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15 Best Things to Do in Ely (Cambridgeshire, England)

In Medieval times this Cambridgeshire town was on the Isle of Ely, a patch of high ground amid miles of watery fenland.

Slowly the impassable landscape was conquered using ditches and pumps that were powered by wind and then diesel engines.

The name Ely comes from eels, and for hundreds of years this creature was the backbone of the economy and diet.

There’s even a World Eel Throwing Competition at Ely’s gorgeous riverside in May.

Ely’s crowning glory is the cathedral, graced by a sublime 14th-century octagonal tower that has no equal in Medieval architecture.

In the 17th century Oliver Cromwell had a place in Ely, and this house has been kept in a style that the Lord Protector himself would recognise.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Ely :

1. Ely Cathedral

An intoxicating blend of Romanesque and Decorated Gothic Architecture, Ely’s inspiring cathedral was begun in 1080 and completed towards the end of the 14th century.

This monument owes its greatest feature to a catastrophe.

In 1322 while the magnificent Lady Chapel was being built, the Norman central crossing tower collapsed.

The replacement was something truly extraordinary: The Octagon is a hollow Decorated Gothic tower and a work of Medieval architectural genius.

There’s a lantern with eight internal archways supporting wonderfully light fan vaulting.

One of many head-spinning facts about this structure is that the timber structure supporting the Octagon could never be built today because there are no trees large enough! The Octagon is the essential sight, but also just the start of a journey that has to include the Lady Chapel, with spellbinding vaulting, window tracery and rows of highly decorative ogees with carvings depicting the life of Mary.

2. Oliver Cromwell’s House

One of the defining figures of English history, Oliver Cromwell, lived in Ely from 1638 to 1646. He came here after inheriting a 16th-century house, also known as St Mary’s Vicarage.

Apart from Hampton Court Palace, this is the only Cromwell residence still standing.

The oldest part of this half-timbered house dates right back to 1215. The property was bought by the council in 1988 and was restored to how it might have looked when Cromwell was living here.

There’s an audio-tour bringing those times back to life as you pass through eight evocative period rooms.

One of the bedrooms is claimed to be haunted, while children can take part in “House Mouse Trail” and dress up in clothes and armour from the period.

3. Stained Glass Museum

The UK’s only museum for stained glass can be found in the cathedral’s South Triforium Gallery.

This captivating exhibition maps the history of stained glass over 800 years, shedding light on the skills involved in its production.

You’ll discover the secrets and savoir-faire of this ancient craft and see how the techniques and styles changed.

Some 125 exquisite stained glass panels are kept in illuminated cases, allowing you to contrast styles across hundreds of years.

If you’re eager to learn this craft yourself there are workshops for various stages in the process like painting, fusing, leading, copper foiling and glass fusing.

4. Ely Museum

The building housing Ely Museum is part historic and part modern.

The older wing is a two-storey stone and brick construction that stood as the Bishop of Ely’s gaol in the 17th century.

The permanent exhibition is in nine galleries, with tableaux and artefacts charting the natural formation of the Fens, as well as their human history via the Bronze Age, Romans, Saxons, Victorian times and the two World Wars.

One of the newest additions is a mesmerising Bronze Age gold torque that was only discovered in the Cambridgeshire countryside in 2017 and is valued at £220,000. Another enthralling, if morbid, exhibit is a Roman sarcophagus with the skeleton of a legionary inside, discovered by a farmer ploughing his field in 1981. You can also investigate historic activities specific to Ely, like eel catching and hunting waterfowl with huge boat-mounted punt guns.

5. Ely Riverside

The loveliest place in Ely to amble aimlessly, the city’s Riverside on the Great Ouse has a long path by the water.

This is partly shaded by willows, and in summer an endless flow of narrowboats and pleasure yachts drifts past.

As we’ll see below, there’s an antiques centre and major arts venue on the waterfront, but also lots of places to drink, dine or grab a cup of tea and a treat and ponder the river.

Loads of events take place on the Riverside, like the water-based mayhem of the Ely Aquafest on the first Sunday of July.

More surreal is the World Eel Throwing Competition as part of Eel Day at the beginning of May.

You may be happy to learn than no eels are harmed at this event, as grown-ups and kids compete to throw a stuffed toy eel as far as they can.

