Serving as a mecca of outdoor activities for people who live near the Twin Cities, you will find a ton of amazing things to do in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Minnetonka offers almost 50 parks, over 1,000 acres of public lands, and open spaces, with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. When you’re ready to escape from the concrete jungle, head out to Minnetonka, where you can enjoy tons of unique and fun activities.
Let’s dive in and explore the best 21 fun things to do in Minnetonka.
1. Gray’s Bay Marina
First, on our list of amazing things to do in Minnetonka, Minnesota is a visit to Gray’s Bay Marina, located near the corner of Gray’s Bary Boulevard and County Road 101 South. The marina gives residents access to the lake and is located at the lake’s easternmost part. You can check out all of the boats that make the marina home, and if you own a boat, you may want to check into renting a slip.
2. Spasso
Do you consider yourself to be a wine connoisseur? If so, a visit to Spasso needs to be on your bucket list. At Spasso, you can choose between 140 bottles of wine for tasting. There is even a restaurant on-site with an executive chef. The restaurant features an American menu that was influenced by the food of Italy.
At the restaurant, you can enjoy wood-fired pizzas and several different pasta dishes. Even better, the restaurant offers car service for free. They will pick you up and deliver you back home, so you can enjoy the delicious wines without worrying about how you will get home.
3. The Great Escape Room
This next spot isn’t in Minnetonka proper, but it’s close enough that you simply must check it out! The Great Escape Room puts a fun twist on the classic escape room experience at their Minneapolis location. Try “Poker Night at The President’s Bunker” or “Escape Artist: Houdini’s Final Contact” for a unique adventure.
“Poker Night” mixes mystery and strategy, while “Escape Artist” is all about illusion and creativity. Whether you’re out with friends or doing team-building, these rooms offer a blend of challenge and fun for an unforgettable experience. Check out the Minneapolis location for more info!
4. Minnetonka Mills
The first settlement in Minnetonka was established on the site that is now known as Minnetonka Mills. This area is located between Hopkins Crossroad and I-494 on Minnetonka Boulevard.
The Minnetonka Mills Park has boardwalks, botanical gardens, a canoe landing, and more. While there, you can enjoy shopping at a small shopping district and visit the Burwell House. The area also has a gorgeous tree-lined hiking trail along the creek.
5. Minnetonka Ice Arena
If you love to go ice skating or would like to take lessons, a visit to the Minnetonka Ice Arena should be on your agenda this year. You can participate in their skating programs, and the facility is home to hockey associations and figure skating clubs. The facility also offers a public skating area and people of all ages can take lessons.
6. General Store of Minnetonka
The General Store of Minnetonka has an old-fashioned look and feel, and it’s chock-full of incredible finds. The store is more than 15,000-square feet in size and has two levels full of amazing gifts.
Their sections include stuff you can only find in Minnesota, a retro section, toys and games for kids of all ages, and a gallery of handmade items. They have a dedicated Christmas section that always has unusual Christmas decorations. In the kitchen section, you can find tons of gadgets and gourmet foods, and Center Court has scents and florals you will fall in love with.
The jewelry, clothing, gifts, food, and toys inside this general store are handpicked unique items that you can’t find everywhere. The store has been open since 1984 and is still run by six family members. When you need a break from shopping, you can enjoy goodies like soups, salads, and their delicious chocolate chip cookies at the cafe.
7. Entertainment in the Park
At Entertainment in the Park, families can enjoy movies, theater events, and music from June through August. Located at the civic center, this event is a great way to get the entire family out for free to enjoy some arts and film. They have special events and show old-school movies under the stars at sunset.
8. Minnetonka Tennis Club
If you like hitting balls around, head over to the Minnetonka Tennis Club. You can join teams and even play at indoor courts. To play at the club, you can play as a non-member, but you have to be invited by the club staff to register online. While there, you can get lessons so that you can improve your game.
9. Bunker Indoor Golf
If you need to keep your golf game sharp throughout the year, this indoor golf facility is perfect for you. At Bunker Indoor Golf, you can enjoy 94 of the world’s finest golf courses via a simulation. The simulators feature chipping and putting greens, driving ranges, and more.
You can enjoy golfing at Bunker on your own, or you can book a group or party for special group events. Rates are charged by the hour and they offer a huge discount for seniors.
10. The Landing Shop
The Landing Shop used to be known as the Mills Landing Gift Shoppe. What we love about this shop is that you can grab homemade gifts that are displayed and sold by local artisans. These include sweaters, booties, handmade toys, quilts, dolls clothing and furniture, and much more.
You can visit the shop Wednesdays through Saturdays, with extended hours in the month of December.
11. Lone Lake Community Park and Preserve
Lone Lake Community Park and Preserve consists of 146 beautiful acres of shoreline and nearly two miles of trails. While at the park, you can enjoy grilling with family in between activities that include fishing, football, soccer, and basketball.
