Isn’t it interesting that every year thousands of people visit Ely, but everyone experiences it differently? There’s so much to explore up here, but how you plan your vacations and explore the surroundings depends on what type of traveler you are.

6 Type of Travel Personalities
You might find yourself among the following type of travel personalities:
Adventure seeker
Your life revolves around conquering challenges, owning a lot of spandex, and not being afraid to wear it. You go to sleep thinking about your next vacation and have a long list of adrenaline-pumping adventures you need to get to. Minnesota has what you are looking for. Whether you want to go out and explore the wilderness in a canoe, experience camping, or go Stand Up Paddle Boarding or kayaking on local lakes, we have got everything you are looking for.
The creative finder
You have a love for unique things, everything handmade and authentic. Back in high school you may have dyed your hair purple or green and in college you enjoyed spending time around the art galleries. In Ely, you are most likely to sign-up for a class at the folk school, walk around the art galleries and spend most of your afternoon in a secluded spot with a sketchbook and maybe some paints.
Explorer
You love reading adventure stories and took a year off in college, or from work, to travel to different destinations around the world. To feed your restless soul, there are many ways to get out and explore the Ely area, find a quiet spot, and experience the spiritual zen of being in the most beautiful natural areas in the world. After all, the Boundary Waters has just been designated one of the Quietest Parks in America and the world’s newest International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
The Want-to-know-it-all
Before you visit any place, you do your homework. It won’t be wrong to call you a history buff. You tend to read up and familiarize yourself with the history and culture of a place. Fortunately, the Ely-Winton Historical Society, the Ely Arts and Heritage Center, the Dorothy Molter Museum, and the Sigurd Olson Cabin at Listening Point proudly speak of Ely’s heritage for you to scoop up as much information as you want.
Discoverer
You wish you were born in frontier times or had been a French Voyageur, before there were any towns and cities and when the rivers and lakes were still unnamed. No surprise you came up to Ely! As Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, there are thousands of ways to get out and explore a wilderness area that will make you feel like you are the first one to explore the place.
Shopaholic
Exploring the wilderness area is a great adventure, but sometimes you just want to walk around, enjoy the modern lifestyle, and shop. With dozens of restaurants, cafes, craft breweries, wine bars, art galleries, spas, boutiques, and art and craft shops, Ely has got everything to delight your soul.

Bonus: If you are looking for some high-quality camping products, apparel, tools, books, popular Wenonah Canoes, and Kayaks to everything imaginable you can need for canoe outfitting and paddling -our Boundary Waters Catalog has got you covered. Browse around to order your favorite products today.