What makes Excelsior a unique Lake Minnetonka community?

Excelsior is one of Lake Minnetonka's oldest and most vibrant waterfront communities, located just 18 miles west of downtown Minneapolis. The city is known for its charming walkable downtown, boutique shopping, waterfront dining, and the Dock Cinema — the only movie theater on Lake Minnetonka. Excelsior Bay's no-wake waters provide calm boat-in access directly to the city's restaurants and public docks, and a rich annual events calendar includes Apple Day, Art on the Lake, Crazy Days, Christkindlmarkt, and one of the lake's most celebrated Independence Day parades and fireworks shows.

What is the history of Excelsior, Minnesota?

Excelsior was platted in 1853, making it one of the earliest European settlements on Lake Minnetonka and one of the oldest towns in Hennepin County. The city became a major destination during the lake's tourism boom of the late 1800s, serving as a rail terminus that brought visitors from Minneapolis and St. Paul for steamboat excursions and summer resort stays. Excelsior's downtown developed around its waterfront commerce and has retained much of its historic character through preserved architecture, an active arts community, and a civic identity deeply tied to the lake. The city's Apple Day festival — dating back decades — and its beloved Dock Cinema reflect a community that has celebrated its heritage while remaining genuinely alive year-round.

Which school district serves Excelsior?

Excelsior is served by the Minnetonka School District (ISD 276), one of Minnesota's most consistently high-performing public school systems with approximately 10,900 students in grades K–12 and a 98% graduation rate. Students typically attend Minnewashta Elementary, Minnetonka Middle School West, and Minnetonka High School — regularly recognized among the top high schools in Minnesota by U.S. News & World Report. The district serves families in all or part of 10 communities and accepts students from 45 other Minnesota districts through the state's Open Enrollment program.

Does Excelsior offer municipal boat slips?

Yes. Excelsior operates a municipal dock program open to applicants on a waitlist basis. Applications must be submitted to the City by March 31 each year. Priority is assigned in the following order: Excelsior residents renewing an existing slip, Excelsior residents without mooring access on their property, Excelsior residents with mooring access, residents of Minnetonka School District (ISD 276) who are not Excelsior residents, and other Hennepin County residents. Full eligibility details and application information are available through the City of Excelsior's official website.

What parks and beaches are available in Excelsior?

Excelsior offers a well-maintained set of public outdoor spaces centered on its lakefront. The Excelsior Commons provides green space and hosts community events throughout the year. Commons Beach offers swimming and waterfront access on Excelsior Bay. The Community Gardens and Excelsior Parkland add additional recreational and natural space within the city. The combination of public beach, boat docks, and event-oriented green space makes Excelsior's waterfront one of the most actively used public areas on Lake Minnetonka.

What dining and retail options are available in Excelsior?

Excelsior's downtown offers a diverse and walkable mix of dining and retail. Notable restaurants include Lago Tacos, Tommy's Tonka Trolley, Yumi's, and Coalition, all within easy walking distance of the public docks. The Dock Cinema — the only movie theater on Lake Minnetonka — adds a cultural dimension unique to Excelsior, offering classic and contemporary film experiences in a historic setting. Boutique retail throughout the downtown rounds out one of the most complete walkable commercial districts on the lake.

What types of homes are available in Excelsior?

Excelsior offers a diverse housing stock reflecting the city's long history and varied neighborhoods. Properties range from historic Victorian and Craftsman homes in the walkable downtown core to updated single-family residences, lake cottages, and lakeshore homes on Excelsior Bay. The city's combination of walkable amenities, Minnetonka schools, and direct lake access makes Excelsior one of the most well-rounded residential communities on Lake Minnetonka — appealing to buyers who want lake proximity without sacrificing the energy of an active downtown.

How can I find homes for sale in Excelsior?

Current Excelsior listings and neighborhood details are available at hollerman.com. Dan Hollerman is a Lake Minnetonka resident and Compass agent with extensive knowledge of Excelsior and the surrounding south-lake communities. He can help buyers identify available properties across Excelsior's distinct neighborhoods and price points, and provide market insights for sellers considering listing in the area.

Excelsior Homes For Sale

Excelsior

Excelsior is one of Lake Minnetonka’s most beloved small towns, full of charm, history, and lakeside beauty. Back in 1852, George Bertram made the journey from New York to the Southern Shores of Lake Minnetonka with a dream of starting a village and farming community. Teaming up with homebuilder Robert McGrath, the two began building some of the very first homes in what would become the charming town of Excelsior.

