Opened in 1921 originally as the Hennepin Theatre, the Orpheum is one of four theatre venues on Hennepin Avenue that stages the majority of theater-related events in the city. It has undergone drastic renovation in 1993, after the sale of the theatre by none other than Bob Dylan, to what is now called the Hennepin Theatre Trust. The Orpheum is notable for staging the pre-Broadway world premiere of Disney's The Lion King.

The State Theatre was opened in 1921 and at the time was considered the most technologically advanced in the United States. The theatre has a seating capacity of 2,181 and was designed by Chicago architect J.E.O. Pridmore in a free Italian Renaissance style. Between 1921 and 1978, the State Theatre was mainly a movie house, although vaudeville acts played there, as well as concerts and ballets. The State Theatre was bought in 1989 by Minneapolis Community Development Agency, and after nearly two years of renovation, the theatre re-opened in November 1991, showing plays and musicals.

One of the many theaters around the country founded by impressario Alexander Pantages', this magnificent building began life as vaudeville theater, and has since gone through various restorations to maintain its gilt-edged splendor. The Pantages' most striking feature is the stained glass globe in its ceiling.