Excelsior

Excelsior was founded in the 1850s as a destination for vacationers, primarily from the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Excelsior is located along beautiful Lake Minnetonka and offers numerous lake cruises and beaches. Throughout the years, Excelsior's Water Street has been the home to many businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and merchants. Today, Excelsior works hard to maintain its historical identity while renewing various elements of the downtown area.

By plane

The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is only twenty miles from Excelsior.

By car

Highway 7 runs through Excelsior and connects the city to Interstate 494, US 169, and Highway 100. Highway 7 also continues into Minneapolis.

Metro Transit runs express buses to and from Excelsior to Minneapolis

• Excelsior Commons

  phone: +1 952 474-5233
  address: Lake St
  At the north end of town is The Commons park and recreation area with a swimming beach, playground, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and picnicking.

• Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

  phone: +1 952 221-4766
  address: 305 Water St
  The Society’s museum and archives are free and open to the public, and hold the largest collection of historic artifacts and documents in the area.

While it is a smaller town Excelsior is filled with fun activities for all ages. Situated along Lake Minnetonka the city is filled with trails to explore and parks to enjoy all year round.

Trolley Rides

• The Excelsior Trolley

  phone: +1 952 922-1096
  address: 305 Water St
  Old trolley No. 78, a streetcar that originally ran from Minneapolis to Excelsior in the 1920s, has been restored and now runs between the Bayside Grille and the Farmer's Market in Excelsior. It's a charming experience that no one should miss. Operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, which also operates the Como-Harriet streetcar line in Linden Hills, Minneapolis.

Lake Cruises

• Lady of the Lake Paddle Wheel

  phone: +1 952 929-1209
  address: 8 Water St
  Enjoy a beautiful Minnesota day or evening on the premier Lake Minnetonka charter boat, the Lady of the Lake.

• The Queen of Excelsior Cruises

  phone: +1 952 470-8439
  address: 10 Water St
  Every Sunday, May through September, the QE offers a public Sunday Brunch. Cruising the pristine waters of Lake Minnetonka with friends or family is a great way to spend a Sunday.

• Excelsior Bay Charters

  phone: +1 952 474-1171
  address: 436 Union Pl
  Sail through Lake Minnetonka gliding through bays and inlets, discovering the magnificent homes and historic estates.

• Steamboat Minnehaha

  phone: +1 952 474-2115
  address: 400 Lake St
  100+ year old historic streetcar Steamboat Minnehaha operated by nonprofit charity, The Museum of Lake Minnetonka.

Theaters

• Old Log Theater

  phone: +1 952 474-5951
  address: 5185 Meadville St
  Recognized as one of the most popular theaters in the U.S., the Old Log offers contemporary plays and comedies year-round and the theater's company of Equity actors include some of the finest talent in the Midwest.

• Excelsior Dock

  phone: +1 763 682-3000
  address: 26 Water St
  3 theater cinema offering stadium seating and delicious popcorn.

Water Street in downtown Excelsior is lined with specialty stores and smart eateries. There are also shops located along 2nd and 3rd Streets, which run perpendicular to Water Street. Metered parking is available along Water Street, public parking is also available off 3rd Street. This historic shopping district offers a wide range of family owned and small town shops catering to many tastes.

Antiques

• Excelsior Coin

  phone: +1 952 474-4789
  address: 449 2nd St
  Excelsior Coin and Collectibles has been in business for more tan 30 years. They have extensive knowledge of collectible coins, gold and silver and buy and sell on site.

• Country Look Antiques

  phone: +1 952 474-0050
  address: 240 Water St
  Country Look Antiques is your everything antique store that’s chock full of unique treasures and fun finds.

Clothing

• Ooh La La

  phone: +1 952 474-1743
  address: 274 Water St
  Two great store ideas within one place that truly compliment each other. Ooh La La features fashionable handbags, tees Voltage shoes and accessories at affordable-chic prices.

• Meridian Boutique

  phone: +1 952 474-4519
  address: 223 Water St
  A contemporary boutique offering an extrodinary hand-selected collection of contemporary designer apparel.

• Big Island Swim & Surf

  phone: +1 952 474-4537
  address: 229 Water St
  Big Island Swim & Surf offers a collection of swimwear not only from around the country, but around the world! From beach bags, handbags, handcrafted jewelry, flip flops, sunglasses and browning lotion, Big Island Swim & Surf has it all.

Gifts

• Capers Excelsior Gifts

  phone: +1 952 474-1715
  address: 207 Water St
  Capers is THE place to find the gift for that hard to buy for person. Filled with jewelry, scarves, novelty gifts, home accessories, and more. This store carries the charm and variety that every shopper loves.

