Waconia is a former resort town and a current water recreation hub
Waconia, Minnesota was founded in the mid-1800s as a resort community on the shores of Lake Waconia. Located 35 miles west of Minneapolis and 45 miles west of St. Paul, it became a place for people to get out of the city and into the fresh air. While many resorts closed with the invention of the automobile, Jeff Schulz, a lifelong resident and Realtor with Re/Max Advantage Plus-Waconia, says Waconia is still a destination. “It’s an amazing town that always has activity,” he says. “It’s small-town living, but you can drive 40 minutes to a Twins game or a Vikings game. There are community centers, walking trails, bike trails. It has stuff for everyone, young and old.” Schulz does have a warning for visitors, though. He says, “Careful when you come here, because you may never want to leave.”
Waconia has an historic downtown.
Waconia is a quaint town west of the twin cities.
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Waconia homes vary widely in age, price
Homes in Waconia vary widely in style and price. Craftsman and ramblers are popular home styles, and many new builds feature takes on the modern farmhouse design. Home prices can range anywhere from $325,000 for a 1910 three-bedroom house located downtown to $900,000 for a 2023 five-bedroom home located on the edge of the city. The market in Waconia is pretty active, and the median sales price stays around $471,000, which is higher than the national median. Schulz says he sees a mix of homebuyers in Waconia, from first-time owners to empty nesters.
Some recent home developments are located along the lake.
Recently constructed craftsmans are found in various developments.
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Celebrate Nickle Dickle Day in Waconia
Every September, Waconia residents gear up to celebrate Nickle Dickle Day. The festival was started more than 60 years ago by business owners who wanted to attract people to shop downtown. Many items were available for a nickel, and dickle is derived from a German word for bartering, honoring the town’s German heritage. The festival is now held in City Square Park and features an arts and crafts fair, library book sale, car and truck show, duck races, live music and more. While the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, Schulz says, “Obviously things aren’t a nickel these days, but you can still get nickel beers."
Lake Waconia offers swimming, boating, fishing
There’s no shortage of parks in Waconia, with many concentrated along the lakeshore. Lake Waconia Regional Park is split into two sections, one on the mainland and one on Coney Island of the West, an island a half mile offshore. On the mainland, there’s a swimming area with a sandy beach and launches for both kayaks and boats. On the island side, there’s a walking trail and dock. During the cold Minnesota winters, residents can walk across the frozen lake to the island, and many still go out with their icehouses to ice fish. “People throw icehouse parties," Schulz says "There are probably 1,000 ice houses that are like lodges and fully heated.”
Lake Waconia has a regional park with a beach.
Lake Waconia is a popular ice fishing destination in the winter time.
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Waconia has a coveted Mackenthun location, lakeside restaurant
Downtown Waconia has many older buildings that remain from its early days, including a mix of repurposed shingled homes and some more traditional brick storefronts. Today, these are now filled with local shops including a bakery, hair salon, movie theater, florist, and assorted bars and restaurants. For a meal with a water view, Lola’s Lakehouse serves up seafood and American fare with views of Lake Waconia. Waconia is also home to one of three Mackenthun’s locations – a grocery store known for its award-winning meat department, homemade sausage and baked goods.
Mackenthun's is the major grocer in the Waconia area.
Main Street in downtown Waconia is home to restaurants and businesses.
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State Highway 5 connects Waconia to Twin Cities
State Highway 5 runs through Waconia, connecting residents to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and to downtown St. Paul. The airport is about 33 miles away, while St. Paul is 45 miles away. To get to Minneapolis, residents can use Highway 5 to get to Interstate 494. The nearest hospital is the Ridgeview Medical Center, which is located right in downtown Waconia.
Waconia Public Schools district is 30th best in Minnesota
Waconia is part of the Waconia Public Schools system, or Independent School District 110. The district earns an A-minus rating from Niche and is named the 30th best district in the state. The district has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The student-teacher ratio is low, at 15:1.
Waconia Middle School is ranked 44th in Minnesota middle schools
Waconia high School has a 97 percent graduation rate.
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Important to know
Waconia has a typical northern climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Winter lasts about five months, and the area averages more than 50 inches of snow annually. Waconia is served by the Carver County Sheriff’s Department, so crime data for the city is not readily available.
Written By
Tanner Harding
Video By
Stewart Taveras
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On average, homes in Waconia, MN sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Waconia, MN over the last 12 months is $471,275, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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