Prior Lake

Welcome to Prior Lake

A developing suburb with a small-town atmosphere.

Prior Lake had its humble beginnings as a farming community in the mid 1800’s but the routing of the railroad in 1871 brought progress to the area and the city quickly sprang up around the railroad depot. The railroad brought travelers from the East and as far south as the Gulf States leading Prior Lake to become a well-known summer resort destination. Catering to wealthy socialites, The Grainwood Hotel opened in 1879 and offered luxurious accommodations to those looking to take advantage of all that Prior Lake had to offer. Sailboats and Catamarans, as well as canoes, were a common sight on the lake and the Fourth of July brought the Regatta, fireworks display and music to the shores of Prior Lake.

Prior Lake attracts a well-rounded mix of residents who take pride in their community. Neighborhoods in and around the community offer everything from starter homes to luxurious lakeside retreats. Residents love the convenience of being close to the Twin Cities, but also enjoy the locally owned shops, businesses, and restaurants that give Prior Lake its distinct personality.

What to Love

• Recreational opportunities on and around Prior Lake
• Charming downtown
• Strong sense of community
• Impressive calendar of social events throughout the year
• Award winning schools

People & Lifestyle

For residents of Prior Lake, boating and fishing are a central part of life around the lake but beyond that, the city boasts an impressive business community. Prior Lake’s Chamber of Commerce features more than 400 members that are well supported by the local communities. These business, in turn, support many of the local events that bring the residents together throughout the year.  

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Prior Lake offers an abundance of dining options on and off the lake. Charlie’s on Prior is a local favorite offering casual dining with a menu of American fare. After a day on the lake, boat on over and enjoy a cold beer on the deck.  For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Ze's Diner is a retro 50’s inspired café with red and yellow checkered floors serving a diverse menu of homestyle favorites from meatloaf to homemade rhubarb jams. A longtime neighborhood staple is Fong's Restaurant & Bar, enjoy traditional Chinese dishes such as Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, and their spicy wings. For a relaxing atmosphere, Boathouse Brothers Brewing has created a taproom that will transport you to an up north cabin. Their lineup of craft beers draw patrons from around the Twin Cities. Stop in for a pint of their Pontoon Pilsner and snack from a lineup of delicious local food trucks. In addition to the numerous other restaurants along Highway 13, Prior Lake features many locally owned boutiques and shops including Wild Ruffle and Olive Moon, both women’s clothing shop with unique gifts, jewelry and home décor.

Things to Do

Not only is Prior Lake a great place to live and work, it’s also a wonderful place to play. Home to more than 55 parks and featuring over 100 miles of trails and sidewalks, Prior Lake offers tons of recreational opportunities to enjoy the picturesque surroundings. One of the most popular lakes in the Twin Cities, Upper and Lower Prior Lake provide 1,340 acres of open water for fishing, boating, skiing, and swimming. Prior Lake enjoys some of the best entertainment options in the area. Lakefront Park is a beautifully designed open space offering sports fields and rinks, an amphitheater, skate park, fishing pier and playground. It is also home to the annual 4^th of July Celebration where residents can participate in a boat parade or enjoy the massive firework display. Every summer, the Prior Lake Rotary presents the Lakefront Music Fest. This two-day festival hosts national acts from country and rock genres that draw quite a crowd. The amphitheater also features a more laid-back concert series featuring local musicians throughout the season. During the winter, the lake offers some wonderful ice fishing, skating and even a Polar Plunge. Over the last 13 years, the Polar Plunge has raised over $1,633,000 in support of Special Olympics Minnesota.

Schools

Prior Lake residents are served by the Prior Lake Savage school district. Highlights Include:

• Recognized as leaders in Environmental Education.
• The first district-wide E-STEM schools in the state of Minnesota with Environmental Education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
• One of the few districts in the country that has received a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School Sustainability Award.
• Spanish immersion program
• Strong test scores and graduation rates.