The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands and the human role in their future. The International Wolf Center is the world’s premier wolf interpretive facility. Located in the heart of the Superior National Forest in Ely, Minnesota, visitors can take a tour of the Center, view the resident wolf pack and learn from the Center’s award-winning current exhibits. 

Experience the life of a modern-day miner on this 1½-hour tour, complete with steel toe boots and hard hats. Walk through the process of turning iron ore into taconite pellets and see massive equipment up close, including 30-yard shovels and 240-ton mining trucks. Watch trains loaded with taconite cruise past 500-foot-deep canyons and discover the impressive scale of mining operations in action.

Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota’s oldest state park. Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Here visitors can walk across the Mississippi as it begins its winding journey to the Gulf of Mexico, stand under towering pines at Preacher’s Grove, visit landmarks of centuries gone by such as the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann’s Cabin or explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota’s seven National Natural Landmarks.

Hibbing, the birthplace of the U.S. bus industry, invites visitors to explore its newest attraction showcasing the history of Greyhound Bus Lines. Begin the tour with immersive sounds from 1914, then follow the story from a Hupmobile car on a two-mile route to Greyhound’s rise as the largest bus company in the world. The museum features engaging exhibits, WWII dioramas, artifacts, and eleven historical buses, bringing this fascinating history to life.

The explosive growth of iron mining transformed northeastern Minnesota into a diverse industrial hub. Ironworld Discovery Center, the largest museum complex on the Iron Range, offers interactive exhibits, breathtaking mine views, and a renowned research center. Visitors can ride a trolley, explore outdoor exhibits, and engage in cultural activities, making it an enriching experience for all.

Located off US Highway 53 in Eveleth, the museum is a national shrine honoring hockey at all levels. Visitors can explore entertaining displays and memorabilia, relive the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” and celebrate the US Women’s Gold Medal Team from the 1998 Winter Olympics. With features like the Great Wall of Fame, Olympic Display, and historic exhibits, this museum is a must-visit for any hockey enthusiast.

Visitors to this park can explore a century of mining history by descending 2,341 feet underground while hearing stories from the mining days, or they can enjoy above-ground attractions like the dry house and hiking trails through a northern hardwood conifer forest. The 1½-hour mine tour features a train ride to the deepest area mined, and the Soudan Underground Laboratory serves as a leading scientific facility, researching fundamental questions about the universe, including dark matter and neutrino events.

Founded in 1995, the Vince Shute Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of black bears and other wildlife through education. Located in Minnesota’s North Woods, the 360-acre sanctuary offers visitors the chance to view black bears from an elevated platform while learning about their behavior and habitat. The sanctuary also supports a diverse ecosystem, home to various wildlife species, and serves as a site for scientific studies and educational programs.