6. Jubilee Gardens

A pretty way to get from the Riverside to the city centre, Jubilee Gardens opened in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and has been awarded the Green Flag since 2005. Check out the striking sculpture of an eel by one of the benches.

This is one of a few installations around Ely to celebrate its traditional eel catching trade.

In the summer Jubilee Gardens springs to life with outdoor events like Sunday concerts at the bandstand.

The park also has a play area for toddlers, a curious water feature and a meandering path recreating the route taken between the Riverside and Cathedral by merchants in times past.

7. Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve

The 628-acre Ramsar Wetland at Wicken Fen is a rare chance to see what the region’s countryside looked like before it was drained and cultivated.

This invaluable natural space, one of the most important wetlands in Europe, is mostly owned by the National Trust and is a National Nature Reserve.

Out in Wicken Fen you can follow long or shorter trails, ushering you past standing water, reedbeds, marshes, farmland and pits, dikes and water courses made by human hands . The last remaining wind pump in all of the Fens can be seen here, built around 1912 and moved to this site in 1956. The natural diversity at Wicken Fen is astounding, with 8,500 species recorded.

Resident birds include great crested grebes, kingfishers, sparrowhawks and five owl species, while winter visitors include waders like golden plovers, snipes and bitterns, to name just a tiny fraction.

8. River Cruises

From the beginning of March to the end of September you visit the Riverside to board the Liberty Belle for a peaceful 30-minute cruise on the River Great Ouse.

These trips depart close to The Maltings, a Victorian-era brewhouse-turned-performing arts centre.

On your trip you’ll get a fresh angle of the cathedral and will be able to see lots of wildlife on riverbanks, There’s a pre-recorded commentary on board detailing the civil-engineering projects in the Fens and stories of 18th-century highwaymen.

Your skipper will also know Ely and the Fens like the back of his hand and will have lots of interesting facts and tales to tell.

9. Cherry Hill Park

Also known simply as Ely Park, this green space continues across Broad Street from Jubilee Gardens.

Here, among the giant mature trees there are unbroken views of the cathedral.

Keep an eye out for the reproduction of an eel hive (a tunnel-like implement to catch eels in the Fens). This is one of 18 stops on an Eel Trail that has been plotted by the town.

The park was the site of Ely Castle, raised by William the Conqueror in 1070 but demolished in 1268 after being captured from the rebels in the Second Barons’ War back when Ely was an island.

There’s little more than a mound remaining from the castle, but excavations in the 2000s brought to light all sorts of interesting artefacts like bowls, jugs and tools for hunting and farming from the time Ely was transitioning between a Viking and Norman settlement.

10. Waterside Antiques Centre

A dream for collectors and bargain-hunters, the Waterside Antiques Centre is the largest antiques emporium in East Anglia.

Inside this cavernous Georgian malthouse are more than 65 antiques dealers.

Their stock is highly diverse, and rummaging through the stalls you’ll find traditional farm tools, porcelain, silverware, historic weapons, ephemera like matchboxes and postcards, vintage clothing, military medals, antique glass and distinguished furnishings from grandfather clocks to armoires.

The building has its own story to tell, as it was used as a morgue in World War II and is believed to be haunted.

The centre is open seven days a week, 09:30-17:30 Mon-Sat and 11:00 on Sundays.

11. Ely Country Park

Out in the Fens to the east there’s a generous open space owned by the town.

The Ely Country Park is a handy way to hit the countryside without straying too far from Ely proper.

The park incorporates a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has two main waymarked trails (Kingfisher and Bulrush) with interpretation boards outlining the many bird species you may spot.

There’s a picnic area by the Fisherman’s Car Park, as well as an adventure playground for smaller members of the clan, with a zip-line and tricky climbing frame.

12. Burwell Museum

A bit more of a trip, this agricultural museum is about ten miles to the south and shines a light on the history of farming on the edge of the Fens.

Surrounding the Grade II* listed Steven’s Mill (1820) there’s an assortment of rural buildings, some of which are historic and have been relocated here, and others that have been built recently using traditional knowhow.

One of the older structures is a timber barn from the 1700s, and you can enter Steven’s Mill for interactive exhibits and multimedia.

The museum has a riveting collection of vintage buses, cars, motorcycles, carts, prams and farm machinery, as well as reconstructions of a historic blacksmith’s forge, Victorian schoolroom and a Roman potter’s workshop.

