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Paisley Park Tours

“I like Hollywood. I just like Minneapolis a little bit better." - Prince

Tours of Paisley Park range from $48 to $160, with three ticketing options available for the public. Visit the Paisley Park website to learn more or buy your tickets online. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Paisley Experience

In this 90-minute guided tour, you will view the main floor of Paisley Park, including the studios where Prince recorded and produced some of his most famous hits. Walk through Prince’s private NPG Music Club and around the massive soundstage and concert hall where the musician rehearsed and held private events and concerts.

*Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on this tour. Purchase Tickets Here

The VIP Experience

This guided tour consists of the same main floor tour offered in the Paisley Experience tour, plus some VIP extras! In this 120-minute visit, guests will get to tour additional rooms and studio areas, view bonus artifacts from the archives and receive an exclusive photo opportunity.

*Children under the age of 10 are not permitted on this tour. Purchase Tickets Here

The Ultimate Experience

The 3-hour “Ultimate Experience” tour includes the VIP Experience plus exclusive access to additional spaces and exhibits. As a more immersive way for fans to tour, please note that the Ultimate Experience often sells out. This tour includes access to studios A, B and C, a private screening of exclusive footage in the editing suite, a special audio playback session and access to archives not available on the two other tours. Light beverages are served at the conclusion of the tour.

Where is Paisley Park?

Paisley Park is located at 7801 Audubon Road, Chanhassen, Minnesota , a 30-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis.

Events at Paisley Park

Paisley Park regularly holds Prince-themed events, as well as concerts, dance parties and more. Public events are listed here . Paisley Park also rents space in the facility for private events. Learn more about event rentals .

Where to Stay Near Paisley Park

Check out nearby hotels in the west metro area !

Want More Prince? Experience Prince's Minneapolis!

As a Minneapolis native, Prince lived in various places around the city, frequented and performed at music venues, and shopped at a one-of-a-kind music store. Minneapolis helped shape Prince into the man and the artist he became, and in return, Prince forever left his mark on the city. Even as Prince’s success swept the globe, he always remained close to his roots. Experience Prince’s Minneapolis self-guided tours and celebrate his memory in the best ways possible!

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PHILLIP LAMAR & PAIZLEY PARK

Somebody’s authority figure once said: “Any job worth doing is a job worth doing perfectly.” In the world of tribute bands, those who come closest to re-creating the actual experience shaped by the artists they honor are rarely without work, which is why Paizley Park, the Colorado tribute to Prince, consistently performs to capacity large club and theater audiences throughout the region. With intricate choreography, multiple costume changes, spot on musical delivery and a dead ringer for the all-time best-selling superstar they revere, Paizley Park’s tribute to Prince is a must-see act.

Join The Paizley Park Fan Club

Sign up for the Paizley Park fan club to stay updated on new shows, giveaways and info,

Experience The Life Of Prince With Phillip Lamar & Paizley Park

Paisley Park Tours: Walking in the Footsteps of Prince

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It would not be a visit to Minneapolis without a trip to the former studio of one of its most popular former residents, and you can do this today through Paisley Park tours. One of the most famous, and most beloved, residents Minneapolis ever knew who was known to the city, the country, and the world, simply as Prince.

You have the opportunity to tour his former home and studio to learn all about this talented musician. Walk through the halls and rooms that provided him inspiration and see what was important to him.

Here’s a detailed look at Paisley Park Tours, including all of the information you need to visit.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read  full disclosure  for more information.

My Thoughts on Prince

I enjoyed Prince during his heyday in the 80s with my big hair and scary bright blue makeup (no, there will be no photo evidence). Though I enjoyed his music, I can’t say I was a huge fan of his and once the clock struck and the year 1999 was over, I simply appreciate a song here or there that I heard on the radio.

I didn’t follow him, and I didn’t really understand the significance of the era of “the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.” After going on the Paisley Park Tours, I’m a bit sad that I didn’t follow him more closely as he was an incredible artist. Truly incredible. Perhaps this post is my way of making up for my lack of fandom, but I will say anyone with even a passing curiosity about him will really enjoy this tour.

Prince Rogers Nelson was a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. He was an incredible artist whose talent with more than 26 instruments was self-taught, which is pretty amazing. Prince was known throughout his long career which spanned four decades for his artistic innovation and his flamboyant appearances. He was one of the top-selling artists of all time selling over 100 million records.

Prince wrote his first song at the age of 7, called “Funk Machine.” His second album went platinum in 1979. However, he really hit the consciousness of the country in 1984 when he starred in the film, Purple Rain, and created the soundtrack. According to Rolling Stone , the Purple Rain soundtrack is number 72 of the top 500 hits of all time.

In 1993, in rebellion against his record label, Warner Brothers, Prince adopted the “love symbol” as his stage name, a combination of male and female symbols. He was referred to as “the artist formerly known as Prince.” Once his contract ended in 2000 he stopped using this and went back to Prince as his stage name.

He continued collaborating with other artists with his guitar, songwriting, and voice and amassed a tremendous body of work until his death in 2016. Prince was a consummate entertainer, always trying something new and pushing into new areas of artistic creation.

The country lost a legend, and Minneapolis lost a local hero.

Paisley Park

Paisley Park is the $10M 65,000-square foot recording and production complex Prince started building in the mid-1980s. It was the realization of his dream to create an all-purpose building to fan the flames of his talent and that of others.

He always loved paisley and thought it was a metaphor for flowing and he enjoyed that visual in relation to his work. Music and creativity are ever-flowing.

Prince produced, performed, and recorded a lot of his work here, and many other notable musicians recorded there as well including Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, and others. It is a unique space designed to nurture his musical talents and that of others.

Prince held many spontaneous performance events here, inviting the public into the NPG Music Club or the Sound Stage for epic sets of live music that went on throughout the night.

In his words on the website, “Paisley Park is pretty much representative of everything I am musically.”

He planned for opening Paisley Park to tours after he was gone and to make it a museum of sorts, and left very specific instructions as to how he wanted his life within the walls to be displayed. Step inside to feel what it was like to be awash with so much creativity and talent.

