Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

If you're going from Ironwood to the Apostle Islands or Duluth, consider a stop at this multifaceted nature and information center on U.S. 2 just west of Ashland. It focuses on the natural world and human history of Lake Superior's south shore, from Minnesota to Michigan. The center is supported by a partnership of the National Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, University of Wisconsin Extension, and the Historical Society of Wisconsin, plus local Friends. For special events and changing exhibits, check out northerngreatlakescenter.org. Coming: an exhibit on climate change.

In summer drop-in projects, crafts, and walks are daily from 10 to noon. Films are shown throughout the day, year-round, upon request.

The interpretive walk through cedar and black ash wetlands lets motorists get out and stretch. Snowshoes can be borrowed. There are a dog-walking area and some picnic tables. The entire center is wheelchair-accessible.

For a panoramic view of Lake Superior, forest, and marsh, climb or take an elevator to the fifth-story indoor-outdoor observation deck. It now has a high-power view scope. To zero in on birds, borrow binoculars at the front desk. Hawk counts are held here during spring and fall migration.
Inside, there are a regional book and gift shop, many exhibits, and a history research area for Wisconsin's nine northernmost counties.

A 10-minute audiovisual program with 3-D effect shows how people have viewed the region over time. A giant interactive map shows glacial movements, the Ojibwa migration story, and trade routes. In the multistory central foyer, a large, life-size exhibit has an eagle nesting atop a white pine, while brook trout swim in the "water" below. Interactive games involve finding animals and making and following tracks.

At 29270 County Hwy. G but visible from U.S. 2, just west of Ashland near where visitors turn north toward the Apostle Islands. (715) 685-9983. Open year-round, daily 9-5 Central. Wheelchair-accessible. August until 7. Wheelchair accessible.

Return to Hurley Area

HURLEY AREA
POINTS OF INTEREST

Iron County (Wisconsin) Historical Museum. The splendid 1893 courthouse here is an attraction in itself. Three floors are crowded with local artifacts. Rooms are devoted to religion, logging, and mining in the area. The volunteer staff adds interesting anecdotes of Hurley's colorful, rowdy past ... more

Iron County Farmers' Market. The area's largest farmers' market includes maple syrup and crafts along with locally-grown produce ... more

Little Finland. At this homey Finnish-American cultural center and museum, friendly tour guides share experiences of Finnish immigrants. ... more

Wisconsin Rest Area/ Mini-Museum at Hurley. Run by the state of Wisconsin's history agency, this center offers a lot more than travel info. It's an impressive mini-museum, with a focus here on the region's mining past ... more

Gogebic Range Wisconsin wayside. A picnic area with a beautiful vista of surrounding hills ... more

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. This dramatic comples offers information and exhibits about this region's natural world and human history. There's a boardwalk trail through a cedar and black ash wetlands and a 5th-floor observation deck with panoramic views of Lake Superior ... more

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