Sights Around Side Lake
Food Scene
This eight-sided building may not look like much from the outside, but it's a friendly, crowd-pleasing place with excellent pizza and wings.
Bimbo's Octagon
7626 Hwy 5This eight-sided building may not look like much from the outside, but it's a friendly, crowd-pleasing place with excellent pizza and wings.
With nightly specials and a modern interior, Riverside Inn is a great choice for a romantic dinner or a quick drink-- you pass through the bar as you enter, but there's also a larger dining area further into the building.
Riverside Inn
7477 Hwy 5With nightly specials and a modern interior, Riverside Inn is a great choice for a romantic dinner or a quick drink-- you pass through the bar as you enter, but there's also a larger dining area further into the building.
For a morning treat, try these delicious baked goods. Note that the selection later in the morning can be a bit limited.
Black Bear Bakery
17 W Lake StFor a morning treat, try these delicious baked goods. Note that the selection later in the morning can be a bit limited.
This local chain has a delicious lunch buffet, plus an extensive menu that's always a crowd pleaser.
Sammy's Pizza & Restaurant - Hibbing
106 E Howard StThis local chain has a delicious lunch buffet, plus an extensive menu that's always a crowd pleaser.
This adorable local coffeeshop has delicious chai lattes, free wifi, and a laid-back vibe. Who could ask for anything more?
The Shop Coffeehouse
235 Chestnut StThis adorable local coffeeshop has delicious chai lattes, free wifi, and a laid-back vibe. Who could ask for anything more?
This out-of-the-way spot is the best kind of local place-- settle in and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Service isn't fast, because no one here is in any kind of hurry, but the food is good, and the giant doughnuts are something special.
T Pattenn Cafe
4557 US-53This out-of-the-way spot is the best kind of local place-- settle in and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Service isn't fast, because no one here is in any kind of hurry, but the food is good, and the giant doughnuts are something special.
Another quaint local spot with especially good burgers and bloody marys, the atmosphere is always friendly. Also a great place to stop in for a drink. As with most small rural joints, service isn't speedy, but it's worth it to bask in the northwoods community spirit.
Dam
4247 US-53Another quaint local spot with especially good burgers and bloody marys, the atmosphere is always friendly. Also a great place to stop in for a drink. As with most small rural joints, service isn't speedy, but it's worth it to bask in the northwoods community spirit.
This combination restaurant, coffee shop, and farm market is known for its krupsua, traditional Finnish pancakes, but they also have great pastries, salads, and burgers. When the weather's nice, there's even outdoor seating!
Kunnari's Farm Market
1305 8th St SThis combination restaurant, coffee shop, and farm market is known for its krupsua, traditional Finnish pancakes, but they also have great pastries, salads, and burgers. When the weather's nice, there's even outdoor seating!
This local institution has a great selection of pastries, plus a cute little lunch counter where you can get soup and sandwiches. Their apple strudels are to die for. Only open until 2pm on Saturdays, and check their Facebook page for hours on other days!
Pep's Bake Shop
318 Chestnut StThis local institution has a great selection of pastries, plus a cute little lunch counter where you can get soup and sandwiches. Their apple strudels are to die for. Only open until 2pm on Saturdays, and check their Facebook page for hours on other days!
Owned by the same folks as Pep's a few blocks away, the Italian Bakery specializes in potica (pronounced "po-teet-sa", a Slovenian nut roll that's kind of like a jelly roll, and has flakey pastry layered with honey and walnut paste. It's an Iron Range tradition!
Italian Bakery of Virginia
205 1st Street SouthOwned by the same folks as Pep's a few blocks away, the Italian Bakery specializes in potica (pronounced "po-teet-sa", a Slovenian nut roll that's kind of like a jelly roll, and has flakey pastry layered with honey and walnut paste. It's an Iron Range tradition!
Side Lake Liquor and Lounge is a two-fer: there's a liquor store part of the building, and a restaurant/bar next door. The restaurant has an eclectic mix of food, and very friendly service. Be sure to try the mini donuts!
Side Lake Liquor
7480 Hwy 5Side Lake Liquor and Lounge is a two-fer: there's a liquor store part of the building, and a restaurant/bar next door. The restaurant has an eclectic mix of food, and very friendly service. Be sure to try the mini donuts!