Paisley Park Tours

There are several tour options available and they must be purchased online in advance of your visit. Tickets are not sold onsite at the residence. Pass the velvet rope for the tour of your choice.

General Admission

General Admission tickets are available for $48.

Tour Length

This is a guided tour that lasts approximately 90 minutes.

What You See

• Main floor including the recording studios
• Soundstage and concert hall where tour rehearsals were held and where his private concerts were
• Private NPG Music Club

The VIP tour cost is $90.

This is a guided tour with an expert guide for around 2 hours.

You see all of the rooms in the General Admission tour as well as:

• Prince’s rehearsal rooms and video editing suites
• Additional rooms and studio areas
• Additional artifacts from the archives
• Exclusive photo opportunity

On Thursdays, VIP tours record live vocals over a short segment of a Prince song in Studio B. The Mix is available for purchase.

The “Ultimate Experience”

This tour is offered only on select Sundays and every Monday, Friday, and Saturdays.

The Ultimate Experience tour costs $160.

This tour lasts for 2.5 to 3 hours.

You will see everything from the General Admission and VIP Tours as well as:

• Access to all three studios onsite: A, B, and C
• View a private screening of exclusive video footage in the editing suite
• Special audio playback session in the Studio B control room
• View additional archive items not available to the other tours

Paisley Park Tours After Dark

Note: This tour isn’t currently offered, however, they are showing “After Dark” events on the events page. Keep an eye on the site to see if they bring it back. It would be worth it!!

This tour cost is $60.

This tour is on two Saturday nights a month only and is in the tradition of the Paisley Park After Dark events that Prince hosted.

This tour is in the spirit of the Paisley Park After Dark late-night events Prince hosted. The tour includes:

• General Admission tour
• Live DJ dance party in the NPG Music Club Room
• Stay onsite until 11 p.m. when the event ends

You May Also Like Top Things to do in “Mill City” Minneapolis

My Paisley Park Tour

I went on the General Admission tour and my mind was blown pretty much after passing the velvet rope. The room I walked into is a massive entryway with over-the-top artwork of sky and clouds and doves flying around covered with symbolism with his symbol on the floor. It gives a sense of free-flowing creativity.

There are a number of small rooms off the large room as you walk in with outfits he wore, guitars, awards, and other things Prince.

Little Kitchen

There is a little kitchen (aptly named the same) which includes some retro tables and benches covered in leather with black and white stripes. At the other end, there is a sofa with a television as well as a telecaster guitar displayed. Our guide said there used to be raging parties here on weekends.

Nearby is Studio A where LoveSexy, Diamonds & Pearl, and Batman were recorded. James Brown, Aretha Franklin, REM, and Madonna also recorded in Studio A. Prince believed that people should make music together and share equally. On display is a drum machine and synthesizer used in “When the Doves Cry.”

Prince wasn’t only the artist but also acted as a recording engineer and producer. The main booth hosts a chair so he could do these simultaneously instead of the typical standing setup. There are several other booths in this studio for other vocals, drums, and synthetics.

We got to listen to a new piece not yet released called, “Rough Enough.”

Influence Hallway

This area is a large mural that covers both sides of the hallway covered with the artists who influenced Prince’s work. Some of the people listed were expected, and others were a bit of a surprise. The artists included Mitchell, Hendrix, Armstrong, Brown, Davis, Ray Vaughn Clinton, and contemporaries like Tower of Power, Wendy and Lisa, Apolonia, Jimmy Jam, Chaka Kahn, and others.

1st Ave And 7th Street Downtown Danceteria

This room is a dedication to Purple Rain. It was a dance studio where he did the choreography for his movies. The walls are covered with pictures from Purple Rain and the center of the room has a display with his motorcycle, outfits, guitar, a keyboard, all from the movie

Movie Rooms

Next were several rooms dedicated to some of his other movies including Under the Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge. The walls in each room were covered in pictures and images from the movie and the room contained many items from the movie including outfits he wore, drum kits, guitars, and other items. All of these were designed post-humously based on his instructions found on his laptop.

History Hallway

Prince supervised the installation of this hallway with many of his awards and achievements. It includes his first album released when he was 19 in 1978. The walls in this area have most of his awards anywhere inside or outside the building.

There are also key images from different periods of time in his life, including the period of time from 1993 to 2000 when he felt enslaved by his Warner Brother publishing contract. His five self-published albums paved the way for other artists to emancipate themselves from record labels.

The centerpiece in this room is a Schimmel Pegasus grand piano worth around $200k. It’s very rare and there are only a few in the world. This one has a hydraulic lid on it. The room served as a relaxation room for Prince and there are pinball machines as well.

Sound Stage

The Graffiti Bridge film was recorded here as well as many others. There is a red light over the door and a large stage lined with many of Prince’s outfits through the years. Some of the suits had sparkles and one features a sky with clouds on it.

There are three cars towards one end of the room: a white BMW Z3, a Purple Plymouth Growler, and a robin-egg blue Bentley.

The room also features two large purple chairs that look like thrones and a large projector showing clips of Prince through the years.

NPG Music Club

The last room on the tour was the NPG, New Power Generation, Music Club. This is where he had his epic events and fans came to party with him and he’d play well into the night. It was often announced on social media and people would line up hoping they could get in.

Towards the back of the club, his favorite movie was up on a screen, Finding Nemo , leading through a passageway to his dressing room. A silver door led to his personal chef’s kitchen.

When Prince passed away on 4/21/2016, fans created an organic fence tribute around Paisley Park covered in purple, sparkles, images, fish from Finding Nemo . All of the non-perishable items were saved and some of it was set up here.

Of course, no tour would be complete without a visit to the gift shop. This store has a lot of Prince recreations from his many personas as well as Prince tees and Paisley Park items. You can even buy the little fish from Finding Nemo .

