Excelsior

Harbor, Park, and Historic Streets

Excelsior brings together harbor life, history, and outdoor recreation. At the Port of Excelsior, visitors arriving by water can dock publicly for a fee. The port also serves as a harbor of call for several commercial charter boat operators. The commercial boats that call there offer a variety of public and private cruises. If you’re considering a vacation rental in Excelsior, you can decide whether the harbor and boat cruises, historic sights, or a stay in the park should shape your travel plans.

The town’s history is also evident in its streetscape: historic Water Street and numerous historic homes in the surrounding area continue to draw visitors. The Excelsior Downtown Historic District is designated as a Heritage Preservation Site. It includes 74 structures and one site, the Port of Excelsior. This designation also makes the harbor part of the historic district; it offers a distinct perspective alongside the harbor’s role as a place to arrive by water.

Streetcar Rides and Glimpses of the Past

The Excelsior Streetcar Line offers a special way to explore the town’s transportation history. The trolley ride covers half a mile of track along the former route of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. The Streetcar Line is downtown on Water Street, between Third Street and George Street. At the depot, passengers can view a photo gallery featuring hotels, trains, paddlewheel steamboats, and landmarks from the 19th century. The ride and gallery offer different perspectives: the route follows the former rail line, while the photographs show a variety of 19th-century subjects.

For a stay that doesn’t revolve around just one activity, The Commons offers a different focus. The 13-acre park includes open recreational spaces and picnic areas. The Commons also hosts an annual art fair. Several concerts take place in the park’s bandshell during the summer months. Families can weigh time outdoors against these cultural offerings when planning their days, without making the visit about just one theme.

Swimming Season and Trails Through Excelsior

The public swimming beach at The Commons is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During swimming season, the beach is open seven days a week; swimming is at your own risk, and there are no lifeguards. For families, this restriction is an important consideration when deciding whether the beach suits their stay. If you plan to visit the beach, take the swimming conditions into account and take responsibility for safety while swimming seriously.

Another way to experience the area is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, which runs through Excelsior. It is part of a route more than 15 miles long between Hopkins and Carver Park Reserve. During the winter months, the trail is cleared in Excelsior. This means travel plans can take different seasons and interests into account: the public beach’s swimming season is limited, while the trail section in Excelsior is also cleared in winter.

You can choose a vacation rental to suit these different interests: Would you like to focus your stay on the harbor and cruises, historic sights, the park and events, or the beach and trail? Excelsior offers several distinct options for planning your trip.

More Places

For more ideas for places to visit: Richfield, Plymouth, Mound, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, Crystal, Wayzata, and Golden Valley.

For the broader travel overview: Hennepin.