Must-See Mesabi for Families

Must-See Mesabi

When visiting the Mesabi with kids young or teen-ish, there are a few places you really can’t miss. Here’s the rundown of sites to see, from west to east across the Mesabi.

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Hull Rust Mine View: It’s free, and it’s the best place to view active iron mining, period. Volunteers, gift shop and mining equipment onsite. Tip: there’s a dog park nearby if you’re traveling with pets. 

Hibbing High School: Anything that was once called “the castle in the wilderness” is worth a stop.  Call 218-749-8161 for guided tour. Tip: History, art and architecture buffs will love it. Kids will have long stairways and halls to tackle if they get bored.

The trolley at Minnesota Discovery Center: This vintage unit represents the most popular form of travel on the Mesabi in the early part of the last century, and was a precursor to intra-city bus travel, which originated in Hibbing of all places! Ride it, and explore the museum while you’re there. Tip: MDC is accessible by the paved Mesabi Trail, so you can combine a bike ride with a visit if you like. Stop at the nearby Minnesota Museum of Mining, too.

The US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum: Even if hockey ain’t your thing, you should go! It’s the birthplace of hockey in the states, for heaven’s sake! A well-done shrine to all things hockey, plus, Tip:  it’s just down the road from the world’s largest hockey puck photo op.

Giants Ridge: Trails to hike and ride, places to canoe and kayak, several dining choices and oh, some of the best golf in the Midwest. All that and a disc golf course are bundled into a package of giant fun. Tip: as you drive through Biwabik, stop for a selfie with Honk the Moose.

What you have here is a sampling of activities and destinations. The best of the best, you might say. But there’s plenty more bests where these came from. Click here for a list of attractions, tours and roadside stops, or here for more info on motorized and non-motorized trails, lakes, golf and other great stuff. Need a place to stay? Find a campground (we have six), hotel, resort, cottage or B&B here.