designers/creators of the Glenstone are to be congratulated. The landscaping, concept and collections are memorable, delightful and evolving. I hope to visit Glenstone whenever I am in the area. If you want to visit, reservations for parking are, I believe, necessary.

Al Secen

A fabulous find in suburban Maryland. The art can be challenging to appreciate, but the setting is beautiful. It's wonderful that art patrons are willing to share their treasures with the public like this. Tickets are difficult to score, but are free and surely worth it.

Amy Shaw

Every detail is curated to optimize the visitor's experience. Excellent staff, lovely setting, interesting conversations. It's a wonderful treat.

Lael Cashen

Such a nice place to walk around and spend time!

Sam Whately

Great museum. Unique experience. Timed tickets are difficult to come by so be vigilant. Friendly staff.

Väös V.

Beautiful museum in parksetting. Be sure to book in advance.

Neil Wysocki

Absolutely amazing. The attention to detail and quality of artwork is second to none

Michel Bonard

Beautiful private park with impressive modern art exhibition and wonderful natural landscape. Free access with advance reservation

Andrew Moore

A serene and beautiful experience, as much for the art as for the ethos. Very helpful staff. Take the time to walk the grounds and stop for a meal. Eminently true to their core - art, architecture, landscape.

Eric Jaw

A m a z i n g. Incredible architecture. Step into the future

Scott Hirabayashi

Amazing art collection and museum. Wonderful grounds and some truly rare and beautiful things here.

Jack Fonseca

A more unique experience than any other art museum. Make sure you come on a day you're comfortable spending outside so you can appreciate the architecture and sculptures.

Dan Butler

Stunning and sublime. The 1 star reviewers complaining about the no-children policy should be ignored. The overwhelming serenity, unbroken by the sound of children whining or strollers being assembled was such a welcome departure from typical museums. As for the limited number of visitors allowed, this only enhances the experience. Crowds detract from a museum. Glenstone's founder clearly recognized this, and mimicking the museum's design, the distribution of visitors is minimalist as well.

Harrison Beiser

Wonderful museum on a beautiful property. Food was delicious at both cafes too! Definitely recommend this place. For lunch I had the roast beef sandwich and quinoa/lentil burger along with the delicious sweet potato thyme scones!

Sean Schofield

Amazing if you like modern art. Very limited entry so you need to reserve free tickets way in advance.

Kristian Perry

This is a maybe place. Expect to spend a few hours.

Magdalene Obaji

It is a wonderful Museum!

Amber Lloyd

This could be an awesome experience but staffs energy is inconsistent. We arrived at the Museum at around 4:00. A security guard quickly pulled up on us in the gravel parking lot and told us not to bother going in. He said they have a “hard closing at 5:00,” and all vehicles need to be gone before 5:00. My thoughts were; does it not make more sense for the museum close at 4:30 then? Not to mention he drove up to us at to high of a speed for a gravel parking lot, and never took the time to step out of the vehicle. I felt like he was trying to make some sleazy drug transaction out of his van window. We went on to see a few of the exhibits anyway, before that “hard closing.” Some of the staff was kind and knowledgeable, but other staff members starred at us as we tried to appreciate the artwork and architecture. I didn’t leave feeling positive about the museum, though it was beautiful.

Mary Ann Boyd

Glenstone is a quiet, calming, contemplative experience.

Dirk Heine

Fantastic place. Not just as friendly.

Justin Shaw

Glenstone museum is an oasis of added art in rural Maryland. Book in advance because the few times we went there were no 'day of' tickets. The galleries were sparsely filled with plenty of room to grow. But the atmosphere is perfect. The Take a family have designed the whole experience to ensure your visit is perfect with plenty of helpful docents to discuss the art and answer any suggestions. Plan art least three hours here.

Larry Strassner

This place is an unknown gem. A must see. Awesome!

Elizabeth Campbell

Beautiful in every season. A great escape from the city, inspiring, delights the senses, with tasty treats too. :)

Oren Kessler

Remarkable. I would give it six stars if I could. Tips: 1) They try to accommodate people who show up after 12, even without a reservation. 2) Anyone taking the Ride On Bus Route 301 from Rockville station gets in. It runs a few times a day - see the museum website.

