area tourist attractions

Bois Forte Heritage Center Visit Atisokanigamig "Legend House" and experience the culture and proud Heritage of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. Where traditions have been kept alive for more than 500 years. Proudly Owned & Operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Closed Sundays, Mondays and all major holidays Phone: 218-753-6017 Fax: 218-753-6026 1500 Bois Forte Rd. Tower, Mn 55790

International Wolf Center Come for a day, or stay for a week! You can tour the award winning "Wolves and Humans" exhibit, browse through the "Wolf Den" gift shop, and of course observe our five resident wolves in action. Ask about our educational studies and adventure vacations. May 10 - June 30 & September 1- October 20 9:00 am to 5:00 pm DAILY July 1 - August 31 9:00 am to 7:00 pm DAILY October 21 - May 9 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday 1396 Hwy 169 Ely, MN 55731 (218)-365-4695 Web Site

Mailboat Excursions See over 80 miles of scenic Lake Vermilion as you ride along on the unique mailboat, which delivers mail to island residents six days a week. Leaves Aronson's Marina at 9:00 am, Monday-Saturday, June 1- Labor Day. Reservations are recommended. Aronson Boat Works Pike Bay Drive, Tower, MN (218)753-4190 Web Site

Soudan Underground Mine State Park Take a 2,400 ft deep ride underground to a waiting rail car tour; explore hiking trails, an engine house, drill shop, and other displays aboveground; or even catch a glimpse of wildlife native to this 1,300 acre park. For the mine tour, visitors don hard hats and enter a "cage" for the descent into the mine. The 1 1/2 hour mine tour will take you half a mile down into the earth. Once underground you will be treated to a 3/4 mile trail ride to the last and deepest area mined. The mine is 50 degrees F year-around, so remember to bring a warm jacket or sweater and sturdy shoes. Also home to a high-energy physics lab, where tours are offered. The Soudan Underground Laboratory is the leading deep underground science and engineering laboratory in the United States today. Scientists from around the world have been working at Soudan for 25 years trying to answer basic questions about the Universe in which we live: Is matter completely stable? What is the nature of the fundamental forces? Can we identify the Dark Matter that seems to permeate our Universe? Tours meet at the visitors center. No state park sticker required. Open Memorial Day to fall 8am-5pm PO Box 335 Soudan, MN 55782 (218)753-2245 Web Site

Tower Train & Depot Museum This center includes a museum in the historic train depot, a steam locomotive, a railway passenger car, caboose, and a two-room homesteaders log cabin. The Depot, built in 1915, has been kept in near original condition. It houses a museum with hundreds of artifacts and photos. Also on-site is a monument to President McKinley, picnic area, restrooms, and information center. Open 7 days a week from 10-4 through Labor Day. Operated by the Tower-Soudan Historical Society Tower Train & Depot Museum 404 Pine Street Tower, MN 55790 1-800-TOWER-MN Web Site

Van Air Van Air invites you to share our unique and exciting perspective of the Border Lake Country. Be it a tour from one of the many local resorts, a sunset moose tour, or a special dinner via floatplane; let Van Air give you an experience long remembered. Your hosts and pilots, Bud and Irene Van Deusen, have thousands of hours flying this rich and wonderful country and wish to share with you their insight to all aspects of this land. So just sit back, relax and enjoy viewing all the beauty of Van Air Country! 218-753-2331 Email Web Site

Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary The Sanctuary allows visitors to observe wild black bears and other wildlife from the safety of an open viewing deck. Become a member of the American Bear Association, or enjoy a aummer workshop covering nature writing, photography or bear ecology. 5 PM until dusk Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesday through Saturday PO Box 77 Orr, MN 55771 Web Site

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness One million acres of pristine preserved wilderness waiting to fulfill the Voyageur in you. The BWCAW offers over 1,200 miles of canoe trails, breathtaking views, and all the quiet solace you can handle. Remember to "leave no trace" so this spectacular beauty may be enjoyed by generations to come. Lake Vermilion is nestled between the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Voyageur's National Park. Reservation center address: PO Box 462 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Web Site

Comet Theater Established in 1939 the Comet Theater is the longest continuous running movie screen in the state of Minnesota. Live music and theater are also offered from time to time throughout the year. Located in downtown Cook. See the website for current show information. Web Site

Dorothy Molter Museum Dorothy Molter was the last resident of the Boundary Water Canoe Area. Drawing on her days as a nurse in Chicago, Dorothy "treated" her BWCAW visitors with first aid and a homemade root beer-as many as 12,000 bottles a year! Come see how this remarkable woman lived. You may even find her root beer recipe in the gift shop! Open daily, June-Aug, weekends in May and Sept., 10:00 am - 5:30 pm, Sundays nono-5:30 PM 2002 Sheridan St. Ely, MN 55731 (218)-365-4451 Web Site

