Excelsior, Minnesota is one of America’s most charming towns! Located just 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis on the gleaming shores of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior offers antique charm that’s paired with a vibrant tourism industry. This is the perfect place to enjoy quaint shops, dreamy inns, neighborhoods lined with Victorian-era homes, exceptional restaurants, and some pretty great pubs!
It’s no exaggeration to say that a stroll through Excelsior feels like you’re walking through a postcard. Excelsior’s historic commercial district that runs down Water Street is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places!
A tour we think you'll love
If you’re curious about fun things to do in Excelsior MN, you’ll be happy to know that this oasis in the shadow of the Twin Cities has no shortage of fun attractions and excursions that can be enjoyed in the summer and winter. Of course, nobody will blame you if you simply want to find a quiet nook where you can enjoy some pretty lake views.
Planning a little Excelsior getaway is one of the best things to do if you desperately need to unwind. Use these nine tips to discover what to do in Excelsior MN to make your visit magical!
1) Take A Tour Of Lake Minnetonka
A cruise is a great experience for all ages! Enjoy the sight of 18 acres of sparkling water spread out before you when you visit this lake to enjoy its serene views and abundant wildlife. You don’t need to own a boat to partake in the “lake life” culture of Excelsior. Just do what everyone else does by booking a spot with PaddleTap!
We offer all types of tours and excursions that are perfect for family, friends, couples, bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, girlfriend getaways, birthday trips, special celebrations, and more. Take a look at what Excelsior visitors are booking:
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LazyTap Party Boat – Our top-selling tour
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Private tours on one-of-a-kind tiki vessels, pedal taverns, or party pontoons
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Public tours that are perfect for smaller groups
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TikiTap Back Channel Brewing experience on a tiki-themed party pontoon
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RegularTap Paddle Pub-Downtown Excelsior
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Back Channel Brewing private tour
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Electric Duffy boat rental
Most of our tours offer an unforgettable 100-minute experience on the sparkling waters of Lake Minnetonka. However, we do have a few options lasting two to three hours. Our top-of-the-line boats can hold between 14 and 18 people. We’ve carefully curated our fleet to be able to bring our guests to beautiful areas of the lake that large vessels can’t access.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Lake Minnetonka in all its glory from an easy boarding spot on the dock near Excelsior’s downtown. Book your cruise with PaddleTap today!
2) Do A Little Shopping At Excelsior Bay Books
Excelsior Bay Books is one of the gems of this charming lakeside town. Located at 36 Water Street, the store offers an exceptional collection of new and classic books. In addition to being a great place to find your next favorite read, this shop is also a wonderful place to soak in the welcoming vibe of Excelsior.
Excelsior Bay Books offers an inviting environment with comfortable seating. You’ll love this little bookstore even more once you learn that this is a dog-friendly establishment!
3) Grab Some Goodies At Excelsior Gift Shops
Excelsior is peppered with a variety of gift shops and specialty shops that provide the break you need from uninspired online shopping and big-box stores. These shops offer cute memorabilia, clothes and jewelry, fun gifts to bring back home, and last-minute accessories for your day on the lake that you may have forgotten to pack! Here’s your quick shopping guide to downtown Excelsior, MN:
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Lake Effect Nautical Gifts (219 Water Street)
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Fleurish LLP (40 Water Street)
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Leipold’s Gifts & Antiques (239 Water Street)
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Water Street Gallery (211 Water Street)
All of that shopping might make you peckish! Luckily, downtown has some places where you can grab quick treats. Licks Unlimited on Water Street is Excelsior’s premier purveyor of ice cream. Dunn Brothers Coffee is also conveniently located within walking distance.
4) Be Entertained At Minnesota’s Oldest Professional Theater
The Old Log Theatre is the oldest professional theater in the state of Minnesota. While the venue hosts a variety of shows and concerts, the biggest draw is the performance of “Million Dollar Quartet” which plays out an impromptu 1956 Memphis jam session shared by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley!
If a jukebox musical isn’t your thing, the ongoing Excelsior Bay Concert Series dazzles audiences with some of the most beloved and popular tribute bands in the Twin Cities.
You can also simply visit this historic theater for dinner. The attached Cast and Cru Restaurant is a popular date spot that features a regular menu, wine menu, and Sunday brunch menu!
5) Grab Some Tacos For Lunch Or Dinner
Having an incredible meal is always one of the best things to do on any vacation or weekend getaway.
You won’t be able to hang around Excelsior for very long before you hear locals raving about Lago Tacos. This popular eatery specializes in fresh Mex, street tacos, and oversized burritos. It also just happens to be the best spot to get a fresh margarita with your food in Excelsior!
If you’re dining in the summer, be sure to grab a seat in the front patio area.
6) Visit Excelsior Brewing Company
Visiting Excelsior Brewing Company is one of the best things you can do if you want to experience the full scope of lake life! Located in historic Downtown Excelsior, Excelsior Brewing Company is a lake-themed microbrewery offering an on-site taproom. Visitors can enjoy live music, games, and 20 tap lines at this full-production brewery with a large outdoor patio.
In addition to enjoying brewery favorites, visitors to the taproom are also treated to special sneak peeks of pilot beers and hard seltzers that aren’t on the market yet!
7) Get The Market Experience
Feel like a local by checking out the markets of Excelsior. The Excelsior Farmers Market is a seasonal market held every Tuesday from June 14 through Aug. 30. With the location and dates changing from time to time, you’ll want to check the town’s website to confirm the current season’s offerings!
Excelsior is also home to an extravaganza called the Excelsior Flea Market & Outdoor Market which has been going strong for 20 years. This event that brings together a variety of eclectic vendors offering vintage and handmade goods is located at a site directly across from Lake Minnetonka at the corner of Lake Street and Water Street.
8) Relax With A Picnic Or Concert At Excelsior Commons Park
Offering exquisite views of the water during all four seasons, Excelsior Commons Park is home to a public beach, picnic areas, and playground swings for kids. This lakefront park also hosts many of the town’s most popular events.
During the summer, the Concerts in the Common series brings people out for live music, great food and drinks, and sunset views from the banks of the lake. The park is also the site of Lake Minnetonka Oktoberfest in the fall. Of course, some people simply like to gather here in the winter to enjoy iced-over views of the glistening banks.
Don’t skip the chance to experience one of the most peaceful things to do in Excelsior with a little detour to this charming park!
9) Swim At Minnetonka Regional Park
This is the swimming hole people dream of when sitting in their cubicles in Minneapolis!
If you want nothing more than to enjoy a lazy day with family or friends, this scenic lakeshore area with a swimming pond, fishing pier, hiking paths, and cycling trails will hit the spot!
In the summer, the sandy-bottom swimming pond with filtered, chlorinated water provides endless hours of entertainment and enjoyment for families.
Embark On An Unforgettable Adventure On Lake Minnetonka
There’s clearly no shortage of things to do in Excelsior MN for people who love the idea of exploring a charming town on a lake. While views from the shore will enchant you, one of the best things to do with your time here is to actually get on the lake. That’s where PaddleTap swoops in!
We take pride in pampering our guests with luxurious vessels, top-notch service, and unprecedented access to the lake’s best spots. There’s no better way to spend time with your favorite people.
With so many different cruise experiences available, our team is here to help you book the perfect tour based on your preferences. Book your incredible day on the water with PaddleTap today!
