Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis

The Orpheum is a star in Hennepin Avenue’s lineup of restored historic venues, standing proudly alongside the Pantages, State, and Shubert (now Goodale) theaters. Opened in 1921, this theater was built to dazzle, welcoming 2,600 eager patrons for vaudeville acts and live performances. In true showbiz fashion, it even came outfitted with a dedicated elevator—not for performers or sets, mind you, but for the animal stars of the era’s grand touring productions.

Over the decades, the Orpheum has staged everything from Big Band concerts to Broadway tours. Its design is as grand as its legacy. The lobby, with its long, slender layout, connects a narrow Hennepin Avenue entrance to the set-back auditorium, which sits parallel to Hawthorne Avenue. Inside, you’ll find terra cotta bas relief sculptures in the lobby, a ceiling dome adorned with 30,000 aluminum leaf squares, and plasterwork so ornate it might make a wedding cake jealous. The theater seats 1,500 on the main floor and another 1,100 in the three-level balcony.

Pro tip: Make your Orpheum visit even more legendary by stopping by the nearby Jack Link’s Legend Lounge. It’s a swanky spot for theatergoers, offering specialty cocktails, wine, beer, non-alcoholic options, and protein snacks. The lounge opens 90 minutes before each show, giving you plenty of time to sip and snack before the curtain rises.