Excelsior

If Wayzata is the black-tie gala of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior is the perfectly worn linen shirt on a Saturday afternoon. And honestly? That's exactly why people fall in love with it.

There's a feeling you get when you step into Excelsior that's hard to manufacture and impossible to fake. It's the kind of small lakeside village that reminds you of somewhere on the New England coast — charming storefronts, tree-lined streets, people who actually know each other, and the lake right there at the end of the block. It's unhurried. It's genuine. And it is absolutely one of the most special communities in the entire Twin Cities metro.

Excelsior is a charming, one-square-mile lakeside city on the southern shore of Lake Minnetonka, about 20 minutes west of Minneapolis. Founded in 1853 as one of the first settlements on the lake, it pairs a walkable, historic downtown  full of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants along Water Street, plus the landmark Old Log Theatre  with genuine waterfront access at the 13-acre Excelsior Commons and the Port of Excelsior.

Excelsior real estate blends grand Victorian-era homes and character-filled cottages with newer custom builds and luxury lakefront properties, offering everything from in-town walkability to coveted Lake Minnetonka shoreline. Demand is consistently strong: the combination of a vibrant downtown, lake access, and the well-regarded Minnetonka School District keeps inventory tight and well-positioned homes competitive. A lively year-round event calendar  Art on the Lake, Concerts in the Park, and Tour de Tonka among them — adds to the town's enduring appeal.

Excelsior anchors the south shore, complementing the north-shore lake communities of Wayzata and Minnetonka. Explore all of the team's community guides to compare. With deep Lake Minnetonka expertise and a design-build background, the Cari Ann Carter Group offers concierge-level guidance for Excelsior buyers and sellers.

A village that wears its character on its sleeve.

Excelsior has never tried to be anything other than exactly what it is and that authenticity is its greatest asset. The downtown is walkable and genuinely delightful, with independent boutiques, locally owned restaurants, and the kind of street-level energy that national chains simply can't replicate. You park once and spend the whole afternoon on foot. That's a rarity in the suburbs, and people who discover it here tend to never want to give it up.

Real estate for real life — at every level.

This is one of the things I love most about Excelsior when I'm working with buyers. The market here is genuinely diverse in a way that very few lakeside communities can claim. Yes, there is luxury real estate here beautifully appointed homes close to the water that hold their own against anything in the region. But there is also real attainability. Families just starting out, empty nesters ready to downsize into something with more soul than square footage, buyers who want the lake lifestyle without the Wayzata price tag — Excelsior welcomes all of them. That range is rare and it is something worth paying attention to.

The schools deserve a real mention.

The schools serving the Excelsior area are exceptional another reason families with children consistently find their way here. Academic quality, community investment, and the kind of school culture that reflects the town itself: warm, engaged, and deeply rooted.

The lake is always close.

Excelsior sits right on the water, and that proximity shapes everything about daily life here. Summer brings the boats, the beach, the farmers market, and a downtown energy that buzzes from morning to night. But the charm doesn't disappear when the season turns. Fall and winter in Excelsior have their own quiet magic — the kind that makes you grateful you stayed.

This is the town people move to and never leave.

I have clients who came to Excelsior thinking they'd stay a few years and are still there twenty years later. It has that effect on people. There's a sense of belonging here that takes hold quickly and runs deep. If you're looking for a community that feels like home from the very first weekend — this is a very strong contender.

Excelsior — At a Glance

The Commute & Location

Tucked into the historic south shore of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior feels like a far-removed, coastal resort town, but it’s highly accessible. A straight shot down Highway 7 connects you to downtown Minneapolis in roughly 25 minutes, with MSP Airport about 30 minutes away.

The School District

Excelsior is anchored by Minnetonka Public Schools (ISD 276). Families here specifically benefit from being right down the road from top-tier elementary options like Excelsior Elementary, making it one of the most highly coveted family addresses in the state.

The Corporate Connection

While entirely residential and boutique in flavor, Excelsior offers a direct, traffic-reverse commute to UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka and Cargill in Wayzata, allowing high-level executives to escape the corporate noise completely at the end of the day.

The Neighbors

Excelsior is surrounded by the tight-knit lake communities of Shorewood, Greenwood, and Tonka Bay, offering a shared, highly social boating culture that moves seamlessly between the towns by water or by car.

Excelsior — Where to Eat

Vagabondo
This is the one everyone is talking about right now — and for good reason. Housed in the beautiful historic building formerly known as Bacon Drug right in the heart of downtown Excelsior, Vagabondo is Chef David Fhima's celebration of his Sicilian heritage — bold Mediterranean flavors, fresh seafood, handmade pastas, and an atmosphere that evokes the warmth of the Sicilian coast. The venue also features a basement wine bar and a coffee and pastry counter for daytime treats. It is exactly the kind of restaurant that makes a small town feel like a destination.

Layline
A splashy, design-forward dining room with bold wallpaper, surprising cocktails, and fresh oysters — from InnerBloom Hospitality, the team behind Wayzata's Josefina. Layline brought a level of culinary sophistication to Excelsior's Water Street that the town has fully embraced.

Mirabelle
Classic American fare with neighborhood charm and coastal ease — a warm, welcoming restaurant right on Excelsior's historic Water Street from the Jester Concepts team. The kind of place that becomes your regular without you even realizing it.

Coalition
A Excelsior staple that has earned its loyal following the right way — consistently great food, a patio that is unbeatable on a summer evening, and that relaxed-but-lively energy that is distinctly Excelsior.

Maynards
Right on the water and a Lake Minnetonka classic. A polished American bistro that is a go-to for apps, burgers, and salads — and one of the most popular brunch stops on the lake on weekends. The setting alone makes it worth the trip.

Excelsior Brewing Co.
A brewery with a taproom and live music on weekends — the kind of spot that captures everything casual and community-driven about Excelsior. A perfect stop before or after dinner.

Excelsior — Where to Shop

Lake Effect
The shop that defines the Excelsior aesthetic — breezy, lake-inspired, and completely charming. A must-stop for anyone who wants to dress like they live on the water, because here, they do.

GRAY Home + Lifestyle
One of the most beautifully curated home boutiques on the lake. The kind of store that makes you want to redecorate the moment you walk in — and gives you everything you need to do it.

Ooh La La Boutique
Voted Best Apparel Boutique of Lake Minnetonka two years running, this family and female-owned boutique carries an expertly edited mix of brands including Free People, Sorel, and Lakegirl. Accessible, stylish, and genuinely beloved by the community.

The Golden Rule
A gift shop that is quintessentially Excelsior — locally rooted, full of personality, and the kind of place you pop in for one thing and leave with five. Always changing, always worth a browse.

Leipold's Gifts and Novelty
Open since 1971, Leipold's is an homage to Minnesota nostalgia — packed floor to ceiling with local history, lake-inspired décor, books, ornaments, and the kind of one-of-a-kind finds you simply cannot replicate online. A true Excelsior original.

Brightwater Clothing & Gear
Upscale outdoor wear right on Water Street — the perfect outfitter for a community that takes its seasons seriously. Whether it's lake season or ski season, Brightwater has you covered.