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Excelsior is beautiful anytime of year. Photo by Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce

Dog races? Santa Claus? Excelsior is for you

By Renee Berg

If a dog race sounds fun, or cozying up to a heater on an outdoor patio is appealing, then Excelsior is the town for you to visit this fall or winter.

Just southwest of Minneapolis, Excelsior is one of several communities on Lake Minnetonka that are popular places for out-of-town visitors. Excelsior got its start in 1852 when tailor George Bertram traveled from upstate New York in search of prime western land to purchase and develop.

He arrived in what is now Excelsior and was smitten enough to stay. In 1853, Bertram and builder Robert McGrath began to construct homes and businesses in what is now the city of Excelsior. The origin of the city’s name is thought to come either from Longfellow’s popular 1841 poem “Excelsior” or New York state’s motto “Excelsior,” meaning “ever upward.”

In any case, the name suggested the optimistic, striving nature of the community the settlers hoped to build, according to the Excelsior Lake

Excelsior is a great spot for a date night.

Minnetonka Historical Society.

In planning your visit to this quaint, historic town, you’ll want to choose a place to stay first. Experts say the Excelsior Hotel is an obvious choice or, if a bed-and-breakfast is more your speed, check out The Guest House, a wonderful choice with new owners.

For dining you’ll want to check out Coalition, or Maynard’s, which is right on the water and features outdoor heaters during the colder months. Other options for dining are Bull & Ren, Red Sauce Rebellion, or Yumi Japanese Restaurant & Bar for sushi. Red Bench Bakery is one choice for dessert. Other dessert options are Lick’s Ice Cream, Tommy’s Tonka Trolley and Adele’s Frozen Custard.

If shopping is your game, scores of cute boutiques line Water Street. Shops you’ll want to duck into include Amore & Fede, Primp and Lake Effect Nautical Gifts, which features home décor as well as Lake Minnetonka-themed merchandise. Or go to Faribault Mill, where you can get a customized blanket as a keepsake.

Other options for shops are Brightwater Clothing & Gear, Minnesota Maker’s, Sweet Nautical Boutique, Abundant Kitchen and don’t overlook the kids’ toy store called Something Safari. For gift stores in Excelsior, check out Fleurish LLP and Provisions. And aloom is a compelling consignment boutique. Ooh La La Boutique is a must visit shop, with the owner recently having expanded to twice its size.

“Water Street has wonderful retail to keep you busy all day,” said Tiffany King, executive director A Christmas vibe starts showing up in November in Excelsior.

of the Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce.

Outdoors, you’ll absolutely want to take in the Klondike Dog Derby on Feb. 3-4, when Water Street is closed off and covered with snow for dogs to run through. Another outdoor event to consider attending is the Christkindlsmarkt, which locals say is fun with reindeer and Santa Claus, and is conveniently located just behind Excelsior Brewery.

Or if you’re coming off a hike or a bike ride, go to Excelsior Food & Drink.

When it’s time to warm up, grab a cup of joe at Dunn Bros. or at The Lobby Coffee & Leisure, which is a new, hip coffeehouse beneath The Excelsior Hotel.

For live music, you’ve got options. Check out 318 Café or Excelsior Brewing Company. At the brewery, you’ll want to order a wood-fired pizza from Olive’s Fresh Pizza Bar and enjoy that with your brewski, locals say.

Live theater buffs will find what they’re looking for here in Excelsior too, with The Old Log Theatre as one venue. Or see a movie at Excelsior Dock Cinema, a cute, old, traditional movie house.

Renee Berg is a general assignment reporter for The Free Press. A graduate of Minnesota State University, she is mom to two teenagers and two cats.