Things To Do
International Wolf Center
Learn all about wolves with displays, videos, interactive exhibits, and a viewing area to watch the 4 resident wolves! Programs throughout the day are included with admission fees.
North American Bear Center
Bears, bears, and bears, oh my! Information and programs about all bears await you at the bear center. In addition, feeding platforms allow indoor and outdoor viewing of the 3 resident bears. For an additional fee, you can receive a behind the scenes tour to see the bears' habitats. We highly recommend doing it!
Dorothy Molter Museum
Who is the root beer lady? Visit the Dorothy Molter Museum to learn all about this very interesting woman. Be sure to pick up a bottle of root beer here or in several stores and restaurants throughout Ely!
Kawishiwi Falls Trail
Looking for a nature trail? There are several near Ely, but the Kawishiwi Falls Trail is one of the most popular. It's a relatively easy hike, however, be sure to wear proper footwear, the trail can be muddy and slippery if it has recently rained.
Semer Park
Tucked away and not exactly easy to find, Semer Park is on Shagawa Lake and has playground equipment, picnic tables, and a public beach. Great way to spend a few hours in Ely!
Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant
Great restaurant for burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. No outdoor seating and street parking only. It's usually "seat yourself" and the tables go far back towards the brewer room as well as additional seating upstairs.
Stony Ridge Resort & Cafe
No frills, rustic restaurant that specializes in burgers. Awesome outdoor seating with a view of Shagawa Lake (and maybe some mosquito friends). It is located out of the way with a small parking lot shared with lodge guests and the entrance is on the side of the building. A host will assist you with seating options. Also, there are a few German Pointer dogs that wander around the restaurant. They are adorable, but you're not SUPPOSED TO feed them. :)
Frisky Otter
Indoor & outdoor seating, off-street parking, and more extensive menu than other restaurants in town. They can get busy and the service can be a bit slow during the summer because of large party sizes, so be patient and plan accordingly!
Insula Restaurant
Insula is upscale, but casual. Their menu changes frequently and they use fresh, local ingredients where they can. Only indoor seating and street parking as well as a bit more spendy than other local restaurants, but there is some delicious food to be had here!
Sheridan Street Delicatessen
Great place for a cup of coffee and breakfast/lunch options. On-street parking and limited seating.
Ely's Historic State Theater
Great, small-town theater to catch a movie if you have some down time. One screen in a small, modern theater with about 35 seats. The other screen is in the renovated historic theater. First run movies and reasonable ticket prices are just a few reasons to check it out!
Lake Vermilion
One of Minnesota's largest lakes, Lake Vermilion is about 20 miles from Ely and has several resorts located on the shores which offer boat rentals and various water activities. It is your best bet for motorized boat recreation as most lakes around Ely are part of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) which requires a permit and prohibits boat motors.
Lake Superior - North Shore
About a 2 hour drive east of Ely is the North Shore of Lake Superior. There are too many places to list separately, but if you are going to make this part of your trip, here are a few of our favorites. From North to South: Grand Marais, Cascade River State Park, Lusten Mountain Alpine Slide, Temperance River State Park, Tettegouche State Park, Palisade Head, Black Beach (Silver Bay), Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Betty's Pies (Two Harbors), Glensheen Mansion (Duluth).