Looking for something fun to do without leaving Omaha? Head to Joslyn Castle and take a tour of it. Even if you have gone past the castle dozens or hundreds of times, there is nothing like exploring the interior while getting information from a knowledgeable tour guide.
Public Tour Information
Every single Monday, Joslyn Castle opens up for tours. Public tours also take place on the first and third Sunday of every month, discounting holidays. On Mondays, the tours are at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The Sunday tours begin at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. You don’t need to make a reservation; just meet at the castle’s front doors. The tour costs $10 for adults and $8 for seniors over 60, students, and military personnel with an ID. Keep in mind that the castle is at 3902 Davenport St.
What You’ll See on the Tour
During the tour, your guide will show you around the main floor, as well as the second and third floors. It will start with an overview to let you know about Sarah and George Joslyn, plus their home’s history. After this, the guide will lead you around, giving you more information. In good weather, the tour also includes the grounds. At the end of the tour, you can visit the gift shop to buy souvenirs or something from a local maker.
Who Will Enjoy the Tour?
Those who have trouble navigating stairs can use the elevator to get between floors. The tour is child-friendly, but school-aged children will find it the most interesting. Any kids under 12 years old must be with an adult throughout the entire tour.
Get to Know the Joslyns and Their Castle
Sarah and George Joslyn are considered the first millionaires and philanthropists in Omaha. They were native to Vermont and were still under 30 when they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1879, when George got a job at a printing firm. In 1880, George opened a new branch office in Omaha, which is when he started accumulating company stock. He owned the company by 1896, changing its name to the Western Newspaper Union. The couple later adopted a daughter, Violet, who lived in Omaha and attended Brownell Hall before marrying David Magowan at the castle in 1913. The castle itself finished construction in 1903 with 35 rooms. It’s four stories tall and features the Scottish Baronial style. It cost $250,000 to build, the equivalent of $7 million today, and took 11 months to complete.
When you are ready to go on a tour of Joslyn Castle, take your auto from O’Daniel Honda to this Omaha, Nebraska, landmark on a Monday or the first or third Sunday of the month.
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