The Cowles Center

Orchestra Hall is home to the internationally renowned Minnesota Orchestra. The hall's unique acoustic features, designed by Cyril M. Harris, provide a perfect venue for any kind of musical performance. Besides the Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra Hall hosts a wide variety of other guests each year, including classical, jazz, and pop music performers as well as comedians and speakers. A recent renovation has greatly improved the hall's public spaces.Parking and public transportation to Orchestra HallThere is metered parking on the adjacent streets and a pay parking ramp attached to the hall. Metro Transit has several bus lines that stop nearby.Best and worst time to go to Orchestra HallFriday nights when the Minnesota Orchestra is in season can be very busy at Orchestra Hall, and extra time should be allowed for getting there and finding a place to park. Weeknight performances are likely to be less crowded and more easily accessible. During the summer, the orchestra hosts Sommerfest, which is a hugely popular four-week fest that draws even larger crowds.Admission to Orchestra HallPricing for performances varies anywhere from $10 and up.Must see/do at Orchestra HallThe excellent acoustics in the performance hall are also visually stunning. There are more than 100 large cubs that create a falling rock pattern that's striking to see. Outside of Orchestra Hall is Peavey Plaza, a public gathering area that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Other places to visit near Orchestra HallThere are several excellent restaurants near Orchestra Hall. Vincent is right across the street, offering contemporary French food (and one of the city's best burgers); near Vincent is Brit's Pub, a casual British eatery with the bonus of having a rooftop bowling green; Manny's Steakhouse is within three blocks, as is the tiny but excellent La Belle Crepe. Orchestra Hall's location on Nicollet Mall provided a great opportunity to explore the main part of downtown by taking a stroll on Nicollet in either direction; one way takes you to the iconic IDS Center, and the other takes you to Loring Park.Insider tip for visitors to Orchestra HallMinnesota has a somewhat casual approach to dressing for orchestra events. At any given performance, you might see people dressed in anything from black tie to jeans. While some people frown at the casual approach, others point out that they're more likely to enjoy an orchestra performance if they're dressed comfortably. So dress as casually as you wish (or dare).Author's bio: Amy C. Rea is the author of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: an Explorer's Guide, and Backroads & Byways of Minnesota. Her third book, Camping Minnesota, will be published in 2016.