Parking Info & Maps

Parking to attend programs and events at the State Theater is always free. Street parking is available, but details vary seasonally. Please read below about City of Ely ordinances regarding 2-hour parking and calendar parking (for snow removal). If you are attending a live event or a sold-out movie showing, we recommend you arrive 20 minutes early.

Free 2-hour Parking

Two-hour parking is enforced year-round. Areas involved include most of the streets near Ely’s Historic State Theater, including all adjacent blocks on Sheridan Street, Chapman St, and 3rd Ave E. If your movie lasts longer than two hours, you may want to find off-street parking nearby.

Off-street parking is available in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church parking lot between Sheridan & Camp Streets on 3rd Ave E. Please avoid using this lot during weekly Mass (Saturdays 5 p.m. and Sundays 8 & 10 a.m.).

Calendar Parking

Calendar parking is in effect from November 1 through May 31. You may park after 6:00 p.m. each evening for the next day’s calendar date, whether it is an even or odd date, as follows:

Streets:

Odd date- park on NORTH side (on the side all house numbers are odd)
Even date– park on the SOUTH side (on the side all house numbers are even)

Avenues:

Odd date- park on WEST side (on this side all house numbers are odd)
Even date– park on the EAST side (on this side all house numbers are even)

If you have any questions, please call the Ely Police Department at 218-365-3222.

Directions

The easiest way to visit Ely is by car. There are multiple routes you can take from either the Twin Cities or Duluth. We recommend scheduling extra time to stop and enjoy the scenery on your way up north. Once you’ve arrived in Ely, much of the town is walkable, but vehicular transportation is helpful, especially in winter.

From Minneapolis / St. Paul: Follow Interstate-35N (signs for Duluth). From the junction of I-35W & I-35E, follow I-35N for 110 miles to Exit 237 for MN-33 toward Cloquet / Iron Range. Follow MN-33 for 18.9 miles. Use the left lane to take the JCT US-53 ramp. Follow US Highway 53 N for 47.7 miles. Take the MN-169 exit toward Ely. Follow MN Highway 169 for 43.6 miles. MN-169 / State Hwy 1 E turns into Main Street, aka Sheridan Street. Ely’s Historic State Theater will be on your right at the top of the hill.

From Duluth (fastest route): Take I-35N. Use the right lane to take Exit 259 to merge onto MN-61 N / London Road toward North Shore. Follow MN-61 N for 26 miles. In Two Harbors, turn left onto 4th Street / Forest Hwy 15. In 25.4 miles, turn right onto County Hwy 2 / Forest 11. In 0.7 miles, turn left onto US for Service Hwy 15. In 19.9 miles, turn left onto State Hwy 1 W for 25.1 miles. Turn left onto East Sheridan Street. In one mile, Ely’s Historic State Theater will be on your left.

From Duluth (a good winter route): Follow US-53N for 66.2 miles. Take the MN-169 exit toward Ely. Follow MN Highway 169 for 43.6 miles. MN-169 / State Hwy 1 E turns into Main Street, aka Sheridan Street. Ely’s Historic State Theater will be on your right at the top of the hill.

From Hibbing: Take US-169N for 21.8 miles to US-53N. Turn left onto US-53N for 5.1 miles. Take the MN-169 exit toward Ely. Follow MN Highway 169 for 43.6 miles. MN-169 / State Hwy 1 E turns into Main Street, aka Sheridan Street. Ely’s Historic State Theater will be on your right at the top of the hill.