THINGS TO DO
What Will You DISCOVER?
There are so many things to do at the Minnesota Discovery Center! Check out our spotlight on our upcoming gala, then click on the tabs below to learn more about all the ways you can learn, play, and thrive when you visit us.
DISCOVER EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO OFFER
So much to do.
INDOOR EXHIBITS
Our permanent indoor exhibits explore Minnesota’s story all the way back to prehistoric times through the twentieth century.
Hall of Geology
This exhibit is undergoing a floor-to-ceiling renovation! Soon: Explore key geologic eras that contributed to the formation of the iron ore for which our region is known, including the Great Oxygenation Event, the rise and fall of dinosaurs, the glacial era, and the mountain-building era.
The First Minnesotans
Discover nomadic life on the Iron Range, when mammoths roamed this area and humans were just starting to form societies.
The Ojibwe Seasonal Cycle
Explore the relationship between the changing seasons and Anishinaabe culture. Particularly interested in this topic? Visit our friends at the Bois Forte Heritage Center & Cultural Museum.
The Fur Trade era
Partake in a time when fur trading meant everything for survival.
The Immigrant Journey
Grab a passport and find out what life was like for 20th century immigrants to Minnesota!
Underground Mining
Understand why extracting minerals from deep underground proved challenging.
Iron Range Schools
Learn about how early immigrant children received an education in their new home.
The Saloon
Investigate a male-dominated, alcohol-centric world at the turn of the 20th century.
Blue-Collar Battleground: The Iron Range Labor Story
Unearth over 100 years of labor history on the Iron Range. Interested in learning about it remotely? Check out this documentary.
Peerless Auto
Discover one of the first (and most impactful) automobile businesses in northeastern Minnesota.
Governor Rudy Perpich Exhibit
Find out why Governor Rudy Perpich is a pivotal historical figure in Iron Range history.
OUTDOOR EXHIBITS
Our permanent outdoor exhibits feature a variety of historic buildings and antique mining equipment. If you visit in the summer, make sure to stop by the Thompson Homestead to visit a “living historian” fiber artist!
Sámi Goahti
Learn about the history of a unique indigenous European culture—one which many Iron Range immigrants came from. Thank you to the Chisholm Community Foundation for the grant that helped us refurbish this exhibit!
Norwegian Stabbur
Cozy into a special building built by master woodcarver Alt Eilertson, who emigrated from Buvika, Norway in 1930.
The Northwoods Cabin
Encounter the ultimate 20th century bachelor pad (AKA, a typical single “pioneer” man’s home).
The Thompson Homestead
Endure the trials and travails of early homesteaders, who battled extreme elements, viral disease, food scarcity, and isolation for a chance at a better life.
The Glen Location
Hop aboard our trolley and take a trip down to the Old Glen Mining Location, where you can walk through historic buildings and view antique mining equipment.
Civilian Conservation Corps History Center
Learn about how the CCC saved Minnesota economically during the Great Depression.
TEMPORARY EXHIBITS
Our “temporary exhibits” offer in-depth insights into interesting topics, and they are housed in the overlook gallery for about a year or two. In the past, we’ve curated a “Carnival of Curiosities” hosted the traveling exhibit “We Are Water MN” (courtesy of the Minnesota Humanities Center) Our current temporary exhibit, “Never Dry,” delves into life on the Iron Range during the Prohibition Era.
Never Dry: The Rise of Prohibition on the Iron Range
This award-winning exhibit explores the impact of the Prohibition, both before and after the implementation of the 18th Amendment. Turns out that Iron Rangers were particularly creative when it came to brewing booze, running rum, and evading the police.
POP-UP EXHIBITS
About once a quarter (every three months), we craft a new “pop-up exhibit” in our central hub. These small, quick exhibits are opportunities to niche topics, often in collaboration with community partners. In the past, we created “Get To Know Your Neighbors” with the Bois Forte Heritage Center and hosted the “Inclusion” traveling exhibit with the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Dom on the Range
Our current pop-up exhibit, Dom on the Range, celebrates Slovenian immigrant culture on the Iron Range. “Dom” means “home” in Slovenian; our curator is very proud of the pun.
The exhibit features several notable Slovenian descendants from the City of Chisholm, including Veda Ponikvar (the first woman publisher in Minnesota), John Blatnik (a former U.S. Representative), Jim Oberstar (a former U.S. Representative), Father Frank Perkovich (a Catholic priest known for his “Polka Masses”), and the Klobuchar family (various occupations).
The exhibit was made in conjunction with Zarja Fest, the Slovenian Union of America’s centennial celebration (held August 1, 2026, at MDC).
