Welcome to the walkable neighborhood of Excelsior & Grand! This revitalized area boasts upscale apartments and family homes, beautiful green spaces, and down-to-earth shopping, personal care services and dining options with local flare.
At this stop on the Artventure, we invite you to meet “Kenny,” our howling wolf, located at Wolfe Park. (Note: Kenny is away for the winter, but he’ll be back in the spring. But you can still prowl around his territory!)
Fun fact: There aren’t any wolves in Wolfe Park. The park and its lake were named in honor of former St. Louis Park Mayor Ken Wolfe, who worked long and hard to preserve parklands. So we thought it would be fitting to nickname our wolf Kenny.
Facing south from Wolfe Park, you’ll discover that the heart of Excelsior & Grand features a bubbling fountain and a beautiful sculpture designed by Andrea Myklebust entitled, “Allegory of Excelsior.” The word “excelsior” means “higher” or “to the sky” in Latin. Therefore, this 43-foot-tall structure features a nude, bronze figure, gilded in 22-karat gold leaf, positioned to give the illusion of soaring through the stars.
Fashion Finds
Down on the ground, the Excelsior & Grand area features some fun shopping and dining options. You’ll find yourself drooling at Max’s Jewelry, a trendy, contemporary boutique featuring an eclectic selection of jewelry, gifts and candy. (Their sea salt caramels are divine!)
And just two blocks north on Excelsior Blvd, you’ll discover the Twin Cities’ best kept secret – Opitz Outlet and The Annex by Opitz. For over 20 years, they’ve been selling men’s and women’s designer clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories at 70% off retail!
Delicious Dining
Need a coffee break? Honey & Rye Bakehouse is just across Excelsior Blvd. This rustic-chic bakery offers artisan breads and baked treats, along with sandwiches and, of course, house-brewed coffee, espresso, tea and chai beverages. (See special offer!) You’ll also want to check out Vibe Organic Juice Bar. This vegetarian eatery serves amazing organic cold-pressed juices and smoothies, as well as veggie wraps and power bowls.
For a fine dining experience, Hazelwood Food + Drink will not disappoint. Their menu includes black angus steaks, wood fired pizza and rotisserie chicken, as well as seafood, pasta, and our favorite – Grandma Betty’s chocolate cake! They also have expansive wine and cocktail list.
Wolfe Park
Of course, no visit to Excelsior & Grand is complete without a visit to Wolfe Park, one of the largest neighborhood parks in St. Louis Park. It features a large, interactive playground, a fishing pond, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court and five pickle ball courts, as well as outdoor grills, picnic tables and two picnic shelters. Pick up some takeout and have a picnic! The park is also home to Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater, which features kids concerts on Wednesday mornings, family-friendly concerts on Wednesday evenings and open mic nights on Thursday evenings throughout the summer months.
As you can see, Excelsior & Grand is packed with things to do and see!
Be sure to check out the special offers from some of the area’s businesses.
And don’t forget to visit the other characters on the Adam Turman Artventure!