JD Yeh

A state-of-the-art modern art museum. I just went with a party of 6, and we all had a blast even though it was snowing. Tickets are required for admission in order to mitigate crowds and enhance the individual experience, and they are found online at their website. Although the tickets are free, they are booked up quickly. Since they open on the first of every month, I recommend doing what I did: stay up just past midnight and get the reservation. Hope you have an excellent time at this very exclusive, great art collection! HIGHLIGHTS- Jackson Pollock, faucet room, forest exhibit (outside), shapes wall

Andrew Burnett

The expansion is incredible. Must see if you enjoy contemporary architecture.

Aaron Piper

Wonder filled experience, stunning views abound. Can't wait to return.

K M

A museum worth visiting based on the architecture and landscaping alone. The exhibits are well thought out: together they make a cohesive and immersive experience. There are also walking trails, outdoor exhibits, and a coffee shop. You do have to get your tickets online in advance -- they're free but they go quickly.

Caroline Hamric

Phenomenal! A great use of half a day. Get your (free!) tickets in advance online and wear comfortable shoes. The outdoor experience - with sculpture and trails around the grounds - is almost as good as the indoor museum.

Emma

Extremely ♿ disabled or elderly unfriendly, heavy doors with no handicap buttons, including the "wheelchair" bathroom. Signs are not visible. Artist and art names are tiny font located across the gallery from the art, so you have to keep going back to look.

Susan Yee

It's beautiful and serene.

Shriver Winebrenner

I saw a post about this museum on Instagram a few weeks ago and knew I had to go see it. My girlfriend and I both went and were lucky enough to be able to log on the night prior to our visit and snag a couple tickets for a 10AM trip. It is to my understanding that tickets can take months to obtain, so it would be highly recommended to keep an eye on Glenstone's website to see if you can find some. While they are free, they are certainly difficult to come by. Once we arrive, we were definitely speechless and how minimal the Arrival Hall was. The grounds are very modern, well-kept and clean, and the staff in the Arrival Hall were very polite and welcoming to us. After going over the grounds with us, as well as the available exhibits and places to see, we quickly began our self-tour and walked through the fields towards the Pavilions that opened up in October 2018. The fields themselves were gorgeous and you could see the Pavilions peeking through them off in the distance. The Pavilions were absolute breathtaking - it was like stepping into an entirely different world. While minimalism and modern design may not be everybody's style, it was very well done with a balanced mixture of concrete and glass, as well as the surrounding fields and the water garden within the Pavilions. It was very easy to get lost in thought while sitting inside the Pavilions and looking out the the nature through the windows. I would have loved for photography to have been permitted indoors, even if it was only of the architecture and layout of the buildings, but unfortunately it is not - not even with your smartphones. The galleries that occupy the outer edges and rooms of the Pavilions each have their own pieces of art, as well as a different feel for each one. While we did not have much time to view much outside of the Pavilions beyond the cafes a bit south, it was quite nice to disconnect from the world outside and just enjoy the moment, and I plan to come back at the next available chance to do so again.

Nessa Vanessa

AMAZING! Stunning architecture and some of my favorite artists are here. The Michael Heizer piece titled Collapse might be the most moving large scale sculpture I have ever seen.

Wendy Stengel

Take your time. Wander. Wonder. Ask questions. And don't miss the Andy Goldsworthy!

Lauren Bateman

Really beautiful. Great staff. Plan to spend a few hours here.

Paxson Bachus

Pretty much the greatest experience I've ever had for free. Glenstone is an indescribably beautiful and evocative experience. If youre looking for a fun trip to plan, an impressive date idea or the best way to spend a quiet day alone Glenstone is it. To the employees, its not just about the art but about how you EXPERIENCE it. Every inch of the property is designed from the moment you walk in to fascilitate your own preferred mode of interaction with the exhibits. The staff are knowledgable, friendly and happy to be there. Don't think about it JUST GO.

I.E. Xam

World class Art. Free to visit but must make reservation. Be prepared for a bit of walking. Woodland trail is scenic but not a lot of outdoor art on the trail. Pavilions contain all sorts of art- paintings sculptures mixed media etc.