There is a TV playing his Superbowl Halftime show, where it was raining incredibly hard. He didn’t let it stop him, and in fact, he said, “Can you make it rain harder!?” Always the entertainer.

Things to Know Before You Go on Paisley Park Tours

• Tickets are not refundable.
• Younger-aged children are restricted from the tours (under age 5 for general admission, under age 10 for the VIP Tour, and under age 12 for the Ultimate Tour).
• One parking spot is issued per transaction.
• There are additional fees (service fee plus facility fee) added to tickets ranging from $7.50 to $11.75 per ticket.
• Photography of any kind is not permitted in the building. In fact, your phone is locked up in a soft pouch that you can get unlocked as you are leaving the property.
• Don’t arrive more than 20 minutes before your time slot.

Paisley Park is open on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from 9 – 5, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 – 6. It’s closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is located at 7801 Audubon Rd, Chanhassen, MN 55317 . There is free parking on site.

Prince’s Legacy

Prince was an icon of music and film, also known for film and technology. Paisley Park tours provide you with a glimpse into his life and you are enswirled with a massive array of his artistry, from the murals, outfits, inspired artwork, and the sound stage. Every room is filled with the immense creativity that was Prince.

There’s no denying Prince’s rare talent. And his generosity in working with other artists and sharing his talents with his local people.

Can you ever look at the color purple, or sequins and sparkles, and not think of him? Paisley Park represents everything Prince was, is, and always will be, nestled in his Minneapolis.

“I like Hollywood. I just like Minneapolis a little bit better.” Prince

First Ave & 7th Street Entry

First Ave & 7th Street Entry proudly boasts that it is your “downtown danceteria since 1970.” This place put many artists on the map and has showcased some incredible bands now displayed in a star on the outside of the building. It is one of the longest-lived and best-known independent rock clubs in the country.

Though it’s technically two clubs, known locally as Mainroom and the Entry, this place has been around forever and is a landmark in downtown Mill City. There are 53 stars on the outside walls commemorating some of the acts who played there, and Prince has a star, of course. His first show was here on March 9, 1981.

Visiting is one of the popular things to do in Minneapolis , especially for sentimental Prince fans.

First Ave & 7th Street Entry is located at 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (at the intersection of First Ave and 7th Street.)

Why Paisley Park Tours are Worth Doing

Whether you are a fan of Prince or appreciate some of his work over his extensive career, Paisley Park tours are worth your time when you are in Minneapolis. One of the city’s most famous residents recorded and produced a lot of his work here, and you can see what an incredibly talented artist he was.

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What It’s Like to Visit Paisley Park, Prince’s Private Estate and Recording Complex

In this Article

In a suburb 30 minutes west of Minneapolis, Prince built a 65,000-square-foot, $10-million facility in 1987. Named after a song that describes a beautiful and peaceful place, Paisley Park served as a recording studio, soundstage, and occasional residence for The Purple One for nearly three decades. Here is what you can expect when you visit Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota. 

I paid full price to visit Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and fan girl over Prince for an hour. But you can count on me to always share my honest opinions no matter who is picking up the tab.

Back in the 20th century when a 5’-2”, ruffled-shirt-clad skinny legend owned the Billboard Hot 100 after the release of Purple Rain , I was just entering high school. I knew there was no way my parents would allow my newly minted teenage self to go see Prince in concert at the Cow Palace in March of 1985, so I did the next best thing. 

We talked a friend’s older brother into renting Prince’s R-rated movie of the same title so we could watch it at her house. Thinking back on it now, that may be the only thing I managed to get away with growing up in a household run by a career Army officer and a teacher. They were hard to trick!

Despite what it may seem, my parents were very open-minded and certainly understood generation gaps, especially when it came to music. While they were finishing high school, they watched the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show while their Lawrence Welk-loving parents admonished the Fab Four for their “long” hair. And as my folks’ college years took them to the end of the 1960s and through a decade of significant social and cultural changes, they loved Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez, James Taylor, and other “long-haired hippy” folk singers whose songs represented their generation’s ideals.

My parents never censored the music I listened to, even after Tipper Gore’s crusade against Prince got his album slapped with a “parental advisory” sticker. But there was no way they would have ever allowed me to travel 60 miles to San Francisco to watch a half-naked man sing about a girl named Nikki who I guess you could call a “sex fiend.” 

While I don’t think I ever loved a Prince song more than “Let’s Go Crazy” from Purple Rain , I still admired his other music over the years. There were the hit songs he wrote for Sinead O’Connor and the Bangles. I was still a fan when he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in 1993, and I think his killer Super Bowl halftime show set the bar so high that only Lady Gaga’s performance a decade later was even in the same realm. 

And there was Jimmy Fallon’s recapping how Prince kicked off a performance of “Let’s Go Crazy” at the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special with the words, “Dearly Inebriated.”

Like so many people around the world, I was heartbroken by the news that Prince had suddenly passed away at the age of 57 on April 21, 2016. And with Prince’s Paisley Park studios now open for tours, it was the first thing I worked into my itinerary for a long weekend in the Twin Cities .

Have You Visited Paisley Park?

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Be Punctual, Your Tour Guide Ain’t Got Time to Waste

If you arrive for your Paisley Park tour like a little red Corvette that is much too fast (more than 20 minutes before your tour starts), security guards will deny you access to the Paisley Park parking lot. And, just off of Arboretum Boulevard (AKA Highway 5), there isn’t really a place to wait unless the preschool across the way wants you loitering in their parking lot. (They probably don’t.)

Sage Advice:  If you allow lots of extra time for traffic and find yourself in Chanhassen a bit early for your scheduled Paisley Park Tour, there is a Starbucks at Arboretum Boulevard and Chanhassen Road that is a five-minute drive from Paisley Park.

But, if you arrive too late and miss your scheduled tour time, you’re also out of luck. So channel your inner Baby Bear from the Goldilocks tale and be sure your arrival at Paisley Park is just right!

Can You Picture This?

