Less than 20 miles from downtown Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka has all the hallmarks of a classic Midwest summer escape. Sailboats and wake boats crossing open water and ducking into coves, luxurious homes standing along the shoreline, and historic towns that make you never want to leave.
It’s a lake that offers a vast amount of scale and diversity, in both scenery and activity. But, like all great Midwest getaways, it also maintains an intimate, small-town vibe everywhere you go. Shop owners say hi to strangers, boaters wave as they pass by each other, and locals are always down to share an insider tip or two.
Unlike lakes that exist as one vast expanse of open water, Minnetonka unfolds through 42 interconnected bays and bodies of water, with narrow channels, coves, bridges, peninsulas, and islands. Whether you’re chasing thrills or quietly cruising on your paddle board, Minnetonka’s dynamic landscape offers something for anyone who loves life on the water.
Photographer Jamie Cooper (who shot the photos for this story) has spent years fishing and exploring Minnetonka with his rods, reels, and cameras. For him, the range of offerings give the lake its one-of-a-kind appeal.
“There are so many little bays,” he says. “They all have a different look and feel with all kinds of stuff going on. Whatever you’re after, you’ll probably find it on Minnetonka.”
Where past meets present
Minnesotans have been finding ways to spend their summers on Minnetonka for well over a century. And to understand the magic of this lake, it helps to understand it’s unique history.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rail and streetcar connections helped turn the lake into a summer destination for people escaping Minneapolis. Resorts and cottages popped up around the lake, as did steamboats carrying passengers between communities around the shoreline.
Then came the amusement parks.
Big Island Park opened in 1906 with a roller coaster, carousel, music pavilion, and towering observation structure (modeled after the Tower of Seville). It lasted only a few years, but recreation on the lake never slowed down. Then came the Excelsior Amusement Park in 1925 with its own Cyclone roller coaster inspired by Coney Island. The park remained a summer institution for generations before closing in 1973.
Today, Excelsior has grown into an iconic town that sits right against the water, with public docks connecting the lake to Water Street with its assortment of shops and restaurants. And while it no longer has people screaming on coasters, it has plenty of people cheering from wake boats — including the Arc Sport which swung through on the Electric Summer Tour.
The town is also a draw for creatives like Jamie, who gravitates to Excelsior when photographing Minnetonka because it feels different from some of the grander stretches of shoreline.
“Excelsior has a little more charm and character than other spots on the lake,” adds Jamie.
“Plus they have public docks, so you can pull up, explore downtown, and eat some world-class sushi.”
One big playground
Minnetonka covers more than 14,000 acres (roughly 23 square miles). It’s not super huge on the grand scale of lakes, but the amount of coves and shoreline can offer seemingly endless possibilities. And for boaters, it means a new adventure awaits around every corner — all less than an hour drive from downtown Minneapolis.
“The cool thing about Minnetonka is you can always find a bay or little lake” says Kris Clover, founder of Minnesota-based Mission Outdoor. “It has a crazy amount of shoreline and it’s just fun to get friends and family out on the boat and go for a cruise.”
Near the center of Lake Minnetonka lies Big Island, which captures two sides of Minnetonka at once. There are wooded trails and pockets to explore, but come peak summer, the island transforms into one of the lake’s most legendary gathering spots. Boats anchor and raft up along the shore, turning the water into an all-day party — especially over the Fourth of July, when the scene reaches another level.
It’s part nature escape, part floating block party, and very much a local tradition. Bookend all this with an early wakesurf session and a dockside dinner afterward, and you pretty much have the quintessential day on Minnetonka.
For something quieter, head west to Wawatosa Island, commonly known as “Boy Scout Island.” Here, boats can tie up before visitors head ashore to hike beneath the trees while the hectic party scenes quietly fade away.
For Kris, this contrast is part of Minnetonka’s appeal.
“You’re very close to the city and then all of a sudden you feel disconnected from the urban environment,” he says. “The whole lake is urbanized in a way, but places like Wawatosa are untouched land. It’s really special.”
A place to explore and discover
One of Minnetonka's greatest perks is that a day on the water doesn't have to end when it’s time for lunch, a drink, or a shopping fix. Restaurants and boutiques are woven into the boating experience, making the lake feel like a network of neighborhoods connected by water.
Excelsior offers that perfect mix of boutiques and Midwest hospitality. Wayzata brings a more polished scene with upscale dining and a thriving art scene. And staple waterfront institutions like Lord Fletcher's have perfected the art of arriving hungry, making new friends, and leaving considerably later than planned.
Kris describes an ideal family day in similarly uncomplicated terms: bring some food aboard, cruise a section of shoreline you haven't seen in a while, explore a few bays, and eventually pull in somewhere for dinner.
It’s that range of possibilities that makes Minnetonka stand out from Minnesota’s other 10,000+ lakes.
Because beneath the big houses, jam-packed weekends, and theme park relics, there’s something considerably simpler: a place where you can always find new ways to enjoy lake life.
All it takes is seeing what lies around the next point.
If you go…
Wander Excelsior + Water Street
One of Minnetonka's most charming lake towns. Tie up at the docks, wander through the Commons, then head up Water Street for shopping, coffee, food, and drinks.
Stop at Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
A longtime Minnetonka institution and one of the lake's classic dock-and-dine stops. Expect plenty of boats, live music, and a vibrant scene.
Dockside dining at Maynard's
An easy waterfront stop in Excelsior with boat access, solid food, and killer lake views.
Post up at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
Tucked into the west edge of the lake, this peaceful escape offers trails, picnic areas, and a large sandy beach.
Photos by Jamie Cooper
