Location: Ely
Top Things to do in Ely
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Top 10 Things to do in Ely, United States
Ely (/ˈiːli/ EE-lee) is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,460 at the 2010 census. It is located on the Vermilion Iron Range, and is historically home to several iron ore mines.
Restaurants in Ely
1. Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips
Overall Ratings
5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By Nikoo c
Jake, Brian, Donna, and the whole family made our dog sledding experience so wonderful and fun. The dogs were the stars of the event and were all so kind and friendly and playful. We were initially nervous about dog sledding because this was our first time but Jake gave us instructions before we started and it’s really not that difficult and is so much fun. I would highly recommend it and I would definitely do it again!
2. North American Bear Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 454 reviews
The North American Bear Center is the only educational facility of its kind - it helps people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans. There is a huge need for accurate information about bears worldwide and the mission of the non-profit North American Bear Center is to advance the long-term survival of bears worldwide by replacing misconceptions with scientific facts about bears
Reviewed By rockyjoe - Minneapolis, Minnesota
The North American Bear Center is a black bear and wildlife educational center and is located on Highway 169, a few blocks west of Ely, Minnesota. Ely is located about 100 miles north of Duluth and about 245 miles north of Minneapolis. This Center is open from April – October (when the bears are not hibernating) and an adult ticket costs $13 which was a lot considering what you get.
I toured this attraction with my wife on a Saturday morning in mid-October and thought the building was top notch but felt the entire experience was overrated. We were there in late October and the bears were starting to hibernate. The bears were only half awake and the volunteers had to coax them out of their dens with fruits and nuts. I was expecting much more and it felt like a child’s petting zoo. Before you are allowed to walk out back and see the bears, a staff person gives a brief talk on the bears that are currently at residence in the Center. On the plus side the staff was very friendly and helpful. The exhibits at the center were excellent and the entire Center looks like no expense was spared in building it. There are lots of individual exhibits on bear habitat and bear behavior and there are also some exhibits on other animals from this area. Some of the exhibits were interesting (especially the ones on bear attacks) and I read most of them.
Overall I was not impressed with this attraction as there are only 5 bears here and they were basically starting to hibernate. I do not recommend this place for adults as it seems more like an attraction for children (I bet kids love it). I will not return on my next trip to Ely and northern Minnesota.
3. Kawishiwi Falls Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By TravelfromDuluth - Duluth, Minnesota
We've been starting to visit Minnesota waterfalls. This was one of my favorites so far. There's a bench to sit on so you can watch and enjoy the falls after the short hike in. Beautiful area.
4. International Wolf Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
The International Wolf Center, located in Ely, Minnesota, gives visitors a chance to learn about wolves and see them in a beautiful northwoods habitat. The main attraction are five live wolves who make up our ambassador pack. The best time to see the wolves is first thing in the morning and then late in the afternoon. This is especially the case during hot summer months. If you can't make it early or late in the day, we recommend coming by at noon. Every day at noon we offer enrichment for the wolves, so they typically all come out and are visible through the massive auditorium windows. We also offer a unique Saturday evening program where the wolves get their weekly meals. That program is at 7 p.m. The Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.
Reviewed By rockyjoe - Minneapolis, Minnesota
The International Wolf Center is a center that promotes the survival of the wolf population and is located just off of Highway 169, on the eastern edge of Ely, Minnesota. Ely is located about 100 miles north of Duluth and about 245 miles north of Minneapolis. This Center is open seven days a week in the summer and is open much less in the winter months. An adult ticket costs $13 which was a lot considering what you get (but you can get in for free on the next day if you keep your ticket).
I toured this attraction with my wife on a Saturday morning in mid-October and thought it was geared towards children and I was a little bored. After entering the nice Visitor Center there are a bunch of stuffed wolves on display that give this place a Natural History Museum feel. There is also a live wolf exhibit with about 5 or 6 wolves running around out back. We were able to view the wolves from the large bank of windows in the back of the Center. The wolves were beautiful and interesting but we only watched then for about 10 minutes. We left after an hour and saw all the highlights but I was a little bored with the entire experience.
Overall I was impressed with the Visitor Center but thought it was geared towards children. I was a little bored and do not plan on returning on my next trip to Ely. I do recommend this attraction if you are visiting this part of northern Minnesota with Children.
5. Dorothy Molter Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By NKyAdventurer - Cincinnati Ohio
I am in town for a BWCA canoe trip and wanted to see what else there was to do. I came across signs and articles about Dorothy Molter which piqued my curiosity. I'm happy I stopped at the Museum and Interpretive Center.
The tour guide was a very lovely and knowledgeable college student (Alexis) who did a wonderful job explaining everything. There are several buildings on the site which were moved from deep in the Boundary Waters on Knife Lake. We saw these on the tour.
Dorothy Molter was an amazing young woman who staked out her future at a very young age. Leaving the protections of city living, she chose to live in the wilderness throughout the season and survived by the sweat of her brow. In the process, she helped so many others and brought joy and comfort to those around her.
Despite all the efforts to force her out of the area, she remained steadfast in asserting her independence and ownership of her little piece of heaven. She was a remarkable woman who is a good example of the human spirit triumphing over nature and government.
Of course, you also have to try a bottle of her root beer which is sold in the shop. Wonderful story!
6. Bear Head Lake State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
The park's namesake 674-acre lake is a prime spot for eyeing wildlife.
Reviewed By Steven S - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Would give the place 5 stars but the place was very busy with campers. This is what to expect though at peak tourist season. Very beautiful park!!
7. Bass Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By bonnie c - minneapolis
This was probably one of the top 5 hardest hikes I've done, I wonder if folks enjoy it so much that they forget the effort? We hiked to Dry Falls, then looped back around the 2 Dry Lakes. We were there for "peak" colors last weekend, but I have to say it was disappointing. It's a nice hike, but the effort didn't pay off for me. It was very strenuous, I'd give it 3.5-4 on a scale of 5. There are a LOT of ascents and descents, still a ton of downed trees, not that much color and the rocky portions were getting annoying. I personally wouldn't recommend this based on the other hikes in the area I've done. I encountered more beauty and wildlife at Kawishiwi and Bear Head Lake than here.
8. Sheridan Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
This "Main Street" caters to those interested in water activities as well as those who prefer to stay on land.
Reviewed By angiebaby007 - Ely, Minnesota
I've been here briefly during the end of summer and the stores are cute and fun to browse around. There's a lot of good restaurants to choose from. Once fall and winter roll around, most of the stores and restaurants close so that's kind of a bummer but there are still a fair amount open. It is pretty hilly so if you have older family members, I would recommend parking just in the entrance of town because, once you get past the state theater, there aren't as many convenient shops. It really is a beautiful tourist town though! I love how it looks during all 4 seasons.
9. Dorothy Molter Cabin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Former home of the last resident of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Reviewed By minneapol - Grey Eagle, Minnesota
My husband and I have visited several times. This time we took our guest from Texas and our 3 grandkids. All found Dorothy's story extremely fascinating. It was fun to imagine what her really interesting life was like. There is a guide if you want it and a video. Our Texas guest went home and told them all about it--she was impressed.
10. Trezona Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By JohntraveL2014 - Minnesota
We visit Ely every summer and make the hike around Miner's Lake almost everyday. Gentle slopes, 4 miles, much of it through wooded area and some around old mining sites with info plaques. Occasional wildlife sightings, shaded part of the way. Feel far away without leaving Ely.
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