Perhaps it’s because of his unique sense of style or maybe it’s from watching his music videos over the years, but I envisioned Prince’s Paisley Park to be a truly extraordinary building. So the first time I saw the industrial-looking, square-tiled exterior of Paisley Park in a photograph, I was stunned.  “That’s it?!? That can’t be it.”Even on the outside, Paisley Park Studios is much cooler in person than it looks in a photograph. But stepping over the threshold into the star’s former recording studio and home provides the expected ambiance.  In the foyer, where guests show their tickets to begin the Paisley Park tour, sky blue walls painted with puffy white clouds butt up against purple walls ranging from lavender to royal purple. As we headed toward the Paisley Park atrium, one of the first stops on the Paisley Park tour, a pair of Prince’s eyes painted on the wall high above us watched our every move.

In the atrium, under a soaring skylight that lets some of the only natural light into Paisley Park, the love symbol that once doubled as the artist’s unpronounceable name is tiled like a large mosaic into the floor. As our tour guide, Corri, encouraged us to gather around, she noted that no one one would step on the symbol, as if it were sacred. Across from a kitchen where Prince would enjoy snacks and meals with guests, a flock of doves painted high on the adjacent wall flies toward the heavens. And live doves in a large cage on the second story sometimes coo for guests.  Yes, this is much more what I expected, and the tour was just getting started…

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You Can’t Take a Picture Sweetie (Even If You’re a Star)

Intensely private in life, Prince remains the same in death. Absolutely no phones, cameras, or any other recording devices are allowed inside Paisley Park. It’s best to keep them locked in your car (after all, they’re pretty safe out there with the security guard monitoring access to the parking lot and all).  For some people, leaving a cell phone behind is like losing a limb. But, if you bring your cell phone into Paisley Park, it will be locked in a grey pouch until the tour ends about 70 minutes later in the gift shop.

No Forgiveness If You Go Astray

If you are caught taking a photo or video inside Paisley Park, you’ll be immediately escorted out of the building and permanently banned from Prince’s recording studio. And, I promise you, if you try to break this rule you’ll be caught, because security is always present at Paisley Park. 

I was so busy taking in my surroundings that it took me a while to notice how security works at Paisley Park. Before Corri moved us to a new section of Paisley Park, she quietly announced our plans into a small headset. “The 10:10 GA tour is moving to the recording studio.” Just like a Secret Service agent is trained to blend into the crowd while guarding a subject with his or her life, an additional security guard would appear like magic in each room as our tour progressed. In contrast to Corri’s bubbly enthusiasm for sharing Prince’s life and legacy, these guards were all business as they stood in a corner and kept an eye on the crowd.

Your Pretty Baby Can’t Come with You

My youngest baby (and the only kiddo left at home) is 12. She can definitely identify many of Prince’s most popular songs. After all, two of her dance team members did a duet to “U Got the Look” this past season. But there was a lot I had to explain to her, and there were a few videos that were a tad racy.  She was definitely the youngest person on our General Admission (GA) tour, and that is partly because Paisley Park has age requirements for its tours. The GA tour we took requires visitors to be at least five. The VIP tour requires children to be at least 10, and the Paisley Park Ultimate Experience requires participants to be at least 12.

He’s Got the Look

From ruffled shirts to elaborate suits, and from high heels to fingerless gloves, Prince was a fashion icon. So it’s no surprise that Paisley Park has many displays featuring Prince’s outfits and accessories. You’ll see the iconic white high-collared ruffled shirt topped by a purple jacket from Purple Rain and his cloud-covered suit from his “Raspberry Beret” video. His quirky three-lens aviator glasses, a black fedora, and a diamond-studded ear cuff are also on display with many, many other items.

Baby, He’s a Star

From a wall in the entry with framed gold records to another long wall of awards behind glass, Paisley Park showcases the accomplishment of a superstar. In his four-decade career, Prince won seven Grammys and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Purple Rain . He also won four MTV Music Video Awards that look like a silver astronaut planting a flag on the moon, in addition to a myriad of other awards. 

Fun Fact:  In June 2016, Prince was posthumously awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters by the University of Minnesota.

Dance to the Funky Music

One of the primary reasons Prince spent $10 million to build Paisley Park was as a recording studio. Each Paisley Park tour includes a visit to Studio A, a 1,500-square-foot recording studio with several isolation rooms. In one of the rooms, a music stand holds a notebook with handwritten lyrics to the last song Prince was working on before he passed away.

Fun Fact:   Although uncredited, Prince played guitar on three songs from Madonna’s Like a Prayer album, and the track “Love Song” was recorded at Paisley Park. 

Life is Just a Party

From the GA tour to the Ultimate Experience, every Paisley Park tour includes a visit to Prince’s NPG Music Club Room. With soaring ceilings and a kitchen hidden behind a swinging stainless steel door, this surprisingly intimate space includes a small stage surrounded by candles where Prince would often perform, and guests — from superstars to local residents — could fill the dance floor or relax on a comfy couch with a cocktail. 

Sage Advice:  A few times a month, Paisley Park offers an After Dark experience that allows guests to enjoy a live dj dance party in the NPG Music Club room from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

But Parties Weren’t Meant to Last

My favorite part of the Paisley Park tour was the soundstage. When Prince was alive, this four-story, black-draped room featuring a full stage was used to rehearse for tours and to record music videos and movies. Now that Paisley Park is a museum, a large screen projects clips of Prince’s most popular music videos while guests take in a large display of Prince’s costumes, three of his cars, quotes that illustrate his approach to life, and many other artifacts.

Fun Fact:  In addition to Prince’s Graffiti Bridge , the Paisley Park Soundstage was used to shoot scenes from Grumpy Old Men and commercials for Burger King, McDonald’s, Lincoln Mercury, and other companies.  

The music videos were mesmerizing and brought back a flood of memories. I wanted to read each sign and drink in the artifacts on display. It would have been great to have another 15 minutes (or three hours) in this room.

The Elevator (Question) Will Bring Your Tour Group Down

If you tour Paisley Park, do not inquire about the elevator where Prince died. I know this etiquette because a woman on our tour asked that question and Corri politely replied that they prefer to focus on Prince’s life and don’t share that detail out of respect for his family. 

