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Northern Expressions in Minnesota

Discover Northern Expressions in Ely, MN – top-rated ice cream & gift shop with cozy vibes, great flavors, onsite and takeout services.

4.8 130 reviews Ice Cream Shop American · Southern

48 E Sheridan St, Ely, MN 55731, United States

FoodPlacee Passport United States · Minnesota · 62426
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Northern Expressions

Ely, Minnesota, USA

Gelato Big Muddy Ice Cream Maple Ice Cream Shake w Maple Cookie Dorothys Root Beer 6 Pack
Rating★ 4.8 / 5
CategoryIce Cream Shop
Today 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Overview

About This Food Place

Northern Expressions is a beloved ice cream shop nestled in the charming town of Ely, MN. Known for its impressive variety of over 20 flavors, this cozy spot pairs creamy gelato, unique shakes, and classic favorites like the Big Muddy Ice Cream to delight every palate. The shop also features a quaint gift area, perfect for discovering charming souvenirs alongside indulgent ice cream treats.

Open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, this casual location offers a welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff and a convenient setup ideal for quick visits. Whether stopping by for a takeout malt or enjoying a coffee while browsing the gift shop, Northern Expressions delivers a cozy, kid-friendly environment right in the heart of Ely at 48 E Sheridan St.

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Photos from Northern Expressions

Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.

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Local favorites

Why People Come Here

Visitors love this cozy ice cream shop for its abundant flavors, welcoming atmosphere, and perfect treats for families and locals alike.

Highly Rated Flavors

Boasting a 4.8 rating from over 130 reviews, the shop offers a spectacular selection including Gelato and unique treats like Big Muddy Ice Cream.

Gift Shop Connection

Beyond ice cream, the attached gift shop provides charming trinkets, making each visit a delightful discovery for shoppers.

Cozy & Casual Atmosphere

The inviting casual setting with both indoor seating and shaded outdoor benches creates a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a treat.

Family-Friendly

Designed with kids in mind, including a child-sized table, making it an ideal spot for families to indulge in ice cream and malts.

Quick Visits & Takeout

Offering onsite services and takeout, it’s perfect for those seeking a fast, satisfying dessert stop without table service.

Accessible Location

Located at 48 E Sheridan St, Ely, this spot features wheelchair accessible entrances and parking, welcoming all guests comfortably.

Experience

When & How to Enjoy This Place

Perfect for quick indulgences, family outings, or a relaxed afternoon treat, Northern Expressions invites visitors to savor handcrafted ice cream in a warm, welcoming setting.

Tucked away in Ely, this local favorite thrives on its vast flavor selection, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere. Whether popping in for a Maple Ice Cream Shake or exploring the connected gift shop, every visit feels like a sweet discovery. — FoodPlacee editorial note

Family-Friendly Treats

A dedicated kids’ table and a broad range of flavors make this a top spot for families seeking a casual outing with delicious ice cream and fun surprises.

Afternoon Coffee Break

Enjoy a cozy coffee alongside a rich malt or shake while browsing unique gifts, creating the perfect casual pause during a day exploring downtown Ely.

Takeout Treats

Ideal for those on the go, Northern Expressions offers swift takeout service, perfect for grabbing a refreshing dessert to enjoy outdoors or back at camp.

Quick Visits Anytime

The consistent opening hours make it easy to fit an ice cream stop into any day, whether wandering the town or wrapping up a fun-filled outing.

Best for

Popular Family-Friendly Coffee Available Takeout Credit & Debit Cards Accessible Entrance Quick Visit

Guest sentiment

What People Feel

A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.

EB
Emily Berger 3 week ago

"Northern Expressions is the kind of place you stumble into and immediately feel like you’ve found buried treasure—except instead of gold, it’s ice cream and malts (which is honestly better). It’s connected to an adorable gift shop packed with trinkets you didn’t know you needed until now. The line looked intimidating at first, but moved faster than my self-control around dessert. The ice cream was amazing, and the malts? Life-changing. Everything we tried was a hit. Bonus points for the tiny kid-sized table—it’s like they knew our toddlers would need a throne. 10/10, would stand in line again."

GH
good Hassam 4 week ago

"Fantastic. Great store & even better ice cream & MALTS!!!"

BO
Ben Olson 1 month ago

"The 10,000 flavors order was hilarious!! Employees were super friendly and happy to help."

PB
Pete Blagoev 2 month ago

"Great ice cream shop, great flavors, and for prices. Had a nice little indoor area and benches outside. As a side bonus it's shaded outside I'm the afternoon. Malts looked good, but we'll have to try another time."

SS
Scott Smith 2 month ago

"The “rich and famous” flavor is some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had! They also have a cute little table for kids, my 2yr old loved it!"

J
Julia 2 month ago

"DELICIOUS ICE CREAM. I know people who’ve been coming here for 10 years every single summer on their camping trip. This ice cream store gives warm and welcoming energy and a must stop in Ely."

AA
Austin Adesso 2 month ago

"Amazing spot in Ely!! We need to support more locally owned businesses like this one. The ice cream was really incredible and the service was even better. Can’t wait to visit again!"

NL
Naomi Lindberg 2 month ago

"20+ ice cream flavors makes it hard to choose what to get, and they also have unique shake and sundae options. Always get a great treat there"

Visit info

When to Visit

Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.

Today Closed
Weekly hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Hours may change. Please confirm with the business before visiting.

Best time to visit

Open daily with consistent hours, planning a daytime visit ensures smooth service and fresh selections of ice cream and coffee.

Open 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily Weekday afternoons tend to be less busy Ideal for quick dessert stops and takeout orders Popular for afternoon treats and shakes

On the map

Where This Food Place Lives

Find your way to Northern Expressions in Minnesota .

Address 48 E Sheridan St, Ely, MN 55731, United States
Phone +1 218-365-5550
Area Minnesota
Call Address copied ✓

Questions answered

Food Place Questions

Find answers to common questions about Northern Expressions, a cozy ice cream and gift shop in Ely, MN.

Open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours may vary during holidays or special events, so it’s best to check before visiting.

Takeout service is available, but delivery is not offered. Onsite services allow enjoying ice cream in a casual, cozy setting.

Yes, the shop has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot, ensuring easy access for customers with mobility needs.

Payments can be made using credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payment methods for convenience.

Good for kids, the shop provides a small kid-sized table and popular options like gelato and sweet treats that appeal to children.

Top picks include Big Muddy Ice Cream, Gelato, Maple Ice Cream Shake with a Maple Cookie, and Dorothy’s Root Beer 6 Pack. Menu items may change seasonally.

There is no table service, but a small indoor seating area and outside benches offer a comfortable spot for a quick visit.

Yes, it combines an ice cream shop with a gift shop stocked with unique trinkets, making it a one-of-a-kind local stop.

Nearby brands

Related food places near Northern Expressions

Other casual restaurants and brands diners often visit in Minnesota.

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Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.