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Ely, MN Museums and Exhibits
Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum
A two-story building celebrating the history, life and ways of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. 3,000 square feet of exhibits, including a mural on the migration of the band into the Great Lakes area; maps; artifacts; a Waaginogam — or wigwam — fur trading post and school re-creations; a wall on spirituality and beliefs; a lifeways exhibit that includes education on topics such as ricing, bead work and basketing; a constellation ceiling; and a veteran’s wall that pays tribute to Bois Forte band members who served in the U.S. armed forces.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum
Fortune Bay Casino
1500 Bois Forte Road
Tower,MN 55790
(218) 753-6017
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 log cabins were transported out of the BWCAW piece-by-piece and reassembled in Ely. Please visit the museum’s website for tour and programming schedules. www.rootbeerlady.com
East end of Ely off Hwy 169
218-365-4451
North American Bear 
Science/ Nature Center features live resident bears in a 2.5 acre naturally forested enclosure with a pond & 4 waterfalls. Learn about bears directly from the bear themselves. Observe bears as they forage, swim, and play, through large windows or from the outdoor observation deck. There are over 50 exhibits with Hi-Def videos that reveal intimate details of bear life in the woods. Learn black bear vocalizations, body language and what they mean. A theater featuring the best in bear films is included in admission fee. The Center also offers daily programs for people of all ages, Cub Room, Gift Shop, Interpretive Nature Trails, and it is air-conditioned.
Please call the museum or check our website for current hours.
Located one mile west of Ely on Hwy. 169
Phone: (218) 365-7879 Toll Free: (877)-365-7879
International Wolf Center
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.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Located east of Ely on Hwy. 169
Phone: (800) ELY-WOLF
Soudan Underground Mine
This Minnesota State Park features the first, deepest, and richest underground iron ore mine in Minnesota. Tours of the mine lead visitors through the world of underground mining. The 1.5 hour guided tour will take you 2,341 feet down and more than 100 years into our past.
Visitors can also tour the underground physics lab and learn about experiments involving neutrinos and WIMPs.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Educational and group tours are available by special arrangement. Located west of Ely off of Highway 169 in Soudan, MN.
Phone: (218) 753-2245
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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. Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
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Ely-Winton History Museum
Located on Ely’s Vermilion Community College campus, this center shows the local history of logging and mining through artifacts, photographs and displays. Adults, $3.50, Youth 6-15, $1.50, Children 5 & Under are FREE! Special rates for groups.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
1900 East Camp St., Ely, MN 55731
Phone: (218)365-3226
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Ely Arts and Heritage Center
Located at Pioneer Mine on Ely’s north side, the site is managed by Ely Greenstone Public Art (www.elygreenstone.org). The mine is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Shaft House, 401 
North Pioneer Road, is open Memorial Day through Labor Day on Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. and by appointment (235-1721). Photos and artifacts from the underground mine which closed in 1967 are displayed. The Miners Dry House, 105 Miners Lake Landing Road, features events, art shows and classes throughout the year and is located alongside the Trezona Trail.
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The Historic Pillow Rock is an excellent example of an ellipsoidal lava flow said to be 2.7 billion years old with peculiar masses formed when dark lavas flowed under water. One of the few specimens of its kind in the world; the rock is an outcrop of Ely Greenstone, volcanic origin. Turn north on 13th Avenue and go 4 blocks. Signs will take you to Main Street where the rock is located.
