Waconia is a city of about 14,100 people (2025 Census estimate) on the south side of Lake Waconia, roughly 35 miles west of Minneapolis. The 3,080-acre lake, a county regional park, three wineries and a compact downtown cover most of what visitors come for. This guide lists what is worth your time and links to the details.
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On the Water
In Towne Marina downtown (8 E Lake St) rents pontoons in summer; it had finished renting for the 2026 season as of October. Carver County rents kayaks, paddleboards and canoes on summer weekends at Lake Waconia Regional Park. The park also has the lake's swim beach, open Memorial Day to Labor Day with no lifeguards, and a DNR public access for trailered boats. Walleye, bass and northern pike are the main targets for anglers, and the lake is fished through the ice in winter.
Wineries
There are three wineries in the area. Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery (8785 Airport Rd) is a 32-acre estate overlooking Reitz Lake with a restaurant, house-brewed beer and live music nearly every weekend. Sovereign Estate Wine is on North Shore Road on the north shore of Lake Waconia. Parley Lake Winery pours in the 1888 barn at Deardorff Orchards. Waconia no longer has a downtown brewery: Waconia Brewing Co. closed in January 2026 and Schram Haus's downtown taproom closed in December 2025.
Eat Downtown
Iron Tap (140 W Main St) is a craft beer and barbecue spot with a patio. Lola's Lakehouse (318 E Lake St) has a patio with lake views and a seafood and steak menu. Bode Gray's (125 W 1st St) serves artisan pizza, with The Brass Hat speakeasy on its lower level. For breakfast and lunch, Pangea Cafe (37 W 1st St) serves breakfast all day, and Mocha Monkey (115 S Olive St) roasts its own coffee.
Movies & Bowling
Emagine Waconia (101 W 1st St) is the downtown movie theater. Garage Bar & Bowl (16 W 1st St) has six lanes, a bar and a scratch kitchen.
Things-to-do listings →History & Museum
The Carver County Historical Society in Waconia covers county history, including the Coney Island resort years.
Historical Society →Annual Events
Nickle Dickle Day, run by the Waconia Chamber since 1961, fills City Square Park on the second Saturday after Labor Day; the next one is Saturday, September 18, 2027. The Carver County Fair runs five days in August at the fairgrounds (August 11 to 15 in 2027). The Scarecrow Tour runs October 8 to 18, 2026. The Tree Lighting is at 6pm on the Friday after Thanksgiving at the City Square Park gazebo.
Golf, Parks & Trails
Island View Golf Club (7795 Laketown Pkwy) is an 18-hole course with public tee times, and its Green Fox Grille is open to the public. Lake Waconia Regional Park covers 164 acres with the beach, picnic areas and the Paradise Commons building. City Square Park downtown hosts most community events. Safari Island Community Center and the Waconia Ice Arena handle indoor recreation.
Build Your Itinerary
Browse the directory by category to plan a Waconia day or weekend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best things to do in Waconia, MN?
- The main draws are Lake Waconia (boating, fishing, and the swim beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park), the three area wineries (Schram Vineyards, Sovereign Estate Wine and Parley Lake Winery), downtown restaurants such as Iron Tap and Lola's Lakehouse, Emagine Waconia, the Carver County Historical Society, and annual events like Nickle Dickle Day, the Carver County Fair and the Scarecrow Tour.
- Is Waconia worth visiting?
- It works well as a day trip or weekend from the Twin Cities: a 3,080-acre lake with a public beach and boat access, three wineries, a walkable downtown, and a calendar of community events, about 35 miles west of Minneapolis.
- How long should I spend in Waconia?
- An afternoon covers downtown and a winery or dinner. A full day adds the lake or the regional park. A weekend lets you visit more than one winery, get on the water, and catch an event if the timing works.
- Are there breweries in Waconia?
- Not downtown anymore. Waconia Brewing Co. closed in January 2026 and Schram Haus Brewery's downtown taproom closed in December 2025. Schram Vineyards says its house-brewed beer continues at its Bonfire & Barrel restaurant at the vineyard on Airport Road.