In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
Ely, Minnesota
Spend 2–3 days in Ely: one day for the Boundary Waters entry point and wildlife centers, another for town sights and outdoor gear; longer only for extended wilderness trips.
Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and hosts the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. A short stay covers the main attractions; multi‑day canoe trips require additional nights in the backcountry.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- May–September (warm, full wildlife‑center schedules, canoe season)
- Avoid
- December–February (cold, limited services, some centers closed)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–100 excl. bed · Mid $120–180 excl. bed · High $200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $2–3 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | $1–1.5 |
| Pizza slice | $3–5 |
| Beer (draft, 12 oz) | $5–7 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $15–20 |
| Car rental (per day, economy) | $40–70 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DLH · Duluth International Airport
- about 2 h drive to Ely
- MSP · Minneapolis‑Saint Paul International Airport
- about 4 h drive to Ely
Typical fares
- Twin Cities → Ely (rental car, 4 h)
- ≈ $120–180 total, 4 h drive (check)
- Boundary Waters permit
- $30 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Rent a car at the Twin Cities or Duluth (4 h/2 h drive). State Highways 1 and 169 and County Road 21 lead into town. Within Ely, most attractions are within a 5‑minute walk; use the car for the Soudan Mine (≈15 km (9.3 mi) north).Rent a car at the Twin Cities or Duluth (4 h/2 h drive). State Highways 1 and 169 and County Road 21 lead into town. Within Ely, most attractions are within a 5‑minute walk; use the car for the Soudan Mine (≈9.3 mi (15 km) north).
See and do
Known for
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- International Wolf Center
- North American Bear Center
- Historic mining heritage
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Soudan Mine | Drive north on Hwy 169, 15 km (9.3 mi); park at the state‑park entranceDrive north on Hwy 169, 9.3 mi (15 km); park at the state‑park entrance | ≈30 min total |
| International Wolf Center | Drive north on Hwy 169, 2 km (1.2 mi); free parkingDrive north on Hwy 169, 1.2 mi (2 km); free parking | ≈10 min |
| North American Bear Center | Drive north on Hwy 169, 3 km (1.9 mi); free parkingDrive north on Hwy 169, 1.9 mi (3 km); free parking | ≈12 min |
Sleep
- Adventure Inn
- Budget‑friendly, central location
- Grand Ely Lodge
- Mid‑range, doubles $90–160
- The Paddle Inn
- Boutique, 3 PM check‑in
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Umm… |
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Winter road conditions can be icy; carry chains in Dec–Feb.
- Some wildlife‑center hours are seasonal; verify dates before travel.
- Boundary Waters permits required for overnight trips; apply early (check).
Ely is safe for tourists; typical precautions apply: watch wildlife, keep a map and compass for backcountry trips, and be prepared for cold weather even in summer.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ely, Minnesota yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- International Wolf Center
- North American Bear Center
- Historic mining heritage
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Ely: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Ely (Minnesota), revision 5239530 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239530
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ely, Minnesota
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulate in Duluth (check address); other embassies in Minneapolis.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ely-minnesota). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.