North American Bear Center
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Closed until 19 Apr 2024

North American Bear Center

North American Bear Center
5
Speciality MuseumsScience MuseumsNature & Wildlife Areas
Temporarily closedClosed until Apr 19, 2024
About
The North American Bear Center is the only educational facility of its kind - it helps people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans. There is a huge need for accurate information about bears worldwide and the mission of the non-profit North American Bear Center is to advance the long-term survival of bears worldwide by replacing misconceptions with scientific facts about bears.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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  • cenzt
    Iowa5,821 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Learning About Bears at the North American Bear Center
    Great trip! We arrived at approximately 12:30 pm and made our way inside to buy our admission tickets. After buying our tickets, we were given a quick overview of the bear center, and where to meet up for the behind the scenes tour. We started to explore the museum, and were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of informational plaques and videos. There were several hundred informational plaques, containing information about bears, their habitat, their diet, common myths, and much more. The plaques contained both anecdotal information, as well as case studies and newspaper articles related to bears. There were also several dozen video monitors set up throughout the bear center as well. Each video monitor gave us a glimpse into the lives of bears in their natural habitat. Many of these short clips were filmed by Ely researchers themselves. After browsing through the museum, we decided to attend the behind the scenes tour, which was being held hourly. We met in an alcove, where an employee gave us a brief introduction on the four bears that were housed in the facility. We then made our way outside, and stopped at several of the bear enclosures. The employee then hand-fed several of the bears in front of us, while providing more fun facts about them. The tour lasted roughly 25 minutes. We then headed back inside to read through more of the exhibits. Inside the bear center was also a small play area for children, bathrooms, and a gift shop. There was also an observation deck, that allowed us to walk on a platform and view the bears living quarters. Outside, there was a short nature trail, that provided for a nice, relaxing walk. My biggest takeaway was that bears are not as scary and aggressive as many people/movies make them out to be. Tip: I recommend spending all day here if you truly want to see everything. There are a TON of informational plaques and video clips to watch.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 18 March 2023
  • Globaby100
    Fenton, Michigan404 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit. The bears are up close and personal.
    The finest bear center I have seen. We visited with a group and we enjoyed a guided tour to see the bears in residence. The facility is near the end of construction and is expected to be completed in a few days. You are up close to the bears and they usually roam a significant area. The Asst Director Spencer does an amazing job explaining and guiding through the facility.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 June 2023
  • Rich J
    Naples, Florida377 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the time both outside and inside their large exhibit filled building
    We visited the Bear Center in early July. We took the tour that they have to see the bears in their own outside areas. Savannah was the tour guide and she did an excellent job and was very informative. Our only disappointment was the area where they had a viewing platform and it was under construction so we were not able to get any natural pictures of the bears. You might want to call before you go to see if the construction is complete. Inside their building there are many informative exhibits of bears and other animals and more. You could spend a couple hours learning a lot of information. It was very professionally done.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 July 2023
  • PFGriff22
    Maryland4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must do bear viewing ... excellent!
    The North American Bear Center is without a doubt, a don't miss stop when "up north" in Minnesota. The displays in the "museum" portion of the center are engaging and modern. Plan at least 90 minutes or much longer to give it the time and attention it deserves. The behind the scenes tour that is part of the general admission price is also very good. The highlight for us was the outside 2nd story viewing platform where we were able to observe and photograph Holly and Lucky, two of their three resident black bears, without any fences or bars to get in the way. We hoped this attraction would be good, but it far exceeded our expectations!
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 July 2023
  • Canadian_Guy1000
    Mississauga, Canada3,415 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very educational
    While in Ely, of course, we visited the renowned Bear Center ($15 per person), where we saw 4 black bears, learned about their history and also learned plenty of interesting facts about black bears. Many of the information on black bears contradicted what I had been reading, especially in Ontario Parks’ tabloids. One of the most interesting myths, which according to the Bear Center was untrue: “When Bears Lose Their Fear of People, They Become More Likely to Attack” The website cites many facts to disprove that.
    Visited September 2022
    Written 5 August 2023
  • Kate N
    111 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do the behind the scenes tour
    If you have to choose between the bear center and wolf center, I would recommend the bear center. You can take a behind the scenes tour that guarantees you see a bear. There is a ton of information and it would take hours to read, but it is very informative.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 August 2023
  • bhuston47
    Saint Paul, Minnesota65 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    2 Hour Educational Experience!
    This is a great place to come alone or come with a family. You will learn a lot about bears. They gave three bears on site. You will not be bored. There is so much to read, videos to watch, artifacts, displays, and more! It’s an educational experience for anyone. It cost about $15 for an adult. They also have a gift store on site. Would come again!
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 August 2023
  • Gooseview
    New Orleans, Louisiana350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It'll change your mind
    We were pleasantly surprised at this place...very good displays about all kinds of bears...much information about bears that flys in the face of what we've been taught and is a real learning experience. The live bear show is fun and the guide girls are great. We loved everything and bought the T-shirt
    Visited August 2023
    Written 20 August 2023
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5.0
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Excellent
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Poor
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Terrible
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Gooseview
New Orleans, LA350 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
We were pleasantly surprised at this place...very good displays about all kinds of bears...much information about bears that flys in the face of what we've been taught and is a real learning experience. The live bear show is fun and the guide girls are great. We loved everything and bought the T-shirt
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bhuston47
Saint Paul, MN65 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is a great place to come alone or come with a family. You will learn a lot about bears. They gave three bears on site. You will not be bored. There is so much to read, videos to watch, artifacts, displays, and more! It’s an educational experience for anyone. It cost about $15 for an adult. They also have a gift store on site. Would come again!
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Josephine Z
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
The bears were adorable! The staff was informative, and really worked to get the bears closer to the crowd. Totally worth the money!
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kate N
111 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
If you have to choose between the bear center and wolf center, I would recommend the bear center. You can take a behind the scenes tour that guarantees you see a bear. There is a ton of information and it would take hours to read, but it is very informative.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Justine S
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
It was very fun, interactive tour where you got to see them eat snacks! Ir was cool to see them up close!! Also TONS of information inside the center to read and videos to watch!!
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Canadian_Guy1000
Mississauga, Canada3,415 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
While in Ely, of course, we visited the renowned Bear Center ($15 per person), where we saw 4 black bears, learned about their history and also learned plenty of interesting facts about black bears. Many of the information on black bears contradicted what I had been reading, especially in Ontario Parks’ tabloids. One of the most interesting myths, which according to the Bear Center was untrue: “When Bears Lose Their Fear of People, They Become More Likely to Attack” The website cites many facts to disprove that.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jen W
South Saint Paul, MN109 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
We saw all three bears in their “private enclosures” on the behind the scenes tour and learned a few interesting things about them from the guide. Seeing them roaming in the larger area would have been neat probably.

