Amenities and Entertainment
Lake Amenities
Even if you don’t have a boat, Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding communities have a lot to offer especially the cities of Excelsior and Wayzata, which are the hub of activity when it comes to shopping and entertainment. The following is a collection of some of the places to go and things to do on and around Lake Minnetonka.
Lake Minnetonka Shopping
The communities of Wayzata and Excelsior are the hub for Lake Minnetonka shopping. The shops range from arts and crafts to clothing and everything in between.
Alishops.com has this to say about the unique and beautiful setting Wayzata brings:
“When there’s no time for a Palm Beach getaway, an afternoon strolling this waterfront downtown will transport you. It has a look and attitude entirely distinct from the rest of the Twin Cities: Nautical, rich and blonde. Accordingly, the independent shops are expensive and mostly tailored to ladies who lunch…with a miniature poodle peeking out of the Louis Vuitton bag at their Gucci loafer-clad feet. For a reality check, there’s Chico’s, Talbot’s and Acorn. And if that doesn’t do it for you either, remember: Views of the lake are free.”
Alishops.com has this to say about shopping in Excelsior by Lake Minnetonka:
“A quaint waterfront Main Street on Lake Minnetonka where fashion boutiques, home and garden shops and antiques provide a well-rounded afternoon of browsing. (And when you’re done, there’s ice cream and fudge, of course.)”
Lake Minnetonka Boat Cruises
- Sea Note Cruises
Sea Note is a luxury cruise line working out of the Excelsior public docks. The ship is a classic yacht accommodating up to 60 guests with a full bar and comprehensive lunch and dinner menu. 8 Water St Excelsior, MN 55331
www.Seanotecruises.com
- Paradise Charter Cruises
Paradise Charter Cruises operates out of the ports in Wayzata and Excelsior, Paradise offers both public and private tours/cruises. Private tours can accommodate groups from between 10 and 100 and are perfect for a number of events, or take a look at their public cruise event calendar to find a great opportunity to cruise the waters of Lake Minnetonka.
www.Twincitiescruises.com - Wayzata Bay Charters
Wayzata Bay Charters offers public and private cruises out of Excelsior with a full menu and the convenience of offering transportation to and from Lake Minnetonka. Their 3-level cruiser is available for parties of up to 80 guests and has a full bar.
www.Wayzatabaycharters.com
- Al & Alma’s Supper Club & Chartered Cruises
Accommodating both public and private cruises, the six-yacht fleet of Al & Alma’s, as well as their accommodating staff, will ensure that your event is a success. Al & Alma’s maintains a home port in Mound, and two other ports, one in Wayzata, and the other in Excelsior.
www.Al-almas.com
- Lady of the Lake
Enjoy a 90 minute narrated tour of Lake Minnetonka aboard this historic sternwheeler cruise.
www.LadyoftheLakeCruise.com
Lake Minnetonka Entertainment
- Street Car Rides
Enjoy a trip through historic Excelsior along a half-mile of track built on the former right-of-way of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. The car also stops at the car barn so passengers can view a photo gallery of hotels, trains, paddlewheel boats and landmarks from the 1800s; history, in pictures, of the Twin Cities Rapid Transit as it ran in Minneapolis and St. Paul; other streetcars in the collection; work in progress of restoring a vintage streetcar. Re-board the car riding to the end of the line where you will see some of the 110 miles of shoreline of Lake Minnetonka where the car returns to the Water Street stop. After your trip back in time, stop at the old Minneapolis and St. Louis station and see the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society displays. Excelsior was founded in 1853. Then, take a stroll along Water Street to see the many owner occupied shops.
www.trolleyride.org
- Steamboat Minnehaha
Take a trip back in time around the beautiful Wayzata Bay on the Steamboat Minnehaha. This floating museum was first built in 1906 and starting hosting cruises in 1996. It runs from Wayzata to Excelsior.
