MONTROSE. Part of the Menil Collection, this contemporary structure fashioned of glass and stone houses the western hemisphere's only intact Byzantine frescoes. The two 13th-century works were stolen from a chapel in Cyprus and cut apart to be sold. Acquired by the museum with the blessing of the Church of Cyprus, the dome and apse were restored and are now housed in this custom building, which approximates the size and shape of the original chapel.

MUSEUM DISTRICT. Occupying a highly visible stainless steel structure in the Museum District, CAMH is dedicated to the art of our era, especially that of the last forty years. Its scope is national and international, and while the facility doesn't acquire art, it does present fascinating exhibitions that illuminate the multitude of connections between art and life. A great place to expand your own definitions of art and to challenge your appreciation of what's beautiful.

MONTROSE. This addition to the Menil museum complex houses large canvases and sculptures by contemporary American artist Cy Twombly. The building, designed by Renzo Piano, is in itself fascinating. Especially interesting is an inventive light-filtering system that diffuses natural light through a series of mechanical louvers and stretched cotton fabric.

MONTROSE. Dominique and John de Menil commissioned architect Renzo Piano to design this steel-and-cypress building to showcase their extensive art holdings - considered one of the country's finest private collections. Modern works, tribal and ethnic art, and antiquities are well-represented, and surrealist works are prominent, especially those by Magritte. Also included in the complex are the Cy Twombly Gallery, Rothko Chapel, Richmond Hall (a Dan Flavin installation), Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, and a bookstore. An amazing assemblage of periods and works.

MUSEUM DISTRICT. Founded in 1900, the MFAH is Texas's first art museum and one of the nation's largest. Its holdings represent the range of history, and its collections include Renaissance and Baroque items, Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, and African gold pieces. Along with the museum's campus structures, the MFAH includes Cullen Sculpture Garden, 18 acres of public gardens, and two historic house museums in the River Oaks neighborhood: Bayou Bend and Rienzi. Traveling exhibitions bolster the museum's own 51,000 works. Cafe on premises.