But the exhibits inside need a lot of work. There was waaaaaaayyyy too much reading in all the same style presentation and nothing interactive. The ecology wing about other Northwoods animals/ecosystem was a little better with a nice diorama, some furs to touch, animal calls to identify, etc.
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PFGriff22
Maryland4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
The North American Bear Center is without a doubt, a don't miss stop when "up north" in Minnesota. The displays in the "museum" portion of the center are engaging and modern. Plan at least 90 minutes or much longer to give it the time and attention it deserves. The behind the scenes tour that is part of the general admission price is also very good. The highlight for us was the outside 2nd story viewing platform where we were able to observe and photograph Holly and Lucky, two of their three resident black bears, without any fences or bars to get in the way. We hoped this attraction would be good, but it far exceeded our expectations!
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rich J
Naples, FL377 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
We visited the Bear Center in early July. We took the tour that they have to see the bears in their own outside areas. Savannah was the tour guide and she did an excellent job and was very informative. Our only disappointment was the area where they had a viewing platform and it was under construction so we were not able to get any natural pictures of the bears. You might want to call before you go to see if the construction is complete. Inside their building there are many informative exhibits of bears and other animals and more. You could spend a couple hours learning a lot of information. It was very professionally done.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Globaby100
Fenton, MI404 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
The finest bear center I have seen. We visited with a group and we enjoyed a guided tour to see the bears in residence. The facility is near the end of construction and is expected to be completed in a few days. You are up close to the bears and they usually roam a significant area. The Asst Director Spencer does an amazing job explaining and guiding through the facility.
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about North American Bear Center

North American Bear Center is open:
  • Mon - Thu 11:00 - 15:00
  • Fri - Sat 11:00 - 16:00

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