This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — see our Privacy Policy for details.
If you love charming lake towns, locally owned boutiques, and discovering one-of-a-kind finds, then a shopping day in Excelsior needs to be on your list. This adorable town on the shores of Lake Minnetonka is filled with cute shops, cozy cafés, and beautiful lakeside views that make it one of our favorite places to spend the day.
Every time we visit Excelsior, we end up finding something new. Whether it’s stylish clothing, unique home décor, gourmet cheese, or handmade gifts, the local shops here make shopping feel fun again. Instead of wandering through big box stores, you can actually enjoy browsing and discovering things you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re planning a girls’ day, weekend outing, or just looking for a fun small-town shopping destination in Minnesota, here are some of the cutest shops in Excelsior you won’t want to miss.
Why We Love Shopping in Excelsior, Minnesota
One of the things that makes Excelsior so special is how walkable and welcoming it feels. Most of the shops are located near the downtown area, making it easy to park once and spend the afternoon wandering from store to store.
The streets are lined with beautiful historic buildings, cute storefronts, flowers in the spring and summer, and plenty of places to stop for coffee or lunch in between shopping. It’s the kind of town where you can slow down and actually enjoy the experience instead of rushing through errands.
We also love that so many of the shops in Excelsior feel thoughtfully curated. You can tell the owners put care into every detail, from the displays to the products they carry.
The Golden Rule Gallery
The Golden Rule Gallery is honestly one of those shops that makes you want to slow down and look at everything.
Every corner of the store feels thoughtful, cozy, and creative, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll probably walk in “just to browse” and leave with a candle, a piece of art, jewelry, and three gifts you suddenly remembered you needed.
What we really love about this shop is that it feels so much more personal than a typical boutique. The store focuses on supporting artists, makers, and small businesses, especially women-owned brands and creatives.
You can tell there’s a story behind so many of the items here, which makes shopping feel way more meaningful.
The vibe is kind of a mix between an art gallery, a beautifully curated gift shop, and the coolest home décor store you’ve ever wandered into. They carry everything from vintage art prints and handmade jewelry to cozy apparel, candles, bath products, and unique home pieces.
If you’re someone who loves finding things that feel a little different and more special than what you see in big chain stores, you’ll absolutely love this place.
One of our favorite parts of shopping here is the art selection. They have an incredible collection of vintage-inspired artwork and prints that honestly make you want to redo an entire gallery wall at home.
Even if you’re not specifically shopping for art, it’s still fun just walking around and seeing all the beautiful pieces throughout the store.
The whole atmosphere also fits Excelsior perfectly. It feels creative, welcoming, and relaxed in a way that makes you want to stay awhile.
We love popping in here during a day spent shopping downtown because it’s one of those stores where there’s always something new to discover depending on the season.
And honestly, this is exactly why we love shopping local. Stores like Golden Rule Gallery make shopping feel fun again instead of just another errand.
You leave feeling inspired, and it’s nice knowing your purchase is supporting artists and a small business that genuinely cares about community, creativity, and kindness.
Fromage Co.
Fromage Co. is such a fun stop in downtown Excelsior, especially if you love food shops that make you feel instantly inspired the second you walk in. It’s conveniently located right between The Golden Rule Gallery and Seraphina, which honestly makes this little stretch of downtown one of our favorite places to wander and shop.
Even if you’re not a huge cheese person, this shop is still worth visiting because it’s just such a cool experience. The space feels cozy and elevated at the same time, with shelves filled with gourmet cheeses, charcuterie items, crackers, specialty foods, jams, chocolates, kitchen accessories, and all kinds of little things that make you suddenly want to host a wine night or put together the perfect picnic basket.
One thing we really love about Fromage Co. is that it doesn’t feel intimidating the way some specialty food shops can. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, and it’s fun to just browse and discover new things you probably wouldn’t normally pick up at a regular grocery store. They also carry beautifully packaged items that make great hostess gifts or little treats for yourself.
The cheese selection is obviously the star of the show, and they have everything from creamy bries to aged cheddars and unique specialty cheeses that are perfect for building a charcuterie board. If you’re not sure what to try, the staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, which makes the experience even better.
We also love that this shop fits perfectly with the overall Excelsior vibe. It feels charming, curated, and local in the best way possible. Honestly, walking from Golden Rule Gallery to Fromage Co. and then over to Seraphina makes for the perfect little shopping route because each store has such a different feel, but they all complement each other so well.
