Heritage centers, folk schools, bears, and wolves. That is what you will find in and around Ely. Head to the International Wolf Center and you can hear all these beautiful animals sing to you, at least that’s what a Mom can tell a toddler who might be otherwise daunted by these great animals. Also in this area is the North American Bear Center. Both sites have wonderful animals and information for you to learn from.
This part of the Northwoods has great resorts with many fish filled lakes. The Ely area also has plenty of shops, restaurants and even more museums. The Dorothy Molter Museum features the cabin and mementos from this amazing woman’s life. She lived most of her life in the area and was the last resident of the Boundary Waters.
The Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park in this area with tours, as well as hiking, campground space and geological formations. The mine is certainly worth a tour! Not only is there a great little film before hand to give some background, but the experience is very interesting and memorable. The tour starts with grabbing a helmet and then taking a two minute ride 27 floors down ½ mile into the ground. You then take a five minute rail ride through the tunnels of the cave to an open area showing the jobs of times so long ago. You see the space as it was left about 60 years ago. You alsolearn about what day to day life was like from the place those workers spent everyday. I won’t spoil the rest.
So head out to the Ely area sometime and see a unique version of the Northwoods, and get to know some of the people who knew it previously.
