Prince Roger Nelson was born in Minneapolis on June 7, 1958-April 21, 2016. He was a producer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He won numerous awards throughout his life. He won seven Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain.
Paisley Park Studios recently opened to the public after the passing of Prince. Paisley Park served as a home, performance stage, producing, and recording studio.
When visiting you have the option of an early General admission $38.50 or General admission $50 + a $7.50 service fee.
- Main floor of Paisley Park, including recording and mixing studios where Prince recorded, produced and mixed some of his biggest hits
- Prince’s video editing suites and rehearsal rooms
- Massive sound stage and concert hall where Prince rehearsed for concert tours and held exclusive, private events and concerts
- Prince’s private NPG Music Club
Or the option of VIP $100 + 7.50 service fee – VIP includes items above plus additional items below.
- Guided tour with expert guide
- A 30-minute longer tour experience – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
- Tour additional rooms and studio areas – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
- See additional artifacts from the Archives – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
- Unique and exclusive photo opportunity – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
On Thursday nights VIP include the opportunity to record live vocals over a segment of Prince song and Sunday Includes Brunch.
Paisley Park After Dark: $60
Friday Nights -Dance party with a DJ in Prince’s private NPG Music Club
Saturday Nights -Prince movies and exclusive, rare performance footage starting at 9pm.
***copied from website ***
Paisley Park Tour
I attempted to get 2 VIP tickets for Sunday morning but tickets were sold out via the website. I contacted Paisley Park via their Facebook Page and they promptly responded. Although they responded quickly, they also informed me that all VIP tickets were sold out. My friend and I decided to drive to Paisley Park on Saturday. Fortunately, they allowed us to pay for a tour in person. I recommend purchasing tickets well in advance to avoid any issues. I was looking forward to recording live vocals over a segment of Prince’s track but unfortunately, this activity is only included on Thursdays VIP tour.
Phones are not allowed on the property and they immediately locked our phones away. As a blogger, I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to take photos to place on the blog. Prince didn’t allow photography or videography in Paisley Park while he was alive and they have decided to continue to honor his request.
During the tour I visited the following rooms:
In the Atrium are Princes beloved doves Majesty and Divinity. He gives them singing credit in his 2002 album One Nite Alone. Near Majesty and Divinity are Prince’s ashes. He was cremated shortly after his death. The remains are located in an urn that looks like a replica of Paisley Park.
Prince was very talented. Not only did he write and record his songs, he also produced them. We had the opportunity to visit his production room. In this room, we listened to a song that has not been released to the public.
Inside the Purple Rain room was a copy of the script from the Movie Purple Rain, music video of purple rain playing on screen projector, Academy Award and the famous outfit he wore during the movie. The guide told us that it used to be a basketball court in the room but they removed it for tour purposes. Prince was known to be so fashionable he did not wear gym attire to play basketball but he played in fancy shirts and pants to shoot hoops.
We went into a sound room where we saw the infamous purple piano and guitar. This is where we were allowed to be photographed by our guide. It is to be noted that you can only get this photo if you purchase $10 USB. They also had a ping pong table that we were able to play on. The guide explained that Prince would often play with old and new employees to break the ice.
Sound Stage and concert hall showcased his 2 cars and various outfits that he wore while performing. While observing the outfits, I realized Prince was a tiny man, standing only 5’3 and a little over 100 pounds. He was small in stature but bigger than life as a musical and talented artist.
After completing the tour, the guest was served brunch. Prince was a proud vegetarian, as a result brunch was meatless. Brunch consisted of French Toast topped with marshmallows, eggs with avocados, potatoes and orange juice. If I had to give the brunch a grade it would receive a C-.
After leaving the museum, you have the opportunity to take photos with cardboard replicas of Prince. I actually thought the photos I took with my camera were a lot better than the ones taken by staff.
Fans from around the world have left tributes at Paisley Park to honor his legacy. Paisley Park appreciates the fans and has decided to keep all the tributes and post them as memorabilia in the souvenir store.
If you are ever in Minnesota or live in Minnesota, I recommend taking the tour.
****At Paisley Park I met a man and women who were traveling together. When I asked what their relationship was, they responded they were brother and sister in law. The wife was traveling with her daughter to South Africa and they decided to come to Minnesota from California. Question: would you allow your significant other and sibling travel together?****
It must be an incredible experience to get so close to Prince. I had no idea that you could actually tour Paisley Park. I think the production room would be been my favorite.
