14 Best Minnesota Lake Towns

Minnesota lake towns can be found all around the state, not just up North! The towns that sit on the lakes are part of what make the Minnesota lake experience so great, so here’s a list of our favorites, and a little detail on how we’re able to visit so many.

Our family joined Your Boat Club last summer and it was the best way to experience the many lakes of Minnesota. We pay a fee each summer (your fee depends on the tier you choose to purchase) and you’re able to rent boats on lakes around the state all summer long! Everything from speed boats, fishing boats, and pontoons. It’s the best!

Note: Not all lakes listed here are locations of Your Boat Club. Also, I haven’t been to every lake town in MN, so I’m sure I’m missing some great ones, but here’s my list!

Best Minnesota Lake Towns – Metro Area

 

Prior Lake

Located 30 minutes south of Minneapolis, Prior Lake is the name of the town and the lake. This little town has a great farmer’s market on Saturdays and is full of cute boutiques, an adorable ice cream shop called Lakeside Eats & Treats, top notch restaurants (like the dockside Charlie’s on Prior), and is home of Boathouse Brothers Brewery. A perfect day at the lake!

Related Post: Why you need to spend a Saturday in Prior Lake

 

White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake is found 25 minutes Northeast of Minneapolis. White Bear is another cute lake town with shops and restaurants galore! You’ll even find multiple boat-up restaurants. We love the Alchemist distillery, Big Wood Brewery, and The Minnesotan shop which is full of super cute MN gear!

Waconia

You’ll find Waconia in the West metro and it’s close to my hometown, so I spent many summers here! Lola’s Lakehouse is a local dockside favorite, but if you venture downtown you’ll find Iron Tap, J Carver Distillery, Main Scoop Ice Cream, and Waconia Brewing Company.

Excelsior

Excelsior sits on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Here, you’ll find a mix of high end and casual restaurants, but our favorite is Lago Tacos! Do some shopping at Style Hunt, a cool boutique, and make sure to stop for ice cream at Licks Unlimited before you take a ride on an antique steamboat with Steamboat Minnehaha!

Related post: Things to do in Excelsior MN

 

Forest Lake

Forest Lake is 35 minutes Northeast of Minneapolis and our favorite part about this lake town is the pontoon restaurant called Frank n’ Patty’s that hangs out on the sandbar! We also like their downtown restaurants for a nice outdoor patio scene and live music.

Stillwater

So, Stillwater isn’t technically on a lake, but the St. Croix is close enough for me! We love to take a Your Boat Club pontoon out on the river and pull up to one of the many sandbars to enjoy the day. Stillwater is a must-visit Minnesota town and has everything you could ever want while still being small and full of history!

Related post: Things to do in Stillwater

 

Best Minnesota Lake Towns – Up North

 

Duluth

I can’t make a Minnesota lake towns post without the greatest lake of all: Lake Superior. Duluth is less of a town and more of a city, but it still is great for boating and exploring! We loved boating around with Your Boat Club in the harbor with the iconic bridge in the backdrop. A must do!

Related post: Must-see stops along Minnesota’s North Shore

 

Walker

Walker Minnesota sits on the shores of Leech Lake, one of the biggest lakes in the state. It’s a true Northwoods town where our favorites include the adorable Walker General Store, the delicious Piggy BBQ, and amazing Trapper’s Landing Lodge where we stayed!

Related post: A summer weekend in Walker MN

 

Nisswa

Nisswa is my favorite Northern town and sits near many different lakes like the Whitefish Chain, Gull Lake, and Pelican Lake. Make sure to stop by the Chocolate Ox candy shop and they many other knick knack shops and boutiques!

Relaed post: Things to do in Nisswa MN

 

Alexandria

Alexandria is 2 hours Northwest of Minneapolis and is a gem of a town! Grab a pizza at Zorbaz right on Lake Le Home Dieu and afterwords take in the Norwegian history of the town. Get a photo with Big Ole, see the runestone at the museum, and then head to Carlos Creek Winery or Copper Trail Brewing Company for a drink!

Related post: 5 Things to do in Alexandria MN

 

Sauk Centre

We spend so much time in Sauk Centre each summer with family! Big Sauk Lake is right in town and there’s lots of great camping surrounding it. This little town has a lot of history, so make sure to stop by The Palmer House, which is a hotel and cafe that is supposedly haunted (you can even take ghost tours!), and take a stroll on the Original Main Street from the writings of Sinclair Lewis. We also love to bike and rollerblade on the nicely paved Lake Wobegon Trail, grab coffee at Jitter’s Java Cafe, and get frozen yogurt at Outpost Mercantile!

Longville

Longville is right on Girl Lake and is home of Minnesota’s famous turtle races! Try this out in the summer, but also make sure to check out the cute Pine Company boutique and Frosty’s Ice Cream. So fun!

Related post: Things to do in Longville MN

 

Grand Rapids

We stayed at the best bed and breakfast in Grand Rapids called The Green Heron. It’s right on Pokegama Lake and offers the best meals and water sports! Grand Rapids another Zorbaz (sensing a theme here??), an great farmers market, Northwoods Candy Company, and my favorite Lake & Co Shop which also puts out the Lake & Co Magazine!

Related post: A weekend in Grand Rapids MN

 

Best Minnesota Lake Towns – South

 

Albert Lea

Only one lake town in this section, so that means we need to visit more southern MN lakes! Albert Lea is home to Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake. We spent the fishing opener here and loved it! Especially loved the Pelican Breeze paddle boat tour, the old school B&B Cafe with the BEST pancakes, the Interchange for pizza and wine, and Three Oak Wines for even more wine!

Related Post: MN hidden gems in Albert Lea 

Any more Minnesota lake towns I should add to this list? Let me know! We’re ready for a summer of lake time and hope you are too.