Dorothy Molter Museum
Located 2 miles from the Grand Ely Lodge
The Dorothy Molter Museum is a memorial to the legendary last resident of the BWCAW, who died in 1986 after living most of her 79 years on Knife Lake near the U.S.-Canada border. Canoeists often stopped at Molter's home to enjoy her hospitality and famous homemade root beer (she was often referred to as "the Root Beer Lady") The museum's two log cabins were transported out of the BWCAW piece-by-piece and reassembled in Ely. The Point Cabin is now an interpretive center with pictures and documents. Small gift shop and a video telling the story of her life.
Memorial Day - Labor Day (10 am - 6 pm)
Located east of Ely on Hwy. 169
(218) 365-4451 

International Wolf Center
Located 2 miles from the Grand Ely Lodge.
Ely is home to the International Wolf Center's flagship interpretive facility, a multi-million dollar complex that examines one of the most elusive and misunderstood animals in the world. Center visitors learn about the natural history of wolves by observing the resident wolf pack and touring the "Wolves and Humans" exhibit. Program participants can track wolves by plane, go on evening howling expeditions or put on snowshoes and follow the predator's winter tracks. Videos, talks, demonstrations, family day programs and other adventures round out a visit to the IWC.
9 am - 5 pm daily, May-Sept. (until 7 pm July and Aug.) Call for winter hours.
Located east of Ely on Hwy. 169
(800) ELY-WOLF 

The North American Bear Center
Located just one mile west of ELY, MN on Highway 169
The Science/Nature Center has live bears (including Minnesota's largest bear), in a forested setting with Pond and waterfalls. Watch bears as they forage and play, from windows or an outdoor observation deck. Dozens of educational video exhibits, show how wild bears live around Ely. Theatre featuring the best in bear documentaries.
Bear Necessities Gift shop.
Website: www.bear.org
Phone Toll Free 1-877-365-7879

Ely -Winton History Museum
Located 2 miles from the Grand Ely Lodge.
Located on Ely's Vermilion Community College campus, this center shows the local history of logging and mining through artifacts, photographs and displays.
Open daily May - Sept. 30 (10 am - 4 pm); Oct. Wed-Sat (1-4 pm)
1900 East Camp St., Ely, MN 55731
(218) 365-3226 

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Known as the "Canoe Capital of the World," the BWCA has more than one million acres of wilderness, including lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. With more than 1,500 miles of water trails, the BWCA invites you to explore the largest wilderness preserve east of the Rocky Mountains. Whether for day trips or multiple-day trips, to limit the number of people entering into the BWCA, the U.S. Forest Service requires permits which may be obtained from resorts, outfitters, or by contacting one of our area Ranger Stations. Because of this system, you might share a whole lake with no one but our state bird - the loon. 

Ely Chamber of Commerce Log Cabin/Information Center
This log cabin, once located on Basswood Lake, was built in 1938 by Finnish lumberjacks. Using an ax they shaped and fitted the logs. During the winter of 1975 & 1976 the cabin was dismantled log by log, moved over ice and rebuilt at the present location.
June through mid-September: Mon - Sat 9 am - 6 pm & Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm
July 4th and Labor Day Hours: 10 am - 3 pm
Mid-September through May: 9 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sat
(218) 365-6123 or (800) 777-7281

Downtown Ely
Don't let the quaint, small-town atmosphere fool you! You'll find some of the finest shopping and most intriguing gifts anywhere - right here in Ely. Many of the shops feature handcrafted items made here in the Ely area.

