Paisley Park, in the suburbs, is where Prince worked and lived, but his story began in the clubs and streets of Minneapolis, and this self-guided audio tour follows it through the downtown core. It is a walking tour you take on your own, listening on your phone, rather than a guided group, so you set the pace, stop for a coffee when you like and linger wherever a story grabs you. The tour is aimed squarely at music fans: it places the Minneapolis sound in the places where it was made, from the club scene around First Avenue to the downtown streets and venues connected with his early career. It is rated 4.2 from more than forty travellers, a respectable score for an audio product, and it costs a fraction of a guided tour. As the tour is self-guided, the details of the route, the length and the starting point are given in the booking confirmation, so check them before you set out. Treat it as a companion to the Paisley Park visit, not a substitute for it, because downtown is where you feel the city that formed the artist, while the studio complex is where you see the work.
How it works
You buy the tour online, receive access on your phone and walk the route in your own time, listening as you go. There is no meeting point, no group to join and no start time to keep, which suits solo travellers, couples and anyone whose day is already busy. Because the audio is on your phone, bring headphones, make sure your device is charged and download the content before you leave your hotel, as signal can be patchy among the tall downtown buildings.
Check the route description at booking to see where it begins and ends, and plan your walk around a stop for food or warmth, since the tour runs outdoors on downtown streets in whatever the weather is doing.
What to expect
Audio tours of this kind combine a narrated route with stories, history and landmarks, so you hear about the places as you stand in or near them rather than reading about them afterwards. For Prince fans, that means the pleasure of recognising a venue you have only seen on film. For casual listeners, it is a pleasant introduction to downtown Minneapolis through a famous local lens.
The route is downtown rather than out at Paisley Park, so combine it with a booked visit to the studio complex if you can: the two together give you the city and the artist in one trip. First Avenue, the club made famous by the film Purple Rain, is the place most visitors will want to see, and live shows there are worth checking for during your stay.
Making the most of it
Choose a dry, calm hour in daylight so you can stop and look, wear warm layers in winter and use the downtown skyways to break up the cold if your route allows. Pause the audio when you reach busy crossings, and take photographs from public pavements rather than going inside private buildings unless they are open to visitors. If you are visiting with someone who is not a fan, the tour is short enough to enjoy as a warm-up walk, and the surrounding North Loop and Nicollet Mall have plenty of cafes and shops for the rest of the afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided audio walk through downtown Minneapolis, listened to on your own phone at your own pace.
Best time
A dry daylight hour, ideally before or after a Paisley Park visit.
How long
Self-paced; check the route details in your booking confirmation.
Tips
Bring headphones, download the audio before you set out and dress for the weather.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Prince and Minneapolis-music fans who want the downtown story.
- Families
- Fine for teenagers who like music; younger children may find an audio-only walk slow.
- Couples
- A flexible, low-cost walk that you can pause for coffee or a drink.
- Pair with
- Paisley Park, First Avenue shows or a night out in the North Loop.
- Time needed
- Self-paced; plan a relaxed walk with stops.
Good questions
Is this a guided tour with a group?+
No. It is a self-guided audio tour you listen to on your own phone, so there is no group or fixed start time.
Do I need headphones?+
Yes, bring headphones and download the audio before you set out, as signal can be patchy downtown.
Does the tour include Paisley Park?+
No. It covers downtown Minneapolis. Paisley Park is a separate visit with its own tickets.
How long does it take?+
It is self-paced. Check the route details in your booking confirmation and add time for stops.
Is it suitable in winter?+
It is an outdoor walk, so dress warmly, and use the downtown skyways where they help to break up the cold.
