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Glenstone, Potomac, MD

Photo: Fuzheado, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsDate NightFree

Glenstone

12100 Glen Rd · Potomac, MD

Why you should go…

Glenstone is a contemporary art museum on a 230-acre campus in Potomac, founded by Mitchell and Emily Rales. You walk a path of about a third of a mile through landscaped grounds to reach the galleries, passing outdoor works by artists such as Jeff Koons, Richard Serra and Tony Smith. The Pavilions surround an 18,000-square-foot Water Court planted with waterlilies, irises and rushes. Admission is always free, but visits must be scheduled in advance.

  • #art museum
  • #contemporary art
  • #sculpture garden
  • #free museum

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Glenstone, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Great Falls Park

    Under $25

    Watch the Potomac River crash over a series of cascades from three overlooks, then hike the cliffs above Mather Gorge.

    4.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Theatre & Events
    Date Night

    Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

    Free

    Catch a summer concert at the open-air Filene Center or a children's show in the woods at the only national park for the performing arts.

    8.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Rock Creek Park

    Free

    Hike, bike or ride wooded trails along Rock Creek through the city and stop at historic Peirce Mill.

    13 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Dumbarton Oaks

    Free

    See Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art in a Georgetown mansion, then wander terraced gardens designed by Beatrix Farrand.

    14 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

    Free

    Walk two huge hangars at Dulles Airport holding Space Shuttle Discovery, an SR-71 Blackbird and a Concorde.

    15 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Date Night

    The Phillips Collection

    Under $25

    See Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party and the Rothko Room in a Dupont Circle house museum.

    15 mi awayMore like this