Visit Prince's Hometown of Minneapolis
From Prince's childhood home to First Avenue nightclub and his Paisley Park studios, the Minneapolis area is full of people touched deeply by Prince, and it’s home to countless places and landmarks that connect us to his life. We have curated a glimpse into the history of Prince's adventure here in our great city.
Take your friends and family on a self-guided exploration of our city, painted in purple. Feel free to follow Experience Prince's Minneapolis tour itinerary or you can take a self-guided, GPS-led, audio tour with the SoundAround Tours app for a deeper dive into Prince's Minneapolis.
Early Life:
- Mt. Sinai Hospital (Now the Phillips Eye Institute) - 2215 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis
Birthplace of Prince, June 7, 1958. - John Hay Elementary School - 1014 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis
This particular address no longer exists, but is close to the intersection of North Oak Park Avenue and Penn Avenue North. - Bryant Junior High (Now Sabathani Community Center) - 310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis
The school closed in 1978, but currently operates as the Sabathani Community Center. - Minneapolis Central High School - 3416 South 4th Avenue, Minneapolis
Prince graduated from Minneapolis Central High School in 1976, which was located on 4th Avenue between 34th Street and 35th Street. The building was closed in 1982 and subsequently demolished.
Musicology:
- Original Sound 80 studios (now called Orfield Labs) - 2709 East 25th St, Minneapolis
Largely involved with local artists, the studio is best known for recording portions of Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” in 1974 and Cat Stevens “Izitso” in 1977, as well as demo tapes for Prince’s first album “For You” in 1977. Also home to the “quietest place on earth” and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for that and also in 2006 as the "Oldest Digital Recording Studio in the World". They do tours by appointment.
- Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis
Prince’s career was already moving forward by the time he played the Capri shows—he had signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1976 when he was just 17, and recorded and released his debut "For You" in early 1978. But it wasn’t until the winter of 1979 that Prince formed a band and performed his first solo show. At the Capri, he was joined by childhood friend and former Grand Central and Champagne bandmate André Cymone, Bobby Z, Dez Dickerson, Matt Fink and Gayle Chapman.
- First Avenue & 7th Street Entry - 701 North 1st Avenue, Minneapolis
Bands and artists have performed at the nightclub and influenced the Minneapolis music scene from 1970 onward, as exemplified by the silver stars that adorn the black building's exterior (every star has the name of an artist who has played at First Avenue or 7th St Entry). First Avenue also appeared in Prince's 1984 “Purple Rain” and many of the film's music performances take place at the venue. The nightclub has been the starting point for many bands that have come out of Minneapolis including Prince, The Revolution, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, Atmosphere, Brother Ali and the Jayhawks, among others.
- Glam Slam (Now Cowboy Jack's) - 110 North 5th Street, Minneapolis
In late 1989, Prince opened a nightclub in Minneapolis named after his song “Glam Slam” off the 1988 album “Lovesexy.” After eight years, he sold it to Gilbert Davison, former Prince manager and president of Paisley Park, who renamed it The Quest. The club became one of the premier nightspots in Minneapolis, rivaling First Avenue as a live music venue, before closing in 2006 due to a fire in the club. The building was subsequently reopened as Epic, which closed in 2013, and is currently home to the Cowboy Jack's nightclubs.
- Park Avenue United Methodist Church - 3400 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis
This is the church where Prince married his first wife, dancer Mayte Garcia on Feb. 14, 1996. The couple divorced in May 2000.
- Bunkers Bar and Grill - 761 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis
One of the longest-running neighborhood music bars and restaurants in Minneapolis, known for occasional impromptu Prince jam sessions.
- Dakota Jazz Club - 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Prince often frequented this iconic live music venue in downtown Minneapolis. It was also a site of some of his famed “surprise” concerts.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1b57bde6d07cc2ea16cc4e8d50de751c 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=34aafb02afb291edc9d0ac135a830ed0 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=05f10b1b9da417cd267c3e84411d6fc9 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b993f70fe2970bf5fecbc5e424734717 1024w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c5f9380775955b6418d9e55b978b3c5b 1200w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1a285563f6c91863bc6db56686f20734 1440w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2e20c99361f10813f514e16953c592df 1920w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=345db6af0fd5f73872537256767e7f6f 2560w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Dakota-Jazz-Club-1010-Nicollet-Ave-2016.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=dc3b4865a6e86da080f7a5cee1b83638 2756w)
- Electric Fetus - 2000 4th Avenue South, Minneapolis
Prince could often be found exploring both new music and old favorites at this local record store.
- Schmitt Music Mural - South 10th Street, Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis
Prince was photographed standing in front of this iconic mural in downtown Minneapolis at the very beginning of his career. Although Schmitt Music has since moved out of this building, the mural remains intact. The music is from a piano piece written by French composer Maurice Ravel called “Gaspard de la Nuit.” The section depicted on the building comes from the third movement, called “Scarbo.”
