Orpheum Theatre
Guthrie Theater
Walker Art Center
American Swedish Institute
- When performers like the Marx Brothers and Jack Benny first took to the stage of the Orpheum Theatre in the 1920s, the best seats in the house would set you back 47 cents. Times have changed, but the ornate ambience of the Orpheum remains following a full restoration. Today, the Orpheum showcases top Broadway hits, in addition to concerts and other performances. One of several rentable venues in the Hennepin Theatre District, the Orpheum seats 2,600 people. www.hennepintheatredistrict.org
Guthrie Theater
- The Guthrie Theater has gained worldwide acclaim since it debuted in 1963 as a “new” kind of theater focusing on the production of great works of literature rather than more-commercial Broadway productions. The theater recently reopened in its new cutting-edge, cobalt-blue facility along the Mississippi River, complete with three theaters, distinctive public spaces and spectacular views. The Guthrie boasts numerous venues for meetings and events, in addition to catering provided by its restaurant, Cue, specializing in locally sustainable seasonal products. www.guthrietheater.org
Walker Art Center
- Chef Wolfgang Puck’s famous creations are just as artful as the surroundings during events at the Walker Art Center’s bold new building. Available venues at the new 17-acre campus include contemporary spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, a four-acre outdoor sculpture garden, a 385-seat theater, and Puck’s 20.21 Restaurant & Bar, serving Asian-influenced California cuisine. www.walkerart.org
American Swedish Institute
- Touted as the only castle in the Twin Cities, the mansion that was built for newspaper publisher Swan J. Turnblad in 1908 is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The institute, which features a museum, spotlights Swedish-American heritage in Minneapolis and is available for private events. Highlights of the 33-room mansion include a two-story grand entrance hall and intricately carved oak, walnut and mahogany interiors. www.americanswedishinst.org