Jane L

I don't have a car so this place is a bit of a haul to get to. On my first visit -- and here's a tip -- I metro-ed out to Rockville and took the 301 Ride On bus to the museum. Not only is the bus free (as of this review), but you are also guaranteed entry without reservations. Second visit my friend drove us out... this, of course, was much faster. What I like most about Glenstone is that the art is displayed in what I believe to be exactly how the artists would want their works displayed; in settings that are so perfect that the art becomes part of the natural environment... outside and inside the galleries. It's truly amazing. Make sure to get the times for the openings of the Heizer sculpture and the Goldsworthy houses when you enter. The Goldsworthy houses are accessible from the pavilion. Meet the guide there, you will walk down together. There are attendants throughout the galleries. Ask them questions, they are very knowledgeable. I'm not the most talkative person but found that just making a quick comment about an installation is enough for a staff member to give great insight on the artist. First visit, we easily spent half the day there. Wound up so hungry we had to eat at the cafe. This was fortuitous as the lentil burger was phenomenal.

Ruby Reardon

Great art and super amazing and friendly staff. You have to be 12+ to come which is no issue. The cafe/restaurant food is really good. I recommend the tea sandwiches which is white bread without crust and cream cheese, cucumbers, micro greens, and green onions. It’s really great experience!!

Charlie Long

I’ve lived in the area for close to a decade and my visit to Glenstone this past week was far and away the best museum experience I’ve had in DC (and one of the best I’ve had in the states). As the museum allows only ~400 visitors per day, spread across different time slots, reservations are booked out for months at a time. By checking the reservations page the week my group wanted to visit, we were able to grab an early, Thursday afternoon slot for three the Tuesday before our visit. The museum also states on the website “If you arrive without a reservation mid-day or later, we will make every effort to accommodate you, space-permitting.” In short, don’t simply give up on visiting if you see the calendar booked out for months. I suspect the museum will only get more popular post re-opening as word continues to spread. The museum itself was spectacular. It is not only the breadth and quality of the collection but the unique space, landscape, and experience. It leans heavy on modern /contemporary art with pieces from ‘heavy hitters’ such as Pollock, Warhol, Basquiat, Duchamp, Koons, Turrell, Rothko, etc. While the artwork was incredible, I was even more impressed with the space. Architect Thomas Phifer designed a set of stark concrete ‘pavilions’ which take you through a minimalist journey into light and space. Glenstone was a WSJ “critic’s choice” for best architecture of 2018 and, unequivocally, it deserves the praise. Glenstone is staffed well beyond ‘needs’ and I found guides to be quite helpful and knowledgeable. The museum doesn’t feature extensive piece descriptions (considering these “didactic text that guides a certain way of thinking”) and instead encourages visitors to engage with attendants if they want to know more. Apparently they’ve been trained to read body language to tell whether guests want to interact or be left alone - pretty wild. Guides also all wear ‘uniforms’ designed by NYC creative Alice Lam. Very chic and striking (minus the New Balance kicks) and they help foster an environment that feels totally disparate from any other modern art experience in DC. I was fortunate enough to visit the modern art museums on Naoshima and Teshima Islands in Japan this past year. Glenstone clearly draws substantial inspiration from their concepts, collections, and architecture (at least the Chichu Museum). The fact that a comparable experience is offered on the East Coast of the United States, 25 minutes from DC, for free is such a remarkable opportunity. Glenstone is a must see! _______________ Quick Hits/Tips: - Free! - Budget 3.5 - 4.5 hours if possible to get a full experience - Realistically, inaccessible by public transport; need car - No kids under 12 - No photography indoors - 240 Acres = wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk the grounds - Favorite piece, “Collapse” by Michael Heizer inside Room 5. Visitors (groups of three) are offered escorted access to the space daily from noon – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., weather permitting

Ed Baranoski

An amazing experience. Beautiful architecture housing an astounding display of modern art.

Dipak Oza

Nice museum with diverse art objects. A pleasant and expansive area to visit outdoor art.

Bill Hliwa

What a fabulous destination! Unfortunately, it was raining heavily when we were there, so another visit is in order, in warmer weather, to fully enjoy the grounds in addition to the exhibits. Bravo!