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Prefame_notes_whitman.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7078342750262f6ceeda14c1b9119ea0 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Prefame_notes_whitman.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=92b06c15b6fdb68950f43b7d3c2c6d75 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Prefame_notes_whitman.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c48097d2235eb113dc7087024b316c14 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/Prefame_notes_whitman.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f86a45b68ce509702d9057cebc13d908 1000w)
'Purple Rain' Movie Sites:
- The House From Purple Rain - 3420 Snelling Avenue South, Minneapolis
The house where Prince (“The Kid”) lived in the film "Purple Rain." Less than a year before his death, Prince purchased the house that appeared in Purple Rain - the asking price for the home was $110,000 and in need of significant repairs. Take a look inside the Purple Rainhouse on the Local Current Blog.
- Orpheum Theatre - 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
This is where the backstage/green room scenes were filmed due to the lack of space in First Avenue. The backstage areas are accessible via public tours led by the Hennepin Arts.
- IDS Center - 80 South 8th Street, Minneapolis
Scenes from the movie were filmed on the skyway level of the glass-enclosed Crystal Court in the center of downtown Minneapolis.
Other Prince Sites:
- Prince Store at MSP Airport - Terminal 1
This pop-up shop pays tribute to a beloved local legend. The interior celebrates Prince and his career through music videos, artwork, and merchandise including apparel, books, CDs, vinyl records, and more.
- Paisley Park - 7801 Audubon Road, Chanhassen, Minnesota
Paisley Park Records was Prince’s record label, which was distributed by and funded in part by Warner Bros. Records. It was started in 1985 following the success of the film and album “Purple Rain.” The label shared its name with Prince's recording complex, Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen. Hundreds of musicians have recorded in this space over the past three decades. Paisley Park Records folded in 1994 and Prince continued to live and record at Paisley Park until his death on April 21, 2016.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=879dc343c2b0be2bc96ee08bb5c76bbb 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8dd46d9dd5c93d86bb679cba1ad8ac6d 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2932a2cb0e534cf4e45447e2ee919daf 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=886cdf8a2297672a962aef40ad5c4f36 1024w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=1afe2a355e3f12fe1fdf78ea369f9388 1200w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3a7a4b324757a216578590919ce4f625 1440w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5475821f69fc2101b7bf8eed43f93efc 1920w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/PP-Exterior-at-Paisley-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=63ad89378f38714d0f1b6f79a182cfa6 2082w)
- Calhoun Square (Now: Seven Points)- 3001 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis
The subject of Prince's songs "Uptown" and "Calhoun Square." Check out this live performance of Prince rockin' "Uptown" back in 1980!
- Chanhassen Cinema Mural - 570 Market St, Chanhassen, Minnesota
A 40-foot-high mural of Prince was painted on the outside wall of the Chanhassen, Minn., movie theater in June 2016 by New Zealand artist Graham "Mr. G." Hoete.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/imported-page-images/chanhassentheater.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=13768162d65c85bb1177cf90a326308b 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/imported-page-images/chanhassentheater.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bb2338d4921d474f4f2927b0740fe710 360w)
- Uptown Mural - 26th Street and Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
In April 2016, Bloomington, Minn.-based artist Rock “Cyfi” Martinez painted a mural just over a story high on the side of a building in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/imported-page-images/uptownprincemural-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=89a3f2a293c573a24d0c0e192c8da36a 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/imported-page-images/uptownprincemural-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5e81d3975ee74e7b9e348894ca5ec3af 360w)
- Esther Osayande’s “Purple Raindrop” - Farview Park, Minneapolis
Osayande’s Purple Raindrop is a metal sculpture and seating area that stands just over 15 feet tall and is painted in a shade of purple called Purple Reign. The sculpture honors Prince, his signature song “Purple Rain” and his major contributions to the music industry.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/farview-prince.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3e031ad1ed2d1d16e2469a48e186fdd6 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/farview-prince.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9a2649ad8416e9b86cb8ad16333a1933 480w)
- North Loop Mural - 424 building on Washington Avenue
The 30-foot mural can be found on the side of Floyd’s 99 Barbershop building and was painted by a prominent artist from Los Angeles Jonas Never. The mural is based on an image of Prince during his Purple Rain Tour in Long Beach, California in 1985.
- Crown our Prince Initiative mural - 1st Avenue and 8th Street
Completed by artist Hiero Veiga, a street painter from Florida who created the piece on the exterior wall of Miami’s Museum of Graffit, this 100-foot-tall painting depicts portraits taken of Prince throughout his life and is the newest edition in downtown Minneapolis.