Honor Prince at these 10 iconic sites across the US

The passing of Prince in April 2016 marked the loss of an icon and a creative force in music. Prince Rogers Nelson was one of a kind, and his untimely death at just 57 left a significant gap for his devoted fans and fellow artists alike.

While he will always be missed, Prince's remarkable catalog and extensive archive continue to inspire and be celebrated by industry legends. His legacy is also deeply rooted in numerous locations throughout his beloved Minneapolis and the broader US—from the places he called home to the venues that bear his remarkable influence.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to embark on the ultimate sightseeing adventure for Prince fans everywhere—so grab your raspberry beret and let’s set off.

1. Paisley Park, Minneapolis

This is the ultimate destination for any devoted Prince fan—an impressive $10 million recording complex in suburban Minneapolis, opened in 1987. Here, Prince crafted some of his most legendary albums, including Sign O’ The Times, Diamonds and Pearls, and the iconic 1989 Batman soundtrack. The facility features a recording studio and two rehearsal spaces that also serve as live venues.

Prince envisioned Paisley Park as his version of Elvis’s Graceland. Following his passing, it has been transformed into a museum and tribute, where visitors can feel his spirit as they tour its halls. Each April, in honor of the anniversary of his death, Paisley Park hosts an annual Prince 'Celebration,' featuring performances by musicians who worked with him, discussions, and other events (check the official website for ticket details).

2. The Capri, Minneapolis

Nestled in north Minneapolis, The Capri first opened its doors in 1927. However, it was in 1979 that this historic venue made its mark in rock history when Prince performed his first solo show there. Attend one of the many thrilling events, grab a ticket, and envision what it was like for music fans over 40 years ago, eager to see the young local talent who was about to take his first steps into rock ’n roll.

3. First Avenue, Minneapolis

The downtown venue First Avenue reached rock legend status when Prince filmed several pivotal scenes there for his 1984 movie Purple Rain. This transformed it into an iconic site forever linked to Prince’s story. The club received $100,000 for the filming and closed for 25 days to facilitate it. A silver star with Prince’s name now adorns the wall outside, which was painted gold after his passing. First Avenue continues to host live performances, featuring bands like Parquet Courts, Snail Mail, and This Is The Kit, with tickets available through the official website.

4. The Purple Rain House, Minneapolis

This is the residence of Prince’s alter-ego, The Kid, from the film Purple Rain. Although only the exterior is shown in the movie, it left such a lasting impression on Prince that he purchased it just a year before his passing. Recently refurbished, fans will have the chance to stay there starting late 2024 as part of Airbnb's Icons promotion—though this opportunity will be available for a limited time!

5. Schmitt Music Mural, Minneapolis

In the late 1970s, as Prince was starting to make a name for himself both in the United States and beyond, he participated in a photoshoot with renowned rock photographer Robert Whitman. The backdrop for this shoot was a massive mural located in downtown Minneapolis, painted on the wall of the former headquarters of Schmitt, a musical instrument manufacturer.

Commissioned by the company in the 1970s, the mural resembles a gigantic sheet of music, with the notes depicting the score from Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. It remains a landmark today, and even if you don’t have a camera as skilled as Whitman’s, this spot is perfect for a selfie.

6. The RP Funding Center, Florida

The music video for Prince’s massive 1983 hit, 'Little Red Corvette,' was filmed at this venue in Florida. The recording took place during rehearsals for their upcoming 1999 tour, with Prince instructing director Bryan Greenberg to keep the cameras rolling as he moved across the empty stage (note that there are no crowd shots). He glided across the stage and even executed an impressive split.

7. Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

Prince was a cherished patron of this Minneapolis landmark until his passing. You can sit at his beloved table, marked with a placard that says 'Rest in peace.' He would often enter the club through a side door, making his way discreetly to table 299, which is tucked away and offers a view of the stage. The venue regularly features live performances by touring jazz bands.

8. Electric Fetus, Minneapolis

A devoted music lover, Prince was a familiar face at this Minneapolis record store. On Record Store Day in 2016, he stopped by and picked up six CDs, including Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, Joni Mitchell’s Hejira, and Santana’s Santana IV.

9. Las Vegas Rio, Las Vegas

In the last chapter of his life, Prince experienced a surge of creativity, as if he realized time was fleeting. In November 2006, he launched a six-month residency at the Rio Las Vegas hotel, transforming its 1,000-capacity live venue into Club 3121. Each night, he would perform for up to three hours from an island stage, showcasing his signature bright orange Stratocaster. The venue remains active, hosting live performances regularly.

10. Minnesota River

For die-hard fans of Purple Rain, here's a treat. In a pivotal scene, The Kid encourages Apollonia, his love interest, to cleanse herself in the 'crystal clear waters' of Lake Minnetonka, located about 15 miles southwest of Minneapolis. However, it's soon revealed that they're not at Lake Minnetonka at all, but rather along the banks of the Minnesota River.

You can explore this 332-mile tributary of the Mississippi, which flows south of Minneapolis. Stand by the riverbank and envision what it must have been like to witness Prince and his crew filming one of the most legendary rock movies ever made.