Ely-Winton History Museum Located in the Fine Arts Building of the Vermilion Community College, the museum houses exhibits dating back 12,000 years. Learn about Ojibwe culture, early logging, mining and fur trading, and a North Pole expedition. Open Mon-Sat, May - Sept, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, 1900 E Camp Street Ely, MN 55731 (218)-365-3226

Fortune Bay Casino Owned and operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fortune Bay offers 2 floors of gaming excitement, as well as blackjack, poker and bingo. Concerts and/or special events monthly. Gaming casino open 24 hours,7 days a week. (A short drive from all Lake Vermilion resorts.) 1430 Bois Forte Rd Tower, MN 55790 (800)-992-PLAY Web Site

Iron Range Research Center This library and archival facility houses regional, local and personal histories of the immigrants that settled Minnesota's iron ranges. Students and genealogists alike will enjoy the comfortable library reading room, where you can spend hours buried in historical records and photographs. Open year 'round, call for hours Hwy 169 West Box 392 Chisholm, MN 55719 (218)-254-3325 Web Site

Ironworld Discovery Center Watch history come to life through costumed interpreters, exhibits, displays, and special ethnic events. Enjoy a trolley ride around the Glen Mine, play a round of Pellet Pete's mini-golf, hold a meeting, or even celebrate your wedding day in a park-like setting! Open daily, May-Oct 1st, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, Hwy 169 West Box 392, Chisholm, MN 55719 (218)-254-3321 Web Site

Mineview in the Sky View the Rouchleau group of mines from this 20-story overlook. The 200-ft observation complex allows visitors to scan a three-mile long, 450 ft deep open pit. Nearby stands the "King of the Lode," a 240-ton mining truck, or check out the visitor information center. Open daily, May 25 - Sept 3, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Hwy 53 Virginia, MN 55792 (218)-741-2717

Minnesota Museum of Mining 30,000 tons of stone were used to craft the walls that surround this 19-acre park. Here you will find a mining truck, steam locomotive, and even a "Starfire" Lockheed F94C jet on display. Open daily, Memorial Day - Labor Day, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Hwy 169, Chisholm, MN 55719 (218)-254-5543 Web Site

North American Bear Center Live bears in a 2-acre forested enclosure with pond and waterfalls may be observed through windows or from the outdoor observation deck. Hands-on activity and education area, video clips reveal intimate details of wild bear life in the woods, theatre features the best in bear films, gift shop. Hours of Operation: Spring (May 5 - June 14), 9am - 6pm daily, Sat till 8pm Summer (June 15 - Sept 3), 9am- 6pm daily, Fri-Sun till 8pm Fall (Sept 4 - Oct 14), 9am - 6pm Wed-Sun Winter (beginning Oct 15), 10am - 4pm Sat & Sun Winter Holiday Hours (Dec 22-23, 27-30), 10am – 4pm 218-365-7879 Web Site

Orr Bogwalk This half-mile long boardwalk takes visitors through a variety of wetland environments. See a wide array of wildlife-from otters to eagles-and even catch a glimpse of the carnivorous pitcher plant! Open daily, year 'round, Hwy 53 Orr, MN 55771 (behind Visitor's Center) (218)-757-3932 Web Site

Paulucci Space Theatre Visit the largest planetarium in Northern Minnesota, where you can enjoy night sky shows, multi-media programs, and large format films that draw you right into the heart of the action. There's something for the whole family-from the gift shop to the Kid's Corner! Open daily, June - Aug. 1502 E 23rd Street Hibbing, MN 55746 (218)-262-6720 Web Site

Pier 77 Come golf the most photographed mini-golf course in the country! 19 holes of Challenging, unique play in a scenic atmosphere. Don't forget to sample a delicious malt or sundae-and there are plenty of keepsakes to choose from in our gift shop. 10:00 am to Dusk May-September 4066 Country Rd 77 Tower, MN 55790 218-753-6004 Web Site

Sisu Pioneer Homestead Tours This three-hour long, caravan-style circle tour covers 15 miles of pioneer log structures, artifacts and implements dating back to the early 1900's. The tour includes a stop at the Sisu Tori gift shop and the Finnish Heritage Homestead. Open daily, May 23 - Sept 15, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Begin from Visitor Center located at the intersection of Hwy 135 & County Rd 21 PO Box 127 Embarrass, MN 55732 (218)-984-2106 Web Site

The Edge A new miniature golf course located at Elbow Lake Lodge. $5/person/game 3975 Kennedy Road Cook, MN 218-666-2631 Web Site

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