When people think of Ely, MN, the first thing that comes to mind it the Boundary Waters. But the people who live here will tell you the town was never just a launching point. Ely is its own destination filled with unique attractions and experiences. And fall, when the trees turn color and the air gets crisp, might be the best time to find out what the town has to offer.
Ely offers experiences you can’t get anywhere else. Get up close to wildlife at the the International Wolf Center, home to a pack of wolves that can be viewed from the indoor viewing area as they eat, play, and prowl. On the other side of town, the North American Bear Center lets you observe black bears in their own 2.5-acre forested habitat.
For a morning walk, the Trezona Trail is a paved loop along Miners Lake in town with breathtaking views and it’s own mini history tour with sites of past historic iron mines and interpretive signage on Ely’s mining history. It connects to the Mesabi Trail, it’s flat and accessible, and in October, the fall colors along the path are outstanding. If you are visiting with the family, spend an afternoon at Semer’s Beach Park on Shagawa Lake, then head downtown for the newly opened arcade at Carbonation Soda Shop and a bag of candy from Ely’s Old-Fashioned Candy.
But the real case for an Ely fall weekend is a walk downtown. Start with breakfast at Britton’s Cafe, a popular classic diner that’s been a pre-and-post-camping tradition for decades. Grab lunch at Gator’s Grilled Cheese or the Sheridan Street Deli. Book dinner at Insula, where chef-driven, locally sourced food holds its own against anything in the big cities. And for winding down after a long day, Boathouse Brewpub offers a craft brewery and a full menu.
Between meals, explore Ely’s unique arts and culture scene. The Brandenburg Gallery houses the most complete collection of Jim Brandenburg’s wilderness photography. Next door, The Meadows Gallery and Studios has rotating exhibits and working artist studios in the back. Art & Soul Gallery carries local painters and ceramicists. Take a hands-on class at the Ely Folk School in woodworking, foraging, or fiber arts. Catch a film or live show at Ely’s Historic State Theater. Visit the Dorothy Molter Museum, which preserves the cabins of the legendary “Root Beer Lady” who lived alone in the wilderness for 56 years making homemade root beer for passing canoeists.
And when you’ve done all that, just be in Ely. Browse Steger Mukluks and Wintergreen Northern Wear. Grab coffee at Northern Grounds. Talk to whoever’s sitting next to you, folks here are the friendliest bunch you know and all have a unique story to tell. Ely is a town where people came for the wilderness and stayed for the community.
Ely is worth the trip.