This is What it Sounds Like When Doves Cry

Just as every life will eventually come to an end, so does the Paisley Park tour. The last display is a collection of the signs, drawings, and other memorabilia left by fans at the fence around Paisley Park beginning on April 21, 2016, when news broke that the music legend had passed away.  

Paisley Park is In Your Heart

From the mural of Prince’s eyes that watch you as you walk into the atrium to the love symbol embedded on the tile floor under the soaring sky light, from the unfinished song lyrics on a music stand in recording Studio A to the small stage in the NPG Music Club room, Prince’s spirit remains omnipresent at Paisley Park. I could feel his love, creativity, and uniqueness around every corner.

When Paisley Park opened as a museum in October 2016, Prince’s ashes were on display in the middle of the atrium, housed in a custom urn shaped like his recording studio with the love symbol on top. A few months later, at the request of Prince’s family, the urn was moved to the atrium’s balcony. While Prince’s ashes remain at Paisley Park, as of a few months ago they are no longer on display or part of any Paisley Park tour.  In “Paisley Park,” the Prince of Funk sang of a place that speaks of profound inner peace. As his lyrics express, I hope that he is enjoying a lifetime lease on Paisley Park. 

To Visit Paisley Park in Chanhassen

What is paisley park.

Part museum, part recording studio, and part concert hall, Paisley Park is the former home and recording complex in the Minneapolis/St. Paul suburb of Chanhassen.

Where is Paisley Park located?

Can you tour paisley park.

Paisley Park offers several tour experiences, from the General Admission (GA) tour to the Ultimate Paisley Park Experience. Including service and facility fees, ticket prices range from about $45 to about $175. 

On your tour of Paisley Park, you’ll start in the Paisley Park atrium and see Prince’s recording studio, the Paisley Park soundstage, and museum-like exhibits featuring items from Purple Rain and Prince’s performances.

For the latest information, including special exhibits and events, visit the  Paisley Park website .

What does it cost to visit Paisley Park?

There are several Paisley Park tour packages. Once you add service fees and other charges, Paisley Park tickets range from about $45 to $175 per person.

What did you like most about your tour of Prince’s recording studio and home? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

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Thank you for sharing!

28 thoughts on “What It’s Like to Visit Paisley Park, Prince’s Private Estate and Recording Complex”

Hello 🙂 Thanks a lot for your review !

I will try to go there this year. I just wanted to ask if there are really no place we can make pictures ? I know it has to be a “secret” place, but I am coming from France and I would be really sad to not have even one picture memory to watch sometimes ou to show to my family…

The Hall with love symbol at the beginning, the phones are already under seals ?

Thank you 🙂

To remember a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paisley Park, I have three photo suggestions for you: 1) Snap a selfie outside Paisley Park 2) Visit the underpass between Lake Ann Park and Paisley Park (also known as Graffiti Tunnel or Tribute Tunnel) and photograph all the tributes to Prince there 3) Upgrade to the VIP Experience where you’ll be allowed to have your photo taken at one spot along the enhanced tour

And, yes, they are ABSOLUTELY serious about not having your phone with you and they WILL lock it up if you bring it on site (rather than leave it in your car).

All of that said, visiting Paisley Park was one of the highlights of my trip to the Twin Cities!

This looks like an epic place to tour! Haunting and beautiful all at once. Will have to check it out for ourselves. Thanks for sharing!

It was such a cool experience, positive and uplifting, yet sad and tragic at the same time.

This is really interesting. Thanks for sharing the story. I particularly like the way you describe the last display of memorabilia left by fans after Prince’s death in 2016.

It was very moving! And folks still leave items along the fence of the compound today.

What a fascinating experience! I always find seeing studios fascinating. Thanks for all of the practical information, as well.

It just gave me chills to be standing in the recording space where so many legends once recorded their hits. Wow!

I enjoyed Paisley Park tour through your post. You described every bit of it and showed how much love people has for him even after his death. I have a friend who fell in love with him and said he’s the most sexiest man on earth ever. She will love Paisley Park.

Any Prince fan would LOVE a visit to Paisley Park! I hope your friend gets a chance to visit!

I’m definitely doing this tour next time I’m in Minneapolis. I, too, had to sneak and watch Purple Rain at a friend’s house and in the late 90s he played an after-hours show in Chicago – I of course had a camera (always had one!) and tried to sneak a photo. A huge hand came out of nowhere and grabbed my camera. A few minutes later, the same hand returned by camera with the film ripped out. So, yeah, dude really didn’t like photos!

OMG! I can totally see that about the camera and photos at the concert. You’ll love Paisley Park!

This is so cool – I’ve always wanted to visit Paisley Park! Thanks for sharing your experience!

If you are ever in the Twin Cities, I highly recommend it! Amazing experience!

I have some friends who are crazy Prince fans. I’m going to share this with them as well.

I’d love to hear what they think about my write-up and their experience if they get to visit Paisley Park.

I had no idea this place existed….or how badly I wanted to visit! Thanks for sharing this!! Growing up with a super religious mom, our music was definitely censored when we were in the house. But I remember being glued to the radio anytime I went anywhere haha. I loved Prince and I think this sounds like a super awesome visit!

It was such a great experience!

I didn’t know there was such a museum dedicated to Prince in Minneapolis. This is how little I know about the artist despite having few of his songs on my playlists. Having said that, this would definitely be something I would want to see, seems very interesting and fun.

It was SUCH a cool experience! What an amazing artist and human being. So sad he gone. 🙁

Crazy that you can’t so much as have your phone on you. But I’m sure it was a great tour. What an awesome experience!

Well, you can have it on you, it’s just locked up and inaccessible during the entire tour.

I didn´t know about the park, but your post has made be interested since I love ´80 music. I would like to visit the recording studio, it must be so exciting to be in the enviroment where such an amazing artist was recording!

