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Ely, Minnesota is a true Northwoods destination built around the outdoors, serving as the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and everything that comes with it. Days here are shaped by the water and the woods, paddling quiet lakes, casting a line at sunrise, hiking rocky trails, or simply finding a stretch of shoreline to take it all in. Outfitters line town ready to get you set up, but the real draw is how quickly you can leave it behind and step into something untouched. In every season, Ely offers a different kind of access to the wild, from long summer canoe trips to crisp fall hikes and deep winter silence, all grounded in a pace that feels steady and real.
The 28th annual Homegrown Music Festival runs April 26 to May 3, featuring about 170 bands at venues across Duluth and Superior. Weeklong wristbands are $40.
The Duluth Dylan Fest 2026 runs Sunday, May 17 through Sunday, May 24, with events including jam sessions, concerts, lectures, and tours
Grandma’s Marathon weekend, June 18–20, 2026, draws more than 20,000 runners along the breathtaking shores of Lake Superior before finishing in Canal Park
An only-in-Duluth quirky summer festival at one of the city’s most beloved craft breweries. Check bentpaddlebrewing.com to confirm details closer to the date.
Minnesota’s largest air show features one of the largest displays of military aircraft in the Midwest at the Duluth International Airport. A spectacular and underrated summer event.
Outdoor concerts on Wednesdays in July and August on Lake Superior at the historic Glensheen Mansion in Duluth.
Experience Ely with us and step into a part of Minnesota that still feels wild and unhurried. From paddling into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to exploring quiet trails, fishing hidden lakes, and taking in the kind of stillness you don’t find many places anymore, we’re here to help you make the most of it. Whether it’s your first trip north or something you come back to every year, we’ll get you set up with what you need and point you in the right direction so you can experience Ely the way it’s meant to be.