At the park, you can also play horseshoes or challenge your family members to a game at the pickleball courts or tennis courts. The park also has a play area for children and a picnic shelter with grills.
12. Charles H. Burwell House
Located on Minnetonka Boulevard, the Charles H. Burwell House is near Minnehaha Creek. This gorgeous old Victorian home that was built in the Italianate style is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built by Charles H. Burwell, in 1883, the family lived in the home until the 1950s.
The house sits on a five-acre site and you will find many of the Burwell family’s original furnishings in the house. The site also includes a millworker’s cottage, Burwell’s mill office, a woodshed, and an old ice house. You can tour the house anytime between June and September.
Every fall, the Burwell House offers a free Halloween-themed party for kids aged 12 and under. The Minnetonka Historica Society also hosts a free Holiday Open House, where they feature Victorian Christmas decorations and tours of the home.
13. Spring Hill Park
The city of Minnetonka maintains 44 neighborhood parks and five community parks. One of the most popular parks in the city is Spring Hill Park. At the park, you can enjoy roller hockey, skate on a skating rink, play tennis on the park’s tennis courts, and even play horseshoes.
The park has a playground with lots of equipment for the kids. There are also abundant biking and walking trails at the park and they are handicap accessible.
14. Big Willow Community Preserve and Athletic Complex
Bill Willow Community Preserve and Athletic Complex is a popular Minnetonka activity center where you can take the kids to play. The athletic complex is home to several sports teams. However, the park is also amazing for its biking and walking trails.
When you’re there, be sure to keep a lookout for the gorgeous group of willow trees that the park is named for.
15. Williston Fitness Center
When you visit Williston Fitness Center, there is something for every member of the family. At Williston for Kids, there is an indoor play area called the Williston Treehouse, as well as a splash pad in the swimming pool area. If you’re a member of the fitness center, you get in free, but it’s also very affordable for non-members. You can also host birthday parties at the facility.
The aquatics center offers a whirlpool, saunas, and a 25-yard swimming pool. The gymnasium is available for rental for groups, and you can even play pickleball and other activities in the open gym. You can play basketball with other people, and even take part in open throwing.
16. Outdoor Ice Rinks
Do you enjoy the feeling of ice skating and playing hockey in the open air? The city of Minnetonka has several outdoor ice rinks that are maintained by the cities of Minnetonka and Hopkins. At the rinks, there are also picnic tables and benches that you can use when you’re resting. Most of the rinks also have warming houses.
17. Bennett Family Park
The Bennett Family Park is home to eight baseball diamonds that include Babe Ruth baseball, Little League, and girls’ softball. At the park, you can watch games to your heart’s content, and maybe even find your own game to play in. Head on out to the Bennett Family Park for a good old-fashioned day of watching America’s favorite pastime.
18. Minnehaha Creek Headwaters
The Minnehaha Creek Headwaters Park is located at Grays Bay, where the creek starts in Lake Minnetonka before winding itself around 22 miles through Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minneapolis, and St. Louis Park. At the park, you can discover the history of the area and walk through an interpretative trail for the wetlands.
This area is perfect for biking, walking, bird watching, and kayaking; all amazing outdoor things to do in Minnetonka.
19. Shady Oak Beach
How does a day at the beach sound to you? Shady Oak Beach has more than 70 feet of gorgeous sandy beach shoreline. The water in the area is spring-fed clear water, and you can splash around and swim as much as you want. The beach has lifeguards and even a high dive. You do have to pay $5 to enter the beach, or you can get a season pass.
20. Minnetonka City Hiking Trails
No visit to Minnetonka would be complete without taking advantage of the city’s vast network of hiking and biking sidewalks and trails. With about 90 miles of trails, you can find something for everyone.
The trails have detailed maps online and many of them are ADA compliant so that anyone can enjoy them. Your dogs can accompany you on your hikes as long as they’re on a leash. Pick up pocket maps of the trail system at public works offices or city hall. You can also download the maps online.
21. City of Minnetonka Farmers Market
Last, but not least on our list of amazing things to do in Minnetonka, is a trip to the market. For a shopping trip that will be memorable, you can’t miss going to the City of Minnetonka Farmers Market. Besides enjoying shopping for your favorite produce and fruit, you can also enjoy live music every week. If you are a musician who is interested in performing, you can be a part of that, too.
The market has dozens of unique vendors that are so much more than fruits and veggies. For example, you can find Jamaican Jerk, a paper art exhibit and store, and arts and crafts items. You can also pick up fresh herbs and spices, plus a couple of dozen free-range eggs while you’re there.
Final Thoughts: Fun Things to Do in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Now that you know about all of the fun things to do in Minnetonka, what’s stopping you? If we’ve missed any of the best things about Minnetonka, please let us know in the comments.
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.