I didn’t know either until I was looking for things to do in Minnesota. The production room was cool because you have the opportunity to see where magic happened.
Glad you enjoyed your experience at Paisley Park. I know this place will be sold out for a long time with all of the many fans Prince had.
I admit it was our fault, they had tickets but we waited until the last moment. Next time I will get them advance. Thank you it was a great experience.
I can understand why they’d restrict phone use. People need to be in the moment. With phones and cameras all the good parts of the museum would get out!
Very true, it forced me to enjoy everything and to be in tune with what was going in the exact moment. No pictures also continues to honor princes wishes, he didn’t allow photos when he was alive .
I would definitely visit Paisley Park. I’m surprised it is open so soon to the public though.
It took them about 6 months to open. I’m not sure if they were motivated about the possibility of making money or the FANS..
Your article pecrfetly shows what I needed to know, thanks!
Thanks for reading 🙂
I’m so jealous that you went. Prince was a legend for sure!
A legend until the end of time. 🙂
You took some awesome photos!! I think we are going this summer.. nope my husband is not traveling sightseeing with a non family member.. nope, nope, nope
Look forward to reading your post about Paisley Park. LOL I heard that Loud and clear, he is only traveling with you or friends..
I wasn’t a HUGE Prince fan, but I would LOVE to visit Paisley Park! Love your pictures, and I love the fact that they force you to be in the moment!
I wasn’t a huge fan either but I knew I couldn’t go to Minnesota without going to his home. You make a good point, sometimes we are busy taking pictures we forget about being in the moment.
They put this together quickly. It sounds really cool though that you get to get up front and close with Prince’s home and items. I would totally do this tour.
Yes they did do it really fast. They are having big celebration this coming April and other artist will be there for a mini concert. I think you would enjoy the tour.
I love Prince’s music and seeing his home would be a great experience. Although I wish you were able to share pictures, your account of the tour is very thorough. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading. Yes I wished I could have shared photos because I think they would have helped me remember more details, I’m pretty sure I didn’t remember everything. Which mean you have to visit one day and see it for your self. 🙂
Sooo… Prince died on my birthday and now I feel obligated to visit Paisley Park whenever I get to Minnesota. I definitely appreciate his style and think it’s cool that us “regular folks” are even allowed in his domain. I like that they kept his ways and preferences alive.
Oh no, I’m sorry that has to be your memory of Prince. I know I’m glad they have the park available for tours because it gives you a tiny glimpse in into his life and it makes him more real to see the place where he lived and recording.
I definitely understand the request to not have photography. This makes people come.
I can see the surprise or mysterious element may make more people want to go.
Omg I love prince, I have to go there
If you love Price, you will enjoy Paisley Studios
While I wasn’t a big fan my hubby was. I would love to take him here and let him get the VIP access. And in response to your question about the brother and sister in law that just seems weird.
If he was a fan, he def love it. You can pick the day you want to go based of the themed nightly events. I think It would be weird as well.
Looks like you had a great time. It seems a bit unfair that you couldn’t take pictures. If you were able to take pictures, that could generate more business. Wow!
I would think so, because people are intrigued by pictures. I’m glad they at least had the photos of prince outside the studio.
Paisley Park is very private, as Prince was himself, pictures will be hard to come by. Since Prince is our hometown hero, I know I’ll have to visit one day..
You should def go as you live in the state but I understand, I have great landmarks/museums in LA that I haven’t visited and I’ve been bored and raised in Los Angeles.
Nice! I definitely have to visit I am not a huge prince fan but can appreciate his music
I wasn’t a fan per say and I realized why. I wasn’t even born when he first became a artist, but I can appreciate the music as well.
This sounds like a cool place to visit. And to answer your question, it would all depend on which sibling. My hubby could go with my brothers, but not any of my sisters. This is just weird.
Def cool place to visit. Yes going with your bro would be like a guys trip, going with just your sisters could be awkward.
Wow! Larger than life photos of Prince? Count me in! Love your photos!
Thank you! 🙂
I feel so heartbroken when I think of the way Prince died. I just don’t understand it. MJ I understood, Prince…I feel like time has been robbed.
Yes and the sad part about it was the last person that seen him was 8 pm the previous night, didn’t find him until the next morning slumped over in the elevator. But it could have been quite possibly, they say he used to take pain killers due to the pain in his ankle and hips. I wish we could all live forever and forever.