If you are a Prince fan. Or a Madonna fan. Or a fan of any artist that ever set foot inside Paisley Park, you MUST go. There was just an amazing spirit that filled every room we visited!

Hi love your posts!!! I’m on way to P Park to experience Prince for my Bday March 13 th. I’ve been Prince fan admirer since day one of his iconic beautiful career n life. Even changed my name to Nikki!!! I m comming n just can’t wait!!! Lifetime dream bout to come true. Blessed to be able to come w my whole family.

How exciting! Have a wonderful time, and share your favorite pic with me by tagging @sagescott.kc on Instagram and using the hashtag #everydaywanderer. P.S. My birthday is March 13th, too!

I didn’t know you could visit Paisley Park so that’s on my radar now. I loved Prince and was sorry to see him leave us so early. I am a big fan of Minnesota and would love to incorporate this into my next trip!

Yes, Paisley Park opened as a museum in fall 2016, about six months after Prince’s death. It was such a cool experience to visit this special place and see so many amazing awards and artifacts from over the years. It sure brought back a lot of wonderful memories!

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Inside Paisley Park: A Tour Of Prince's Home In Minneapolis

I f you’re a fan of Prince Rogers Nelson, or simply known as Prince, then a visit to Prince’s Home in Minneapolis, known as Paisley Park, is a must.

Armed with a song in my heart, a Prince T-Shirt and a purple glittery butterfly tattoo on my shoulder, we set off to look inside Paisley Park on a special tour that takes you into the rooms and hallways where some of Prince’s finest work was written.

And it wasn’t just Prince who found inspiration at Paisley Park. In 1987, Prince opened the home to creatives looking for a retreat to create music.

Artists such as Madonna, Lizzo, Tevin Campbell, and REM have recorded albums here, and the home also featured in the Sign O’ The Times Concert Film and many more movies.

Needless to say, it’s not just any house in Minneapolis. Whether you’re a Prince fan, or just interested in the musical history of the area, a Paisley Park tour is a must for anyone visiting the city.

And here’s why…

Disclaimer: We visited Bloomington in partnership with Bloomington CVB , Mall of America and partners, but all thoughts, ideas and opinions in this guide are our own. Thanks to  Explore Minnesota Tourism  for providing our Paisley Park tickets.

• About Paisley Park, Prince's Home in Minneapolis

The Creative Space at Paisley Park

In the studio: where the magic was made, paisley park after dark, the reign of electric fetus, hail to the purple reign: the prince mural, paisley park opening hours & entrance fees, pin to share on pinterest, about paisley park, prince’s home in minneapolis.

Paisley Park was Prince property, located in Chanhassen, a 20-minute drive outside of downtown Minneapolis in Minnesota. It’s more than just a structure; it’s a musical sanctuary and a symbol of Prince’s creative genius.

The $10 million, 65,000-square foot mansion was completed in 1987 and served as Prince’s residence, recording studio, and concert venue.

It was designed by architect Bret Thoeny, with Prince’s own artistic flare added in for good measure.

As you walk around inside Paisley Park, you can see how the space was intricately crafted to reflect Prince’s artistic style, with plush purple furnishings and quirky artwork at every turn.

Paisley Park is not just a beautifully designed home that pays homage to Prince’s artistic style, but it’s also a living museum.

Visitors can get a glimpse into the enigmatic world of one of the most influential figures in music and preserve the legacy of an iconic artist.

Although Prince has passed away, the three-story purple house still remains property of the Prince and is managed by Graceland Holdings, with the blessing of Prince’s family. This is the same company who manage Elvis’s property, Graceland, in Memphis.

Prince Tour of Paisley Park Museum: The VIP Experience

When the folks from Bloomington CVB asked us if we’d like to tour Paisley Park and go on the Experience Prince Tour while visiting Minneapolis, our response was a resounding, “Yes!!”

Visiting Paisley Park on the VIP Paisley Park and Prince Experience Tour was one of the best tours we’ve done in the US, and is undeniably one of the top things to do in Minneapolis.

Prince played 27 instruments – all self-taught – and through them produced one innovative hit after another fusing sounds of pop, R &B, rock, soul, jazz and funk.

He was a musician, a singer, a director, a producer, an engineer, an actor, an innovator, a fashion icon, and the ultimate definition of cool.

“Cool means being able to hang with yourself. All you have to ask yourself is, ‘Is there anybody I’m afraid of? Is there anybody who if I walked into a room and saw I’d get nervous’?’ If not, then you’re cool.” Prince

For him, the purpose of life was to live with the complete freedom to express who you are without fear of what others think.

“The music for me doesn’t come on schedule.” Prince

Paisley Park was designed to allow this unannounced creativity to flow to Prince (and anyone who visits).

Prince was known to lock himself in a room when the inspiration arrived and then a few hours later walk out with a hit tune like Nothing Compares to You or Controversy .

Candles and incense could be found in almost every room. Pot pourri sat under his piano and musical instruments, and his favorite space – the “Galaxy Room” was filled with ultraviolet lights, drawn planets and starry skies was his small meditation room to the side of Studio B.

On the outside of the complex, Prince’s Paisley Park Estate doesn’t look like much more than a sterile industrial building on the side of a busy road.

No photography or video is allowed inside Paisley Park, but the mental images will never leave me!

As you walk inside, a large mural of the symbol sitting over Prince’s eyes stares upon you reminding you that there are no limits or no walls on creativity in this space.

Paisley Park eclectically opens up into a kaleidoscope of patterns, colors and shrines to music, funk, inspiration and freedom.

The atrium, a bright welcoming space with high ceiling was designed so the light coming out of the sun roof into the dark starry night would symbolize creative energy.

The walls are floating clouds in blue skies, reminding you to let go and let flow.

Above the atrium is an elaborate model recreation of Paisley Park. In it remains an urn with Prince’s ashes.

The symbol in places in front of it and blow on the floor. Above it and off to the side is a cage of white doves looking over him in honor and peace.

