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The Beer Can House
The Beer Can House
River Oaks
view website222 Malone Street
Houston, 77007
713-926-6368
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age Kids
Pre-Teens & Teens
Special Collection
Roadside Landmark
The Beer Can House Description
It might look like a recycling project gone wild, but it wasn't environmental concerns that led the late John Milkovisch to side his house entirely in beer cans. It was purely practical in nature -- he just had a lot of beer cans. He didn't stop with the siding -- the railroad worker with the good-humored spouse showed painstaking craftsmanship creating everything from front gates to minimalist art, all out of thousands of bleached, flattened and lovingly put together beer cans. The longer you stay, the more you appreciate it for what it is: an artist's labor of love. Or, as one wowed 15-year-old put it, "A place with great Karma."
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: It's definitely a don't-touch kind of place, which can be a challenge in light of all the shiny, hanging objects.
Pre-Teens & Teens: They'll be amused by the fact that it's made with beer cans, but that won't be their focus -- what they'll love is the unconventional art.
Planning Notes
- Odd duck. It sounds odd, but once you're here, the house is hard to leave -- there's just something about it. The joy is in investigating all the little nuances, so don't expect to run in and out in a hurry.
- Go to the video tape. A video in the living room includes an interview with Mr. Milkovisch, enlightening visitors about his quirky project and why he did it.
- Guest book. Take a gander at the notes people leave in the guest book in the kitchen. It's a window into just how much this cheerful little place has affected people.
- Strawberry Fields. The house is part of a section of town known for quirky art. To see some more, make a side trip to David Adickes' Sculptorworx Studio (ask at the Beer Can House for directions), where kids will be wowed by 36-foot tall statues of the Beatles and giant presidents' heads.
- Fancy cars. Another side trip: the Art Car museum, a gallery full of funky folk art on wheels, located about 5 minutes from the Beer Can House.
Just the Facts
Hours: Sat.-Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
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What's Nearby?
- Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark 103 Sabine Street
Houston, 77002
713-222-5500 29.761017777777777 -95.37532583333333 - Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, 77005
713-639-7300 29.726576944444446 -95.39060388888889
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