Fall Weekend Itinerary on the Range: Eveleth/Virginia Area

Iron Range Fall Itinerary: Virginia/Eveleth

Check-In:

Arrive Friday and check in to The AmericInn Lodge and Suites in Virginia. For a romanitc, one-of-a-kind rustic stay, consider staying at The Yurt in Meadowlands, Misty Shoals Haven south of Eveleth, or the glamping cabins at West 40 RV Park.

Dine:

From AmericInn, walk to the Sawmill Saloon. In Meadowlands, plan to grab a bite at Trailside Lounge and Grill. Staying at Misty Shoals Haven? We invite you in to Eveleth for dinner at Boomtown or Timbers Edge Bar and Grill.

Day 1: Scenic Exploration

Morning

• 8 AM Big breakfast Kunnari’s Kitchen in Virginia or coffee-n-pastries at Pep’s Bake Shop
• 9 AM Drive up to the Laurentian Divide for a morning hike in the Superior National Forest.
• 10 AM Continue north on 169, veering east to Tower. An antique or thrift store might intrigue you here before you take Hwy 135 south to Giants Ridge.
• 11:30  AM Enjoy a scenic chairlift ride at Giants Ridge.

Lunch: Adult chairlift tickets include a 15% discount at the Burnt Onion Kitchen and Grill onsite restaurant, the perfect lunch spot.

Afternoon

• 1 PM Get outfitted for a half-day ATV ride. Laurentian Adventures in Gilbert offers side-by-side rental. We recommend exploring the miles of trails with scenic overlooks in the Iron Range Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, travel into Virginia over the state’s tallest bridge, or head to the Hoyt Lakes area for a scenic ride.

Evening

Return to your hotel  and then dinner at The Whistling Bird in Gilbert, or enjoy dinner at one of the recommended restaurnts closer to your vacation rental. If you need provisions, we love F&D Meats for premium meats and grocery items.

Day 2: There’s More to Explore

Morning

• 8 AM Big breakfast at Village Inn in Virginia
• 9 AM A visit to Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine View is a must. Explore new museum exhibits, gift store and stunning views of a working taconite mine. Free admission.
• 10 AM Head to Minnesota Discovery Center to explore their 660-acre museum. You’ll want to take a trolley ride and goof off with some mini-golf there, too.
• 11:30 AM Rent bikes or ebikes 30West Bike Shop, onsite at Minnesota Discovery Center. Hop on the paved Mesabi Trail for a ride to Buhl (10 miles out and back) or Mountain Iron (24 miles out and back).

Lunch: After you grab your bicycles, stop at Black Bear Bakery or Jubilee Grocery Store in Chisholm for sandwiches to take on the ride.

Afternoon

Take a scenic drive north of Chisholm on Hwy 5, turning east on Hwy 1 toward Cook. From there, you’ll go south on Hwy 53, coming back into Virginia. Here, we recommend a stop at Canelakes Candies for a treat (you’ve been good). If you didn’t ride over the Rukavina Bridge in Virginia on ATVs, make sure to walk there on the Mesabi Trail. It’s a short out-and-back of less than 2 miles.

The US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum is open 10-3 on Sundays, and on your way south.

Other stops to consider:

• Owl Forest Farm with u-pick flowers and fantastic photo ops. Check details for open dates.
• Sax-Zim Bog, a wildlife area like no other with short trails from the Welcome Center
• Simek’s Farm has a corn maze, farm market and hay rides.

Looking for other places to stay?

To view a similar itinerary with lodging in the Chisholm and HIbbing area, click here.