Real Estate Statistics

Average Price	$2M
Lowest Price	$485K
Highest Price	$8.3M
Total Listings	56
Avg. Days On Market	85
Avg. Price/SQFT	$533

Property Types (active listings)

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New

$1,500,000

251 W Lake Street, Excelsior

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,769 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7127625

XPACE LLC

New Open House

$3,595,000

2 Maclynn Road, Excelsior

4 Beds 5 Baths 3,405 SqFt Residential

Open House

Sat, Aug 15th, 2026 @ 3pm - 5pm

MLS® # 7126683

Compass

New

$1,200,000

20387 Excelsior Boulevard, Excelsior

4 Beds 3 Baths 3,077 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7126053

JPW Realty

New

$1,250,000

20389 Excelsior Boulevard, Excelsior

4 Beds 3 Baths 3,077 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7126071

JPW Realty

New Open House

$5,990,000

20465 Linwood Road, Excelsior

5 Beds 5 Baths 5,285 SqFt Residential

Open House

Sat, Aug 15th, 2026 @ 11am - 12:30pm

MLS® # 7120937

Lakes Sotheby's International Realty

New

$1,889,000

6456 Yosemite Lane, Excelsior

5 Beds 5 Baths 4,550 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7124210

Terrace Realty Partners

New

$999,950

↓ $50,050

19750 Waterford Place, Excelsior

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,917 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7124150

RE/MAX Advantage Plus

$629,000

542 3rd Avenue, Excelsior

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,612 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7123402

Coldwell Banker Realty

$3,200,000

6524 Aster Circle, Excelsior

5 Beds 4 Baths 4,032 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7118445

Keller Williams Premier Realty

$645,000

6930 Foxglove Circle, Excelsior

4 Beds 2 Baths 2,733 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7122918

Rize Realty

$999,900

4605 Sunset Lane, Excelsior

5 Beds 5 Baths 4,603 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7121951

Compass

$499,999

5690 Echo Road, Excelsior

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,484 SqFt Residential MLS® # 7121634

Edina Realty, Inc.

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Excelsior Highlights:

Just 18 miles west of downtown Minneapolis, Excelsior is a vibrant, historic lakeside community packed with charm and character. Home to nearly 2,300, this town is big on spirit, hosting beloved annual events like Apple Day, Art on the Lake, Crazy Days, Christkindlmarkt, and an iconic Independence Day parade and fireworks show. Excelsior was once home to the legendary Excelsior Amusement Park (1927–1973). Today, Excelsior’s historic downtown blends old-world charm with modern-day energy. Residents and visitors alike enjoy boutique shopping, dining by the water, a classic movie theater, and stunning views of Excelsior Bay on Lake Minnetonka. With only 2,400 residents, Excelsior offers a tight-knit community feel, where lake life and history live in perfect harmony.

INSIDER TIPS

MINNETONKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Tonka Bay is located within the Minnetonka School District. The Minnetonka Public School District is among the highest-performing school districts in Minnesota and the nation and proudly serves families in all or part of 10 communities: Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Victoria, and Woodland. In addition, students from 45 other Minnesota school districts attend Minnetonka schools through the state's Open Enrollment program.

School Information

UTILITIES

Utility Information

MUNICIPAL BOAT SLIPS

The City of Excelsior’s municipal dock program. Anyone may apply to be placed on Excelsior’s Dock Wait List, and application materials can be found on the City of Excelsior’s website. All application materials must be submitted to the City by March 31.

When slips become available, the City of Excelsior contacts applicants from the Dock Wait List in the following order of priority:

Excelsior residents renewing an existing slip
Excelsior residents without mooring access on their property, in order of application
Excelsior residents with mooring access on their property, in order of application
Residents of School District #276 who are not Excelsior residents, in order of application
Hennepin County residents who are not Excelsior or School District #276 residents, in order of application

For more details and eligibility requirements, please visit the City of Excelsior’s website.

PARKS, NATURE, AND BEACHES

The Excelsior Commons, Community Gardens, Commons Beach, and Excelsior Parkland

RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL

This Norman Rockwell-esque town is a must-visit and has some great dining and shopping options—a few must-try: Lago Tacos, Tommy's Tonka Trolley, Yumi's, and Coalition. Excelsior is home to the only movie theater on Lake Minnetonka- the over-hundred-year-old Dock Cinema.

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EXCELSIOR HOMES FOR SALE