Wander Minnesota: Iron Range Wrap-Up

Over several posts, I've highlighted some of the fun things to do and beautiful things to see on the Iron Range. You can visit the Minnesota Discovery Center, take a tour at Hill Annex Mine View State Park, check out the Greyhound Bus Museum, learn about Finnish homesteaders, and stay at the beautiful Giant's Ridge Resort near Biwabik.

Now, to wrap up this series, here are glimpses of a few of the other sites around the Range worth visiting.

Downtown Hibbing is full of beautiful old buildings, including the former Androy Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently used as a residence for seniors.

A different style of architecture is found in Biwabik, close to the ski resort of Giant's Ridge. Playing off the "mountain" next door, they've gone with an Alpen theme.

If you're going to Biwabik, have breakfast at Aldens. You'll be happy. I promise.

Just outside of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth is the world's largest hockey stick.

For the record, that hockey stick is 107 feet long and weighs more than three tons. Insert any "Paul Bunyan as hockey player" joke you like at this point.

In Hibbing, this quiet residential street gets more than the average traffic due to this home.

That's the childhood home of Bob Dylan. Anyone know if it was originally painted blue, or was that done as an homage to his famous song?

I'm pretty sure the street itself didn't always have this name.

You can find a ton of Dylan memorabilia here:

Zimmy's Restaurant in Hibbing. All Dylan, all the time. Even Dylan's Christmas cd in May.

I was lucky enough to drive past this place on my last day, and it was open.

Sunrise Bakery, home of some absolutely delicious potica, an eastern European delicacy (which, by the way, you can order online, and may I suggest thick-slicing some of it and using it in French toast?).

All in all, a wonderful trip. My sincerest thanks to the fine folks at the Iron Range Tourist Board for their invitation and assistance. I'll be back!

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.