Doors Open Minneapolis is your chance to explore the buildings that tell our city’s story. From theaters to business hubs, sacred spaces to private clubs, sports complexes to engineering wonders, historical gems to not-even-open-yet buildings, Doors Open Minneapolis will give you a FREE behind-the-scenes look at dozens of exciting venues. Caretakers at these sites will be providing unique experiences that illustrate why these venues, and the people and businesses that work in them, are such marvels.

Avoid the lines and pre-register! It's free and will save you time!

If you've only got time to see a few places this weekend, we've put together a list of must-hit spots you'll want to check out.

West Broadway/North Minneapolis

Homewood Studios Gallery: Meet and see the studios of eight North Minneapolis, in this historic 1920s building. Studio garden tours will be available and see some new work by local graffiti artist Peyton Russell.

Plymouth Avenue Art Studio: Explore the open art space in front, artist workspaces in back, and art library. The artwork showcases local community artists living in the neighborhood. Adults and children will be able to create art pieces.

ZaRah: This building has held many services dedicated to community for more than 100 years. The building now serves as a holistic wellness incubator that provides African American Women business owners within the wellness industry with affordable operational space, wrap around business support, and financial assistance.

For more things to do around this area, check out our West Broadway guide.

Downtown Minneapolis

Orchestra Hall: Orchestra Hall is one of Minnesota’s great cultural touchstones. Explore all corners of this exceptional music-making site in the heart of downtown with guided backstage tours and family activities! Open Saturday only.

The Dayton's Project: The Dayton's Project marks the cultural renaissance of downtown Minneapolis. This newly restored 1.2 million square foot building reimagines the historic and beloved department store as mix between retail and office, offering a touch point in the heart of Minneapolis for community and a hub for business.

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Fed is one of 12 regional banks that, along with the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., form the nation’s central bank. Join us for a self-guided experience to learn how we maintain the nation’s currency supply, discover the security features of money, and take a photo with $4.6 million.

The Hennepin: The Hennepin is a non-profit arts and cultural event center. They host business meetings, social gatherings, mini-weddings, rehearsals and performances, style shows and receptions in six event spaces.

Minneapolis Central Library: Hennepin County Minneapolis Central Library, designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli, is a downtown destination for reading, learning and connecting. During Doors Open, visitors will be offered self-guided tours of the building, including historical displays on the past central libraries in the Special Collections department.

See what else is happening around Downtown in our neighborhood guides.

Northeast Minneapolis

Kramarczuk Sausage Company: Step into Kramarczuk’s and inhale the delicious smell of smoked meats, fresh baked goods, and stewed sauerkraut. Meet the owner and learn more about the company’s 65-year history in the neighborhood. From the historic building to the proudly displayed, made-on-site food, this venue is also a feast for the eyes.

The Main Cinema: The Main Cinema is a newly refurbished five screen movie theater and home of the MSP Film Society. Come see the theater’s transformation into an elegant arts space, with historic details such as “The Main” lightbulb marquee. All Doors Open visitors will have tour options and will receive BOGO tickets for a future film screening!

Minneapolis Cider Company: Learn about the history of the building, the company's roots on the U of M West Bank campus and community ties, the cidermaking process including a taste of product right off of the tank, as well as our one-of-a-kind apple spirit during a 30-minute tour.

The Ard Godfrey House: Today, the Godfrey House is the oldest remaining frame house in the city. The house has been impeccably restored by The Woman's Club and is filled with furnishings and household artifacts authentic to the 1850s--some original to the Godfrey family, including the walnut baby cradle and the Chickering rosewood piano that graces the parlor. Volunteers and interns dressed in 1850s period costumes give tours of the one and a half story house. Open Sunday only.

Discover more of what Northeast has to offer in our neighborhood guide.

South Minneapolis

Uptown

Granada Theater: Built in 1927 and designed to mimic the feeling of watching a movie outdoors in an exotic locale such as a Spanish plaza or castle courtyard, the Granada was one of the first local cinemas designed for “talkies.” Come check out the brand-new remodel, which has converted this space into a restaurant and event venue.

Lakewood Cemetery: Explore Lakewood's stunning spaces, including the net-zero designed Welcome Center (opening spring 2024) surrounded by serene walking paths and a peaceful reflection pool. Tour the historic Byzantine Memorial Chapel, featuring 10 million mosaic pieces and listed on the national historic places register. Don't miss the Garden Mausoleum, an award-winning masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Open Sunday only.

Highpoint Center for Printmaking: Live screenprinting and a kid-friendly exhibition opening at Highpoint Center for Printmaking! Join us on May 18th for an afternoon where you can see the annual student exhibition, learn more in our Print Study Room, watch live print demonstrations by local artists, and enjoy complimentary snacks. Open Saturday only.

Powderhorn

Minnesota Spokesman Recorder: The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has been telling the stories of the African-American community for over 85 years. Visit us to experience the rich history of this black press and appreciate the great amount of storytelling shared weekly. Tours, a photo display, old papers, and paper representatives will be on hand to share their story.

Lake Street

Midtown Global Market: Home to more than 45 independent restaurants and shops representing 22 countries, Midtown Global Market welcomes visitors to be immersed in a global experience with a short history presentation and self-guided tour featuring global cuisines, cultural music and dance, arts, and a family-friendly craft table.

Longfellow

The Lift Garage: The Lift Garage is an auto repair shop that provides low-cost car repair for low-income Minnesotans. You will have an opportunity to see the inner workings of a shop, including what it looks like underneath a car, identify car parts, and see repair tools! Open Saturday only.

Christ Church Lutheran: Christ Church Lutheran is the most architecturally significant contemporary church in Minneapolis, designed by two internationally known 20th-century architects, father and son, Eliel and Eero Saarinen. The complex of sanctuary and education wing are considered by critics as crowning achievements of the architects' careers and essential parts of 20th-century architectural vocabulary.

Whittier

Gale Mansion: Visit an original Pillsbury family home, built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, with its exquisite ballroom, grand gallery and beautifully crafted woodwork. Explore the rooms and grounds of this National Historic site and sample delicacies created by the Gale's catering chef. The Gale Mansion, home of the Minneapolis AAUW is a popular venue for private and corporate events. Open Saturday only.

Hennepin History Museum: Located in a contributing property of the Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District, Hennepin History Museum invites you to experience the diverse history of our region. Explore the exhibits, see early photos of the building and its first owner, and enjoy hourly talks about the family who built this mansion that has become a museum.

Learn about what else there is to do in South Minneapolis.

West Bank/Cedar Riverside

Theatre in the Round Players: Theatre in the Round Players (TRP), the longest-running theater in Minneapolis, produces comedies, dramas, and classics on its unique, acclaimed arena stage, designed by Ralph Rapson Assoc. TRP’s delightful home (circa 1910), with stunning exterior 3D murals by famed artist John Pugh, is a warm, intimate, and inviting venue. Open Saturday only.

Cedar Cultural Center: The Cedar-Cultural Center is a music venue located in an old movie theater in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota campus. Guests will be given access to The Cedar's iconic Green Room.

See what else there is to do in the West Bank/Cedar Riverside area.

University of Minnesota Campus/East Bank

Pillsbury Hall: Explore a stunningly renovated 1889 Minnesota sandstone building. Take a guided tour or scavenger hunt to find hidden niches and gargoyles. Learn how Pillsbury helped keep the U the state’s flagship University. Discover today’s building occupants, the Department of English and Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, through literary readings and artwork.

Check out our Dinkytown/University of Minnesota Campus guide for more things to do in the area.

These are just a few of the buildings and places your explore during Doors Open weekend, to see more visit the Doors Open website.