Address
401 Lake Street E, #200
Wayzata, MN 55391
A REALTOR®'s Perspective on Finding the Right Home in Minnesota
Wondering what makes Excelsior such an easy weekend favorite on Lake Minnetonka? The answer is not just the lake, though that certainly helps. It is the way this compact town brings waterfront views, walkable shopping, casual dining, and community events together in one historic core. If you are planning a visit, or simply want to understand the lifestyle that draws people here, this guide will show you how to make the most of a weekend in Excelsior. Let’s dive in.
Excelsior is small in size, but that is part of its charm. The Metropolitan Council’s 2024 community profile lists the city at just 0.9 square miles with 2,364 residents and 1,145 households, and the city places it on the shores of Lake Minnetonka about 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
That scale creates a weekend rhythm that feels easy and connected. In the city’s comprehensive plan, residents pointed to Lake Minnetonka, the small-town feel, walkability, historic downtown, and The Commons as some of the features they value most.
If you enjoy places where you can park once and explore on foot, Excelsior stands out. The city describes downtown as a pedestrian-oriented shopping area, with Water Street serving as the main commercial corridor and civic center.
A weekend in Excelsior often begins at the lakefront. The Commons is a 13-acre park and one of the city’s historic assets, with two swimming beaches, picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball fields, a band shell, docks, buoys, and public excursion boat docking.
This is the kind of place that naturally sets the tone for the day. You can take in the water, let kids enjoy the playground, or simply sit near the shore and watch the boats come and go.
During the warmer months, The Commons also becomes an event space. The city notes that summer concerts are held at the bandshell, with food, refreshments, beer, and wine available for purchase.
From The Commons, it is an easy walk into downtown. Water Street has long been Excelsior’s principal commercial thoroughfare, and today it still reflects that locally focused, experience-driven feel.
Rather than a chain-heavy district, the downtown mix leans toward small-footprint businesses and specialty stops. City and chamber materials describe a blend of antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, floral and gift shops, books, gallery space, interior design, cheese and entertaining shops, and consignment businesses.
That mix makes browsing feel relaxed and flexible. You can spend an hour popping into shops, then head back toward the lake without needing to drive across town.
One of the best parts of Excelsior is how easy it is to pair dining with a walkable outing. Restaurants sit close to shops, the theater, and the waterfront, so your weekend does not need a rigid schedule.
A simple plan often works best. Browse Water Street first, stop for a meal, and then circle back to the lakeshore for a second stroll.
Because the historic core is compact, even a short visit can feel full. That is especially true on summer weekends, when the downtown area is active and the public spaces are busy.
Parking is worth planning ahead, especially in peak season. The city says Excelsior uses a paid parking operator, with two-hour free parking on Water Street when you register your license plate.
The East Lot and West Parking Ramp are also public parking options, though they have separate rules. The city’s planning documents identify downtown parking as a longstanding challenge, which helps explain why busy weekends can feel lively very quickly.
If you want a smoother start, arrive earlier in the day. That gives you more flexibility and makes it easier to enjoy the walkable layout at a relaxed pace.
Excelsior’s identity is tied closely to the lake, so it makes sense to build that into your weekend. The city notes that the restored steamboat Minnehaha runs summer round trips between Excelsior and Wayzata, adding a memorable historic layer to a day on the water.
The port and lakefront are not just scenic extras. They are part of the town’s original story and still shape how people experience Excelsior today.
For visitors who enjoy active outings, the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail also runs through downtown. That gives you another way to connect the lakefront, the park, and the commercial district.
Excelsior has a strong events calendar, and that gives many weekends a built-in theme. The city says it hosts annual events such as Art on the Lake, Crazy Days, Concerts in the Commons, Donation Yoga in The Commons, and Apple Days.
These events are part of what makes the town feel communal rather than purely commercial. You are not just visiting shops and restaurants. You are stepping into a public, shared weekend experience.
If you prefer high energy, plan around one of the city’s signature events. If you want a quieter pace, choose a non-festival weekend and focus on the lakefront and downtown stroll.
The Lake Minnetonka Excelsior Farmers Market runs Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 441 Oak Street, with entrances on Water Street and Oak Street. If your weekend starts early, that market can be a great kickoff.
It also pairs well with a walk through downtown. You can shop the market, browse nearby stores, and still have time to enjoy the waterfront.
On Thursdays between June 18 and August 27, 2026, the Excelsior Streetcar Line places the streetcar at the Water Street Platform from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with rides and carbarn tours. For visitors, that creates a fun tie between local history and the farmers market atmosphere.
If you enjoy planning a themed afternoon, this is one of the easiest ways to do it. You get a little history, a little shopping, and plenty of walkable lake-town character.
Art on the Lake is one of the clearest expressions of Excelsior’s summer identity. In June 2026, the event featured more than 150 artists, live music, regional food vendors, and free admission.
For a weekend visitor, that means a strong arts-and-stroll experience. You can spend hours moving between booths, grabbing food, and taking in the lake setting.
Crazy Days is a longtime summer sidewalk-sale tradition in downtown Excelsior. In 2026, it ran July 16 through 19 on Water Street, reinforcing the strong connection between local retail and community activity.
Apple Days brings a different seasonal feel. The 2026 festival was scheduled for September 18 through 20 and included craft booths, a kids’ corner, food vendors, history tours, an apple pie contest, live entertainment, and a beer and wine garden.
The Fourth of July is another major anchor on the Excelsior calendar. The city says the annual celebration is held on July 4, and chamber materials describe the day as including a morning race, a parade, and evening fireworks.
That lineup captures the town well. Excelsior’s energy is not only about shopping or dining. It is about public spaces, traditions, and the lakefront setting bringing people together.
If you are visiting Excelsior with real estate on your mind, the town’s weekend appeal tells you a lot about daily life. The same features that make it a destination, including walkability, lake access, historic character, and a compact downtown, also shape the housing experience.
The city’s comprehensive plan says residents want to maintain small-town character, limit larger-scale development, and protect the historic downtown. It also supports a variety of housing types, with multifamily housing dispersed throughout the community rather than concentrated in one area.
Excelsior’s housing stock reflects that history. The city inventory identifies 478 single-family houses, with 21 designated as historic landmarks and 35 more recommended for landmark status, while the Downtown Historic District contains 74 structures and one site.
That means buyers are often drawn to homes that feel connected to the town’s established character. In practical terms, Excelsior tends to offer a lifestyle centered on older single-family homes, attached housing, historic cottages, and lower-scale residential options rather than large new suburban expansion.
If a property is in the historic district, exterior work generally requires a Site Alteration Permit. The city also offers permit-fee reductions for designated landmarks and contributing buildings, which is useful context if you are considering a home with historic significance.
If you want an easy way to experience Excelsior, keep your plan flexible and walk-first. A simple outline can help:
The beauty of Excelsior is that you do not need to overplan it. The setting does a lot of the work for you.
If you are exploring Excelsior not just as a visitor but as a place to call home, working with a local advisor who understands the Lake Minnetonka lifestyle can make all the difference. When you are ready to talk about buying or selling in this part of the west metro, Holly Connaker offers thoughtful, high-touch guidance rooted in deep local knowledge.
Address
401 Lake Street E, #200
Wayzata, MN 55391