Someone once said, “Happiness comes in waves.” For me, the words are literal, and I am often most content and happy alongside the water, including Lake Minnetonka. Photos: Chris Emeott
Visit some of my favorite spaces to read, create and just be.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a favorite spot to read, reflect or just be. As a kid, I could be found squirreled away reading the likes of Beverly Cleary or E. B. White under my Jenny Lind bed or playing dress-up in our backyard playhouse. Winters offered an ice rink below our side yard sledding hill, and I loved to skate during the nighttime, under the peace of the winter sky. In college, the banks of the Iowa River beckoned on more than one occasion, offering a quiet space of my own—away from the din of lecture halls and dorm life. As an adult, one of our cabin’s upstairs bedrooms with its alcove bed is my cozy, grab-a-book spot when summer storms wave across the lake. The beachside fire pit beckons on late summer days when the wind moves high above the trees, and eagles pause to perch aloft in the pines.
Around the Lake Minnetonka area, I have also discovered spaces where I’m content to be on my own, spending time with my thoughts, a good read (Lake Minnetonka Magazine, for sure!) or in the company of someone who also appreciates the peaceful offerings of local nooks and crannies.
Come along; share in what I consider the Best of Lake Minnetonka Peaceful Spaces.
For cyclists, runners and walkers, Dakota Rail Regional Trail sports an ideal pathway to view nature’s gentle offerings throughout the year.
Dakota Rail Regional Trail is a well-traveled paved path for cyclists, runners, walkers and even nature seekers. Depending on which direction you travel, expect to hit Wayzata, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park, Mound, Minnetrista and St. Bonifacius and onward west to Mayer. For me, it’s difficult to pinpoint a favorite spot; riding through marshland, lakeside and woodland areas through open and canopied sky views just can’t be beat. Something else tops my list: the number of other cyclists on the trail is wonderful. Children. Adults of all ages. Casual pedalers. Serious riders. Locals. Visitors. It’s a glorious mélange of community, moving to different rhythms all under the same conductor—the stunning natural vistas that call this area home. Public parking is available at 175 Grove Lane and 3401–3465 Lyric Ave., Wayzata; 5515 Lynwood Blvd., Mound; Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110 W., Minnetrista; 4150 Bell St. and 8973 Partridge Road St., Bonifacius; and Highway 25 and First Street NW, Mayer; threeriversparks.org
Just to the left of this photo of Excelsior Public Beach, one can find a small shoreline point to enjoy the expanse of Lake Minnetonka.
Excelsior Public Beach is home to a spot you know I love because I’ve mentioned it before in other articles. As a reminder, jetting off the area near the public beaches in Excelsior Commons is a little spot that you can get to via a small walking path. It overlooks the water and provides an intersection of wave action. You can slip down into the water for a private viewing of Lake Minnetonka, rolling in its personality and churning on its charm. Anything water-centric captures my Pisces spirit. (Use caution whenever around water, especially in spots without lifeguards.) 2 First St., Excelsior
Hennepin County Library–Wayzata provides patrons wonderful opportunities to check out its collection and visit the lovely grounds, which overlook Lake Minnetonka and Lake Street.
Hennepin County Library–Excelsior provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Water Street, especially during summer and holiday seasons. For those of you who have been around long enough to remember the former library, you might really appreciate what this location has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, while I love the hushed tones that typically go hand-in-hand with libraries, there’s nothing I like more than the sound of children in a library, happily searching for their next best read or actively listening to someone reading them a story. Ahh—the sounds of not-so-much silence never sounds so good. 337 Water St., Excelsior; 612.543.6350; hclib.org
Hennepin County Library–Wayzata offers all the goodness that a library is supposed to—with an extra dose of local history, which I know a lot of our readers appreciate. Did you know that the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society’s archives are located in the library’s lower level? It’s open for limited hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so check before you go! In addition, the library’s artwork adds to the beauty of the space, but my favorite is in the Wayzata Children’s Garden where children and the young at heart can pause to sit on six book-shaped benches by artist Peter Morales. Pick your theme: Cheer!, Create, Dream, Explore, Imagine or Once Upon a Time. A special perk: If you sit outside the library, facing the lake, look up from whatever you are reading to find a perfect nature-framed visual of Lake Minnetonka, peering at you over the top of your book (or the latest issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine!). 620 Rice St. E., Wayzata; 612.543.6150; hclib.org
Minnetonka Center for the Arts offers a full catalogue of programming for emerging and experienced artists. Visitors are also welcome to view displayed art within the center and around its beautiful outdoor spaces.
Minnetonka Center for the Arts is one of the places I go if I need an infusion of creative energy. Just walk in the door, and you can feel the palpable pulse of artists at work. Whether from the visuals of works on display, the sound of classroom activity or the scent of materials—it’s a sensory experience I find as inspiring as I do comforting. There’s just something about being around people who are able to tap into their artistic selves that I find—well, wonderful. 2240 N. Shore Drive, Wayzata; 952.473.7361; minnetonkaarts.org
A blissful cornucopia of colors and textures greet visitors to Wayzata’s Noerenberg Memorial Gardens. Visit often to observe the gardens’ seasonal reveals.
Noerenberg Memorial Gardens sits along the shore of Crystal Bay. While it’s considered to be a formal garden, I find it gracefully informal in its displays of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, and because it’s not inundated with crowds (minus wedding days), it’s blissfully quiet. The gardens are an ideal spot to visit for some of nature’s inspiration for your gardens, landscape needs—or spirit. As for the boathouse/gazebo, is there another more ideal public photo spot that captures the beauty of the lake nestled in among shoreline florals and greenery? 2865 N. Shore Drive, Wayzata; 763.559.6700; threeriversparks.org
Readers, where is your go-to lakes area spot? Tag us on Instagram (@lakeminnetonkamag) with photos of your favorite public locales. Who knows—you might see them shared with our Instagram followers!