The prime rib is the main attraction here, though they serve other hearty food as well. A down-home place with service that is not known for its speed on crowded nights. This is a favorite of the snowmobiling crowd!
Wooden Table Inn
10295 Hwy 65The prime rib is the main attraction here, though they serve other hearty food as well. A down-home place with service that is not known for its speed on crowded nights. This is a favorite of the snowmobiling crowd!
Parks & Nature
This beautiful state park has a long, sandy beach, changing facilities, picnic tables, grills, and canoe rental. Even on busy days, you can stake out a patch of sand to call your own. Walk down the road to the gas station for some ice cream if you're hungry after your swim.
6 recommandé par les habitants
McCarthy Beach State Park
7622 McCarthy Beach RdThis beautiful state park has a long, sandy beach, changing facilities, picnic tables, grills, and canoe rental. Even on busy days, you can stake out a patch of sand to call your own. Walk down the road to the gas station for some ice cream if you're hungry after your swim.
This bear sanctuary is a great place to catch a glimpse (and a photo) of the usually elusive black bear. The sanctuary is open most evenings from 5pm-8pm during the summer, as that's when the bears are most active. A few times each summer, they also have "breakfast with the bears" on a Saturday morning.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
12541 Nett Lake RoadThis bear sanctuary is a great place to catch a glimpse (and a photo) of the usually elusive black bear. The sanctuary is open most evenings from 5pm-8pm during the summer, as that's when the bears are most active. A few times each summer, they also have "breakfast with the bears" on a Saturday morning.
This reclaimed pit mine is actually a prime spot for scuba diving, as you can see abandoned mining equipment and even an old helicopter!
Lake Ore-be-gone
This reclaimed pit mine is actually a prime spot for scuba diving, as you can see abandoned mining equipment and even an old helicopter!
Stubler Mine is another lake in a former mine, with a swimming beach, two fishing docks, and access to the Mesabi Trail.
StublerBeach/CampGround
119 Grant LocationStubler Mine is another lake in a former mine, with a swimming beach, two fishing docks, and access to the Mesabi Trail.
The beautiful Mesabi Trail a 135-mile long paved trail for biking and hiking. It goes through some beautiful scenery, and connects to several great towns along the Iron Range. See the website (mesabitrail.com) for maps and more info.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Mesabi Trail
111 Station 44 RdThe beautiful Mesabi Trail a 135-mile long paved trail for biking and hiking. It goes through some beautiful scenery, and connects to several great towns along the Iron Range. See the website (mesabitrail.com) for maps and more info.
Beatrice Lake has a public access point, and is generally a bit less crowded than Big Sturgeon.
Beatrice Lake
Beatrice Lake has a public access point, and is generally a bit less crowded than Big Sturgeon.
This wee little lake has a public boat launch as well, and doesn't attract a crowd, usually.
Johnson Lake
This wee little lake has a public boat launch as well, and doesn't attract a crowd, usually.
Bear Lake
Bear Lake has a public boat access point, and is another lovely place to relax or fish.
The Laurentian Divide separates the river systems that flow northwards to the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay from those that flow southwards to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, which is great and all, but also it provides a pretty great view of the Superior National Forest.
Lookout Mountain
The Laurentian Divide separates the river systems that flow northwards to the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay from those that flow southwards to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, which is great and all, but also it provides a pretty great view of the Superior National Forest.
This family-friendly, easily accessible spot has a beach, a picnic area, and a fishing pier, as well as manageable hiking loops through the woods.
Carey Lake Park
This family-friendly, easily accessible spot has a beach, a picnic area, and a fishing pier, as well as manageable hiking loops through the woods.
With a sandy beach and a fishing pier, this reservoir (also known as Blue Lake) is popular with the locals!
O'Brien Resevoir Beach
With a sandy beach and a fishing pier, this reservoir (also known as Blue Lake) is popular with the locals!
Arts & Culture
Minnesota Musem of Mining
210 2nd St NWThis place has a little of everything -- rides on a historic trolly, museum exhibits, and events like live music or demonstrations. If you're interested in ancestry, they also have one of the largest collections of genealogical materials in the upper Midwest. Free admission Thursdays 3pm to 8pm!
They've also just opened the Rustic Pig, a restaurant open Saturday nights only, with a limited but upscale menu and live music. A great place for a date, though they also offer a kids menu!