www.steamboatminnehaha.org
Lake Minnetonka Restaurants
- Al & Alma’s Supper Club
Al and Alma’s Supper Club was founded in 1956 by Al and Alma Quist. Open for dinner only, today’s modern restaurant embraces recipes that have spanned three generations. The term “Supper Club” embraces the past but requires no membership! Hand cut steaks, slow cooked BBQ ribs, famous camp-style walleye and homemade desserts accompany modern American fare and delightful nightly specials including fresh ocean fish.
www.al-almas.com
- Antiquity Rose
Antiquity Rose is a classic dining room and antique shop in the picturesque town of Excelsior, Minnesota, on the shores of beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Here, friends, neighbors and tourists sit at tables made from vintage sewing machines and enjoy delicious Carrot Chowder, Salmon Loaf, Chocomint Medley and other homemade specialties. Antiquity Rose is located at 492 2nd Street, Excelsior MN.
www.antiquityrose.com
- Bayside Grille
Enjoy weekday lunch and dinner or even weekend breakfast at Bayside Grille. This Lake Minnetonka hot spot offers beautiful views with waterfront deck dining. Bayside Grille does offer boat slips to lake travelers as well as a private pier and live music for great summer enjoyment. Bayside Grille is located behind the BayView Event Center on Excelsior Bay.
www.bayviewevent.com - Blue Point Restaurant & Bar
The Blue Point, established in 1987, is an upscale fresh seafood restaurant located in quaint and beautiful Wayzata across the street from Lake Minnetonka. They offer comfortable dining atmospheres, ranging from the white table-clothed Wine, Key West and Main dining rooms, to the more casual Oyster Bar with tables draped in green-checkered cloths. Blue Point is located on Wayzata Bay at 739 Lake Street East, Wayzata MN.
www.bluepointrestaurantandbar.com - Gianni’s Steakhouse
Gianni’s Steakhouse is scenically located across from Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, MN. Gianni’s is the perfect Twin Cities venue for lunch or to share a romantic night out, celebrate a special occasion, host a private event or simply unwind with happy hour specials.
www.giannis-steakhouse.com - Lord Fletchers
Located in Spring Park and featuring an old lodge atmosphere on Lake Minnetonka in an idyllic setting, Lord Fletchers is the epitome of Minnesota. Since Lord Fletcher’s was established in 1968, it has won national awards for its food, wine and individualized service. Visit the Oar House at Lord Fletchers for casual dining options in a sports bar atmosphere. The Main Dining Room at Lord Fletchers is a comfortable and inviting space to gather with good company to enjoy wonderful fine dining with items created by the Lord Fletcher’s culinary team. The Main Dining Room continues to earn accolades for its food, atmosphere and service.The Wharf at Lord Fletchers is the size of a football field and offers seating for over 400 guests. The Wharf is equipped with 3 large bars and a casual menu offering burgers, sandwiches, salads, walleye and much more. Memorial day through Labor day The Wharf also offers a great variety of live music (Thursday – Sundays, weather permitting). Guests may enjoy watching or playing volleyball on one of The Wharf’s 3 sand courts. The Wharf also provides 100 boat slips allowing you to visit by land or sea and making it a popular destination on Lake Minnetonka. The Quarter Deck is Lord Fletcher’s version of the screened in deck. Covered and heated, the Quarter deck offers al fresco dining with the ability to keep mosquitoes and the occasional rain cloud from ruining a perfectly wonderful steak. Offering seating and dining from The Main Dining Room menu The Quarter Deck offers an excellent outdoor setting to dine and listen to the din of the activity on The Wharf and water.Lord Fletchers has something for everyone to enjoy!
www.lordfletchers.com
- Maynard’s
Established in 1998, Maynard’s Restaurant began operating on a very historic piece of property in Excelsior, Minnesota on Lake Minnetonka. The same land was occupied by the Excelsior Amusement Park from 1925 – 1973, and then saw restaurants come and go over the next couple of decades. Known for some of the best views of Lake Minnetonka and it’s waterfront dining which includes a patio and wharf bar, Maynard’s is a place everyone can enjoy.
www.maynards-excelsior.com