Minnesota is a state with abundant natural beauty, full of residents with a zest for life—and an art scene to match. Minneapolis–St.Paul is home to one of the most vibrant arts and entertainment communities in America with a bounty of theaters, iconic live music venues, museums, galleries, and more. In 2024, the state spent $9.62 per capita on public funding for the arts, making it the No. 1-ranked state in public arts spending. Minnesotans love and support their arts.
And nowhere is this tradition stronger than in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The capital region features world-class arts and entertainment, with a passion for the performing arts—from orchestra and opera to choir, dance, and, especially, theater. The list of world-class venues is long and esteemed, with exciting options for everyone.
The Land of 10,000 Lakes truly is the land of 10,000 performances, and Minneapolis–St. Paul is the place to be.
The Must-See Theaters of Minneapolis and St. Paul
The theater is the heartbeat of the Minneapolis and St. Paul art scene. The stars of the stage shine in the Star of the North, a bohemian mix of award-winning performances, talent incubation, intimate musical theater, Broadway tours, and diverse productions. The theater tradition in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is as long and varied as residents are friendly and welcoming.
Any theater lovers’ visit must start with the Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater. The historic Mill District staple serves up the best in classic and contemporary theater, housed in a prominent building featuring the iconic 178-foot cantilever bridge that overlooks the Mississippi River. Since it opened in 1963 the Guthrie has attracted some of the nation’s brightest playwrights from Sam Shepard to Tony Kushner and remains a bucket-list destination for theater aficionados across the country. If you want a behind-the-scenes look, check out the backstage tours on offer Friday and Saturday mornings.
For a slightly different and more family-friendly experience, check out the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC), the only theater for young people to win the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater. Credited with creating more than 200 new works in its five-decade history, CTC educates, challenges, and inspires multigenerational audiences. And the numbers speak for themselves: CTC has welcomed more than 11 million visitors in its decorated history and is an enduring institution in the region’s arts scene.
Looking for a more intimate experience or a classic work reimagined for modern audiences? Theater Latte Da expands the bounds of musical theater from its cozy house in Northeast Minneapolis. Meanwhile, just down the road in St. Paul, Penumbra Theatre Company illuminates the human condition through the prism of the African American experience. Founded in 1976 to give African American playwrights a voice and a platform, Penumbra is a bedrock of the region’s theater scene and launched the career of playwright August Wilson.
For sharp and illuminating theater, check out a show at Mixed Blood Theatre. Admission is free, courtesy of the Radical Hospitality plan, giving everyone access to the historic firehouse theater in Minneapolis’s Cedar–Riverside neighborhood. And then there’s The Moving Company (formerly Theatre de la Jeune Lune), highlighting original, physical theater that must be experienced in real life. If that’s not enough and you want to see more live theater in Minnesota, look no further than The Jungle Theater, Theater Mu, or History Theatre.
From shows like Cabaret at the world-famous Guthrie and Disney’s Frozen at CTC—and a diverse offering of shows across the spectrum—run, don’t walk to get your tickets.
World-Class Orchestra, Live Music, and More
When it comes to Minneapolis and St. Paul, art isn’t just about theaters. There’s also a rich history of orchestra, live music, ballet, opera, and an LGBTQ+ chorus. In fact, it boasts not one, but two, world-renowned orchestras. Music director Thomas Søndergård helms the Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, programming famous conductors and soloists as well as midday Coffee Concerts, family programs, pops concerts, and the three-week summer music festival Sommerfest. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) presents more than 80 concerts a year, inspiring and captivating more than 70,000 people. Priding itself on accessibility, SPCO ensures that 50% of its tickets cost $15 or less.
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul also have a renowned and legendary live music scene. Your first stop in town is First Avenue, a club committed to fostering arts, music, and entertainment excellence since 1970—and the venue where Prince filmed scenes for his 1984 classic film Purple Rain. But don’t stop there. The Minneapolis and St. Paul music scene is loud, large, and eclectic—from Minnesotans-turned-Brooklynites The Hold Steady to alternative legends The Replacements, the area is rich in rock lore. And you can’t go wrong with the historic State or Orpheum theaters for a seated show.
If you want to branch out beyond rock and folk, The Rose Ensemble is an internationally recognized vocal group, specializing in imaginative performances of ancient classics, while the award-winning Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus is the fourth largest gay men’s chorus in the country and a testament to the area’s sense of community and commitment to diversity in the arts.
A Word About Prince
You can’t talk about the Minnesota art and music scene without mentioning Prince. In the fall of 2025, Hennepin Arts (née Hennepin Theatre Trust) will host a month-long premiere of Purple Rain, based on the original movie starring the Minneapolis icon. Music and lyrics come from songs written by the late, great Prince, with the adaptation, direction, and creative vision overseen by a host of award-winning talents. This is a production people will be talking about, and one that’s not to be missed.
The Art Museums of Minneapolis and St. Paul
No visit to Minneapolis and St. Paul would be complete without taking in the region’s impressive art museums.
Begin with the Walker Art Center, featuring 11 galleries of modern and contemporary art as well as the adjacent 11-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, where visitors can snap a picture in front of the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The Walker also features avant-garde and experimental performances at the McGuire Theater, in case you haven’t gotten your theater fix elsewhere. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is another must-see destination, with a wide-ranging and world-class collection, and free admission. But why stop with those two? Check out so many more of Minnesota’s art museums.
You’ll Love Minneapolis and St. Paul and Want to Explore Minnesota More
Every good trip starts with a great plan, and you can start yours with a free travel guide, getting tips from the Explore Minnesota newsletter, or signing up to receive their free online performing arts guide. Alternatively, book a flight, find a hotel, and wander around to your heart’s content. If arts and entertainment are your jam, then the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul should be your next trip. It’s a place immersed in the arts and home to one of the most accessible, affordable, and vibrant arts, entertainment, and culinary scenes in the country.