Excelsior, MN

Set along the southern shore of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior feels like a vintage lakeside getaway that grew into an idyllic place to call home. With around 2,400 residents and a location roughly 16 miles southwest of Minneapolis, the community centers on historic Water Street. This bustling, pedestrian-friendly main drag is filled with local boutiques, bakeries, ice cream shops, and restaurants that lead right down to the docks.

ATTRMcGhiever / CC BY-SA 4.0

Outdoor living is central to the neighborhood. The Commons, a 13-acre park right on the water, serves as the town's backyard with a swimming beach, picnic spots, and community traditions like Fourth of July fireworks and the fall Apple Day festival. The Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail cuts right through downtown for walking and biking, while families are drawn by Excelsior Elementary, which puts neighborhood kids right into the top-rated Minnetonka School District.