Our Top Ten Activities in Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka, MN

Excelsior is a quaint, historic town on the southwestern shore of Lake Minnetonka, located about 20 minutes west of downtown Minneapolis. Known for its Victorian-era architecture and vibrant, walkable downtown, this destination continues to charm visitors and residents with its lakeside lifestyle and strong community feel. From lakeside recreation to historic charm, Excelsior makes our list of most charming towns to visit in Minnesota any time of the year!

Our Top Ten Activities in Excelsior

1. Book a Cruise on Lake Minnetonka

Excelsior offers several different types of cruise experiences on Lake Minnetonka, one of Minnesota’s most beloved lakes. Cruise experiences offered are dining cruises, sightseeing cruises, specialty cruises or private event cruises. We have experienced a sight seeing cruise with Paradise Charter Cruises. We had an awesome experiences learning about the history of the area. (For example, there used to be an amusement park in Excelsior). We have also booked a cruise with Al & Alma’s Supper Club, which featured a delicious buffet on the lake.

Some well-known operators departing from Excelsior and nearby areas include:

• Wayzata Bay Charter Cruises: Offers a variety of public cruises, including sightseeing, brunch, and dinner cruises, from the Port of Excelsior.
  • Contact: (952) 451-9001.
• Lady of the Lake: Operates a historic paddlewheel boat offering public sightseeing tours and private charters for events.
  • Contact: (952) 929-1209.
• Paradise Charter Cruises: Offers public and private cruises on Lake Minnetonka, including brunch and dinner options, and departs from the Port of Excelsior.
  • Contact: (952) 474-8058.
• Al & Alma’s Supper Club and Charter Cruises: Provides a luxury dining experience on Lake Minnetonka, with both public and private options available. While its main location is in Mound, it is a significant operator on the lake.
  • Contact: (952) 472-3098. 

2. Stay at a Historical Landmark

Have you ever stayed in a historical landmark before? Excelsior offers the opportunity to stay at one of the most unique lodging experiences in Minnesota! Known collectively as The Beehive, this building was previously the town’s first schoolhouse in 1857. It would later serve as a college dormitory, then become a busy boarding house. Today, this historic building has been transformed into a unique stay with two units: The Apiary and The Medena.

We got to experience The Apiary, which can host up to 4 guests. The Apiary features a blend of stone and brick complimented by modern features. Truly, a past meets the present design! We enjoyed having a full kitchen, dining area and living room during our stay. Our favorite part was the patio area. We had several lounging areas, a grill provided and even a S’mores kit to enjoy around the fire. The location of The Apiary is convenient. We were in walking distance of historic Water Street, and Port of Excelsior near Lake Minnetonka. Truly a bucket list stay!

3. Walk the Port of Excelsior

The Port of Excelsior is a historic, waterfront area on Lake Minnetonka that is a gateway to recreational activities, scenic views, beaches, cruises and Excelsior Commons. Excelsior Commons is a 13 acre park with sports facilities, picnic areas with fire pits and beaches. There is also a cute ice cream shop near the entrance, and it is right at the end of historic Water Street. We enjoy walking the trail that wraps around the lake.

4. Enjoy a Seasonal Festival

Excelsior is home to several fun festivals and events throughout the season. We just attended Apple Days in downtown Excelsior this September (2025). The event featured vendors, food trucks, exploring downtown shops, live music and a “kids corner” with several activities. During the summer time, there is the Art on the Lake event in June, and 4th of July fireworks in Commons Park over Lake Minnetonka. During winter, Excelsior hosts the outdoor Christkindl Market offering German-inspired holiday traditions, and even live reindeer!

5. Recreation on Lake Minnetonka

Lake Minnetonka offers several recreational activities on the lake. While we mentioned booking a cruise earlier, there are also of plenty of public water access areas. Past Commons Park, there are two beach areas where you can also rent kayaks or canoes. Grab your boat, jet ski, paddle board or just pack for a day at the beach.

6. Dine on the Lake

Looking for a dining experience with a view? We got you covered! On the shores of Lake Minnetonka, you will find Maynards, which offers several outdoor seating areas right on Lake Minnetonka. If you have a boat, you can pull right up to the docks. Maynards is known for their delicious cocktails, and American food like burgers, cheese curds, wraps and more. You can also make online reservations if needed.

7. Shop and Stroll Historic Water Street

One of our favorite experiences in Excelsior has been exploring all the unique shops along Historic Water Street. We really enjoyed Excelsior Bay Books, which has a great selection and cozy atmosphere. For all my lake life lovers, The Lake Effect has something for everyone! If you lake antique shops, pay a visit to Leipold’s Gifts & Antiques (great book selection here), Country Look-In Antiques and Water Street Antiques.

8. Admire the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Located about 9 minutes from Excelsior is the famous Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. We enjoy walking all the trails that wind through various types of gardens, and national collections of plants. From Japanese Gardens to Rose Gardens, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has something to see no matter what time of year it is. You can also view the conservatory areas, natural areas and take education classes (which is very fun for kids too!).

9. Enjoy the Excelsior Dining Scene

For all my “foodie” friends, Excelsior is the place for you! We tried Lagos Tacos, which was absolutely delicious. They have a variety of options for cocktails, and I loved their walleye tacos. We also had Coalition, which has a great selection of wine, as well as their famous hash browns covered in truffle cheese. A couple of places we wanted to try, but didn’t get the chance to is Italian food at Mirabelle and the newest food edition to Water Street, Vagabondo, a Sicilian restaurant. For my coffee and pastry loving friends, Dunn Brothers Coffee and Red Bench Bakery are also located downtown.

10. Treat Your Sweet Tooth at Licks Unlimited

If you have a sweet tooth like me, make sure to add a stop to Licks Unlimited to your list. Located on Water Street, this nostalgic ice cream shop offers some of the most unique ice cream flavors. Featuring over 40 different flavors, this family owned ice cream shop offers a 4 scoop ice cream flight and a 1950s vibe, steps away from Lake Minnetonka.