13. WWT Welney Wetland Centre

You can make another journey out into the Fens at this Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre north of the town in Welney.

This expansive reserve has five bird hides, the largest of which even has central heating, which is a godsend in winter.

In this season you can go on a guided visit to see the swans feeding.

Winter also delivers thousands of ducks and wading birds like there rarely sighted water rail.

Come in summer and you’ll get to see house martins and swallows with their young amid the meadows that are emblazoned with wildflowers.

The visitor centre has an uplifting view of this watery landscape, and has a cafe where you can pause for a moment with your coffee to watch the waterfowl in winter or hares boxing in early spring,

14. Prickwillow Engine Museum

Minutes outside Ely on the River Lark is a museum at a former pumping station, another way to get in touch with the history of the Fens and their reliance on human intervention.

Pumping stations like this and their awe-inspiring engines helped keep this landscape inhabitable.

The Prickwillow Engine Museum has an array of diesel pumping engines, all of which are in working condition.

The museum is open Saturday to Tuesday from Easter to the start of October.

You’ll be able to chat with an engineer who has worked on these beasts and see the machines in full flight.

There are also themed days throughout the season like the ploughing festival in October and the “1940s Event” in August.

15. Newmarket

To the south, Newmarket has been the home of British racing since the 17th century.

The largest set of racehorse training yards can be found around this town in west Suffolk, as well as the National Stud and two prestigious racecourses.

To give an indication of their importance, between them they host 9 of the UK’s 36 Group 1 races each year.

If you’re into equestrianism there are lots of reasons to make the trip, not least for the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and British Sporting Art.

This was opened by avid horseracing enthusiast Elizabeth II in 2016 and is housed in the surviving wing of Charles II’s Palace House.

Among this mine of artefacts are silks worn by world-famous jockeys like Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori, alongside interactive displays that outline the physical characteristics of top equine athletes.

15 Best Things to Do in Ely (Cambridgeshire, England):

• Ely Cathedral
• Oliver Cromwell's House
• Stained Glass Museum
• Ely Riverside
• Jubilee Gardens
• Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
• River Cruises
• Cherry Hill Park
• Waterside Antiques Centre
• Ely Country Park
• Burwell Museum
• WWT Welney Wetland Centre
• Prickwillow Engine Museum

10 Best Things to Do in Ely, Minnesota

Visit Ely, Minnesota in Any Season

Ely is a quaint, small town deep in the Northwoods of Minnesota. It’s the gateway to the Boundary Water Canoe Area and about a 90-minute drive to Silver Bay and Lake Superior. With miles of snowmobiling trails in the winter, hiking trails, and glistening lakes in the summer, it’s a place that can be enjoyed year-round. Read on for the 10 very best things to do in Ely, Minnesota, and download a free checklist here !

1. Stay at Ely Cabin Collective

I’ve been to Ely twice and both times I stayed at the Ely Cabin Collective’s cabins . They have a rustic off-grid solar-powered cabin and a more modern newly built house with a sauna. They are along the same road, less than a mile from each other, and on dozens of acres. They’re also a short 15 minute drive from downtown Ely.  And both are dog-friendly as well!

2. Get Into Nature

Ely has many incredible parks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and endless pines. There are a lot of great places to hike and explore. Here are a few of the more popular spots to check out:

• Bass Lake Trail is a 6.3-mile loop popular for backpacking, hiking, and snowshoeing. You’ll find beautiful overlooks, small waterfalls, and a variety of terrain.
• Bear Head Lake State Park  has over 4,000 acres of hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and running trails, along with pristine water for kayaking and paddle boarding.
• Kawishiwi Falls  is great for a quick and easy 1-mile loop that leads to a beautiful waterfall. In the warmer months, this is a popular and heavily trafficked trail.
• Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park , there are plenty of places to hike and paddleboard at this newer (2014) state park, or for something different, take a tour of the underground iron mines.
• Trezona Trail Head (Miners Lake) is a 3.9-mile paved loop that circles Miners Lake on the edge of downtown Ely. This is a nice spot for an easy and flat walk.

