Take a Field Trip on the Iron Range

From west to east, the Range delivers unique ways to experience and learn about Minnesota and our nation’s history.

Soudan Underground Mine, Soudan

Minnesota’s first iron ore mine is now a state park with preserved dry house, drill shop, crusher and engine house, plus an underground mine tour that takes visitors ½ mile into the Earth on a thrilling tour of the deepest area mined. Also located in the mine, a high energy physics lab open for tours.

Admission: (Tour Rates) For EITHER tour $15 per person non-school groups with 10-person minimum, $5 per person school groups with 10-person minimum. Please verify current prices with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources/Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground MIne State Park.

• RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
• Time: Mine tour = 90 minutes, Lab tour = 80 minutes
• Ages: Any
• Contact: 218-300-7005
• Open: Education and group tours available year-round by reservation only.

Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm

Learn about the land, the people and the mines of the Iron Range at this 660-acre indoor/outdoor museum. In addition to touring exhibits, riding the vintage trolley to a mining ghost town, and viewing historic dwellings, students can take part in activities that help achieve benchmarks and/or meet Minnesota’s common core standards for science, social studies, arts and language arts. Lunch can be provided. Tours, and special programming available. Discounts for groups. Request a field trip guide.

Website: mndiscoverycenter.com

• Admission: $9 adult/$5 student/trolley (in season) additional $4 per person/Iron Range Research Center Free
• Time: 1-3 hours
• Ages: 6+
• Contact: 218-254-7959 ext. 6009
• Open: Tuesday-Sunday Memorial Day-Labor Day; Tues-Saturday Labor Day-Memorial Day 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

MN Museum of Mining, Chisholm

Climb on mining equipment and a vintage locomotive outdoors, and explore Chisholm history exhibits inside museum buildings. Vehicles, artifacts and more from days gone by help bring history to life. Tour guides available.

Website: mnmuseumofmining.org

• Admission: $6 adult/$4 student
• Time: 1 hour Ages: 3+
• Contact: 218-254-5543 or 218-254-2179 off-season
• Open: Monday-Saturday Memorial Day-Labor Day 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 1-5 p.m. (May & Sept. by appointment)

Hibbing Historical Society, Hibbing

Find out what it was like to live in “the town that moved,” and what Hibbing residents of the day extracted from mining companies in exchange. Exhibits of life in Hibbing through the decades, a replica model of “Old North Hibbing” and changing exhibits highlighting life at the turn of the last century. Guides/special presentations available.

Website: hibbinghistory.org

• Admission: Free
• Time: 45 minutes
• Ages: Grades 4+
• Contact: 218-263-8522
• Open: Year-round, Tues-Fri 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or by appointment

Hull Rust Mahoning Mineview, Hibbing

Be amazed by the panoramic view of the world’s largest open pit mine. Watch shovels, loaders and production trucks in action. To reach Hull Rust Mineview, you’ll pass through “Old North Hibbing,” the town that moved. Interpretive signage, street signs and foundations help create an image of the original village site.

Call for information about programming onsite.

• Admission: Free Time: 30-45 minutes
• Ages: All
• Contact: 218-262-4166
• Open: Daily May 15-Sept 30, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Appointments encouraged for large groups)

Greyhound Bus Museum, Hibbing

The history of bus transportation from the city where it all began. Board vintage buses, and learn about the man who started the very first bus line that grew into one of the best-know names in transportation, and more.

Website: greyhoundbusmuseum.org

• Admission: $5 adult/$4 students
• Time: 1 hour
• Ages: Grades 1+
• Contact: 218-263-5814
• Open: Mid-May-September 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, 1-5 p.m. Sunday or by appointment

Virginia Historical Society Museum & Olcott Park Botanical Gardens, Virginia

Witness exhibits depicting early life in the Queen City, Virginia, including what it was like to be a logger, miner, homesteader and more. Exhibits, many artifacts and historic buildings tell the story of the Iron Range at this well-curated indoor/outdoor museum. Nearby, the Olcott Park Greenhouse is a living oasis in the North and home to a wide variety of tropical and regional plants.

Website – Museum: virginiamnhistory.com

Website – Greenhouse: virgniamn.us

• Admission: Free
• Time – Museum, 1 hour
• Time – Greenhouse, ½ hour
• Ages: 8+
• Contact Museum: 218-741-1136
• Contact Greenhouse: 218-748-7509
• Open: Museum, May 1-Sept 30, Tues-Sat, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and October-April, Thurs-Sat, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, Eveleth

Hockey history immersion through engaging exhibits, art and film. Kids can even check the speed of their slapshot on an interactive rink.

Website: ushockeyhall.com

• Admission: $8 adults/$7 students 12-17 & seniors/ $6 children 6-12/Under 6 free/$5 group rate 10 or more
• Time: 1 hour Ages: 6+
• Contact: 218-744-5167
• Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day, Mon-Sat 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. After Labor Day, Fri 10 am-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Even More:

Heritage Homestead Tours

Guided tours of historic Finnish buildings in Embarrass, and the Nelimark Homestead Museum

Website: embarrass.org

First Stage Gallery in the Lyric Center for the Arts

Regional art, special events and more in Virginia 218-741-5577

Website: lyriccenteronline.org

Mesabi Trail

115-mile paved bicycling trail with historical markers and sites along the way is great for groups of all ages. Shuttle services and trip planning available! Youth group discounts for annual bicycle tour held first Saturday in August.

Call 218-749-4331

Website: mesabitrail.com