Why Live in Ely
Ely, MN, is a small community in Northeast Minnesota, surrounded by the expansive Superior National Forest and bordering Canada. Known for its natural beauty, Ely attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round, with activities like canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and blueberry picking in the warmer months, and snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing during the frigid winters. The town's main park, Whiteside Park, features a playground, open fields, and a bandstand for community events. Ely's housing includes small in-town bungalows and more secluded lakeside homes, with many properties dating back to the early and mid-1900s. The downtown area along Sheridan Street hosts a variety of small businesses, including winter outfitter shops and restaurants like Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant and Britton’s Café. Ely Memorial High School, which shares a building with Washington Elementary, is highly rated and serves students in grades 6 through 12. The community gathers annually for the Blueberry Art Festival, celebrating local art and blueberry-infused foods. Ely is also home to the North American Bear Center and the International Wolf Center. For those needing to travel, Minnesota State Highway 1 provides access to Virginia, 50 miles away, and Duluth, approximately 100 miles away. The town is served by Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital, ensuring residents have access to medical care.