Sault Ste. Marie is a charming lakeside city on Michigan's Upper Peninsula with a rich maritime history and a bustling waterfront. Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes that change into spectacular dioramas with the changing seasons, Sault Ste. Marie is home to an array of things to see and do. Explore the world-renowned Soo Locks, historic lighthouses and cultural sites, the magnificent Tahquamenon Falls, and a variety of year-round recreational activities.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sault Ste. Marie is from late spring to early fall (May through October) for hiking and sightseeing. Winter also offers adventures like snowmobiling and ice fishing.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Sault Ste. Marie is accessible via I-75, about 5 hours north of Detroit and just across the bridge from Ontario, Canada.
- By Air: Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) offers regional flights connecting to major hubs like Detroit.
- By Train: While there’s no direct passenger train, Amtrak Thruway buses connect nearby towns to broader rail service.
Where to Stay
- Kewadin Sault Ste Marie Hotel for a relaxing stay.
- Hampton Inn Sault Ste. Marie for family-friendly lodging
Best Things to Do
1. Watch Ships Navigate the Soo Locks Up Close
I started my visit here because I love history and great views. The Soo Locks are a set of water locks that were built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that enables ships to move between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Constructed in the mid-1800s, the locks are fondly known as the ‘Linchpin of the Great Lakes’ and are an engineering marvel that draws thousands of tourists to see them every year.
The Soo Locks see thousands of vessels including barges, tugboats, and huge freighters, passing through each year, being lifted, and lowered the 21-foot difference between the two lakes.
Stop by the observation deck,named after General Douglas MacArthur, in the Soo Locks Park and admire fantastic views of ships passing through the working locks.
Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 906-632-3366, Map
2. Step Aboard and Explore Maritime History at Museum Ship Valley Camp
Next, see the Museum Ship Valley Camp dedicated to the lake freighter, SS Valley Camp that served on the Great Lakes for almost 50 years.
Visit the 550-foot-long vessel that is permanently docked on historic Water Street and features over 100 interesting exhibits that document the history of the freighter and the maritime heritage of Sault Ste. Marie.
You can explore the ship on guided tours, experience the crew’s quarters which housed 29 men, and take in the fascinating exhibits housed in the cargo hold.
Be sure to bring the kids! The Valley Camp also houses four aquariums showcasing a variety of fish species from the Great Lakes region. The Museum Ship Valley Camp is open to visitors from mid-May through Mid-October.
326 E Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Map
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
3. Climb to Panoramic Lake Views at Point Iroquois Light
Continue your tour at the Point Iroquois Light, a historic lighthouse on a bluff in the Chippewa County that marks the meeting point of the St. Marys River and Whitefish Bay.
The iconic lighthouse and the land on which it rests is part of the Hiawatha National Forest and is now a marine museum that documents the history of the lighthouse.
Take a look at the lighthouse museum which features a furnished apartment that housed the lighthouse keeper, exhibits of navigational aids and lighthouse technology, and a collection of historical photos, and is open to the public seasonally.
13042-13260 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715, Map
4. Cross the Border and Take in Stunning Views on the International Bridge
Take a scenic stroll on The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge which stretches across the St. Marys River to connect the United States and Canada. Just remember to bring your passport!
The iconic bridge links to the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario and is one of the busiest passenger crossings along the border.
Constructed in 1960 and opened to traffic two years later, the bridge is built with steel arch trusses with a suspended deck with double arches on the U.S. side crossing the four Soo Locks. If you decide to make it a road trip, I've written about my favorite attractions and destinations in Ontario.
934 Bridge Plaza, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 906-635-5255, Map
5. Visit Lake Superior State University Campus
Lake Superior State University is a vibrant learning institution with a 115-acre campus built on the historic site of Fort Brady that offers undergraduate degrees ranging from fisheries and wildlife management to engineering.
In addition to offering a first-class education on an international level, the university is renowned for a few unique traditions like the ‘Banished Words List, which is a list of words that are forbidden due to misuse and overuse.
Other traditions include the ringing of the Hoholik Victory Bell after home game victories; the blasting of the Ship's Horn after goals are scored at home games; and the Snowman Burning to celebrate the first day of Spring.
650 W Easterday Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 906-632-6841, Map
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
6. Visit Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church
Visit the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic Church in Michigan.
Also known as St. Mary Proto-Cathedral, the historic Roman Catholic church was once a cathedral and the first of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette.
Designed Canadian architect Joseph Connolly and erected in 1881, the present church is built in the Gothic Revival style and features many beautiful architectural and design elements.
The parish follows the faith traditions begun by Jesuit missionaries more than 350 years ago.
337 Maple St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 906-632-3381, Map
7. Step Back in Time at the River of History Museum
If you want to learn about local history, head to the River of History Museum. See exhibits about Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding waterways of the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including the culturally important St. Mary's River System.
Located on Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, the museum features 11 galleries with fascinating exhibits documenting the history of the river system from the Ice Age to the present day.
Exhibits tell the story of life next to and on the river, and the history of French fur traders and local Native Americans.
You can also admire a variety of artifacts relating to the river and its rich history on display. I liked the museum shop which sells books, educational gifts, and souvenirs.
531 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 906-632-1999, Map
8. Discover the Power Behind the Falls at Saint Mary’s Hydropower Plant
See The Saint Marys Falls Hydropower Plant, a hydroelectric generating plant that extracts water from the St. Marys River to create power for the Soo area.
Built in 1898, the hydropower plant is one of the oldest hydroelectric stations in the United States and features 74 generators together under a single span of roof.
The plant is constructed in the Classical Style spanning 1,340 feet in length along the banks of the St. Marys River. The Saint Marys Falls Hydropower Plant is listed as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 800-562-4953, Map
9. Catch a Show at Soo Theatre
See a show at the Soo Theatre, a community performing arts venue that presents an array of shows, including off-Broadway shows, theater, opera, and musical and dance recitals.
The venue originally opened in 1930 and presented a variety of major productions and full orchestral concerts until 1974 when it was converted into a two-screen movie theater.
The theater closed and fell into disrepair in 1998 and was later restored to its former glory as a performing arts venue by the Soo Theatre Project in 2005.
Today, the theater presents locally produced shows and offers a variety of classes in drama, dance, art, music, and yoga. You can see a show in a historic building.
Soo Theatre , 534 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: 906-632-1930, Map
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