Dear John,

Surrounding Ely on three sides, the 1.1 million acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area includes over 1,200 miles of canoe routes on over a thousand lakes teaming with wildlife. Two thousand remote campsites provide a retreat into a pristine Wilderness.

As a supporter of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, you likely know this well. But have you had a chance to experience all that Ely itself has to offer? 

If you’re planning a canoe trip this summer, allow us to recommend extending your stay in the area to include a few days in town. If vacation time (or lack thereof) is a barrier, consider working remotely via Society Hall Workspace, a casual coworking facility above Sheridan Street’s Northern Grounds and the product of a collaboration between Northern Grounds and our Boundary Waters Connect program.

Keep reading to learn about the robust ecosystem of human connection, arts experiences, and entrepreneurialism in Ely, as well as opportunities to say hello to Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters and Boundary Waters Connect staff and volunteers. Contact us at [email protected]

YOU'RE INVITED:

Ely is home to Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, which includes both the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters and Boundary Waters Connect. It’s where our headquarters is located, where our roots are planted, and where our efforts are most immediately felt. Stop by and say "hello" or join us at one of the following events:

Visit our headquarters: While you’re in town, please stop by and say hello. 

Our headquarters is open to guests this summer Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm (and by appointment). Learn more >>

Weekly on Tuesdays: Tuesday Group is an educational gathering that takes place over the noon hour on Tuesdays at the Grand Ely Lodge. It is free to attend; ordering lunch is optional. Check out the Tuesday Group schedule for more information >>

July 2: Join us for a free Boundary Waters Connect BBQ in Chapman Street Commons, the pocket park next to our headquarters from 4-6 pm. This event will feature live music, including a few musical numbers by Northern Lakes Arts Association’s Broadway in the Boundary Waters cast. Click here to RSVP >>

June 3: 🌈 Pride Hike on National Trails Day - Join us on June 3rd starting at 10 am at the Secret Blackstone Trailhead for a Prideful hike on the Superior National Forest! Click here for more information>>

July 4: Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters Parade Float. Join the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters in our annual tradition of walking the parade route with our beloved Ima Ba’Loon. Email [email protected]. 

July 28-20: Blueberry/Art Festival: Stop by and say hello to volunteers at the Boundary Waters Connect booth at the Experience Ely Expo, which is part of the fun in Whiteside Park throughout the Blueberry/Art Festival. 

August 6: Garden Party: Join us on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at the South Kawishiwi River Campground for this annual event including food, drinks, Campaign updates, and more! Get your tickets and more information >>

September 8-10: Harvest Moon Festival: Stop by and say hello to volunteers at the Boundary Waters Connect booth at the Experience Ely Expo, which is part of the fun in Whiteside Park throughout the Harvest Moon Festival.  

October 12: New Resident Social: To celebrate and welcome a steady stream of new residents, Boundary Waters Connect has been hosting regular social events designed to connect new and established residents. Click here to RSVP >>

One thing that makes this area so special is the diverse range of social activity taking place at any given moment. But how do people find out exactly what there is to do while they are here? Although there isn’t one central location to access event information, there are several valuable resources you might consider consulting. Check out the What’s Up in Ely page of the Boundary Waters Connect website to see our list of go-to resources to learn about upcoming events >>

Did you know there is a Facebook group for Ely enthusiasts called What’s Up Ely, MN? The group boasts over 18.7k members (and counting!). It is a space where people post stunning imagery of local wildlife and dancing aurora, where folks ask questions and crowdsource answers, and where neighbors inform each other of a wide range of social opportunities. The group is managed and moderated by the Ely Tourism Bureau. 

The Ely Tourism Bureau also sponsors two Ely-based podcasts. The My Ely Story podcast provides in-depth access to especially noteworthy Elyites among the intricate web of legendary people who call this place home. The What’s Up Ely Podcast gives listeners a slice of life at the end of the road, as well as insights into upcoming events and activities in the area. Check out our local podcasts for more information on what you can do while you’re here >>

Did you know that the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is in on the podcast game, too! Check out seasons 1 and 2 of our very own Podcast to Save the Boundary Waters here >>

The Ely Summer Times is worth reading cover to cover, including the Ely-area events calendar -- a great resource for learning about beloved annual festivals and events. If you cannot wait to pick up a hard copy, the 2023 Ely Summer Times is available to view online >>

Interested in going on a paddling trip? Find helpful information and resources in our handy Beginner’s Guide to planning your Boundary Waters canoe trip >>

WHERE TO STAY: 

There are a variety of lodging options in the Ely area – from cozy cabins to solar-powered hotels, from private rentals in the heart of downtown Ely to campgrounds on the edge of the Wilderness. You can find a list of lodging options at Ely.org. 

Allow us to specifically recommend lodging with these Ely-based members of our Boundary Waters Business Coalition. 

WHILE YOU ARE HERE: 

While you’re here check out a local arts production, take a class at the Ely Folk School, or visit a local gym/yoga studio. Buy locally made goods, patronize locally-owned shops, and eat local foods. 

Supporting local institutions is a concrete way to contribute to quality of life in the Ely area. The people you support with your tourism dollars live here, pay taxes here, and purchase goods and services locally – this is called the local multiplier effect. Local businesses reciprocally support other local businesses. 

As Melody Warnick, author of This is Where You Belong, put it: “Supporting local businesses is altruistic, ethical, seriously cool – and worth it.”  

We encourage you to walk up and down Sheridan Street and Chapman Street, browse all the shops and eat at as many restaurants as you have time for while you’re a guest in Ely. Be sure to consult resources like those listed above to learn more about the exciting entrepreneurialism of Ely. That being said, your support of our community need not stop at meals and souvenirs. Below is an incomplete list of opportunities for arts, cultural, and community experiences in Ely. 

You are receiving this e-mail because you have supported the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters - a project of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness.

Save the Boundary Waters
P.O. Box 625
Ely, MN 55731
United States

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