The Joslyn is Omaha’s cultural anchor, and it’s free, which still surprises people. The original 1931 Art Deco building is worth the trip on its own — Georgia pink marble, bronze doors, the works — and the 2024 expansion added the Hawks Pavilion, a light-filled modern wing by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta that gives the whole place room to breathe.
The collection punches above its weight for a city this size: strong American and European holdings, plus one of the best collections of Western American art anywhere. You don’t need to be an art person to enjoy it. You just need a couple of unhurried hours.
It’s on the edge of downtown, an easy stop before or after the Old Market. The museum café and sculpture garden are legitimate draws in their own right. Go on a weekday if you want the galleries mostly to yourself.