Carnegie Museum of Art

It's both the graceful doyenne and the 800-pound gorilla of the local art scene. The MOA features a strong permanent collection -- don't miss the Hall of Architecture -- with a special emphasis on modern and contemporary art. (Impressionism is well represented, but its historic collection can be spotty.) The Carnegie also offers smartly curated archival shows and temporary exhibits -- capped off by its nationally noted quadrennial Carnegie International.