Two Day Sample Itinerary

*Group tour guide available by appointment
**Tour guide recommended for groups. Available by appointment
See below for Step on Guides

 

 

 

Day One:

8 a.m. Stand next to the World’s Largest Hockey Stick in Eveleth measuring 107 feet and weighing over three tons. This Christian Brothers stick is complete with a giant rubber puck. (20 minutes)
8:30 a.m. Experience the exciting world of hockey at the *United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth. Entertaining displays, Gallery of Hockey Art, the Olympic and the Theatre of Hockey Highlights showcase all levels of the sport. (1 hour)
9:40 a.m. Enjoy a panoramic view of one of the area’s deepest mine from a 20-story overlook at the *Mineview in the Sky in Virginia. The focus of this majestic view is an open pit, nearly three miles long, half mile wide and 450 feet deep. Towering 21-foot high is the 240-ton oversized mining truck, King of the Lode. (30 minutes)
10:50 a.m. Explore the depths of Minnesota’s first underground mine the **Soudan Underground Mine State Park as a caged elevator lowers you a half mile underground to the 27th level into the heart of the mine. A ¾ mile electric train ride brings you to the last and deepest area mined. Bring a sweater, as the year-round temperature is a constant 52 degrees. (1 ½ tour time, 35 minutes driving time from Virginia)
12:45 p.m. Savor a tasty lunch at one the area’s fine dining establishments or we’ll be happy to arrange an authentic ethnic lunch for your group like sarma’s, porketta or pasties.
2:15 p.m. Experience the spine-tingling sensation of howling wolves at the **International Wolf Center in Ely. Step into the shoes of researcher as you track wild wolves. Then, watch up close as wolves endure the great outdoors. (1-3 hours)
5:15 p.m. Depart for your hotel and an ethnic dinner at one of the area’s fine dining establishments or a special themed dinner at your hotel.

Day Two

8 a.m. Travel on a fascinating journey through time at the birthplace of the bus industry in the United States. The story of the Greyhound Bus comes alive at *Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing through hundreds of artifacts and memorabilia. Historical buses displayed include a 1927 White, a 1936 Super Coach, a 1947 GMC Coach, 1948 Silverside, a 1956 Scenic cruiser and a 1982 MCI-9. (1 hour)
9:20 a.m. Experience the heritage of Northeastern Minnesota at **Ironworld Discovery Center in Chisholm. The Iron Range’s rich cultural, ethnic and mining history comes alive as costumed interpreters portray life of pioneers and immigrants, as you sample delicious ethnic foods and while you enjoy ongoing special events, arts and crafts. (3 hours with lunch)
Lunch An electric trolley ride will take you along the edge of the Glen Mine pit lake to the Glen Location where you will enjoy “Pasties in a Pail,” like the old miners used to eat. Early homesteads, costumed performers, stories and music will accompany your journey.
1 p.m. Experience life of a miner as you take an exciting tour of a modern day **Active Mine at USS-Minntac in Mountain Iron.Slip into steel toe boots and put on a hard hat as a knowledge guide narrates your adventure. Watch 30-yard capacity shovels load overburden into 3-story 240-ton mining trucks, see 80 car trains pulled by three locomotives filled with taconite pellets cruise near 500-foot deep iron laden canyons, and discover 100-ton maintenance trucks, large drilling rigs and huge bulldozers. (1 ½ hour)
4 p.m. Go down in history at **Hill Annex Mine State Park. Interpreters with mining backgrounds lead the tour that includes a trolley bus ride of spectacular descent to the inner workings and buildings of the mine. They also feature a pontoon boat ride on the pit lake while you view 300-foot towering canyon walls from the water. (2 – 3 hours with pontoon ride, 1-1/2 hours without)
6 p.m. Depart for your hotel and an ethnic dinner at one of the areas fine dining establishments or a special themed dinner at your hotel.

Step On Guide Services

Ironworld Discovery Center
Amy Carlson
Highway 169
Chisholm, MN 55719
1-800-372-6437

Entire Iron Trail
Mona Abel
218-254-7239

City of Hibbing
Gene Nicolelli
Volunteer
218-263-5814