Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka are gems that have so much to offer it’s hard to know where to begin! Four season fun awaits from the moment you step out our front door. Boat excursions, fishing expeditions, sailing, sandy beaches, bike, ski, and walking trails, regional parks galore, funky boutique shopping, leaf peeping, trolley rides, ice fishing, great restaurants, dinner theaters, bars, live music and a lovely arboretum are just a few of the many attractions and adventures available to our visitors. So keep reading to:
PLAY:
Boating
The Minnehaha – Historic tour on a historic boat, 952-474-2115
The Queen of Excelsior – Sunday brunch cruise, 952-474-2502
The Queen of Excelsior – Wed evening pizza & beer cruise, 952-474-2502
Lady of the Lake – Narrated tours Tues, Thur, Sun, 952-929-1209
Boat Taxi – Go anywhere on the lake for $25 plus $5 per person – 612-282-8616
Boat Charters out of Excelsior Bay – Private charters for your group
Boat/Jet-Ski Rental
Excel Boat Club – Speed boats, pontoons and fishing boats, 952-401-3880
Minnetonka Boat Rental – Pontoons and fishing boats, 952-474-5206
Bay Rentals – Jet-skis, 952-474-0366
Biking – Endless trails
1/2 block from the inn!
Fishing Guides
Great fishing for walleye,
bass, northern pike, etc.
Excel Boat Club
Pike Dreams
Lake Minnetonka Guides
Bull’s Guide Service
Swede’s Guide Service
Golf Courses
Stonebrook – 15 miles, 7 day advance on-line res, 952-496-3171
Dahlgreen – 15 miles, 6 day advance res, 952-448-7463
Willingers – 45 miles, 9 day advance res, 952-440-7000
Chaska – 8 miles, 4-day advance res, 952-443-3748
Baker National – 6 miles, 5-day advance on-line res, 763-473-0800
Deer Run – 8 miles, 5-day advance on-line res, 952-443-2351
Bluff Creek – 8 miles, 952-445-5685
Island View – 12 miles, 952-442-6116
MORE WAYS TO PLAY:
Two clean, sandy public beaches
Tennis/Basketball – Outdoor public courts, good condition, one basketball, two tennis
Cross-country skiing
Snowmobiling – Cruise the lake (Bay Rentals 952-474-0366), or drive to northern trails
Excelsior Special Events – A calendar of events is put out by the Excelsior Chamber
Savor:
Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge. 952-471-8513. A Lake Minnetonka tradition. Reservations recommended.
Jake O’Connors Public House. 952-908-9650. Irish bar, large menu, friendly servers! Spacious restaurant, reservations available, but not always needed so just call ahead.
Maynards. 952-470-1800. Lakeside hot spot, great boat and people-watching. Indoor and outdoor dining and bars. Reservations suggested.
Bayside Grille. 952-474-1113. Another lakeside hot spot, and a popular wedding venue. Indoor and outdoor dining and bars. No reservations, but you can call ahead.
Antiquity Rose. 952-474-2661. A sweet “ladies who lunch” type place. Homemade soups and desserts.
Joey Nova’s Pizza. 952-405-2700. East Coast style pizza, salads, subs and pasta. They deliver!
Lagos Tacos. 952-300-8495. Brand new to Excelsior! Inspired by Mexican street tacos, but with an imaginative twist. Lobster, walleye, marinated pork are some of the favorites. Lively bar and a great tequila selection. No reservations.
Biella. 952-474-8881. Italian-inspired fine dining. Cozy and elegant. Reservations strongly suggested.
Adele’s Frozen Custard. 952-470-0035. Rich and delicious frozen custards, homemade and flavors change daily. Also has a lunch menu. Seasonal.
Hazellwood Grill and Tap Room. 952-401-0066. Casual American dining. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A five-minute drive from the Inn.
Experience
Excelsior Dock Cinema. 952-474-6725. This wonderful old-timey movie theater has several
screens and tasty popcorn.
Old Log Theater. 952-474-5951. Live performances at this legendary professional theater.
Chanhassen Dinner Theater. This is the nation’s largest equity dinner theater!
A short drive from the Inn, located in Chanhassen.
Arboretum. 952-443-1400. If you love gardens and nature, the Minnesota Landscape
Arboretum is not to be missed! There are hiking trails, a gift shop and restaurant as well.
Other fun experiences in and around Excelsior:
- Farmer’s Market every Thursday, May-September
- Trolley! Ride a restored historic streetcar.
- Gale Woods Farm. A working farm within the Three Rivers Parks district. Lots of fun for families.