Marc Neilson

Undoubtedly one of the region's most stunning and significant art museums. It may be difficult to get reservations, but the wait is worth it. The architecture of the buildings alone is enough to satisfy the art lover. Particularly stunning are the grounds, immaculately kept and planned down to the location of each tree. The exhibitions are decidedly modern with a nice mix of classic modern (Pollock, Caulder) and a variety of new artists. Some of my favorites are the massive installation pieces. Some of these pieces are so otherworldly as to bring one into a divine place of thinking and reflection. We were fortunate to visit with snow on the ground which added to the otherworldly feel. With that said, there are also cozy touches such as a cafe and plenty of sitting areas with amazing views. Don't miss the forest behind the patio with music playing in the distance. I feel blessed to have Glenstone literally in my backyard.

Heman Gharibnejad

If you love modern art (which I am so so about) and architecture, this is a place that is so worth visiting outside of DC. You need to drive here and have a reservation, which makes for an enjoyable museum visit away from the maddening crowds of DC. The architecture and the grounds are a great highlight of the museum. You will need to spend at least half the day here.

Dan Barrie

Just extraordinary that this exists in the D.C. region. Rivals any other private art collection facility in the world. Facilities are beautiful and collection is top notch. First-rate examples of 20th century art by well-known artists. Well-balanced collection.

Dan Birnstein

Open spaces, nice displays, super attentive staff, been there twice and will visit again. Cameras not allowed inside, there are free lockers available, there are dining spots.

John Moore

An awesome blending of nature and art!

Jonathan Sabina

The meseum requires reservations but, what the site does not state clearly is that you need reservations just to enter the grounds! My wife has wanted to see this meseum for 2 weeks. We came from out of state and went an hour out of our way on our anniversary just to be turned away at the door. Could not be more disappointed.

Audrey Kyei-Baffour

gorgeous museum, can't wait to return once the gallery opens in September!

Camille Dykes

Possibly the most serene place on earth. If you aren't blown away by the stunning architecture, you will be by the thoughtfully curated collection. It The museum boasts high profile artists including Alexander Calder, Basquiat, and Rothko. It's hard to image this is a private collection! We are truly lucky to have such an museum for free! Tickets become available on their website on the first of every month for the following month. They are almost always gone within a few minutes, so set a calendar reminder and be near your computer. The cafe is delicious and a nice place to take a break. This museum requires a lot of walking, so they have two cafes perfectly placed to rest and recharge is your continue to venture through the gorgeous grounds.

Christopher Redfern

A uniquely memorable environment to showcase a great collection of contemporary art works. And the guides really help you to enjoy the experience. Congratulations!

Frank Jobe

Unique museum experience, to say the least. Lots of open space-and walking! Now, there’s not a lot of crowd-pleasing art, but lots of art to look at. And you can’t complain, really, about anything when there’s free admission! Go check it out; it’s fun

John Wilson

A Unique and Amazing Art Experience...very grateful to the Rales for creating this one of a kind modern art installation.

Kelay Wasthere

Amazing free museum in Potomac MD

Jessica Pena

Glenstone is a architect's dream house. It's a beautiful museum with wonderful exhibits by Jeff Koons and Roni Horn just to name a few.

Kelli Oswalt

Awesome museum! Amazing architecture, beautiful grounds and landscaping, very friendly staff who are knowledgeable and helpful. We weren't able to reserve tickets as they snapped up as soon as they were made available, but we took a chance and just showed up and were allowed to visit. I'm so glad we were able to go!

firas bachi

This place is for art lovers, those who enjoy a lot of walking and watch the art of landscape design. everything there is an art experience on it own. even food.

susan lavine

Reservations required for this museum situated in the Maryland suburbs accessible by bus or car. Wear comfy shoes. Enjoy the cafe or patio cafe to rest. Simultaneously calming as well as stimulating. For modern art, architecture, nature lovers a real treat. Interior galleries and exterior sculptural installations. Best way to stop developers with art!!!

Brian Lempin

Since the expansion opened, WOW such beautiful architecture inside and out! The art work and pieces on display blew my mind, I love seeing rich folks art collections! The drive out was loopy, but on the compound it's just great to stroll the hills and woods and make your way inside to a mesmerizing reflection pool in the center where you are take under ground, and each gallery has it's open tower sticking up from the hills natural sunlight it's dimmed by the glazed glass from the ceiling just enough to make it bright, but not bright enough to ruin the art. Large massive hallways. Future guidance, open all the exhibits when the museum opens, such a waste to wait around two hrs to see an exhibit open when the museum opens at 10am and some exhibits until 12noon?? Overall experience was great, staff was knowledgeable and fashionable in the grey outfits!!!

