How to Spend the Fourth of July on Lake Minnetonka
The lake is quietest at 6 a.m. on the Fourth. Get down to the water early and take a moment before the holiday kicks in.
By mid-morning, Wayzata Bay fills with boats decked in red, white, and blue. By afternoon, Lake Street hums with the energy of a holiday that this town does particularly well. And by 10 p.m., fireworks are lighting up Excelsior Bay, and you’ll want to stay right where you are.
Read on for The Hotel Landing’s guide to the best of the Fourth: the morning rituals, the local events worth showing up for, and the in-between moments that make Wayzata the place to be.
7–9 a.m.: Paddleboards, Kayaks, and Pancakes
Start on the lake before the crowd arrives. Wai Nani Surf and Paddle, a Hotel Landing partner, offers paddleboard and kayak rentals right on Lake Minnetonka. The morning light on the water at this hour is flat and clear, the kind you don’t get later in the day. Paddle out toward the far shore and you’ll understand why people have been coming to this lake since the steamboat era.
Back on land by 8, head down Lake Street to the Wayzata Depot at 402 Lake Street East for the annual Revolutionary Flying Pancake Breakfast. The Children of the American Revolution have been running this event for more than two decades. Pancakes get tossed straight from the griddle, sausage is included, and veterans eat free. It’s low-key and genuinely local. The breakfast runs until noon, so there’s no rush.
10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Ride the Lakewalk
After breakfast, grab one of the hotel’s white Lake Cruiser bicycles. Easy to spot: white frames, turquoise rims, built for a slow loop along the waterfront. The Lakewalk runs along the shore from the hotel, and on the Fourth, the whole corridor is alive: kids, dogs, people in lawn chairs, the smell of sunscreen and grill smoke.
Ride as far as you like, then claim one of the turquoise Adirondack chairs on the hotel’s lakefront lawn. It’s a good spot to sit with a drink and let the morning settle before the afternoon picks up.
2:30 p.m.: The Boat Parade
At 2:30 p.m., the annual Fourth of July Boat Parade moves through Wayzata Bay, starting north of Spirit Island on the west side of the bay. You don’t need a boat to watch it. The Lakewalk puts you close to the water, and the parade runs past the Wayzata shoreline in full view. Entries are judged on best overall, most patriotic, and most original. Some of the decorating choices are inspired. Some are earnest. Feel free to judge between yourselves.
3:30–9 p.m.: Porch Time at Belle & Grey
By late afternoon, the right move is a table at Belle & Grey. The Mezzanine Porches sit above Lake Street, catching the lake breeze, with a view that gets better as the light changes. Happy hour runs 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, a good reason to settle in early. The kitchen opens for dinner at 4:30 p.m. and stays open until 10 p.m., leaving you plenty of time before the fireworks.
Order the Iceberg Wedge, the Belle & Grey Burger with local wagyu, and something cold from the bar. The Sticky Toffee Pudding or a Meyer Lemon Trifle afterward, for a proper Fourth of July finish.
10 p.m.: Fireworks over Excelsior Bay
The only public fireworks display on Lake Minnetonka launches over Excelsior Bay at approximately 10 p.m., presented by the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce. Excelsior is about 20 minutes south of Wayzata. Head to Excelsior Commons on Lake Street and find a spot along the shore before 9 p.m. for a comfortable view. The bay is enclosed, which means the reflections hit the water directly, and it holds for a while.
After that, it’s a short drive back to Wayzata. The Fourth is one of those days that asks a lot, in the best way, and it’s worth taking a moment to sit with it. Sleep in tomorrow. Checkout is at noon.
Stay, Celebrate & Save
For stays June 29 through July 7, 2026, The Hotel Landing is offering 20% off its best available rates, plus breakfast for two at Belle & Grey included. See the full offer details.