• The Soap Box

  phone: +1 952 474-4652
  address: 350 2nd St
  Situated in Paris Tailors, The Soap Box carries a select range of scented soaps and oils from around the world.

• Provisions Excelsior

  phone: +1 952 908-9650
  address: 320 Water St (in the Excelsior Mill building)
  As featured in Midwest Home magazine, Provisions offers you pure shopping enjoyment, offering thousands of creative and enjoyable gift ideas.

Specialty

• Wilcock Gallery

  phone: +1 952 470-8118
  address: 218 Water St
  Original oil, watercolor and pastel paintings by top regional and national artists.

• Noahs Ark Pet Store

  phone: +1 952 474-1936
  address: 40 Water St
  Noah’s Ark Fish & Pet Supply is a full service pet store.

• Minnetonka Music

  phone: +1 952 474-3277
  address: 250 Water St
  Minnetonka Music offers a complete selection of musical instruments, music education, instrument repairs, school instrument programs, sound equipment, sheet music and instrument accessories.

• Sound Sisters

  phone: +1 952 380-0144
  address: 234 Water St
  Sound Sisters Musical Equipment rental offer Sound System rentals, Stage Lighting, Effect Lighting, Video Projector rentals, Video screens and Backline Rental for Musicians, D.J.’s, Organizations, Events, Weddings, Parties both indoor and outdoor events and festivals.

• Excelsior Bay Books

  phone: +1 952 401-0932
  address: 36 Water St
  An intimate setting on picturesque Water Street. This bookstore stands out based on its friendly staff, well chosen book selection, and perfect location. If they don’t have it, they’re more than happy to find it and order it for you.

• 318 Cafe

  phone: +1 952 401-7902
  address: 318 Water St
  318 is a quaint cafe located on Water Street and offers a small town feel with an urban vibe. Come for lunch or drop in later to catch a local artist and enjoy a glass of wine or beer.

• Adeles Custard

  phone: +1 952 470-0035
  address: 800 Excelsior Blvd
  At Adeleʼs, they make every batch of homemade frozen custard on-site with fresh, premium ingredients from their own unique recipes resulting in custard that’s rich, creamy and delicious.

• Bayside Grille

  phone: +1 952 470-8975
  address: 687 Excelsior Blvd
  Escape the ordinary and experience the Bayside Grille, Lake Minnetonkaʼs hot spot for unparalleled waterfront deck dining, fantastic drinks, and sunsets you wonʼt soon forget!

• Hazellewood

  phone: +1 952 401-0066
  address: 3635 Manitou Rd
  A neighborhood gathering place for your friends and family that captures the essence of hospitality in casual, comfortable surroundings.

• Joey Nova's Pizza

  phone: +1 952 405-2700
  address: 5655 Manitou Rd
  Joey Novas Excelsior Pizza is an East Coast style pizzeria & delicatessen offering and delivering exceptional, freshly prepared foods for their friends in Excelsior, Chanhassen, Shorewood and Tonka Bay.

• Licks Ice Cream

  phone: +1 952 474-4791
  address: 31 Water St
  A locally owned ice cream parlor that features homemade waffle cones, ice cream and soft serve yogurt. Just a short walk to the public docks. Lickʼs is open by the season (usually May thru October) and is a local favorite for both young and old.

• Maynards

  phone: +1 952 470-1800
  address: 685 Excelsior Blvd
  Maynards in Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka is the essence of American casual, with an expansive outdoor dining deck and bar adjoined to their own dock space that makes it a boating favorite for lunch and dinner alike.

• Yumi's Sushi

  phone: +1 952 474-1720
  address: 28 Water St
  Shhh! A true local secret! Yumiʼs bustling little sushi bar is located right in the heart of downtown Excelsior where it serves the highest quality, artfully presented sushi this side of Tokyo.

• Haskells Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 952 474-0935
  address: 1 Water St
  Offering a full bar, grill and happy hour Haskell’s is a great destination for a gathering after a day on the lake, and welcoming spot to meet and catch up with friends.

• Jake O Connors Irish Pub

  phone: +1 952 908-9650
  address: 200 Water St
  Jake Oconnors “A public house” with Irish hospitality in Excelsior! Come for the Irish flare and stay for the live music and a perfectly poured pint. Everything in this restaurant is authentic Ireland.

• The Bird House Inn & Gardens

  phone: +1 952 474-0196
  address: 371 Water St
  1858 Victorian Italianate inn located off beautiful Excelsior Bay of Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.

• Hennepin County Library

  phone: +1 612 543-6350
  address: 337 Water St
  Opened in September 2014, a modern library with all the services of a typical American library.

In the Twin Cities metro

• Mall of America in nearby Bloomington. Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing.
• Valleyfair is an amusement park that's within an hour's drive in nearby Shakopee.
• Minnesota Zoo is in nearby Apple Valley.