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Wayzata : A destination with small-town charm
The lakeside city of Wayzata has long been known for having small-town character while also being a destination city .
The scenic community , whose name is derived from a Lakota phrase meaning “ North Shore ,” is home to around 4,400 residents and is a popular destination for visitors looking to boat , shop or dine at the city ’ s many popular restaurants .
A selection of specialty shops also keeps people coming back to Wayzata . From home and garden suppliers , boutique clothing shops , bakeries , coffee houses , ice cream parlors and a variety of other businesses , an entire day can easily be spent exploring the Lake Street and Wayzata Boulevard business districts .
Events also draw in visitors throughout the year . Since 1984 , thousands have headed to Wayzata for the Chilly Open , a unique frozen golf outing on Lake Minnetonka .
The longest-running community event in Wayzata is James J . Hill Days . More information on the festival appears elsewhere in this guide .
Wayzata has always been a city that ’ s given great consideration to its relationship with Lake Minnetonka .
The city is actively working to breathe new life into its lakefront through the Panoway on Wayzata Bay project . Formerly known as Lake Effect , the multi-year initiative is aimed at creating public space and improving access to and along the water ’ s edge .
The city ’ s downtown Lake Street received a massive overhaul in 2020 with the widening of the road from Broadway Avenue to Barry Avenue and the conversion of a municipal parking lot into a new plaza park .
By July 2023 , phase two of the project began with the ecological restoration of the lake edge and the construction of a lakewalk that stretches from the Wayzata Depot to the Broadway docks . The lakewalk is on schedule to be completed by Memorial Day weekend , with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration planned for July 13 of this year .
The final phase of Panoway includes an environmental education center within the historic Section Foreman House and the creation of an eco park outside of the building . More information on the Panoway initiative appears elsewhere in this guide .
Wayzata is also home to the first hotel on Lake Minnetonka in more than 50 years . The 92-room boutique hotel opened in 2017 in the Promenade of Wayzata , the largest redevelopment project in the city ’ s history . The Hotel Landing also includes condos , a two-story restaurant , spa and retail space .
Info : wayzata . org
Community Guide 2024 | LAKE MINNETONKA | 9