LAKE MINNETONKA
LAKE MINNETONKA
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2025
Shorewood, Tonka Bay: South Lake living
Shorewood
The rural community of Shorewood is a special spot for more than 7,700 residents, serving as home to one of the largest populations across the Lake Minnetonka cities. The city was originally part of the former Excelsior Township, but in 1956 the area was incorporated as its own city.
Some of Shorewood’ s unique spots are the city’ s several small islands like Enchanted Island, Shady Island and Wawatosa, also known as Boy Scout Island. Christmas Lake, across approximately 265 acres on the other side of Highway 7, is the city’ s other major lake body.
The views of Lake Minnetonka and Christmas Lake make up a lot of the city’ s appeal, but the city also represents outdoor amenities well. Six city parks stretch across nearly 100 acres, which include recreational activities like basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, walking trails, ice skating rinks and playgrounds. The 14-mile long Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail is also nearby, and runs from Hopkins to Carver Park Reserve through Shorewood.
One South Lake Minnetonka winter staple is Arctic Fever, a collaborative event between Shorewood, Tonka Bay and Excelsior held the third weekend in January. In recent years, the event has been challenged by wonky winter weather for the Lake Minnetonka area, but still, the winter festival serves as a local must-have regardless of how cold or warm the weather is.
Some of the event’ s activities typically include feeding and walking llamas, visits and sled rides from the dogs who compete in the Klondike Dog Derby race if the weather and fun winter crafts at the Shorewood Community and Event Center.
The Shorewood Community and Event Center has been a central community gathering space since 2017, offering a location for rent and many weekly activities for all ages. For more information, visit shorewoodcec. com.
The city is working to improve itself in a variety of ways, including Strawberry Lane road reconstruction and Birch Bluff Road reconstruction. Shorewood is also one of the communities involved in a Highway 7 corridor coalition formed by all of the mayors and city engineers along the entire corridor in an effort to make it safer. The coalition was formed following the results of a MnDOT study where residents were able to provide input regarding safety concerns and improvement ideas.
The city council meets at Shorewood City Hall, 5755 Country Club Road. Information on all meetings can be found at ci. shorewood. mn. us.
Tonka Bay
Tonka Bay is one of the smaller South Lake Minnetonka cities at 1-square-mile. The city has more than 1,400 people housed between the upper and lower lakes of Lake Minnetonka. The town rests alongside Gideon’ s Bay, Echo Bay and the nearby hub of Excelsior. The oblong-shaped community is known for having more Lake Minnetonka shoreline than other comparable cities within the lake area.
All around the city are four different parks, including Manitou Park, a central area for both community and sporting events. The park has undergone changes in recent years to make it an even better spot for residents and visitors to use. Other park areas include Old Orchard Park, Wekota Beach and Park as well as Pleasant Park. Within the city’ s parks, visitors can expect a variety of playground equipment, sporting fields, trail access and outdoor activity opportunities. For additional water access, there is Wekota’ s Beach adjacent to West Point Road and Crescent Beach adjacent to Birch Bluff Road.
Caribbean Marina is located on the lower lake just west of Excelsior on Echo Bay. The marina serves up full marine services, boat storage, fuel, provisions and a legendary dockside. Along Manitou Road include eateries like Joey Nova’ s Pizzeria and Hazelwood Food + Drink. Visitors looking for something to do can stop in nearby Country Club Lanes for a game or two of bowling.
The city council meets at Tonka Bay City Hall, 4901 Manitou Road. Information on all meetings can be found at cityoftonkabay. net.
LAKE MINNETONKA | COMMUNITY GUIDE | 2025 | 19