Shopping & Entertainment Guide
Even if you don't have a boat, Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding communities have a lot to offer. Most importantly 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
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.
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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 accomodating 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
Out of the ports in Wayzata and Excelsior, Paradise offers both public and private tours/cruises. Private tours can accomodate groups from between 10 and 100 and are perfect for a number of events, or take a look at their public cruise event calander to find a great opportunity to cruise the waters of Lake Minnetonka.
952.474.8058
www.Twincitycruises.com
Wayzata Bay Charters
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 to parties of up to 80 guests and has a full bar.
(952) 451-9001
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 accomdating staff, will ensure that your event is a success. Al & Alma's has a home port in Mound, and two other ports, one in Wayzata, and the other in Excelsior.
Queen of Excelsior
A public and private cruise line out of Excelsior Minnesota that has both the Queen of Excelsior and the QEII luxury liners. The Queen of Excelsior is perfect for public tours or private events and has special Comedy/Dinner Cruises starring Scott Hanse.
Bay View Charter Cruises
Bay View offers 4 distinct public charter cruisers as well as a captain's lounge at their BaySide Grille, a private pier, and catered cruise packages.
952.474.1113
www.BayViewCharters.com
Lady of the Lake
Enjoy a 90 minute narrated tour of Lake Minnetonka aboard this historic sternwheeler cruise. Adult tickets are $12.50 and children are $6.00. Lady of the Lake departs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
952.929.1209
www.LadyoftheLakeCruise.com
Restaurants
Al & Alma's Supper Club
Enjoy lunch or dinner aboard one of 7 different cruise boats while touring on Lake Minnetonka. Check the schedule for public cruise times or reserve a boat for private parties ranging from 20 - 149 guests. Reservations can be made at 952-472-3098. The Al & Alma's cruise line is located at their home port in Mound at 5201 Piper Rd, Mound MN.
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. They are located behind the BayView Event Center on Excelsior Bay and can be reached at 952-474-1113.
Northcoast Restaurant & Bar
Lake Minnetonka dining with a great selection of American Cuisine as well as happy hour, Wednesday 3-course date night specials, and private dining options. They are located on Wayzata Bay at 294 East Grove Lane, Wayzata MN.
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 a range of 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.
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.
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 stops at our 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 our 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.
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.