“I believe there is iron under me. My bones feel rusty and chilly.” Frank Hibbing, January 1893
Day 1 – Home to Mountain Iron, MN
Our Wildlife & Wilderness adventure begins with lunch at Tobies Restaurant & Bakery, a traveler’s tradition since 1947! Next we travel to Grand Rapids, the birthplace of Judy Garland. We’ll enjoy a tour of a museum in her honor as well as her birthplace home. Then we will head for the Mesabi Iron Range and check into our hotel in Mountain Iron for the next 3 nights. Our welcome dinner will be at Kunnari’s Kitchen, a family-owned restaurant.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites (3 Nights)
Day 2 – Hibbing, Chisholm, & Orr areas, MN
After breakfast, we’ll head just north of Hibbing to Chisholm, where we will find the Minnesota Discovery Center. Step aboard their authentic trolley for a historically narrated ride that offers spectacular views and interesting history during our stop at the Glen Location, a former mining community. Next we are in for a real treat as local guides give us a fascinating tour of the city of Hibbing. They’ll take us to the world’s largest open pit iron ore mine, the Hull Rust Mahoning, which is still operating today! As we take in the incredible, expansive views, we’ll see why folks consider it the “Grand Canyon of the North.” Did you know that as the Hull Rust Mine grew, 205 of Hibbing’s houses & businesses had to be moved two miles south?! A highlight will be touring the “Richest Gem in Minnesota’s Educational Crown,” the Hibbing High School. We’ll quickly see that no expense was spared when building this impressive 93’ high Northern Italian architecture school with its brass rails, solid marble entrance steps, auditorium modeled after NYC’s Capitol Theater boasting a Barton pipe organ, solid glass chandeliers, and much more! Next we’ll enjoy a catered picnic lunch. Late this afternoon we are in for an incredible black bear experience as we continue north to the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary. We’ll learn about Vince, a humble logger who kept having bears break into his cabin, and how he eventually realized that “the bears aren’t mean, just hungry!” Have your cameras ready as these wild, free-roaming black bears will be easy to observe from all around the outdoor viewing deck. This is truly a unique and special visit! After a fun-filled day, we will enjoy a delicious meal together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Ely, Soudan, & Virginia areas, MN
Breakfast is served at the hotel before we travel to Ely, located on the edge of the Boundary Waters. A visit to the International Wolf Center is in order! We’ll enjoy viewing the wolves through the large picture windows and learning all about these howling creatures. Then time will be given to shop & eat lunch along Ely’s downtown strip. Afterwards we’ll head to the Soudan Mine, considered the “Cadillac of Mines” with its special, high oxygen content ore that was used to make high-quality steel. A fascinating, underground tour awaits as we learn about its rich history and the mining process. We’ll feel Minnesota pride about this oldest, deepest, and richest iron mine in our state that went on to produce over 17.9 million tons of high quality iron ore during its operation, which was especially important during wartime as it was used to build tanks, airplanes, and weapons. Thank you dedicated Minnesota miners! Tonight’s dinner will be a pizza party at the hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Mountain Iron to Home
Have one last breakfast before we check out and make our way east to majestic Lake Superior. We’ll board the Vista Fleet for their 2-hour Grand Sightseeing Tour on Lake Superior. A tasty lunch is included as we cruise along on this narrated adventure. We’ll return home having experienced the Wildlife & Wilderness of Minnesota’s Iron Range!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
9 Meals, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
07/26/2027 07/29/2027
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
* Historic Hibbing High School Tour
* Hull Rust Mahoning Mine View
* Minnesota Discovery Center & Trolley Tour
* Vince Shute Bear Wildlife Sanctuary
* International Wolf Center
* Soudan Mine Underground Tour
* Judy Garland Museum
* Lake Superior Sightseeing Cruise with Lunch