I’m definitely a fan of Prince. I was so sad when he passed away. I would love to visit Paisley Park one day. Thanks for sharing the details and your experience.
Thank you for reading, I appreciate it. Yes if you are a Prince Fan, you must visit Paisley Park when you get a chance.
Great pics and great post. I am a huge Prince fan and have always wanted to go to Paisley Park. Hope to get there in the future.
If you’re a fan of Prince, you would enjoy Paisley Park. Make sure to purchase the VIP experience, I think it’s worth it.
Paisley Park is definitely on my bucket list. Prince was one of my favorite artists, so I must visit. Great photos.
Thank you! If you are a Prince fan, Paisley Park is a must!
Cool write up of the estate! I’m not a diehard Prince fan (and feel kind of guilty about this admission) but I absolutely loved that he lived on his terms for as long as I was aware of him. I know the blogger struggle of having your phone locked away. It’s like prison! And for me, my husband and my siblings could indeed travel together. He’s been more of a brother to them in general. I’m not sure I would be too keen on my sister (if she were alive) staying in the same room with him though. I wonder if that was the case for them.
Thank you so much Natasha! No worries you can admit that, because neither am I. I wasn’t even born when he began making music. So I know of him but I couldn’t call myself a fan. I wonder too, but I didn’t ask about the room (I should have been nosy)Yes the struggle of being a blogger and no phone especially since I think most people prefer to look at pictures vs. actually reading. #thestruggleisreal
That is awesome. I am supposed to attend a conference in Minnesota next year. I will try my best to go. Thank you for post. It lools like you had a blast.
Yes, I would do it. When I’m on work trips, I always find things to do after hours. I had a great time 🙂
Once again another great adventures. I’m going to have to check this out when I go to MN for Christmas. This will be a fun adventure for my family. Great pictures and it seems like you had an amazing time. I’m still waiting for your travel ebook. 2018 it’s gonna happen!
After I booked my ticket, I was like I don’t really want to be in the cold but it wasn’t so bad in January. I hope you have a great time with your family for Christmas. WOW travel E-book, I have never thought about that, but I certainly need to dream for more than I could imagine! I hoping for 2018 to be a great year and I’m wishing the same for you!
This is the first I’m hearing of Paisley Park and it sounds like a beautiful way to remember such a legend! Thanks for sharing this with us!
You’re very welcome! Well i’m glad I can be the first one to tell you about Paisley Park, I would check it out if you were a prince fan or want to know more about him.
This is amazing- I had no clue you could tour Paisley Park! I would love to check it out!
Yeah and the cool thing, they have different things that you can do at his house depending on what day it is! Def check it out when you have the opportunity 🙂
I will forever kick myself for not paying the $300 ticket price for one of his surprise concerts before he passed. I’ll definitely put this on my to-do list though!
They say dont live life with regrets but there are certain things that you cant help but regret! Next time just do it. LOL
I still can’t believe Prince is gone. How amazing to be so up close and personal to his personal space. Love it.
Thank you Kita, I did know much about him, so this was great to see his personal space 🙂
I still find it hard to believe that he’s gone. MN is on the list of states I still need to visit and this looks like it’s a must to add to my list of places to go!
Yes, def make sure you hit up this spot. I love to travel international but its great to visit states in the good ole USA
My best friend went to visit Paisley Park and loved it. I’m grateful Prince allowed his fans to experience his legacy in this way.
Glad your friend was able to visit, I think he has always cared about his fans even after death
Laaaaaaaaaawd, I love me some Prince! This is definitely a bucket list item!
Yes, go ahead and check this off your bucket list real quick 🙂
This is such a beautiful way of preserving Prince legacy. Great shots!
I agree, thank you 🙂
Paisley Park is on my bucket list. Minneapolis is one of my favorite cities. The last time I visited Prince had just passed and Paisley Park wasn’t opened yet. Definitely going to have to go back to check this out.
I had never really thought about going but I had a great visit! Hopefully you can go back soon, now that it has reopened 🙂
I had no idea Prince had a tribute in Minnesota. Not gonna lie Minnesota isnt on my to-travel list but for a Prince I would check this out if I ever visit there.
Yeah Minnesota was only on my list because my college room mate lived there, Prince house was an added bonus