Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Things to Do in Ely, MN - Ely Attractions
Things to Do in Ely
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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What travelers are saying
- GooseviewNew Orleans, LA352 contributionsWe were pleasantly surprised at this place...very good displays about all kinds of bears...much information about bears that flys in the face of what we've been taught and is a real learning experience. The live bear show is fun and the guide girls are great. We loved everything and bought the T-shirtWritten August 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lauri ZChamplin, MN71 contributionsSo much fun! Kudos to the team at Chilly Dogs for making this a highlight of our northern MN getaway in Ely, MN.
If you don’t have cold weather gear, Chilly Dogs will rent you anything you need so you stay warm.
You meet and greet the dogs, get instruction and then head out of your “run”. You can trade off riding and mushing. If you’re not comfortable mushing, you can opt to just ride.
The team provides all kinds of educational information about the dogs and the Alaskan husky breed that was very interesting.
Highly recommend!Written February 23, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Arren SchroyerMountain Iron, MN2 contributionsThis place is truly amazing. My wife and I love coming to Ely, MN not only for the food and the hikes, but for places like this to visit. Today my family and took a wonderful trip up to visit the wolf center. These creatures are so majestic and beautiful. You have to see it to really appreciate it. As we made our ways to the front door the kind lady at the front desk asked if we have happened to pay ahead time which we did. For my wife, myself and our three kids, it was only $55. Our daughter Piper was free because she was only one when we were there. The first thing you see when you walk in is just how massive this structure really is. The gift shop is on both sides of the front entrance. Plenty is sweaters, hats, stuffed animals, books and more. As we made our way down the hall we spotted and little gallery of stuffed wolves and information on each wolf. Did you know red colored wolves are the rarest in the world? I didn't until today. On the right hand side was glass paneled that you could view to the outer side of the enclosed area for the wolves. Four of them were running around and one of them had a deer head in its mouth. The word "awesome" comes to mind when I see them. There was a young lady in what appeared to be a small seating area explaining the importance of having wolves in our ecosystem. There was plenty of knowledge to learn as you gazed outward to the wolves eating, sleeping, and playing. This place would be fun for you and the whole family. Definitely come check it out, you won't be disappointed. #schroyerfamilydaily #wolves #wolf #arrenschroyer #internationalwolfcenter #familyouting #family #wild #wildanimals #adventure #explore #animalsWritten February 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Josephine Z14 contributionsvery nice hike to a beautiful waterfall!!!! it’s a great place to take pictures. the hike is definitely for all ages. it’s a great hike to check out if you are in the area.Written August 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Josephine Z14 contributionsvery informative! it was very cool to explore and a great place overall! after we explored, we bought some of they’re root beer! very delicious!Written August 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kayla M1 contributionWe had an amazing time! We got engaged at the end of the lake walking path. We saw a large male black bear and the next day we saw a mom and cub! It was the best camping trip so far!Written January 24, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dean Bushey and CEly, MN4 contributionsAs a local resident, who lives off the Fernberg, I find this hike worth the 40 minute drive. > often just do the Dry Lake Trail, it's shorter yet challenging and the path less trodden.Written July 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Beth JSaint Paul, MN9 contributionsBeautiful paved walk on the edge of town. Perfect for the morning walk before coffee. The trees were gorgeous in late Oct and the views of the lake were worth a stop and stare.Written November 3, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Barbara RMinneapolis, MN139 contributionsWe’ve visited Brandenburg’s gallery in Luverne MN and were delighted to find this lovely gallery in Ely. Stunning photos!Written July 14, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Veronica B8 contributionsMust-visit: Zup's grocery store- unlike any other. The historic movie theater was wonderful and a great way to pass a rainy afternoon. Definitely plan to visit again.Written August 6, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LovesPhotoOpsHoover, AL1,074 contributionsBecause of COVID-19, the foundation is not currently giving tours of the family home and Sigurd Olson’s Writing Shack in downtown Ely. I emailed before our trip and received a confirmation telling us exactly where to meet the tour guides on the side of the road so we could head to the cabin property on Burntside Lake. We followed them to the property and parked on an unpaved road – be careful and don’t get stuck in the brush. The guide led us to several points on the property where we could see how beautiful a place it was and how carefully the Olsons had positioned their cabin where it cannot be seen from the lake. The last stop was to tour the inside of the cabin which still has the Olsons’ furnishings in it. The whole experience took about an hour. One of the guides had a mobile gift shop in her trunk with books, caps, calendars, etc. for sale.Written June 27, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MelRuthieDecorah, IA43 contributionsActual MINE shaft and facilities (closed in 1967) filled with artifacts, photos, staffed by enthusiastic & knowledgeable guides. Highly recommend. You'll leave with appreciation for the work of Iron ore & taconite miners and the impact of the industry on this region and America.Written July 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RAL2 contributionsA work colleague and I walked the entire trail yesterday, May 15, 2021. He is 55 years old and I am 63. Both of us are in good physical shape for our ages. We both walk alot everyday and I exercise nearly every day. I only explain this to emphasize this is not a walk in the park. It was challenging but many views were spectacular. The trail was marked sufficiently well but it is a workout. Truly remote. Lots of up and down which became tiresome on the old knees and hips.. bugs were just beginning to make their appearance but bug spray was still needed.Written May 16, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kym P6 contributionsWonderful store that specializes in one of a kind art pieces in a variety of media. Their customer framing is by far the best we have experienced. Definitely worth your visit!Written September 20, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Cody B1 contributionI first learned about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in the winter of 2022. A first trip to the BWCA in 2022 quickly lead to another in 2023. While the first outfitter I used in Ely in 2022 was satisfactory, the staff and guide at Piragis in 2023 was absolutely top notch.
From my first email to the minute I drove away after my trip, Piragis went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. I reached out later than I should have in the late winter of 2023 to secure permit for June of 2023. However Drew, Adam and the outfitting team were always good to answer my questions. I told them what I wanted and hoped to accomplish on my trip and they went to work. Within a couple of weeks we put together a trip that I liked forward to.
Upon arrival in Ely at Piragis, I meet my Guide, James Ehlers. James is an enthusiastic, energetic, and knowledgeable guide that made me feel relaxed and welcomed to the BWCA. I can’t say enough good about James. He truly helped make my experience in the BWCA world class.
James and I got an early start at the Lake One Entry point and headed for our goal Insula and Alice Lakes. We spent the first two nights on a five star island camping spot on Lake Insula. We then headed for and spent two nights on Alice Lake at a beautiful sandy beach camping spot. James was always accommodating and made sure that we did whatever I wanted to do which included a lot of fishing and making a trip to see the pictographs on Fishdance Lake. Our last night we spent on Bridge Lake.
Between the great fishing, the ideal campsites, wildlife viewing and a great guide, my second trip ensured that I will be taking a 3rd trip to the BWCA. Of course I will using Piragis to outfit my next trip as well!Written December 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ely
- The top attractions to visit in Ely are:
- North American Bear Center
- International Wolf Center
- Kawishiwi Falls Trail
- Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- The best outdoor activities in Ely according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips
- North American Bear Center
- Kawishiwi Falls Trail
- International Wolf Center
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- The most popular things to do in Ely with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips
- North American Bear Center
- Kawishiwi Falls Trail
- International Wolf Center
- Way To Go Canoe Outfitters