8 recommandé par les habitants
Minnesota Discovery Center
1005 Discovery DrThis place has a little of everything -- rides on a historic trolly, museum exhibits, and events like live music or demonstrations. If you're interested in ancestry, they also have one of the largest collections of genealogical materials in the upper Midwest. Free admission Thursdays 3pm to 8pm!
They've also just opened the Rustic Pig, a restaurant open Saturday nights only, with a limited but upscale menu and live music. A great place for a date, though they also offer a kids menu!
This arts center in Grand Rapids hosts concerts, plays, and other entertainment, sometimes from surprisingly big names!
14 recommandé par les habitants
Reif Performing Arts Center
720 NW Conifer DrThis arts center in Grand Rapids hosts concerts, plays, and other entertainment, sometimes from surprisingly big names!
Did you know Greyhound bus line started in Minnesota? It's true! See old busses and learn about the history of the company. Admission is cheap - $5 for adults, $1 for kids.
Greyhound Bus Museum
1201 Greyhound BlvdDid you know Greyhound bus line started in Minnesota? It's true! See old busses and learn about the history of the company. Admission is cheap - $5 for adults, $1 for kids.
The Hibbing Public Library has a life-sized paper mache statue of Hibbing's most famous former resident, singer Bob Dylan. On their website you can find an audio walking tour and guide for Dylan-related locations in town.
Hibbing Public Library
2020 5th Ave EThe Hibbing Public Library has a life-sized paper mache statue of Hibbing's most famous former resident, singer Bob Dylan. On their website you can find an audio walking tour and guide for Dylan-related locations in town.
Essentials
Super One Foods
1101 E 37th StFor a wider selection of groceries, this chain has plenty of variety.
Side Lake Store
7505 Hwy 5For simple groceries, essentials, and delicious ice cream, this is the spot.
For organic and healthy food, this local business can't be beat. They also have a salad bar, sandwich counter, and coffee shop, plus free wifi!
6 recommandé par les habitants
Natural Harvest Food Co-op
732 4th St NFor organic and healthy food, this local business can't be beat. They also have a salad bar, sandwich counter, and coffee shop, plus free wifi!
Sightseeing
This is a breathtaking view of one of the world's largest open pit mines. You can see mining crews working waaaaaaayyy down below, where the giant machines look like toys. There are signs that explain the history of the mine, and it's all free!
Hull-Rust Mahoning Mine View
This is a breathtaking view of one of the world's largest open pit mines. You can see mining crews working waaaaaaayyy down below, where the giant machines look like toys. There are signs that explain the history of the mine, and it's all free!
A good photo opportunity, this is the world's largest free-standing hockey stick, complete with puck.
World's Largest Authentic Hockey Stick
412 Monroe StA good photo opportunity, this is the world's largest free-standing hockey stick, complete with puck.
This statue of Honk the moose commemorates the moose that came to the town of Biwabik in the winter of 1915. Honk also appeared in the 1935 children's book Honk the Moose by Phil Strong.
Honk the Moose Statue
Main StreetThis statue of Honk the moose commemorates the moose that came to the town of Biwabik in the winter of 1915. Honk also appeared in the 1935 children's book Honk the Moose by Phil Strong.
Entertainment & Activities
Hibbing Cinema 8
4015 9th Ave WOn a rainy day, settle in for the latest attractions.
If you're a hockey fan, well, this is your stop. There are displays on the history of hockey as well as great memorabilia and photos. You can also test out the speed of your slapshot! Call ahead for hours, since what's posted on their website is not always what happens!
14 recommandé par les habitants
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
801 Hat Trick AveIf you're a hockey fan, well, this is your stop. There are displays on the history of hockey as well as great memorabilia and photos. You can also test out the speed of your slapshot! Call ahead for hours, since what's posted on their website is not always what happens!
Drinks & Nightlife
This place is known for its award-winning chicken wings (24 flavors!), but it's also a fun, unpretentious place to go for a drink in the evening. Also have great burgers and pizza, plus a kids' menu.
Thirsty Moose Bar & Grill
10550 MN-37This place is known for its award-winning chicken wings (24 flavors!), but it's also a fun, unpretentious place to go for a drink in the evening. Also have great burgers and pizza, plus a kids' menu.