Judy Dawson

Love the quiet passages through the Pavilion, sometimes alone. Each gallery is a surprise tucked around corners. Gives an unearthly feeling and that's before you view the art. A world-class experience. Will return for water gardens in bloom and to walk the trails. The docents are friendly and knowledgeable. Lunch was satisfying and tea served in it's own pot.

Rory Harper

Just an amazing collection of art and architecture for all. Recommend the Route 301 bus from Rockville Metro Station for those in town too short to get tickets. They accept bus riders without prior reservations.

Stephan Rhea

Beautiful, interesting and worth every minute of my time spent there. I will return

H M

Very Impressive. Very much worth the trip. The art is great and the grounds are beautiful.

Peter Jipp Priya Shyamsundar

Marvelous setting and fabulous art collection this is a must see to add to your list of destinations in the nation’s capital. They have incorporated the landscape into the overall design of the galleries in ways that will surprise and delight you.

Richard Bianchi

Glenstone Museum is one of the most fascinating and utterly intriguing places I have visited . The art is accented only by the absolutely exotic architecture and structural engineering. A perfect day trip for the appreciative palette. A myst see experience!

Austin Graff

The Glenstone is a fascinating FREE museum in Potomac, Maryland funded by billionaires as their way of giving back to the world. Here's why you should visit: 1) Art: They celebrate art, design, and nature by creating several buildings of unique, post-World War II art and an estate of art out in nature you can explore and stumble upon. Photography and phones are discouraged so you can truly connect with the art. 2) Design: Everything is simple and beautiful from the buildings themselves to the staff uniforms. It's all so nice. 3) Exploration: Spend hours here getting lost and exploring the woods, boardwalk, and all the art found outside. 4) Food: The cafe is gorgeous and an award-winning chef whips up locally sourced meals. The museum is free, but you need a ticket you can get from their website. Parking is free, which is good because really the only way there is via car.

Shannon Walker

Very nice private museum. Great day trip.

Gregory Mayflower

Beautiful landscaping, architecture and art. Free to visit, but reservations are necessary.

E R P

Besides the incredible art in a wonderful setting......All the docents were friendly and knowledgeable

Junior kameni-Nitcheu

If i could give this museum a 10 star I would. Such a gorgeous modern take on art and artifacts. If you want to see a museum of the future you are in the right place. ONLY THING ..Make sure it is decent to good weather outside because the museum is split in various buildings, so there is a 5-10 min walk in between buildings. Unfortunately, no photos can be taken indoor.

Tibor V. Varga

Amazing modern museum with a great walk! Truly amazing pieces of art, just breathtaking. Helpful staff is answering all your questions. If you are in the DMV area, this is a MUST! The museum is free but you need to book a ticket well in advance.

Jim Higgins

Amazing place, wonderful modern art. Such generosity to craft such a beautiful place and open it to the public.

Mr K

I'm not an art critic, but I have to say this was a great place to visit. The architecture is stunning and the art is pretty cool too

Jazmin Argueta

I fell in loveeeee! Absolutely amazing... the gallery gave me a bit of anxiety since we couldn’t take photos and all the employees had grey uniforms on BUT So worth it. My dopamine levels were high after leaving.

Dondré S

This is one of the best museums I've been too. It's very exclusive and pretty hard to get tickets for because you have to get tickets 3 months in advanced and they only release tickets on the first of the month. What I loved most about this museum is the architecture. It's incredible how it's built on the water, so much glass and natural lighting. The way that they stagger people into the museum makes it feel like you're alone walking through this big building observing art. It's hands down my favorite museum in the area.

Chelsea Andrews

This place is beautiful! Put some hours aside to come and enjoy the unique pieces of art! I love how you can be inside and outside...theres art in the woods...there's nice little "trails". Overall its a peaceful serene place and the employees are very knowledgeable. I drove 50 mins to visit and it was so worth it.

Joey Walker

Amazing, inside and out!

