If you think Visitor Centers are a snooze fest, get ready for an exciting wake-up call because the David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is anything but a place to catch a couple of travelers ZzzZzzZzzs.
Since 1998, this gorgeous building has housed the memories of thousands of visitors (myself included!), countless exciting facts, intriguing exhibits, and the beautiful opportunity to walk alongside nature. Not every city is as lucky as Ashland, WI to have a fabulous Visitor Center in their town that can provide a place for learning, exploring, and appreciating the natural beauties and history around it.
All this and more are on the same stunning grounds, and it’s free admission? You bet your On Lake Superior dollar that this is a must-add to anyone’s ‘On Lake Superior Bucket List‘ for any and every season! That said, let’s learn more about this remarkable facility and all the fun there is to be had there.
“The David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center helps people connect with the history, culture, and natural resources of the Northern Great Lakes Region through customer-based information, services, and educational programs.”
– The David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Mission Statement
Pst, did you know that the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center has a Facebook page? They sure do! Be sure to give it a follow to keep up on all of the cool, interactive, and community-thriving events they have bustling in the near future!
As I briefly mentioned above, I have a handful of wholesome memories at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, ranging from when I was a child to dawdling there with my Husband. Each time I visit, I find a new favorite nook within the visitor center, and I’ve collected yet another precious memory to add to my mind’s On Lake Superior memory bank.
What’s so wonderful about the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is that it truly has something for everyone. Whether it’s your first time visiting the Lake Superior area or you’ve been a life-long resident, this place is full of interesting exhibits, future events, film-viewing opportunities, and more!
When I was a youngster, my Mom, who is also a terrific writer On Lake Superior, would bring my siblings and me to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center when we were ‘Up North‘ visiting my Great-Grandparents. We would spend hours there exploring the interactive exhibits, discovering new facts about the wildlife and profound history surrounding the Ashland area, and filling our minds with knowledge and our hearts full of fun.
One thing I absolutely loved that my Mom would do for us was write up a Scavenger Hunt before we went and hand it out to us when we got there. She would have little prizes for us, and we got to explore even more of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center; is that a creative idea to keep kiddos busy or what?
Another fond memory I have of the visitor center is a recent one with my husband. He and I love to dawdle together, and during one of our winter visits, our dawdling brought us to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Another terrific thing about a place like the nicely built visitor center that Ashland has is that it’s somewhere entertaining you can go when the weather isn’t all that great. We love that!
I wanted to show my husband the hallways upon hallways of memories I had there, as well as all of the history, art, and amazing facts that I knew he’d love to absorb.
We ended up spending a large chunk of time there, admiring the gorgeous artwork in the charming art gallery, reading the plaques with interesting information, gazing at extravagant quilts, checking out the gift shop, and spending the majority of the time in a quiet part of the building where you can watch the ducks in the pond below.
Those peaceful moments play out in my head often, and I’m thankful the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is a place where everyone can go and enjoy its many fine qualities.
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center offers an abundance of fun, learning, and calming moments. Keep reading this article for a further look at its exhibits and activities!
“This is a really good visitor center. If you are going to Apostle Islands or the great lakes, its worth visiting here. We made a detour to go via here when heading south and it was well worth it. Love the tower and the views across the area.
– Andy S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There are also a short walk from the visitor center around a lake.
Inside there are various displays across multiple floors. Comprehensive information about the area is available, plus the usual shop. There is a lot here and its one of the best visitor centers I have seen, and I have done over 150 National Park sites.
I would certainly include this in your route, if you are driving up to Apostle Islands.”
Where is the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center?
As quoted by the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center website: “The David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is located on County Highway G just off US Highway 2, two miles west of Ashland, Wisconsin, in and west of the roundabout intersection of Highways 2 and 13. Make sure we are your first stop in Northern Wisconsin!“
David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Address:
29270 Co Hwy G, Ashland, WI 54806
What is there to do at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center?
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center has events blossoming year-round, so I highly encourage you to check out their website or follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all fun future events!
But fear not, little adventure seeker. There are also plenty of things to enjoy in the present at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Some of my favorite spots in the visitor center are the art gallery and the observation deck. But let’s explore what this fine facility has to offer!
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Exhibits
There are a variety of permanent and traveling exhibits waiting to be admired by an adventurer like you! The ‘Main Exhibit Hall‘ features an intriguing pocket of knowledge, braided with rich history, local heritage, and good ole Lake Superior science.
The gorgeous and unbelievably lifelike ‘Community of Life Murals‘ that decorate the walls of this vast visitor center capture the generations that have lived throughout and around Ashland’s surrounding areas, truly telling a story through vivid colors and remarkable artistic detail.
These exhibits breathe life into history and facts in a way that will capture your attention and remain with you during and after your visit to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.
Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Protecting and educating about the Lake Superior wetlands, located near the visitor center, is the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge vessel. If you check out their map, you can see the vast area of wetlands it protects and the trails provided by the visitor center that patrons are welcome to hike and walk on.
Take a peek at the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge website to understand more about this passionate piece of nature protection and all the critters that inhabit it.
Wisconsin Historical Society History Center & Archives + Services
The Wisconsin Historical Society has set up shop within the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center and, at times, can be a potential resource for researchers and genealogists seeking a deeper understanding of the ancestors who called this area home long before we did.
This part of the visitor center is open by appointment and is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. Check out the Wisconsin Historical Society History Center & Archives + Services page for more information!
If you’re looking for a local enriching experience, the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is your sanctuary of free fun, introspection, learning, and feeling a deeper understanding of the fantastical areas around us. Be a part of the history and ecosystem by discovering more about it!
Want to be a part of even more On Lake Superior fun? Be a part of our growing community on Facebook. We’re always sharing beautiful pictures and incredible facts and spreading the Lake Superior love. We hope to see you there!
