I had the opportunity to attend their open house earlier today entitled Seasons of Celebration…read more They have been honoring African exhibits for 40 years! This non-profit museum is one of few specifically representing African Art. Mrs. Doris Ligon is the founder and director. She is extremely knowledgeable of the pieces and her compassion shows. They are responsible for the inclusion of an African Unit for Howard County elementary schools. Third graders learn about Kenya and sixth graders, Ghana. They are planning to go back to South Africa in 2021 for 14 days with an opportunity to go to Dubai or Egypt for three days pre or post trip. They were authors present of the books Children Are Gifts, Thank You God series, and The Gift of Criticism and others. Soon they will host a Bishop from the Largest African church of Angola and a jazz event soon! I was so inspired, I became a member and volunteer!

This is a small museum in Columbia, Maryland, devoted to art from all parts of Africa. The founder,…read moreMs. Ligon, who is now 90, gave us a tour. Everything is squeezed into three rooms, so you could easily see it all in 15 minutes, but Ligon is talkative (in a charming way), so we were there for about an hour. I wouldn't go to Columbia just to see it, but if you're there, it's worth a visit.

I simply cannot believe that this lovely museum in Baltimore was FREE!! We spent about two hours…read moreexploring the 3 floors of art, artifacts and exhibits. We were lucky enough to see the Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture exhibit that showcased her various works and costumes that were made for The Black Panther, which was super cool. A great way to spend a morning or afternoon and cannot complain that it was free!!

Cost: Free (!) Neighborhood: Mount Vernon…read moreHow much time? 60-100 minutes, maybe. Depends on exhibits and how much you like certain time periods Baltimore Reviews 9/11: I went to this wonderful free museum, located in the historical Mount Vernon neighborhood, while traveling through the city with a couple of others, though apparently I had been there about 10 years earlier when I went to Baltimore for an Orioles game. The space was well air-conditioned, and there were several floors for us to explore. The special exhibit was about contemporary jewelry maker Douriean Fletcher and her exhibition, Jewelry of the Afrofuture, which showcased her modern designs and how she drew inspiration from her ancestry and other African countries. She's probably best known for Black Panther, and the exhibit did a good job of comparing while also including some other useful information. It was nice overall and well spaced. Otherwise, we went to the top and made our way down through the various floors, though we didn't take as much time as I would have liked, since we left at one point to go back to the hotel and get ready for the convention center. My favorite sections were probably on the Middle East and ancient Asia, as there was an impressive amount of antiques, ranging from bowls and jugs to statues and other items. The sections containing European artifacts were also nice, with a good hall to relax in, though I've never been the biggest fan of works from the Italian Renaissance. Some spaces felt a bit discombobulated, but there was a ton of stuff there to see, so it's hard to complain. Overall, we had an excellent time. If you want to see a wide variety of things and prefer more historical objects over modern art, I would heavily recommend this museum. It's hard not to, as it's free, though I did give them a small donation, as they definitely deserved it.

Not your typical art museum and that is why it is a Five Star experience. Funky and fun (and…read morepoignant) art work by those who are not typically featured in a museum. This strikes me as somewhat similar to the two excellent Kohler Art museums in Wisconsin. Super interesting and thought provoking especially the stories of many of the artists accompanying their work. The main museum building is a work of art itself. The gift shop is a riot. Hands down the best and craziest museum gift store. Thank goodness my friend recommended this stop. Heads up on parking - the meters on the street are way way cheaper then the Rusty Scupper lot across the street. This place is a gem. Don't miss it!

I've lived in the Baltimore area for quite some time now and I can't believe I've never been to the…read moreAmerican Visionary Art Museum. I mean how can you pass by the mirrored egg or the golden hand and not think to find out what type of dope art is hidden inside. With so many unique pieces to look at I took my time leisurely strolling through the two buildings for the museum. Welcomed by a half naked mannequin with wings floating in the center of the stairs, you can't help but be intrigued to learn more about the artists work. There was so much to take in with every turn. I especially liked the homage to the staples of Baltimore's culture in the second building. And we can't forget about the gift shop that I literally could've spent hours in just rummaging through all the eclectic finds. I'm happy I finally bit the bullet to visit the American Visionary Art Musuem, and I look forward to a return visit to see all the things I missed.

What a lovely gallery! There was so much to see. A nice variety of art. I spent most of my time in…read morethe impressionist galleries. It wasn't crowded at all and it was easy to meander from room to room. The Garden Cafe was decent. They need more staff through. They had one person both clearing tables and serving food. She was working quickly but the wait was long.

I gave up taking pictures after a while because each exhibit room felt like more of the same. It…read morestarted to feel like I was living out Groundhog Day--every wall was filled with similar-looking portraits. While the subjects were different people, the artwork had such a similar style that it all began to blend together. I don't even think I took any pictures. I've never seen so many portraits in one museum before. It felt like room after room was filled with similar-style paintings, and after a while, it became repetitive and honestly exhausting. I found myself rushing through many of the galleries, and at one point I was so bored I started hiding from my daughter while she explored. Don't get me wrong--the artistry is incredible. The painting techniques, attention to detail, and craftsmanship are truly impressive. My only criticism is that the sheer number of similar portraits made the experience feel monotonous. By the time I reached exhibits featuring other cultures and artistic styles, I was already experiencing museum fatigue, which made it harder to fully appreciate those collections. A little more variety throughout the galleries would have made the overall experience much more engaging.