Dawn

A magical place that instantly transports you to a very different reality. So relaxing and beautiful.

Don Lindsay

Fantastic new museum in addition to the great gallery and grounds. I enjoyed the entire experience. Can't wait to go back in the spring when everything is blooming.

Edie Manza

Spend time outside. Beautiful landscapes and whimsical outdoor sculptures.

Audrey Rygmyr

Very well done. Get tickets in advance!

Michael Love

Landscape, sculptures and architecture create a exquisitely designed space that caused me multiple gasps of delighted astonishment. But please do not go. I do not want any more competition for access.

Tricia Ting

Art should be accessible, not impossible without a reservation. Instead of hiring two guys to stand in the driveway to turn people away with a smile, they should finance some valet parking staff to double park people or run a golf cart shuttle from a nearby lot. This is not the Louvre were even there, crowds may still enjoy rare works or art.

Laura Plenzik

Beautiful and serene museum, art meets landscape in a seamless way. I cannot believe this place is free.

Julia Tolbert

Glenstone is absolutely worth the wait! This museum is well designed and full of thought-provoking shoes. Many pieces are outdoors and the trails are about a mile long, so wear comfy shoes!

Brittani Schneider

Google maps had a problem; directing us to the wrong place, the parking lot was farther down the road. After the fun of driving past big rich people houses we are now waiting until 12 because we did not have a reservation to this free museum. A follow up review with photos is assumed, it's only 11:34 right now and maybe we won't get turned away a according to the guy in this parking lot.

Scott Budzien

Modern art set amidst different gallery buildings on well-kept grounds. A fair amount of walking involved. Nice gallery of distinct rooms jutting off a central promenade maintains a feeling of surprise and discovery. Enjoyed interacting with the art works that way.

Pete Lublin

That wouldn't let me in because I was 45 min. Early..One museum was closed..didnt even tell me that beforehand...Lots of waisted space in the main museum..

Przemek Klosowski

You just HAVE to get to Glenstone. A modern art museum on par with the mainstays of large capitals of the world, in my opinion. The pavillions surround a beautiful lily pond, reminiscent of Monet; the individual rooms contain collections of well-known 20th century artists like Pollock, Warchol, Rothko, Twombly et al., plus very interesting open-air art installations on the large museum grounds.

Gary C. Powell, Ed.D.

Get tickets NOW! I cannot wait to return. The collections are magnificent!

Lydia Harto

What a treat. Beautifully done.

Chuck Sherman

Second visit. First since the pavilions were added. Need to come more often. But it's competitive getting tickets. This visit we were lucky that someone cancelled. This place sets the standard for art, architecture, and landscaping.

Emily Hertig

The Glenstone made me a fan of modern art. Something I believed to be impossible. This museum is nothing I had ever seen before. The museum only admits around 200 people per day and you can enjoy the artwork without the crowding. They're no barriers between you and the art. So you can really take it. None of the work has descriptions next to them, but each room has a "guide" that will be more than happy to provide more information. I will definitely be coming back the wait is worth it!! Please note they will not admit children under 12. As some material is sensitive. Which they clearly say on the website. I saw a family turned away so this rule is inforced.

Joe Marhamati

This is quite literally the best museum in the world. It's surreal and beyond words gorgeous. You absolutely must go

Erik V

Fantastic! I felt the world spin under my feets as I perceived the art.... wowza

Hilda Kroll

When our condo posted the trip to Glenstone, 35 people signed up. After learning of the many restrictions to entrance, 8 people were forced to cancel. These are people who routinely visit other museums in the area. Glenstone is a wonderful place to visit with a nice cafe on the grounds. Because if its status as a non-profit with a tax exemption, they should make Glenstone accessible to more people.

Cooper Lee Kidd

An awesome full day experience for those looking to view modern art in a beautiful picturesque setting.

Jeffery Holley

Bring a hat and walking shoes to this private and modern art gallery and garden. Parking is easy on an unpaved lot; you will be directed where to go by an attendant. After checking in at the Arrivals area (check out the terrific book store) proceed on your tour. Great garden inspiration here, good to visit at different times of year to see the grounds change. Art experience is world class and unexpected in Maryland horse country. Because the guest flow is a slow throttle, no rush of crowds or cranky lines of people or strollers. A fine experience.