THE RESEARCH CENTER
The Research Center was established in 1980, and it continues to be a key driver of MDC’s mission to tell the stories of the Iron Range—past, present, and future. It is one of the largest collections of local research materials in the Midwest. It is a free resource, and its staffers genuinely love helping people explore their family histories and Iron Range history.
Tap here to view the Research Center’s hours.
The Archives
The Research Center’s archives include oral histories, photos, maps, newspapers, birth announcements marriage announcements, obituaries, cemetery indexes, naturalization records, alien registrations, mining accident records, arrest records, high school annuals, veteran histories, military service memorabilia, museum artifacts, paleontology specimens, geological specimens, and local, state, and federal government records—and more.
Genealogy Research
Containing more than 1.4 million records in its genealogical database, the Research Center is a valuable resource for folks researching their family histories. People from all around the world—not just Minnesota—contact the Research Center for assistance. Immigration stories and proof for dual citizenship applications have been of particular interest lately.
Local History Research
The Research Center’s library (which is a member of the Arrowhead Library System) is useful to history enthusiasts from the casual peruser to the field expert. Our local history resources have been cited in publications like Minescapes: Reclaiming Minnesota’s Mined Lands by Pete Kero, Making the Carry: The Lives of John and Tchi-Ki-Wis Linklater by Timothy Cochrane, and Perpich: A Minnesota Original by Ben Schierer with Lori Sturdevant.
TROLLEY TOURS
⚠️ Trolley Update ⚠️
Due to an unexpected electrical issue affecting the trolley’s power system, trolley rides are temporarily unavailable until further notice. Our team is working with specialized technicians to diagnose the issue and restore service as quickly as possible.
At this time, we anticipate the trolley will remain out of service into next week. We’ll continue to share updates as we learn more.
SUMMER RECREATION
The Minnesota Discovery Center administers the trailhead to Redhead Mountain Bike (MTB) Park, which is a free-to-use, world-class, multipurpose, year-round recreational park owned by the City of Chisholm. We also manage the launch point for the water-filled Glen Mine Pit Lake. Both of these areas occupy reclaimed mineland.
Canoes, kayaks, and SUP paddleboards are available for rent at $15.00/hour. Lifejackets and/or paddles are also available for rent at $10.00 flat. Plus, shuttle service down to the Glen Mine Pit Lake launch site is free with your rental!
Reserve your next adventure Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm, by calling: (218) 254-7959.
Hiking
Redhead may be called a “mountain bike park,” but you are welcome to hike it, too! Just stay on the trails that are marked for foot traffic.
This summer, we’re teaming up with a group of local hiking enthusiasts, the Redhead Redfeet, to run a series of MDC-sponsored hikes.
Kayaking, Canoeing, and Paddleboarding
The Glen Mine Pit is a unique, man-made “lake” perfect for water recreation. It’s a publicly owned asset, free for anyone to use. (We just take care of the dock.)
In the summer, MDC rents out kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and life jackets. Water vessel rentals are $15.00/hour, and life jacket rentals are $10.00 flat. MDC Members get 10% off equipment rentals!
We also run “interpretive kayaking tours” that teach folks about the limnology (i.e., lake science) of reclaimed mine pits.
You can also swim and fish in the Glen Mine Pit; the DNR stocks it with aquatic life every few years. Note: There is no lifeguard on duty.
Mountain Biking
Thrill seekers and speed demons will enjoy pedaling through Redhead. As always, Redhead MTB Park is free to use. You can rent a bike from 30West’s Bike Shop, which is located in MDC’s lobby.
In summer, MDC’s “interpretive mountain biking tours” take folks through one of the easier loops, stopping at certain points to talk about the labor history that shaped the land.
Shuttle Van
We’ll drop you off and pick you up trailside or lakeside! Our shuttle van service is an affordable way to get you and your gear to and from Redhead MTB Park, the Glen Mine Pit, and the City of Chisholm’s campgrounds.
Shuttle service is $5.00 for a roundtrip pick-up/drop-off or FREE with a water vessel rental. Call our Admissions Team at (218) 254-7959 to schedule a ride,.
This year, we’re introducing the Pedal & Paddle Punch Card Program. If you purchase a Punch Card for $20.00, you get six pick-ups/drop-offs for a total of $10.00 in savings! Call our Admissions Team at (218) 254-7959 for more information, or visit the front desk to purchase a Punch Card.
In the fall, MDC runs backroad shuttle van tours that enable folks to enjoy Minnesota’s beautiful fall colors during an easy cruise.
PLAY STUDIO
Curated by our Early Childhood Education specialist, the Play Studio is filled with open-ended materials that inspire creativity and discovery. It’s designed for children ages 6 months to 11 years old, but all ages are welcome. Access to the Play Studio is included with your Museum admission (which means it’s free for MDC Members!).
