Welcome to Tonka Bay
Charming community ideally located for exploring the lake
Tonka Bay is a charming lake community situated between the upper and lower lakes of Lake Minnetonka. The lake’s waters stretch out in all directions, and more than half of Tonka Bay’s homes are directly on the lake. The community incorporated as a village in 1906, and its real estate mix includes a number of grand turn-of-the-century estates. Tonka Bay was also home to the Lake Park Hotel, built in 1879 as the first luxury hotel along the Lake Minnetonka shoreline. Though the Lake Park Hotel is no longer standing, Tonka Bay’s modern properties are just as elegant. Spacious single-family homes dot the lakeshore, with many providing private boat slips. Tonka Bay’s public marina is Lake Minnetonka’s largest, spanning six lakefront acres.
What to Love
- Ideal spot for exploring Lake Minnetonka
- Large marina
- Excellent shops and restaurants
- Choice of schools
People & Lifestyle
Tonka Bay is one of Lake Minnetonka’s premier recreation spots with an exceptional marina and lots to explore in the nearby waters. This idyllic lakefront community is also close to many great shops and restaurants. While there are no public schools located in the community itself, Tonka Bay is close to excellent schools in several neighboring communities, which residents can choose based on availability.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The nearest commercial district for homes within Tonka Bay is concentrated at the bend of Manitou Road and Smithtown Road. Local favorites include Hazellewood Grill and Tap Room which is open all day long for food and drinks. Whether starting the day with a hearty omelet or unwinding in the evening with happy hour cocktails and delicious entrees, Hazellewood’s wide-ranging menu is sure to keep you satiated. The New York-style pizza pies at Joey Nova’s are another beloved local institution, and Truffle Hill is a great place to find gourmet sweets and artisanal chocolates. Tonka Bay Marina is the largest of the many marinas located on Lake Minnetonka. The slips here can accommodate boats of up to 70 feet in length. Other amenities include a clubhouse with gorgeous lakefront views.
Things to Do
Tonka Bay’s outdoor recreation space includes Manitou Park. This well-maintained public park has a hockey rink, basketball court, and a soccer field. On the lakeshore, Crescent Beach is a picturesque, sandy beach, which is a popular spot for swimming and sunset viewing throughout the summer. January’s Arctic Fever festival features events in Tonka Bay and the nearby communities of Shorewood and Excelsior. Tonka Bay’s share of the fun includes skating, a bonfire with cocoa and s’mores, snowshoeing, ATV demonstrations, and human-bowling on ice. Tonka Bay is perfectly located for exploring hidden gems of Lake Minnetonka such as Big Island. Big Island hosted an amusement park for a few years in the 1900s but has since returned to nature. A handful of homes are located on Big Island, but it is otherwise undeveloped and is one of Lake Minnetonka’s most natural stretches. Accessible docks and ramps make it easy to reach Big Island from Tonka Bay by boat.
School
Tonka Bay is zoned to the Minnetonka Public School District. Highlights include:
- Excelsior Elementary, Public, K-5
- Minnewashta Elementary, Public, K-5
- Minnetonka West Middle, Public, 6-8
- Minnetonka High School, Public, 9-12