James Brister

Great location, great art. Not overcrowded.

James Salt

Showed up with small kids at 4:05. Wasn't allowed to visit.

Bruce Leshan

Loved it. The setting, the art, the architecture, the soundscapes — all just make you feel good. And if you take the bus you can get in even if you can’t get tickets.

Stephen Walls

Amazing experience. Well curated collection presented in sufficient space to admire each piece. Cross your fingers for good weather, the grounds and outdoor sculptures are beautiful.

Natalie Wowk

Amazing experience. Just skip the cafe. Cafe: zero stars for absolutely horrid service.

Miles Fawcett

This museum is stunning. Aside from the actual art, the building and landscaping is worth 1/2 day excursion. The yard ranges from fantastic to curiously interesting. I was most struck by the attention to detail in the architecture. They have slabs of stone that make up the entire ceiling of many parts of the structure. I spent half my time looking up trying to figure out how they did it. every detail of the architecture is thoroughly considered. They custom made fire alarm devices, extinguisher enclosures, store fixtures so that everything fits perfectly together. This will become a regular place for us to go to the museum or just to sit and read.

Cora Shaw

Amazing hidden jewel of a museum. It opened more than a decade ago but it isn’t well known. Reservations are required. We had a 1-hr guided tour of the garden with its installations, a free visit to the gallery and to the other open air installations. The museum is opening its expansion in October 2018 and I can’t wait to go back.

Chad Smith

Awe inspiring. The owners vision regarding this experience is art in itself.

Jerome Stewart

I am going to give this 5 stars because understanding what it is, it is an objectively enjoyable place. Not my cup of tea, but overall it was pretty cool.

Wellington Lee

Exceptional, the finest art and achitecture experience in DC and perhaps amongst the finest in the world.

Harry Hill

It is not what you think of when the word museum is stated. It is a different experience. Not for everyone but a nice experience all the same. The staff are some of the friendliest people I have ever encountered at a museum. It will be a while before we think of going again but it was a very nice Sunday afternoon.

Peter Dennis

Glenstone has expanded and now offers multiple buildings and hundreds of acres to explore. Def worth the trip!

Ivaylo Banev

Its a paradise in a busy world. Short working hours.

C Chu

Great place but different to schedule a tour

Ekaterina B.K.

The collection was thought-provoking but not one I would like to see again! Dark and depressing, I could hardly sleep well that night and saw in my dreams large bones with hung underwear, and grotesque sculptures as well... Having to leave my purse in a locker was insulting to my persona. I will not be back! (Question: Since when is a urinal a work of art?)

Kitty Jenkins

Amazing! Staff are knowledgeable and informative. Only drawback is that the reception desk guy at the first gallery was a bit rude.

Sam Chessman

Glenstone Museum is a treasure often missed in the area. Tickets are free, and go quickly. The integration of landscape, architecture and modern art is overwhelming, and executed flawlessly. There is more than one days worth of exploration here, and I will be back.

Erin Candell

Beautiful grounds. A delicious feel of luxury that left myself and my mother stunned. Tasteful minimalist done in grey, white and steel does it's best not to detract from the beauty of the modern art. Gorgeous new buildings, pieces from noteworthy artists are humbly featured. Wish I could live there! Just drop dead gorgeous. Pictures are not allowed inside else I would attach.

Julie Uno

It took me several months to get the tickets online to Glenstone but I'm glad I persevered. Glenstone feels unique in the way you meet the art. Everything feels intentional and open. Perhaps because the number of visitors is so limited, the experience feels very personal. I'd like to go back in the fall.

cecile wong

New expansion of bldgs & grounds are beautiful. Immense art works are awesome.

Lea Smith

Fantastic! Worth the wait! Cafes were incredible and very friendly. The grounds are incredible explore....

Alyssa Tope

Wow. So beautiful and well designed. They truly accomplish their goal of merging landscape, art, and architecture. I can't wait to visit in every season and see how it changes.

Deiver Castro

I guess they don't think engaging kids in art at early childhood is important.

James Martin

Very impressive collection indoors, but sparse outdoor sculpture. Gorgeous modern facilities, but some areas still being built/added to. The walking path gets a bit rough in places.