What Makes Ely One of Minnesota’s Most Charming Communities

Many communities in Minnesota showcase why it is an excellent place to live, but the small town of Ely is particularly charming. Home to around 3,300 residents, Ely is a tranquil place steeped in natural beauty. Let’s explore some characteristics that make Ely one of Minnesota’s most charming communities. 

Located at the main entrance to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely is surrounded by the immensity of one of the country’s most important ecosystems. Spanning about 1,090,000 acres, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the largest natural area east of the Rockies. 

Minnesota is nicknamed the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” and there are thousands of them in the Ely area. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness features expansive lakes and rivers that visitors can explore. They can also spot a diverse array of wildlife, from moose and deer to bears and wolves.

Ely’s unique setting allows residents and visitors to enjoy non-stop recreational adventures. Boasting more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes throughout the area, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is most popular for canoeing and kayaking, and much of the park can only be explored on the water. It is also a popular destination for overnight camping and contains more than 2,000 solitary campsites.

The list of Ely’s year-round outdoor activities continues. With its vast waterways, it only makes sense that fishing is a common pastime. On dry land, visitors can enjoy incredible hikes, ATVing, birding, and golfing at nearby golf courses. The town’s common winter recreation activities include snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, and ice fishing. 

Ely itself is a quaint, welcoming place that, while small, still offers plenty for residents to do. The downtown area has brick storefronts and an all-American charm that draws people in. It is an underrated shopping destination, comprising boutique stores with handmade goods, shops with outdoor gear, and local art galleries. Ely also has excellent local restaurants that offer fresh catches, delicious steaks, and tasty desserts.

Plenty of intriguing attractions make Ely stand out. The North American Bear Center is a non-profit that allows visitors to watch live black bears in an expansive natural habitat. The Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum includes intriguing exhibits dedicated to Ojibwe residents. Also, the International Wolf Center is dedicated to preserving native wolf populations, and you can see some of the resident wolves that the center has fostered.