Sight guide · Minneapolis · United States
Visiting Guthrie Theater
Jean Nouvel's dark-blue theatre complex on the riverfront has three stages and the Endless Bridge, a cantilevered lobby that juts about 54 metres towards the river.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steve Lyon, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Guthrie Theater is an architectural landmark in Mill District, Minneapolis. Allow 30 minutes, or an evening for a show; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Architecture
- Area
- Mill District
- Time needed
- 30 minutes, or an evening for a show
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture, views and after dark
- Best months
- May and September–October
About Guthrie Theater
Jean Nouvel's dark-blue theatre complex on the riverfront has three stages and the Endless Bridge, a cantilevered lobby that juts about 54 metres towards the river. The public lobbies and the yellow-tinted Amber Box window are open to non-ticket holders when the building is open.
Tip: Even without a ticket, walk out onto the Endless Bridge for a free view of the river and the Stone Arch Bridge.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30 minutes, or an evening for a show.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Mill District, riverfront mill ruins, the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge.
Best time to visit Guthrie Theater
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- September: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- May: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-September the sun sets at about 19:25 local time (calculated for Minneapolis).
When to visit Minneapolis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Minneapolis itinerary visits Guthrie Theater on day 2, together with Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls and Mall of America.
- No. 9 of the 17 sights in our Minneapolis things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Minneapolis.
Near Guthrie Theater
Also in Mill District, so you can walk between them:
- Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls — 1 hour, free
- Mill City Museum — 2 hours, mid-priced
If you like Guthrie Theater
- Minneapolis Skyway System — Downtown, As needed
- Weisman Art Museum — University of Minnesota, 1 hour
- Basilica of Saint Mary — Loring Park, 30–45 minutes
Staying near Guthrie Theater
Stay in Mill District ($$$) to walk here: riverfront mill ruins, the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge. All areas to stay in Minneapolis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Guthrie Theater?
Plan 30 minutes, or an evening for a show. With Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls nearby, it fits a half-day in Mill District.
+Is Guthrie Theater free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Guthrie Theater?
May and September–October, the quietest of the good months. Even without a ticket, walk out onto the Endless Bridge for a free view of the river and the Stone Arch Bridge.
+Do I need to book Guthrie Theater in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.