The Beer Can House
- Admission
- $5 for adults, free for children 12 and under
- Hours
- Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Duration
- 30-45 minutes
- Parking
- Free street parking is available along Malone Street and surrounding residential roads.
- Access
- The exterior yard and viewing areas are wheelchair accessible, but the interior of the house has steps and narrow passages.
This whimsical folk art landmark is a suburban home covered in an estimated 50,000 flattened beer cans. Started in 1968 by retired upholsterer John Milkovisch, the house features beer-can siding and dangling garlands that chime in the wind. Remarkably, he began the project simply to avoid mowing his lawn.
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What started in 1968 as a quirky home improvement project by retired upholsterer John Milkovisch eventually transformed into one of Houston's most iconic folk-art landmarks. Over the course of nearly two decades, Milkovisch covered his entire bungalow with an estimated 50,000 aluminum beer cans.
Visitors today can admire the intricate patterns of flattened cans siding the house, as well as the dangling garlands made of beer tabs that chime in the Texas breeze. The creative reuse of materials extends to the yard, which features fences made of bottles and concrete paths inlaid with colorful marbles and buttons.
Now preserved by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, this monument to recycling and eccentric creativity stands as a testament to one man's hatred of mowing the lawn. It remains a beloved, shimmering slice of Houston's offbeat cultural history.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Take time to listen closely, as the hanging beer-can pull tabs act as wind chimes that sing in the breeze.
- ◆ Visit on a sunny afternoon when the light catches the aluminum cans and makes the entire house sparkle.
- ◆ Check the official website ahead of time, as interior tours and access to the grounds are generally restricted to weekends.
- ◆ Combine your visit with other nearby Orange Show sites, like the Orange Show Monument or Smither Park, for a full day of folk art.
Heads Up
- ◆ Street parking in this quiet residential neighborhood is highly restricted; pay close attention to posted signs and avoid blocking neighbors' driveways.
- ◆ Respect the neighborhood and do not trespass on the property or touch the fragile aluminum displays when the site is closed.
Common questions
Can you go inside the Beer Can House?
Yes, you can tour the inside of the house and the surrounding grounds during official opening hours. The interior contains exhibits detailing how the house was built and the life of its creator, John Milkovisch.
Is there parking available at the Beer Can House?
No, there is no dedicated parking lot, so you must park on the street in the surrounding residential neighborhood. Visitors should pay close attention to parking signs, as some nearby streets require residential permits.
Can you see the Beer Can House for free without a ticket?
Yes, the front of the house is fully visible from the public sidewalk and street at no cost. You only need to purchase a ticket if you want to pass through the gate to tour the backyard and go inside.