3. Visit the Museums

Ely offers a lot of great culture and museums. Be sure to check museum hours ahead of time as some are closed or have limited hours during the off-season. At the Dorothy Molter Museum, you’ll learn about Dorothy and her incredible story of making the best root beer, which she sold to canoeists in the BWCA. After you finish your tour, sip a delicious glass of root beer. And at the Ely Folk School, you’ll find classes, workshops, and events about cooking, foraging, and ceramics. There are options for all ages.

4. Check Out the Animal Centers

The International Wolf Center is a  research and education center that teaches us about wolves and their relationship to the land. You’ll not only learn about these beautiful and fierce creatures, you’ll also get to see them up close. The North American Bear Center will provide you with a great opportunity to watch bears forage for hazelnuts and berries and learn interesting and informative facts about these giant animals.

5. Unwind at the Spa

A visit to Pebble Spa is a really special way to treat yourself. I highly recommend a hot stone massage and blueberry foot scrub from Melissa. She is highly skilled and really made the experience so relaxing for me. After my massage, Melissa brought me tea and chocolate to continue the relaxation experience. Pebble Spa also has a gift shop with essential oils, jewelry, and clothing. Their newly opened sister business, Camp Pebble, sells a variety of spa products like bath bombs, candles, and journals, so you can unwind at home.

6. Shop the Local Boutiques

Ely has several cute shops in the downtown area with clothing, shoes, jewelry, mugs, and more. A few you will definitely want to visit are:

• Elywear , for gifts, t-shirts and souvenirs
• Piragis , for mugs, jewelry, clothing and outdoor gear
• Mealy’s Gift Shop , for soap, mugs, cards and jewelry
• Pebble Spa Gift Shop , for clothing, candles, books, jewelry and artwork
• Wintergreen Northern Wear , for quality coats, hats, socks, water bottles and other outdoor gear

7. Enjoy the Food Scene

There are a handful of great restaurants in Ely, each offering something delicious! Depending on what you are craving, you’ll want to check out:

• Boat House , for burgers, salads, and of course their famous blueberry beer!
• Chocolate Moose , for delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner options (only open in the summer).
• Front Porch Coffee & Tea Co. , a cute and tiny space to grab sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, or tea. Bring it with you on a hike, or sit and relax on their large wraparound porch.
• Insula , for great breakfast options, as well as burgers, sandwiches, fish, and vegetarian options.
• Log Cabin Coffee Drive-Thru , for grab-and-go coffee or tea at the drive-thru to either take with you on a hike or enjoy in the outdoor seating area under the trees.
• Northern Expressions , for ice cream and summertime treats.
• Northern Grounds , for coffee in the morning, and wine at night.

8. Experience Dog Sledding

One of the things that makes Ely so unique is the experience you can have dog sledding. The owners of Cast Outdoors are so friendly and know intimate details about each of their 40+ dogs’ personalities, preferences, and dislikes. Like which dogs are pals and want to run side-by-side and who wants to be leading in the front or in the very back. This is a unique and special experience that should not be missed.

9. Don’t Sleep on Zup’s

Zup’s is the local grocery store in town, but it’s really so much more than that. You’ll find fun sweatshirts, coupons for free beef sticks, and Ely-themed gifts like magnets, mugs, and postcards. And it’s where all the locals go. We ran into a handful of people my friend, who was born and raised in Ely, knew including her mom and sister’s friend!

10. Get Outfitted for the BWCA

A huge part of the Ely culture is embracing the outdoors. There are several great outfitters in town who can help you get set up for your trip into the Boundary Water Canoe Area. Many of them offer a variety of packages at different price points depending on what equipment you need and if you are purchasing food from the outfitter, or bringing your own. A few great options are Ely Outfitting Company, Voyageur North Canoe Outfitters, Canoe Country Outfitters, Spirit of the Wilderness, Piragis Northwoods Company, Boundary Water Outfitters and Canadian Waters Inc. 

Visit Ely and Enjoy the Charm of a Small Town

Ely is a beautiful place in any season. Whether you want to enjoy the cute town or get deep into the quiet woods, this is a beautiful place with friendly people. Looking for more up north ideas? Check out my blog posts on 20 must-see stops along Lake Superior’s North Shore , 10 Reasons to Visit Cook County , Best Things to Do in Grand Marais , and 9 Epic State Parks along Minnesota’s North Shore .

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That cabin is flipping gorgeous! It looks like it is Ole approves as well (which I guess is the most important point.)

