Sault Ste. Marie Trip Planner
Why Visit Sault Ste. Marie: Top Reasons & Highlights
Travelers love Sault Ste. Marie for its seamless blend of scenic nature and vibrant culture. Visitors enjoy hiking at Lake Superior Provincial Park, exploring the iconic Soo Locks, and experiencing local cuisines. Pilot simplifies planning by organizing these highlights into a cohesive trip experience. Sault Ste. Marie is approximately 5 hours by car from Detroit.
Sault Ste. Marie travel photos
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What to do in Sault Ste. Marie
With so much to do and so much to see, use Pilot to make your plan to make the most of your trip.
Explore top things to do
🥾 Agawa Canyon Train Tour: Stunning views, unforgettable experience. 🛶 Lake Superior: Ideal for kayaking and outdoor adventures. 🎨 Art Gallery of Algoma: Explore local artwork. 🐦 Birdwatching on Whitefish Island: A birdwatcher's paradise. 🌲 Hiawatha Highlands: Perfect for hiking and skiing. 🏛️ Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre: Discover aviation history. Use Pilot to create a seamless itinerary featuring these must-see spots.
Find the perfect neighborhood to stay in
- 🌲 Bellevue Park is loved for relaxing strolls and scenic views. - 🍴 Steelton has excellent Italian and Portuguese dining options. - 🎨 Downtown offers vibrant street art and unique shops. - 🏞️ Bellevue Park has great picnic areas and a charming pond. - 🛍️ The Station Mall is perfect for shopping enthusiasts. - 😊 Try Pilot to easily find great places to stay and hotel booking deals.
Discover the best food and drink
- 🍝 Try the Italian cuisine, a staple in Sault Ste. Marie with fresh pasta and hearty sauces. - 🥩 Look for venison dishes that showcase local flavors. - 🍕 Check out Aurora's and Giovanni's for unforgettable Italian meals. - 🍝 Casa Mexicana offers great Mexican-Italian fusion. Pilot can help you organize these culinary adventures with ease.
In popular culture
🗺️ "The Iceman" (2012) movie featured some scenes filmed around Sault Ste. Marie. 🎥 The city is a backdrop in several episodes of the TV series "Cardinal." 🎶 Mentioned in the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot. 📚 Author Beverly Cleary's book "The Luckiest Girl" includes a reference to Sault Ste. Marie. 📸 Local landmarks often appear in social media travel vlogs highlighting Great Lakes adventures.
Sault Ste. Marie at a glance
Start My Adventure
What reviews say
- Check the beautiful lake and wildlife views. - Enjoy the relaxed pace and friendly locals. - Avoid if you dislike cold winters. - Visit the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. - Explore the locks on a boat tour. - Great for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. - Be ready for small-town vibe; nightlife is limited. - Visit during the fall for stunning foliage.
What reddit says
- Travelers mention beautiful scenery and nature. - Must-see spots include the Agawa Canyon Tour Train and Soo Locks. - Local food that visitors rave about includes whitefish dinners. - Some say the city feels small but charming. - A hidden gem is the Bushplane Heritage Centre. - Be prepared for colder weather. - Outdoor activities like hiking are popular. - Some visitors suggest it's a good stopover point.
Travel tips and safety
- Sault Ste. Marie offers a genuine Northern Ontario experience with friendly locals. - Taxis and public transit are affordable. - Local hotels average around CAD $120 per night. - Enjoy traditional fish and chips for approximately CAD $15. - Note that it's illegal to solicit business from vehicles in motion. - Tipping is customary, around 15-20%. It's generally safe, but consult travel advisories for updated information as situations can change.
Getting around
- Public transit is reliable and covers major areas, but limited in frequency. Check schedules. - Rideshares and taxis are available. Rideshares are generally cheaper and quicker than taxis. - Downtown is very walkable; consider renting a bike for exploring trails. - Pilot can assist in organizing detailed itineraries and walking routes for a seamless experience.
