Wayzata is a lakeside paradise on the shores of Lake Minnetonka
Wayzata sits on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, which has been a defining feature of the city since it established itself as a lakeside resort in the late 1800s. When not in the water, people can walk through the vibrant downtown and stop by local parks and restaurants. Full-time residents also love the city because of its highly rated schools and community events. Highway access means you can reach Minneapolis in less than half an hour.
People boat on the water and stroll down the boardwalk
Lake Minnetonka is the heart of Wayzata, attracting tourists and lifelong residents. People spend hours on the lake, either hanging out on a boat or kayaking with friends. The city has invested a lot of time and resources into making the waterfront a fun place to be, especially with the Panoway on Wayzata Bay, which brought more green space and a boardwalk to the area. There are plenty of other opportunities to get outdoors, including:
- Wayzata Beach, where you can access the water or play sand volleyball
- Big Woods Preserve, a hardwood forest with a winding trail
- The Depot, a historic train station with picnic tables and colorful gardens
“It’s beautiful here from a nature perspective, but we’re also just 12 miles west of Minneapolis, so you really have the best of both worlds,” says former Wayzata city manager Jeffrey Dahl.
Lakeside homes and townhouses with a wide price range
Homes here range from mid-20th-century ranch-style houses to sprawling New Traditional styles built in the 2010s and 2020s, many of which are right on the water. There are also plenty of townhouses. Like the homes themselves, Wayzata’s prices vary widely. “There are price points for everyone in Wayzata, from affordable living with shared amenities to lake homes on Wayzata Bay, which are among the most expensive in the upper Midwest,” says lifelong resident Pete Ice, a Realtor with Edina Realty’s Wayzata Office. The median sale price is about $1.2 million. Smaller townhouses farther from the water start in the mid-$200,000s, while lakefront homes can cost more than $6.5 million.
Events near the water include a concert series and community festival
Living here not only means access to the lake, but to the many events that take place by the water. These range from the recurring Music by the Lake concerts in July and August to annual celebrations like the Wayzata Art Experience, a juried art show that happens in June. Another local favorite is James H. Hill Days, a three-day festival with carnival rides, food trucks and a parade that’s named for one of the men who turned the city into the destination it is today.
You can eat and shop at local restaurants and The Promenade of Wayzata
Wayzata’s downtown overlooks Lake Minnetonka. There’s a mix of chain restaurants and local favorites, including:
- The Grocer’s Table, a cafe and wine bar
- Cov Wayzata, which brings the East Coast to the Midwest
- Maggie’s Family Restaurant, which serves diner classics on the water
- Gianni’s Steakhouse, an upscale restaurant that’s been open for over 25 years
You’ll find more options at The Promenade of Wayzata, a mixed-use development on the corner of Lake Street and Superior Boulevard. There are popular stores like Anthropologie, as well as local shops and salons.
Students can attend highly rated Wayzata schools
The city is part of the Wayzata Public School District, home to Wayzata High School, the state’s largest high school. Students can take Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes to earn college credit before graduation. Both the district and the high school receive an A-plus from Niche.
U.S. Route 12 makes it easy to commute to Minneapolis
While Wayzata’s downtown is very walkable, you’ll probably need a car for commuting and running errands. U.S. Route 12 goes through the city and leads directly to downtown Minneapolis, about 12 miles (25 minutes) away. It’s a 30-mile (40-minute) drive to Saint Paul. There’s also a Metro Transit Park & Ride station on Wayzata Boulevard.
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Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
