Nestled in Hennepin County, Minnesota, the city of Wayzata sits in the western metropolitan area of the Twin Cities. With Minneapolis and St. Paul in easy commuting distance, Wayzata is an idyllic suburb that’s home to approximately 4,200 people, though it remains a popular tourist destination for Twin Cities residents due to its scenic location on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.

In addition to its waterside location, Wayzata is also host to some of the Minneapolis area’s top public schools, with Wayzata High School ranking among the top 1000 public high school in America, according to Newsweek. With Minneapolis just eleven manageable miles away, Wayzata is a charming hamlet with unparalleled access to the Twin Cities. In fact, Wayzata is among the most desirable of Minneapolis suburbs, with plenty of recreational opportunities, access to major Minnesota and Twin Cities area thoroughfares, and much more.

For history buffs, Wayzata has a fascinating backstory since its settling by a sub-tribe of the Dakota Indians around 1700CE. Just as the large body of water Wayzata presides over invited early settlers, it remains a major attraction in the Minneapolis area, especially for those looking to buy a home near the water in the Minneapolis area, or in a suburb of the Twin Cities. Described as a gateway to Lake Minnetonka, it’s no wonder that the city of Wayzata boasts endless charm, once used to draw resort visitors from the Twin Cities metro area. Today, Wayzata still maintains a charming downtown area, perfect for strolling shops and small businesses along the lakefront. During the 1950s, the city of Wayzata nearly doubled in size after annexing land from the surrounding areas of Minnetonka, Plymouth, and Orono nearby. In that same area, new construction skyrocketed to accommodate a growing post-war population, with mainstays like the Wayzata Bay Center cropping up to serve the needs of Wayzata residents.

For those looking for family friendly homes in a trendy suburb of Minneapolis, there are plenty of families in Wayzata, with over 1,041 families in the area. What’s more, Wayzata is home to a variety of Minnesota businesses, including TCF Bank, Cargill Inc., and more. Families seeking to buy a home in the Minneapolis area would be wise to consider Wayzata, especially considering its top ranked school district, as part of Independent School District 284, which serves all of Wayzata and parts of other Twin Cities suburbs with homes for sale, as well, including Plymouth, Corcoran, Maple Grove, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka, and Orono. Some of the top schools in Wayzata—ideal for families shopping for homes in the Minneapolis suburbs—include Gleason Lake Elementary, West Middle School, Sunset Hill Elementary, Plymouth Creek, Oakwood, Kimberly Lane, Greenwood, the Highcroft campus of the Blake School, and many more.

For outdoorsy types looking to buy a home or condo in the Minneapolis area, in search of a small town feel with access to both nature and the Twin Cities, Wayzata has a plethora of recreational opportunities for all tastes, individuals, and families. The Dakota Rail Trail is a 13.5 mile paved regional trail that arcs around Lake Minnetonka, winding through Wayzata and a variety of nearby suburbs as well. There’s also Wayzata Beach, located downtown, that provides immediate water access to Lake Minnetonka for recreation such as picnicking, swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, boating. Wayzata Beach recreational area also offers volleyball courts, playing fields, and a playground.

For those looking to buy a home in the Minneapolis area, who are in search of a trendy suburb in commuting distance, with a host of amenities, look no further than Wayzata. With the help of a top rated and experienced Minneapolis area real estate team, you could find the home of your dreams in the Twin Cities region. Whether you’re looking for an affordable Minneapolis home to buy, a home to buy for families, or a home in a Minneapolis suburb, there are plenty of inventory options in Wayzata.