I grew up near a place called Ely (which is in a totally flat area with a gorgeous Cathedral, but not much else…) but I love the look of the Minnesota Ely even more! The food, the cute shops and the access to nature all look fab!

I was looking for the empty rail line that they took out and the tunnel

Kristen, thank you for visiting our cabins! We are so happy to host you anytime. You need to visit Ely in every season!

Great things to do , Loved it !!!

Soon we will going to plan for this trip to minnesota. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you enjoyed it!

This article is really amazing, thank you for sharing helpful article. very interesting and amazing details you provide.

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Top Things to Do in Ely - Ely Must-See Attractions

Things to do in ely, tours in and around ely.

The Best of Ely Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Luxury Private Vehicle Day Hire: London via Duxford imperial War Museum & Ely

Shared Guided Punting Tour of Cambridge

Cambridge - Shared Punting Tour

Cambridge | Alumni-Led Walking Tour w/opt Kings College Entry

Cambridge | Alumni-Led Walking & Punting Tour w/opt Kings College

Punting Tour in Cambridge

Shared Punt Tour - Cambridge

A Guided Public Tour of Historic Cambridge

Walking Tour of Cambridge

Top attractions in ely.

Other Top Attractions around Ely

What travellers are saying

Ely Tourism

Tourism in ely.

Information for tourists to Ely and Ely tourism:

Ely Landmarks (Photos)

Ely Cafes & Tea Rooms

Ely City Centre Map

Ely Pub Map

Inside Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral

Ely Stained Glass Museum

Ely Tourist Information Centre

Accommodation in Ely

Oliver Cromwell

Hereward The Wake

St. Mary’s Church

Ely Town Trail

General Photo Gallery

Photos From The Tower of Ely Cathedral

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One Full Day in Ely Itinerary

Connect with the Ely story by soaking in the history of White Pine County. Start the day by taking a tour of the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum and the train yard at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum . Step back in time and hop aboard a century – old steam engine. The early train takes passengers for a winding ride through the canyon s. When you return make a short trip up the hill to the White Pine Public Museum .

Lunch –

Grab a bite to eat in downtown Ely and then walk it off by taking the downtown mural tour , where the county’s history is celebrated through a series of large murals. There’s even a new guided audio tour that gives context for each mural as visitors walk the trail.

Afternoon/Evening –

After your lunch – time stroll, you could either head up to the Renaissance Village   and tour the historic cabins of cultures past while the evening trai n rolls by or drive out to Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park to catch a mountain sunset and a look at the Italian engineering of the other worldly beehive shaped ovens.

Want to stay another day? Luckily, we have “Let’s Stay Another Day!” Itinerary right HERE !

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Official Partner of Visit East of England

Official Partner of VisitEngland

Ely Tourist Information Centre

A warm welcome awaits you in the gift shop of ely tourist information centre at oliver cromwell's house..

As well as Ely and Cromwell souvenirs we stock a variety of delightful gifts, cards, books and toys to mention just a few. So whether you would like to purchase something that reflects the area or just looking for a gift, do call in and see us. If you are looking for a really special present, why not treat someone to a voucher for either an escape room or a family ticket including the Cromwell Quest game! Come in and ask for further details.

Contact details

Oliver Cromwell's House 29 St Mary's Street Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 4HF

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Ely, MN Weekend Away: Classic BWCA Gateway

Ely, MN is the place where people go to be a part of nature. On the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), Ely mixes outdoor adventure with fine shopping and dining.

Things to Do

Where to eat, where to stay, getting there.

A town on the edge of the woods

Ely, MN claims to do more wilderness canoe outfitting than any city in the world – and when you visit it won’t be hard to believe. It’s a place with fewer people, larger forests, less traffic and more wildlife than you may see in a long time.

Early settlers came to the area for gold, and all they found was fool’s gold. What they were left with was a vast richness of forests, wildlife, lakes and fishing to enjoy year round.

The Chippewa Indians called Ely home for hundreds of years. Once named for the Chippewa word meaning “land of the berries,” Ely drew them to the area because of its abundance of blueberries and other wildlife. Today, the town’s festival is named the Blueberry Arts Festival after this piece of its heritage.