If you’re spending the day in Excelsior, this is definitely one of those places you’ll want to pop into, even if it’s just to browse around for a few minutes. Chances are, though, you’ll leave with snacks, cheese, and at least one thing you didn’t plan on buying.
Serifina II
Serifina II is one of those stores that instantly makes you want to keep browsing “just one more section” because there’s always something cute to discover. The whole shop feels bright, stylish, and fun without feeling overly fancy or intimidating, which honestly makes it such an easy place to spend way more time than you planned.
What makes this boutique really stand out is how personalized everything feels. They’re known for custom embroidery and modern monogramming, but it’s done in a way that feels trendy and fun instead of old-school. You’ll see sweatshirts, bags, hats, and other pieces throughout the store and immediately start thinking about what you’d want customized for yourself.
And honestly, that’s kind of the danger of shopping here — you walk in just wanting to look around and suddenly you’re designing a sweatshirt with your initials on it.
Besides the embroidery and personalization, they also have really cute clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, and fun little items that are perfect if you’re shopping for a birthday, girls’ weekend, or honestly just yourself. The whole store has a very curated feel, but still feels relaxed and approachable at the same time.
Gray Home & Lifestyle
Gray Home & Lifestyle is honestly one of the prettiest stores to walk through in Excelsior. If you love home décor, candles, gifts, seasonal items, or beautifully styled spaces, you’ll probably want to buy half the store.
Everything feels modern, cozy, and thoughtfully selected. It’s the kind of shop that gives you inspiration for decorating your own home while also making you want to redecorate an entire room.
One of the really fun parts of visiting Gray Home & Lifestyle is discovering Pip and Pal inside the store. The children’s section adds such a fun touch and includes adorable clothing, toys, and gifts for kids.
Even if you’re just browsing, this store is worth visiting because the displays are so beautifully done. It feels like walking through a Pinterest board in real life.
Jewelweed
Jewelweed is another Excelsior shop that perfectly captures the charm of the town. This boutique has a fun mix of gifts, accessories, home décor, and unique items that make shopping feel exciting.
We love stores where you never know what you’re going to find, and Jewelweed definitely has that energy. It’s a great stop for gifts because there are so many fun and unexpected items throughout the shop.
This is also the kind of place where you can easily find seasonal décor, cute hostess gifts, or little things that make everyday life feel special.
If you enjoy browsing small-town boutiques while traveling, Jewelweed is absolutely worth adding to your Excelsior shopping list.
Make a Full Day Out of Visiting Excelsior
One of the best things about shopping in Excelsior is that there’s so much more to do nearby. After spending time browsing the boutiques, you can walk along the lake, grab coffee, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, or simply relax and take in the atmosphere.
Excelsior has become one of our favorite Minnesota towns because every visit feels a little different. There’s always a new shop to explore, a seasonal display to admire, or a fun event happening downtown.
It’s especially beautiful during spring and summer when the flowers are blooming and the lake area comes alive. Fall is also incredibly cozy with colorful leaves and cooler weather that makes strolling downtown even more enjoyable.
If you’re looking for a fun Minnesota day trip filled with shopping, food, and small-town charm, Excelsior is such a great choice.
Tips for Shopping in Excelsior, MN
- Arrive earlier in the day on weekends because downtown can get busy.
- Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll likely spend a lot of time walking between shops.
- Plan extra time because it’s impossible to visit just one store here.
- Don’t forget to explore the side streets because there are hidden gems throughout town.
- Bring a reusable shopping bag because you’ll probably end up buying more than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shopping in Excelsior, MN
Is Excelsior, MN worth visiting?
Absolutely. Excelsior is one of the cutest small towns in Minnesota and offers great shopping, restaurants, lake views, and seasonal events throughout the year.
What are the best shops in Excelsior, MN?
Some of the best local shops include The Golden Rule Gallery, Fromage Co., Seraphina, Gray Home & Lifestyle, and Jewelweed.
Is there parking in downtown Excelsior?
Yes, there is street parking available throughout downtown along with nearby public parking lots.
How long should you spend in Excelsior?
You can easily spend an entire afternoon or full day exploring the shops, eating at local restaurants, and walking near the lake.
What is Excelsior known for?
Excelsior is known for its charming downtown, local boutiques, Lake Minnetonka views, restaurants, and historic small-town atmosphere.
Location
Excelsior is located about 30 minutes west of Minneapolis along the shores of Lake Minnetonka.
Downtown Excelsior Address:
Excelsior, MN 55331
About The Author
One comment on “Cute Shops in Excelsior, MN You’ll Want to Spend All Day Exploring”