MINI GOLF
Try our 19-hole mining-themed miniature golf course! Mini golf resumes Saturday, May 23, and will be available Tuesday-Sunday throughout the summer.
Pricing is $4 for the general public, $3 for Individual/Family Members, FREE for Discovery Pass Members, and FREE for children 2 and under.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
We put on a variety of fun and educational events throughout the year! Many are free, and those that aren’t are low-cost. Some are recurring, like Youth Mental Health Night and Trolley Pumpkin Days, and some are one-time only. Check out our Upcoming Events calendar to see what’s happening soon!
VENUE RENTALS
Did you know that along with being a museum, a research center, and a recreational park, MDC is also an event venue? We have a variety of spaces for rent for anything from small seminars to large weddings. Check out our event hosting page for more details.
REDHEAD MTB PARK
Carved from the walls of an abandoned water-filled iron ore mine pit, Redhead Mountain Bike (MTB) Park has 28 miles of hand-crafted, purpose-built mountain bike trails on the ground (and more on the way!). Difficulty ranges from beginner to expert level, with a wide array of terrain features and options for riders to test their skills. Adventure seekers can also hike on designated trails and kayak, canoe, paddleboard, swim, and fish in the mine pit!
FAQ ABOUT REDHEAD MTB PARK
THE MESABI TRAIL
Currently over 150 miles long (with a chunk left to go), the Mesabi Trail is one of the longest paved bike trails in Minnesota, and it branches off into many Iron Range towns. You can access the Mesabi Trail right from our parking lot. Parking is free, so you can simply leave your vehicle and go out adventuring.
VETERANS MEMORIAL
Iron Rangers have been major contributors to many U.S. wars. Our grounds house a physical memorial honoring local veterans; the memorial itself belongs to the City of Chisholm. It’s accessible from our parking lot, so you don’t have to pay admission to pay your respects.
Can’t visit in person? This digital memorial honors the service of veterans in from some nearby Iron Range communities (including Chisholm, Virginia, and Hibbing).
GIFT SHOP
Our Gift Shop is stocked full of merchandise from dozens of local and regional vendors and artists! Stop in and check out all the great new products that scream Northern Minnesota! Don’t forget, the Gift Shop is the exclusive retailer of Redhead MTP Park merchandise—all merchandise purchases with the official Redhead logo directly support the park’s trail maintenance fund.
WINTER RECREATION
The cold never bothered Minnesotans, anyway! You can explore Redhead Mountain Bike (MTB) Park with snowshoes or fat tire bikes in the winter, or you can check out MDC’s on-campus trails and sledding hills.
Snowshoeing
You can snowshoe through MDC’s campus, Redhead’s trails, or other nearby trails. Bring your own gear or rent snowshoes and poles from us. Plus, we offer daytime snowshoe hikes for kids and moonlight snowshoe hikes for adults!
Downhill Sledding
New this past winter, MDC now offers downhill sledding on the hills near the Amphitheater! We’ve got gentle knolls and steep slopes, and we have onsite sleds for you to use.
Fat Tire Biking
Bike Redhead MTB Park in both summer and winter! Check out Redhead’s winter info page for fat tire biking tips, rules, and regulations. 30West’s Bike Shop typically closes in the winter, so contact Redhead’s administrator at redhead@ci.chisholm.mn.us or 218-254-7909 to make inquiries about fat tire bike rentals.
Kicksledding
New this past winter, MDC now offers on-campus kicksled rentals! Not sure what kicksledding is? Check out this awesome article the Mesabi Tribune wrote about it (featuring MDC’s Education, Program, and Recreation Manager, Gary Kaunonen).
You’re Invited to Our Gala!
An evening of discovery. An investment in the future.
Do you like delicious food, live music, engaging activities, raffles, and raising money for a good cause? Join us for MDC’s 2026 Night of Discovery Gala!
Enjoy…
- a delectable steakhouse-style menu handcrafted by MDC’s Executive Chef
- jazzy live music by Minnesota’s own Sam Miltich & the Clearwater Hot Club
- fun Discovery Pairings that combine historical tidbits with tasty treats
- a gorgeous venue with sweeping views of reclaimed mineland
- a raffle chock full of qualities prizes generously donated by local businesses
- and more!
The proceeds made from the gala (ticket sales, raffle entries, spontaneous donations) go into the Discovery Fund, our scholarship program that ensures every child in the Taconite Assistance Area has equitable access to quality educational and cultural experiences regardless of their family’s or school’s financial situation.
Click here to get your tickets!
Below, check out some of our favorite memories from last year’s gala! These photos were taken by Flom Designs and Photography.