Golf Courses
Ely has a 9-hole, 3,245 yard, par 36 course that is open to the public. Located on the south side of the city, it is just 9 blocks south of Sheridan Street on Central Avenue. The course is open (weather permitting) from late April until late October. The Babbitt Golf Course is also open to the public and is located on Highway 21. The course features 9 holes, 3,316 yards with a par of 35.
Ely - (218) 365-5932 

Hidden Valley Recreation Area
The only year-round, frost-free, ski jumping hill in the United States. Skiers compete in tournaments sanctioned by the U.S. Ski Association. Hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing trails available.
Located east of Ely Hwy. 169 on Hidden Valley Road
(218) 365-6858 

Iron World
Located near Chisholm, one hour drive from the Grand Ely Lodge.
Resort Historical center dedicated to the mining history of northeastern Minnesota. Museum, shops, children's activities, train ride along one of the open mine pits.

Kawishiwi Wilderness Station
BWCAW permits issued, hiking, biking, backpacking, canoeing, and federal campgrounds. From the Ely Chamber of Commerce: 1/2 mile E. HWY 169, on the right (International Wolf Center building).
May 1 - Sept 1: 6:00 - 8:00, Daily
Oct - April 30: CLOSED
(218) 365-7561 or (218) 365-7562

Pillow Rock (Greenstone)
Pillow Rock is an ellipsoidal greenstone outcrop of an age estimated at 2.7 billion years. The pillowed structure is characteristic of lava that solidified under water. There is a sculpture in Whiteside Park as well.

Pioneer Mine Site
Directly across from the Grand Ely Lodge, the headframe of the Pioneer Mine "B" Shaft stands as a monument to Ely's history. The Miner's Lake public landing is nearby with room to launch boats as well as a dock for fishing.

Scenic Drives
The Ely area has many scenic drives should a rainy day come along. Exploring the beautiful lake and forest region to the north and south, you will discover campgrounds, boat landings, picnic areas, swimming beaches and lots of wildlife. You can find extra beauty if you travel the area in the fall. Scenic vistas throughout the area explode in bright fall colors in September. Regardless of the time of year, be sure that you bring your camera. 

Sisu Heritage Homestead Tours
About 30 miles southwest of Ely - near Embarrass - you can see actual pioneer homesteads, saunas, a rare housebarn and more representing the Finnish heritage of the entire community. Several of these buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day; tours begin at 10 am and 2 pm 

Soudan Underground Mine
Located in Soudan, just 1/2 hour from the Grand Ely lodge.
This Minnesota State Park features our first and deepest underground iron mine. One-hour guided tours will bring you 2,400 feet down and more than 100 years into our past.  Located west of Ely in Soudan, MN
(218) 753-2245

Taconite Trail - Leads right to the Grand Ely Lodge!
The Taconite Trail is a state-operated, multipurpose trail system stretching approximately 170 miles from Ely to Grand Rapids. While the trail is used for hiking and horseback riding through much of the year, it is best known for snowmobiling. In the winter, it becomes the center of thousands of miles of groomed trails in northeastern Minnesota. It features many parking areas, wayside rests, scenic vistas and well-marked trails. 

Trezona Trail
Hike, bike or ski the four-mile trail around Miner's Lake which is located within the Ely city limits. The trail is open to the public for year-round use and is connected to the International Wolf Center and the Grand Ely Lodge. 

U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Located in Eveleth, just a 55 minutes from the Grand Ely Lodge.
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame is America's hockey designated shrine and showcase to all levels of the sport. Since 1973, 103 great American hockey people with outstanding hockey achievements from all of the competitive levels of the game have been enshrined. Visitors experience the thrilling game action and inspiring achievements of players, coaches, builders and administrators through authentic, informative and entertaining displays and memorabilia.

Voyageur Outward Bound
Located 15 miles from the Grand Ely Lodge.
Rock climbing, walking uphill with 60 pounds on your back, paddling in a headwind; these things are hard. Right now you are considering taking the "hard way" not the "easy way". Voyageur Outward Bound courses are not easy; if they were we wouldn't do them. Placing students in the unique and challenging situations of an Outward Bound course allows for learning and perspective not available in day-to-day life. By learning how to stay warm and dry in a wilderness environment, by working your way up a sheer rock face, or by carrying more and walking farther than you ever have before you discover parts of yourself you may not have known were there.