Art museum and sculpture gardens

The Joslyn

About 3.3 road miles away

The Joslyn is a free art museum and sculpture-garden campus about 3.3 road miles from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

The place

About The Joslyn

The Joslyn presents more than 30 galleries across three connected buildings, outdoor sculpture gardens and a collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity.

General museum admission is free, though selected temporary exhibitions may charge visitors age 13 and older. Check the current exhibition page rather than assuming every special show is included.

The campus combines the 1931 Joslyn Building, the 1994 Scott Pavilion and the 2024 Hawks Pavilion. The museum says its collection includes more than 12,000 objects.

The official access page publishes wheelchair-accessible entrances, buildings, gardens, elevators, restrooms and fountains, plus limited first-come loan wheelchairs and other visitor resources.

What stands out

Explore three connected buildings

Compare the 1931 Art Deco building, 1994 pavilion and 2024 expansion.

Visit more than 30 galleries

See art from ancient through contemporary collections and changing exhibitions.

Walk the sculpture gardens

Use the museum's wheelchair-accessible outdoor gardens as part of the visit.

Use access resources

Ask for a wheelchair, sensory kit, assistive listening or advance ASL interpretation as appropriate.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in an Omaha Zoo Railroad trip

The Joslyn ranks second about 5,387 driving meters, roughly 3.3 miles or 8 minutes, from the zoo anchor. It is independent of the zoo and offers a longer indoor-and-outdoor visit.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • HoursTuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday until 8 p.m.; closed Monday and major holidays.
  • AdmissionGeneral admission is free; selected temporary exhibitions may charge ages 13 and older.
  • ParkingFree onsite parking is first come, with metered street parking nearby and a covered main-entrance drop-off.
  • MobilityMain and garden entrances, sculpture gardens, all interior spaces, elevators, restrooms and fountains are wheelchair-accessible.
  • Loan equipmentA limited number of wheelchairs are available first come at the Hawks Pavilion Welcome Desk.
  • Service animalsTrained service animals are welcome under the published control and artwork-contact rules; emotional-support animals are not admitted indoors.
  • Food and bagsNo food, drink or gum in galleries; secure water and medical exceptions apply, and large bags use free lockers.

Add a full-size locomotive stop

Add Kenefick Park

Choose Kenefick Park for two static Union Pacific locomotives and free admission close to the zoo.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

How much is general admission?

General admission is free to all during regular hours. Selected temporary exhibitions may charge visitors age 13 and older.

When is The Joslyn open?

Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with Thursday hours until 8 p.m.; closed Monday and major holidays.

Is parking free?

Yes. Onsite parking is free and first come; metered street parking is also nearby.

Is the museum wheelchair-accessible?

The official access page says the main and garden entrances, sculpture gardens, all interior spaces, elevators, restrooms and fountains are wheelchair-accessible.

Can I borrow a wheelchair?

A limited number are available first come at the Hawks Pavilion Welcome Desk.

Are service animals allowed?

Trained service animals are welcome under the museum's control and artwork-contact rules; emotional-support animals are not admitted indoors.

Can I bring food into the galleries?

No. Food, beverages and gum are prohibited in galleries, with secure-water and medical exceptions described in the guidelines.

Do the photos show the current layout?

Not completely. The works date from 2012 and 2024; the older Fountain Court image predates the 2024 expansion, and none guarantees current exhibits, routes or parking.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-17. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.