The North American Bear Center is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. Dedicated to replacing old myths with facts, it lets people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans. Great things await you inside! Whether you visit us in Ely or here on our website, we hope your time with us gives you a better understanding of the world of black bears. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies entirely on the support of visitors, merchandise sales and people like you. We do not receive any state or federal funding. Help support our mission.

Welcome to Ely Outdoors Company in Ely Minnesota! Your gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Superior National Forest. We are a family operated business that is passionate about the BWCAW, Quetico Park, and the Ely, MN area. Our desire to create customized canoe adventures makes every canoe trip very unique. We offer a variety of specialized canoe trips that will match your expectations, skill level, and time available for a canoe trip. Feel free to give us a call and learn more about our services and our dedication to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Ely’s Premier Therapeutic Massage, Spa and Wellness Experience. We carry a variety of green and environmentally friendly gifts including handmade pottery, bamboo frames and cutting boards, unique jewelry, organic cotton socks and T-shirts, baskets, natural body & beauty products, luxurious soaps and so much more. We will be happy to assist you to find the perfect gift for that special person in your life. Gift certificates are available! Massage & Spa Hours are available by appointment only Monday thru Saturday.

At Ely’s Old-Fashioned Candy you can step back in time, be a kid again or have your kids experience something NEW that’s OLD. Featuring candy from as early as the 1800’s up to favorites of today and a touch of history. Select from over 100 bulk candies and Salt Water Taffy to create a personal mix. Handcrafted Chocolates, Truffles, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Maple Syrup, old time pure cane sugar Sodas, Wildflower Honey, Jams and more. Our candies are sorted by the decade in which they were invented. Come see historic photos of Ely and read interesting stories/facts about how your favorite candy came to be… let us make your day a little sweeter!

We are enablers of nostalgia. Whether your pastime is downhill sledding, family time at the cabin, winter camping, ice fishing, or doing traditional work on the land, we craft the finest toboggan sleds still available. Our designs reflect the time-tested traditions of the first people in Northern Canada. Following processes handed down to our craftsman from his mentor, who was taught from his mentor before him, the 150+ techniques we embrace consistently produce sleds that last generations. Our sleds are hand-crafted, and our design reflects the time-tested traditions of the first people in Northern Canada. Our sleds have endured the punishment of daily use in the northern wilderness by those who choose to create their own trails. Don’t settle for less than the best. Own an heirloom, and start your own enduring traditions.

Spirit of the Wilderness is a family owned business. Steve, Kathy and Ginny offer you the expertise and enthusiasm that comes with over 30 years of canoeing and outfitting in the BWCA and Quetico. Our reputation, quality equipment, and educational approach to outfitting are some of the reasons people give for booking our services. We’ve introduced many folks to their first taste of the Northwoods – and watched as they develop skills to go it alone – but they keep using our services, year after year. We invite you to explore the BWCA or Quetico and allow Spirit of the Wilderness to outfit your needs. Visit our website for more information on Canoe Rentals, Guided Trips, Live Bait, Tackle & Gear.

The Art Corner is an artist’s paradise located right on the main drag as you enter Ely. We carry a wide variety of professional and student grade art and craft supplies. The Art Corner’s goal is to inspire and nurture everyone’s artist within through their motto “Be Creative, Think Young.” Visitors don’t expect a town as small as Ely to have the depth of art and craft supplies that this store carries. The Art Corner has gained a reputation as being “the place” to get what you need from metal leafing to Arches watercolor sheets. It’s where you can find brands like Golden, Daniel Smith, Princeton, Tim Holtz, and more.

Ely Wear specializes in outfitting men, women and children with the largest variety of clothing, footwear and accessories. Open 7 days a week.