Excelsior

Twenty miles west of Minneapolis but somehow a world away, the scenic city of Excelsior is one of the thriving communities surrounding magnificent Lake Minnetonka. Distinguished by its dynamic downtown, the city is a shopping and dining destination that attracts scores of visitors from nearby neighborhoods. “Excelsior is only one square mile, so we’re small, but we pack a big punch,” says Community Development Director Julia Mullin. “We’ve got everything downtown, which is lined with historic properties, and it’s very walkable and enjoyable.”

Founded by colonists from New York in 1853, Excelsior is named in honor of the state’s motto, which means ever upward in Latin. Blessed with scenic beauty, plentiful game, rich soil, and an expanse of water, the town flourished early on and became an international tourist mecca by the time it was incorporated in 1877. From 1925 until 1973, the Excelsior Amusement Park attracted thousands to the area each summer, hosting musical acts like Lawrence Welk, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones.

Though it’s a coveted community with a lot to offer the right homebuyer, the real estate market in Excelsior is only somewhat competitive due to an unusually high cost of entry. In October 2023, the 12-month median sale price for a single-family home was $950,000. Home prices range from around $500,000 on the low end to over $2.5 million on the high end. Mullin says the residential areas in Excelsior are a little more urban than other lakeside communities. "The parcels are smaller, there are sidewalks, front porches, and there are patterns to the homes. That kind of character is very distinctive."

Excelsior is focused on broadening its diversity of housing with a 49-unit multifamily development of town homes and apartments being constructed downtown. “We’re bringing in a different type of housing with the rental units,” Mullin says. The city sees a lot of housing activity – a combination of teardowns, new builds and renovations – and in 2020, it passed a zoning ordinance that requires are construction to be approved for mass and scale. “We’re trying to preserve our character and be considerate residents who don’t want outsized building next door,” Mullin says.

Families with children are served by the Minnetonka Public School District, named the second-best district in Minnesota by Niche in 2023. Students may start their education at Excelsior Elementary School, one of the top elementary schools in the state with a culture of high behavioral and academic expectations. The school offers the state’s premier Chinese language immersion program beginning in kindergarten. West Middle School in Chaska was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021 and recognized for outstanding commitment to music education in 2022. At Minnetonka Senior High School in Minnetonka, at least 68% of students are proficient in math and 80% in reading.

The city of Excelsior is unique, acting as a mini downtown for many of the Lake Minnetonka communities. “If you need groceries or want to spend a night on the town, you’re probably going to Excelsior,” says Tonka Bay City Council Member Tim Connelly. Take the beautiful Bay Bridge from nearby Greenwood and stop for a meal at Maynards to enjoy some upscale American casual dining – the walleye fish taco is a crowd-pleaser. “Our downtown is perfect and has everything; it’s so enjoyable just to be out walking around. Water Street downtown is always buzzing with activity. Kowalski’s is the perfect place for stocking up on groceries and essentials. The Abundant Kitchen is a kitchen supply store dedicated to making you look like a culinary expert. Lake Effect Nautical Gifts is a quaint little shop with a wide selection of unique products.

Sandwiched between the shorelines of Excelsior Bay and Gideon Bay, Excelsior offers so much opportunity for residents and visitors alike to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Excelsior Commons Park is the beating heart of this luxurious locale, with a decrepit bandshell replaced in recent years by a modern pavilion as part of a long-term upgrade plan. “The city just built a new plaza area with a building and restrooms, and outdoor seating to compliment the state,” Mullin says. The park sits adjacent to Commons Peninsula, a scenic spot to watch the water sparkle as the sun dips closer to the horizon. Boasting a beautiful playground and scenic vistas, Excelsior Public Beach offers plenty of room to spread out on the sand and swim in the crystal waters as the small waves roll in. One of the city’s most charming attractions is the Excelsior Streetcar Line, which is a half-mile trolley trip back in time with landmarks from the 1800s.

Written By

Amber Steinmetz-Cole

Photography Contributed By

Brandon Rowell

Video By

Zack Kojoyian