The rooms off the atrium showcase various albums and success like Diamonds and Pearls and Love Sexy , a few of his favorite guitars, and a wall filled with musical awards and multi-platinum selling albums.

Memorabilia from concerts and movies stand in displays in various rooms, including his purple motorbikes.

An entire room is dedicated to Purple Rain. Formerly, it was the dance studio and the place Prince would convert into a basketball court when it was time to play.

Our guide, Marshall, emanated a gentle spirit that felt connected to the space and Prince.

A musician himself, Marshall respectfully moved us around the Prince museum room-by-room sharing stories and being sure to let us know we were welcomed and appreciated.

We went into Studio B, the analog studio, which was a free creative space. It was here that we were able to relax and slip into Prince’s musical day.

In one corner, sat his piano with lyrics painted on the top. In the other corner sat his ping pong table.

Prince was a skilled ping pong player and we were able to play a couple of games while we waited for everyone to get their photo taken with a life-sized photo of an afro Prince and record a song over one of his tracks.

When you do the VIP Paisley Park Tour on a Thursday, you get to go into the studio and sing with him.

I tapped into his fearless creative energy, bopped and sang the chorus of Raspberry Beret. I hear you Prince and I’m being cool alongside you.

This is the kind of energy that is in Paisley Park: divine energy, creative energy, light and happy.

From everything I’ve heard about the man, who is adored and worshipped in Minneapolis, I am sure he would be very happy with how the tours at Paisley Park are conducted.

We ventured into Studio A where most of his music and hits were created.

He wasn’t the only artist recording hits in there, but others such as James Brown, Celine Dion, and R.E.M.

We saw his recording chair where he sat and recorded his vocals, which is unlike most artists who stand.

Prince sat because while he was recording he was also working the control panels to produce and engineer every part of the vocals and tracks.

“I feel so happy and free playing every instrument.” Prince

No wonder he was such a successful musician. The talent was there for sure, but even more so was the commitment to excellence.

The music was everything to him and he was perfect in his execution and making it pure. We were able to stand in there and listen to an unreleased track, Rough Enough.

I hope in the coming years these unreleased tracks and behind the scenes videos of his musical life are released and shared with the world, so we can continue to experience the joy of his music.

We finished the tour at the massive soundstage, which was more than a rehearsal room where he’d practice for tours, hold small events, and where a couple of movies were filmed.

Off to the side was the intimate club, Paisley Park After Dark.

We heard stories of how Prince would pop-up unannounced and sing to the crowds from the small stage. One night, Madonna appeared as well, and they performed together.

No one knew when he was coming though, and he’d often arrive at 2 or 3am in the morning. Only the dedicated of fans would still be there for the treat.

Sometimes, instead of singing he’d play his favorite movie for his guests: Finding Nemo!

It as an absolute treat to spend time with Prince the legend in his home and recording studio. His legacy and legend will continue to live on.

As Prince once said, “he wanted to be remembered only for his music.” Well maybe a little of his fashion and cool style as well.

The adventure did not end with the Paisley Park tour.

With my new purple scarf wrapped around my neck, we jumped into a black van with purple letters emblazoned on the side Experience the Tour .

Experience Prince the Tour

Former DJ and local to Minneapolis, Randy, was asked not long after Paisley Park began conducting tours to start a Prince the Tour experience of Minneapolis and Chanhassen the area where Paisley Park and Prince’s home is located.

It was a wonderful way to continue the Prince story.

Randy was a fantastic guide: warm and friendly, with a few good jokes thrown in, plenty of enthusiasm, and most importantly, a love for Prince and his hometown.

On the Prince tour we heard stories of Prince – what is known so far – about his upbringing, his musical career, his quiet philanthropic contributions, and the positive impact he had on the lives of the local people and the millions of people who loved his music

These stories can be heard and felt with the creative memorabilia left behind by his fans that visit both sent to Paisley Park and those left in Graffiti Tunnel, which was our last spot on the Prince the Tour.

Graffiti Tunnel is across the road from Paisley Park.

It goes under the road out front and the tunnel is covered in Purple Graffiti – messages, symbols, and pictures and leads out the other side to a fence adorned with purple ribbons, posters, letters and artists sketches.

Paisley Park collects these and rotates them on the memorabilia wall inside the Paisley Park Museum.

There was an abundance of them on our visit as the anniversary of Prince’s death had just passed and the big Celebrating that was held in his honor.

This is testament to creative, joyful spirit of Prince.

He didn’t want his passing to be fussed over or mourned, he wanted his life and legacy to be celebrated.

His community and fans knew this, so they celebrate with him each year.

Prince Tour Attractions in Minneapolis

On the tour we stopped outside Prince’s home where he lived as a child, and where his sister now lives.

We also stopped by Kid’s house from the movie Purple Rain, which Prince owns.

Purple tributes to him sat on the doorstep.

Capri Theater was where Prince held his first concert in 1979, selling out two shows of 240 tickets at $4 each. Imagine!

We followed the growth of his music career to First Avenue, nominated as one of the top five music venues in the world.

Only the best musical acts earn a start on the Wall of Stars at this venue.

Prince’s gold star looked upon the wall of silver stars of artists, like Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

It was here that upon his death the fans gathered, blocking off the surrounding streets and singing Prince tunes to honor this great man.

The world misses him.

One of our favorite spots on the tour was Electric Fetus record store.

Its unusual name is reflective of the hippy era and of its birth. In a world of Spotify and iTunes, it’s incredible to see this local record store still in business and thriving.

Electric Fetus was Prince’s favorite record store and he would often visit incognito.

In true Prince thoughtful spirit, he’d phone the owners first checking if it was okay for him to come in. He never wanted to arrive and cause a scene and make the owners stay back late or deal with mania.

Electric Fetus was the last place Prince was seen publicly before his death.

We spoke with the owners who told us that just the week before for the Celebration the store was packed.

It’s a landmark place for Prince fans to visit now.

We were fortunate that there were still some 7-inch vinyl limited editions left of Nothing Compares to You.