How much it costs to visit
- Budget travel in Vancouver costs around $80-100 per day. Expect prices like $20-30 for dorm-style accommodation and $10-15 per meal at budget-friendly spots. Day passes for public transit are about $8. - Mid-range options run from $150-250 per day. Comfortable hotels or Airbnb rentals are about $70-120. Enjoy meals at nice cafes or casual restaurants for $15-30 each. Activities like visiting museums or renting a bike cost around $15-30. - Luxury travel might cost $350+ per day. A night at a high-end hotel is around $200-300. Fine dining meals can cost between $50-100 each. Private tours or unique experiences start at about $50-100. Remember, prices vary at different times of the year and during large events. Check Pilot to find current rates for hotels and activities.
What to do if you only have one day to visit
🌅 Start your day with a sunrise walk along the St. Marys River waterfront. It's peaceful and sets a nice tone. 🥞 Grab breakfast at a local favorite, The Breakfast Pig, known for its hearty meals. 🏞️ Head to Whitefish Island for a morning hike. It's a serene spot to enjoy nature. 🚴 Rent a bike and explore the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. It’s rich in history and great for photos. 🍴 Enjoy lunch at Muio's Restaurant. They have been a staple in the community for years. 🏛️ Discover fascinating exhibits at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. It’s a hit with aviation fans. ☕ Relax with a coffee at Shabby Motley, a cozy spot to unwind. 🌄 End your day at Bellevue Park for a lovely sunset and a stroll through their gardens. You can use Pilot to easily generate and map an itinerary like this for you for free in just a few clicks.
What to do if it rains
- ☔️ Check out the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. You’ll stay dry while exploring aviation history. - 🎨 Visit the Art Gallery of Algoma for a cozy afternoon with local and interactive exhibits. - 🍺 Head to a craft brewery for a beer tasting and some delicious local bites. - 📚 Browse the shelves at one of the local independent bookstores to find your next great read. - 🎬 Catch a movie at the Galaxy Cinemas—perfect excuse to enjoy popcorn and chill. - 🛍️ Explore the Station Mall for some shopping or just strolling around. - 🧩 Try an escape room adventure; it’s a challenging and fun way to team up and crack codes. - 🍲 Have a leisurely meal at a local restaurant known for its hearty fare. Stay dry and have fun!
When to visit and how many days to spend
- Best time to visit: May to September - Pleasant temps: 15-25°C, 59-77°F - Ideal for hiking, kayaking, and scenic drives - Avoid January to February - Cold, snowy: -10 to -15°C, 14 to 5°F - Lake-effect snowfall common - Mixed forest biome: cool, short summers; long, snowy winters - Enjoy vibrant fall foliage in October - Experience vibrant festivals in summer - Dress warmly for harsh winters
How to find events during your stay
- Visit SooToday for up-to-date information on local events: sootoday.com - Check the Sault Ste. Marie City Portal for cultural events: saultstemarie.ca - Follow @saulttourism on Instagram for event highlights and travel tips. - Look at Algoma News for community happenings and festival information: algomanews.com - Browse the events section on Sault Ste. Marie's official tourism site: saulttourism.com/events - Connect with @TheNorthernView on Twitter for local culture updates.
Before your trip, read the history
Sault Ste. Marie, one of the oldest settlements in North America, was established in 1668 by French Jesuit missionaries. It’s a site with rich indigenous roots, home to the Anishinaabe people long before European explorers arrived. The city straddles the border between Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Ontario, Canada, bisected by the St. Marys River. This strategic location made it an essential hub for the fur trade and later, shipping. The St. Marys River is a natural marvel, connecting the Great Lakes of Superior and Huron, and it’s this waterway that gives the city its name, which means "Rapids of Saint Mary" in French. Culturally, Sault Ste. Marie has a history shaped by its indigenous, French, and British influences. Politically, it has been a quiet corner, with a strong trend towards local Democratic support in Michigan, with continued ties to its Canadian counterpart across the border. Historically noteworthy figures include Father Jacques Marquette, who founded the settlement, and its significance grew with the building of the Soo Locks, crucial for maritime traffic in the region. Visitors often find themselves exploring the city’s rich past through its museums and enjoying the vibrant multi-cultural heritage that persists today, making it an engaging destination for history enthusiasts.