Glenstone has been on my shortlist of cultural places to visit for a while! Everything is so…read morebeautiful and engaging to the senses. From the moment you arrive to the walking path, outdoor installations, and the patios and galleries - it is quite the site to see. The team is gracious and helpful if you have questions or would like to learn more about the art. I went on a weekday midday, and I need to go back to take it all in. It got a little hot in the direct sunlight, though each building had umbrellas, which was super helpful. There was plenty of outdoor seating and spaces to reflect and contemplate and just take it all in. I can't wait to go back with my friends and family. I'd love to make it a regular spot - you can accomplish a lot! Reflection, legit exercise :-) art, appreciation, and a yummy meal all at once. Loved it!

This museum is absolutely worth a visit with both friends and family…read more I booked a 1:30 p.m. Sunday entry and arrived about 20 minutes late without any issues. Crowd levels were manageable when I arrived, with only a brief wait to check in, but it was noticeably busier when I left around 3:00 p.m., with about 10 people waiting in line. The experience includes both indoor and outdoor art, so be prepared for a fair amount of walking, including some uphill sections. Plan on spending 2-3 hours if you want to see everything. I also recommend booking tickets at least a couple of weeks in advance. When I visited, all remaining time slots for the day were sold out. Because of the extreme heat, part of the grounds was closed during my visit. The museum provided white umbrellas for sun protection, which I highly recommend, even if you have a hat and sunglasses and the stamina of a horse. Just note that umbrellas are not permitted inside the pavilions or gallery buildings. One thing that could be improved: I found only one water station, and it dispensed warm water. There are benches throughout the property, but much of the outdoor area is unshaded so on hot days you're unlikely to sit for long. The map provided at check-in was very helpful for navigating the grounds. AC is ample in all the buildings including the food venues. My favorite installations were Alex De Corte's exploration of humor, satire, violence, and tenderness through neon installations in The Pavilions and Faith Ringgold's "Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?" You'll have to check them out for yourself to see why!

I like SAAM because the works are modern, recent. There are traditional paintings here, to be sure,…read morebut also photography; art produced by self-taught artists; "arts & crafts"; creations made for specific eras, such as New Deal, Gilded Age; media art; etc. It's a lovely hodgepodge of America, and certainly not stuffy. I often feel like a kid when observing the exhibitions. The pieces are sometimes playful, sometimes eccentric, at times sinister, but always thought-provoking. Does it speak to you or doesn't it? You get to decide! We all live in the world of the present--it's a pretty crazy place, too. The art at SAAM represents this to a certain extent, perhaps more relatable than you might expect. Give SAAM a try. It has a little bit of everything.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm pretty much uncultured swine when it comes to art. I'm not a…read morefan of art where I can't distinguish whether it was done by an amateur or professional. I dislike when art is more about the concept or the context over skill and beauty. I understand that beauty's in the eye of the beholder, but I'm just saying that this beholder was unimpressed. I will say that a portion of the museum was closed - maybe that's where the more impressive art pieces were held. If you aren't a fan of contemporary or modern art, I don't think you'd enjoy this museum.

The Hirshhorn Museum is easily one of my favorite modern art museums in Washington, DC. Every visit…read moreoffers something new to discover, and the museum itself is as impressive as many of the exhibits it houses. A few highlights from my visit: Beautiful, clean, and modern space that complements the artwork perfectly. The museum's unique multi-level circular layout makes it easy to navigate and explore. Every turn seems to reveal a new exhibit, installation, or piece of art that invites you to stop and reflect. A great mix of modern and contemporary works that appeal to both casual visitors and art enthusiasts. Clean, well-maintained facilities throughout the museum. Bathrooms are conveniently located on the lower level and easy to find. Free admission makes it an easy recommendation for anyone visiting the National Mall. One of my favorite aspects of the Hirshhorn is how immersive the experience feels. As you move through the circular galleries, each corner offers something different to see and experience. The museum encourages exploration, and it's easy to lose track of time wandering between exhibits. Overall, the Hirshhorn is a must-visit for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art. Between its striking architecture, thoughtfully curated exhibits, and welcoming atmosphere, it's a place I return to whenever I'm in DC.

This is a pretty cool museum, but they REALLY overhyped the Basquiat x Banksy collaboration. There…read morewas one piece of Banksy art which was a take on a Basquiat piece. The Basquiat collection was also pretty sparse. Mr. Smithsonian should be ashamed. I hope he's looking up and reading this. The museum's upper floors are 2 concentric circles so I'd recommend doing 2 loops around to avoid missing anything. There were displays with videos, lights, paint, and other media. I enjoyed exploring. The sculpture garden was closed when I was there, so I was unable to see anything there. I also don't know what was on the ground floor besides the entrance and the cafe. Seemed like something else should have been there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth a visit for sure and I enjoyed my time. But I was drawn in by the false hype.

If you're into the arts, check out the workshops and art gallery inside the Mansion at Strathmore…read more There's a parking lot near a garden full of sculptures and chairs to enjoy the view. Walk inside to the mansion to find an art gallery throughout. Here, they host afternoon tea, crafts, story time, and more. My nine-year-old daughter loves their gift shop!

Attended the afternoon tea experience at the Strathmore Mansion in May 2025. Probably one of the…read morebest tea services in the area for the value. Their signature blend tea is really flavorful and available for purchase in their gift shop. Everything was laid out on the table when we arrived so we were able to enjoy ourselves. Great variety of sandwiches, desserts and a scone. The caterer did a fabulous job with the food prep. I'm not a fan of macarons so that was the only item I didn't taste. The chicken sandwich was the only one that was missing something, but it still tasted very good. They host teas during the week and on one Saturday each month. The weekend dates sell out pretty fast. Definitely worth a try! And parking is right there so you can get decked out for your tea experience and not have to worry about walking too far!