It was released for the Celebration and Electric Fetus was the only brick and mortar store granted permission to sell it.

Only 1984 copies were sold, which was the year he wrote and recorded the song.

Prince originally gave the song to The Family to record, but it wasn’t until Sinead released it in 1990 that it became a well-known hit.

I have that vinyl in my souvenir bag. I’ve just now got to get a record player to listen to it!

The final stop on our tour was back in Chanhassen where we stopped by the big Purple mural on the wall of Chanhassen Theater.

The theater was a place he’d often book out for private showings – he loved going to the movies.

Sometimes when he wasn’t feeling Paisley Park After Dark, he’d phone the theater in the early hours and book it out. He’d then send all the party goeers there telling them,

“I’m not feeling it tonight, but I’ve booked out the theater and all concessions for you to go there and continue the fun.’

The theater owners gave over this wall to a graffiti artist from New Zealand, Mr. G, to create this portrait.

And of course, what else can you do after such a memorable day with the Purple Reign but kiss the Prince?

Even though Savannah didn’t think he looked like a Prince, she leaned over to give him one too.

If you did not want to do the Prince the Tour, there is a self-guided tour with narration available here . On this 75-minute tour, you’ll go through the heart of Princedom to show you the Guitar Shop where the artist first jammed in the 70’s, the Orpheum Theatre where Prince was one of the first black musicians to play, and The Dakota club, which he visited just a few days before he died.

Paisley Park can only be visited on a guided tour, and tour tickets must be purchased ahead of time online. You can find tickets here .

Tours operate on Thursdays until Monday, from 9.00am – 5.00pm (6.00pm on Friday and Satuday).

Tickets cost between $65 USD and $204 USD depending on the package and experience you choose.

Final Thoughts

The Paisley Park Museum is not only a wonderful tribute to Prince, but also a place to honor imagination and creativity.

It offers a small insight into his very private life and his dedication to musicology.

Even if you don’t like his music, you can be inspired by this man who created a lifestyle where he had this gift of freedom.

I loved how he took back the creative control of his work by changing his name to the Symbol to craftily get out of the recording deal with Warner Bros records who was trying to change his creativity too much.

In doing so, he paved the way for other musicians to reduce the middle man’s fingers on art.

For more information on all Paisley Park Tours visit the official website here.   

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• Staying at Mall of America

What is your favorite Prince memory? Have you experienced a Paisley Park Museum or Prince the Tour? Let us know in the comments!

See Prince's home: Paisley Park tour tickets go on sale

Tickets for public tours of Prince's home/studio complex Paisley Park went on sale Friday at two price points: $38.50 for general admission and $100 for the VIP tour.

The Official Paisley Park website went live at 3 p.m. ET, as expected, following the announcement by the late icon's estate administrators Wednesday that his 65,000-square-foot complex in Chanhassen, Minn., would be turned into a museum and opened for daily paid public tours starting Oct. 6.

Fans can buy tickets through Dec. 31, 2016; tickets for 2017 will go on sale at a later time.

There was no immediate word on how fast tickets were selling.

The museum will be open 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., seven days a week, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The last tour will start at 9:00 p.m. CT.

Prince Estate: Paisley Park to open for daily paid public tours in fall

According to the website, which will be the only place to buy tickets, the Paisley Park "experience" will allow visitors to see artifacts from Prince’s personal archives, including his concert wardrobe, multiple awards (seven Grammys, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Purple Rain ), musical instruments, artwork, rare music and video recordings, concert memorabilia, automobiles and motorcycles.

The 70-minute, general-admission tour ($38.50) will feature the main floor, including the studios where Prince recorded, produced and mixed his music; his video-editing suites and rehearsal rooms; the soundstage and concert hall where he rehearsed and held private events and concerts; and his private NPG Music Club.

There will be an additional $7.50 service and facility fee per ticket, which includes one parking pass per transaction. Tickets will be limited per hour and once tickets are sold out for a specific date and time, the general-admission price will increase to $50.00 per ticket, plus service and facility fee.

The $100 VIP Tour, which will last an hour and 40 minutes and feature expert tour guides, features all of the above plus the chance to tour extra rooms and studio areas, see additional artifacts from Prince's archives. It also comes with exclusive photo opportunities and a special VIP parking pass.

Paisley Park has long had mythic status for Prince fans, and even more so since his death April 21 from a drug overdose in an elevator at the complex. His sister, Tyka Nelson, said turning Paisley Park into a museum was what her brother always planned.

Estate administrators, trying to raise revenue to help pay estate taxes, have teamed with the company behind Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland, in Memphis, to help guide the transformation of Paisley Park into a museum.

Watch CBS News

The Prince Experience: A Look Inside The Paisley Park Tour

November 2, 2016 / 12:08 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Members of the media Wednesday got to tour Prince's Paisley Park compound, where the Purple One famously lived and recorded many of his songs.

On Friday, Prince's home/studio opened as a museum to the public, following delays with the local government due to zoning concerns. Gov. Mark Dayton declared it "Paisley Park Day" in celebration.

The Paisley Park tour lasts about 45 minutes, allowing visitors to see everything from handwritten lyrics to doves in the atrium. Guests can walk through the 65,000-square foot complex where Prince famously held many of his exclusive concerts and events.

One of the big highlights is the "Purple Rain" room, which features the stunt motorcycle from the 1984 flick. On display are also Prince's famous purple coat and a purple piano.

Media members were able to photograph only certain sections of the complex, including the NPG Music Club, the "Under the Cherry Moon" room, the Super Bowl room and the area dedicated to the memorial fence that fans constructed.

MORE PICTURES : Paisley Park (Limited) Tour Gallery

Prince fans and spectators from all over the world are expected to visit Paisley Park. Angie Marchese, the director of archives, said many fans find the tour to be an emotional experience, where they can feel the Purple One's presence.

"Prince had an insight, wanted to open museum," Marchese said.

Prince died in April due to an accidental opioid overdose.

The Paisley Park tour costs about $40. The VIP tour costs $100. Tickets can be purchased here.

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