Early voyageurs came to the area in the 1700s to trade for fur, but the first settlers didn’t come for another 100 years. The town was officially incorporated in 1888, the same year it sent off its first shipment of iron ore. That year marked the start of Ely’s mining industry, on which it built its economy for nearly the next 100 years.

Today, the town has become a vacation destination for travelers around the globe, as a main entry point to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).

Sources Cited:

“Ely, Minnesota.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely,_Minnesota

Ely, MN Best Bets

• You can’t come to Ely without a canoe trip. Rent a canoe at one of the many local outfitters for a short day trip or longer. For a unique view, head to Hegman Lake for a view of historic pictographs.
• Come in the winter for a dogsledding trip. Stay at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, the nation’s only lodge devoted to dogsledding.
• Spend an afternoon in town. Visit the gallery of National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg, the Wintergreen Northern Wear store or Steger Mukluks by arctic explorer Will Steger.
• Grab lunch at the Chocolate Moose and make dinner reservations at Burntside Lodge’s dining room.

Ely offers the best of both words – exquisite outdoor adventures, plus a downtown alive with shops, dining, museums and spas. There are more than 5,000 lakes, rivers and streams in the Ely area, offering near endless opportunities for exploration. If you’re new to backpacking, Ely is home to more canoe outfitters than any other city in the word, according to its chamber of commerce, who can provide gear and training before you head out.

Plan a canoe day trip. There are hundreds of routes in the area and more outfitters than any other city in the nation, providing easy access to canoes and gear. Or,

Take a trek through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Covering one million acres, the Boundary Waters is a wilderness paradise with more than 1,200 miles of canoe waterways, 100 miles of hiking trails and ski trails in the winter. It’s the largest wilderness area in the nation east of the Mississippi. Though 180,000 people visit the BWCA annually, depending on your route you could go days without seeing another person.

View the Hegman Lake Pictographs. Some of the best known pictographs in the Midwest can be seen on a rock ledge overlooking North Hegman Lake in the BWCA. To get there, park at South Hegman Lake. Take a short 15 minute paddle to a portage taking you to North Hegman Lake. Another 15 minute paddle will take you to the pictographs – markings of early inhabitants who once traveled the very same waters.

Spend the day in town. Ely’s quaint downtown has a range of shops and outfitters, including gifts and galleries, clothing and outdoor gear:

• Wintergreen Northern Wear : Created by the owners of Wintergreen Lodge, the store offers some of the best winter wear you’ll find, all made locally. The clothing has been used by Ely-native explorers Will Stegar and Wintergreen founder Paul Schurke.
• Piragis Northwoods Company: This store offers all the gear you need for your outdoor adventure, but also offers clothing, crafts and decor, books and jewelry.
• Galleries: National Geographic nature photographer Jim Brandenburg has two galleries in the state, and Ely has one of them (the other is in his hometown of Luverne).  Also stop into the Kess Gallery, featuring Beckie Prange woodcuts, and Deborah Sussex Photography gallery. Ledgerock Pottery offers locally made pottery and glass from local study Highstone Glassworks.
• The Pebble Spa: Stop in for a massage, facial or manicure, a great place to unwind after a canoe trip or hike.
• Giftshops: Several gift shops along Ely’s main street will provide hours of exploration. Mealy’s had handmade furniture, garden accessories, jewelry, and books, as well as sauna supplies.  Mostly Moose & More and The Cabin both offer Northwoods themed gifts, including artwork, jewelry, candles, and clothing. The Great Outdoors Candle Co. offers handmade candles and soaps, as well as cabin décor.
• Steger Mukluks:   Traditional Native American-style mukluks from arctic explorer Will Steger. The shop also sells moccasins and clothing.

Tour the Soudan Underground Mine. Called the “Cadillac of Mines,” Soudan is Minnesota’s oldest mine and one of the richest sources of iron ore in the state. The mine is about 20 minutes west of downtown Ely on Hwy 169/1.

Visit a museum. Just to the east of downtown, the Dorothy Molter "The Root Beer Lady" Museum celebrates the life of the last person to call the Boundary Waters home. Tour her actual cabin and sample the root beer she made that earned her the name “Root Beer Lady.” Just east, head to the International Wolf Center, which has exhibits and educational events highlighting history of wolves in the state and ways humans can help protect the wolf population. On the other side of town, the North American Bear Center has exhibits on all types of bears found on the continent.

Hike through brilliant fall leaves. Ely is one of the best places in the state to view the fall leaves. Hike through the Boundary Waters for brilliant red, orange and yellow colors. Remember to come early in the fall – because Ely is far north, its leaves will turn before other areas of the state. Check the Minnesota DNR’s website for the latest fall leaf forecasts.

If you come in the winter – and you must come at least once – plan a dogsled adventure.   Choose Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge for a longer adventure, with rental gear available. Several other guide services are also available in the area, including White Wolf Dog Sled Trips, White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures and Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips.

Ely Chamber of Commerce.

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association.

Chocolate Moose: In downtown Ely, stop for a casual lunch, where you’ll find menu items ranging from walleye sandwiches to burritos to traditional ham and cheese and turkey warps. The log-style restaurant also offers a range of wines and microbrews.

BoatHouse Brewery: The BoatHouse in downtown Ely offers paninis and wraps, burgers, steaks and walleye. The restaurant also serves a traditional breakfast that will fill you up before you head out for a hike.

The Mantel House Restaurant: French Chef Bernard Herrmann and Texas native Chef Pam Freeman offer a four-course gourmet menu in the heart of downtown. Ingredients are fresh and locally grown. In the winter Chef Herrmann cooks for the Wintergreen Dog Sled Lodge.

Burntside Lodge: On Burntside Lake, the Lodge’s dining room (2755 County Road 489) is open to the public, offering breakfast and dinner. Menu items include walleye, scallops, steak and pork. Brunch is served each Saturday and Sunday morning, featuring items ranging from eggs benedict to homemade blueberry scones. The Lodge is a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” winner.

Rockwood: The eatery offers casual dining, with live music on the weekends. Inside you’ll find northwoods décor and a diverse menu with items like walleye, burgers, and Jamaican jerk surf and turf. Or head back outside to enjoy dinner on the patio.

Ice cream: Stop for a frozen treat at Northern Expressions on Main, or a frozen custard at nearby Red Cabin Custard.

From rustic cabins to downtown rooms, Ely has options for whatever vacation you’re looking for. Here are five to try:

Burntside Lodge: Its handcrafted log cabins overlook Burntside Lake (2755 County Road 489), a clear, spring-fed lake dotted with islands. Rent a canoe, kayak or boat, or enjoy breakfast or dinner at the Lodge’s dining room, featuring menu items like walleye, scallops, and steak, as well as wine parings and a full bar. A Cappuccino/Espresso Bar is also on site, with fresh bakery items.

Grand Ely Lodge: Located close to downtown Ely, Grand Ely Lodge (400 N Pioneer Rd) offers a relaxing getaway with close access to shops and restaurants. The Lodge’s marina provides pontoon, fishing boat, canoe and kayak rentals. Dine on-site at Evergreen Restaurant or Antlers Lounge.

Moose Track Lodge:   Rent a Northwoods-style cabin at Moose Track Lodge (593 Kawishiwi Trail), which also offers guided fishing, fly fishing and canoe trips. Boat and canoe rentals are available, and the Lodge is also a BWCA permit station.

Timber Trail Lodge: Just a few mile past Ely, Timber Trail Lodge (629 Kawishiwi Trail) offers Northwoods-style cabin rentals with one to six bedrooms. The lodge has an on-site marina with motorboat, pontoon and canoe rentals.

Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge:   In the winter months, visit Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge (1101 Ringrock Road), the nation’s only lodge exclusively devoted to dogsledding. Three and four-night lodge-based trips for singles, couples and families include several lodging and gourmet dining options. Guided dogsled camping trips are also available, and if you’re in need of gear, the Lodge rents complete clothing sets from its Wintergreen Northern Wear brand.

Ely is an adventure year round. In the summer, enjoy the lakes, BWCA and downtown shops for a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure in a canoe.

In the fall, Ely offers spectacular views of the fall leaves. Because its far north, be sure to visit early in the fall to see the most brilliant colors.

And in the winter, Ely is a winter sport destination, offering some of the state’s best cross country ski trails, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog sledding.

From the south, head north on Hwy 35 until the Cloquet exit, Hwy 53. Continue North through Eveleth (home of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame) and Virginia. Just past Virginia, take Hwy 169/1 all the way to Ely.

Find something new℠.

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Brian Fischer

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