Several years ago, I asked a friend of mine, a Sault ex-pat living in Toronto, whether Sault Ste. Marie was worth the trip. I expected him to suggest, even be nostalgic about, at least one great experience to be had from his hometown. So I was surprised at his response: “Don’t even bother, nothing to see.”
As a travel writer and photographer at Travelmammal.com, I’m always inspired to find and experience both what the destination and the journey have to offer. But admittedly, and somewhat reluctantly, I listened to my friend and took his advice. Years passed before I realized that we were both wrong: he for what he said, I for believing him.
On a recent visit, I discovered that the Sault was quite the opposite of what my friend had made me believe. A put-your-feet-up, stay a while, enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavours type of town with history, art, and gorgeous natural beauty to boot.
In fact, I discovered eight incredible experiences that made me love Sault Ste. Marie—eight that will inspire you to experience them for yourselves!
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is incredible! From Sault. Ste. Marie, it heads north, deep into Canadian Shield country and inland to the Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park (ACWP) about 180 km away. The highlight along the way is the 130-foot-high, 1,500-foot-long curved Montreal River trestle. When the train reaches the park, you have 90 minutes to explore the 250-foot-high lookout, with trails that lead you to both the North and South Beaver Falls as well as the Bridal Veil Falls. It’s a must experience that combines both adventure and a picturesque beauty only this part of Canada can provide!
With 300 campsites and a 3-km beach with Caribbean-style blue waters, Pancake Bay Provincial Park is a must experience. Sand-filled and shallow, it has some of the warmest water anywhere along Lake Superior. Nearby you’ll find Batchawana Bay, another fun-in-the-sun gem. Get a great view of the bay by driving south on route 563. It’s off Highway 17 between Pancake Bay and Batchawana Bay Provincial Parks. On a clear day, the views are beautiful. Stick around because as day turns into night, the sunsets will leave you speechless!
Head north on Highway 17's Lake Superior coastal drive and you may feel as if you’re driving along California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Winding roads, warm breezes, pristine blue coastline, and rugged mountains can all be found on this stretch of the Trans-Canada as you go straight through Lake Superior Provincial Park. Expect to make several stops including Old Woman Bay and Katherine Cove. Both feature stunning cliffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes and crystal clear, turquoise water.
Another must-experience is Bathtub Island, a small, hidden gem that can only be found by a small trail opening in the forest along 17. You’ll figure out where it is as soon as you notice several parked cars along the side of the highway. If you decide to park, do it with care. After all, you’re parking on a two-lane highway.
Considered to be one of the more popular hikes near Sault Ste. Marie is the Robertson Cliffs hike. Experience some of the best lookout views in all of Ontario across a forest floor of maple and soft woods, which turn spectacular colours of red, orange and yellow in the fall, across the Goulais and Bellevue Valley and as far as Lake Superior. The hike is a challenging 45 minutes up, or a more leisurely 90 minutes longer route, which takes you past some scenic waterfalls.
Meanwhile, Agawa Rock is a hike that involves good timing, strong footing and a storied past. Climb down 100 feet, through rock chasms, sheer cliffs, and giant boulders before walking along a narrow stretch of rock, inches from the crashing waves coming from Superior. A sacred site that features 35 ancient Indigenous red ochre images, the slim path is only accessible when Lake Superior is calm (generally from May to September). Keep in mind that you must always respect the site, and be very cautious of the slippery rock ledge and unpredictability of the waves coming in. A tip: consider walking along the narrow passage barefoot for greater traction.
The city is already quaint, but is it walkable? You bet! There are many favourite walking routes that take you through both historic and lovely parts of the city, but one that’s a must for every visitor is the one along St. Mary’s River. Enjoy all the charms of a river walk thanks to a boardwalk that allows you enjoy various open air art installations along the way, plaques that illustrate the city’s history, national historic sites, and a waterfront park and pavilion dedicated to Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space!
In fact, why not make a half day of it and see almost all of the sights of Sault Ste. Marie by walking (or cycling) the John Rowswell Hub Trail! This 22.5km circular route of the city goes along the waterfront boardwalk, past the Canadian Heritage Bushplane Centre, Bellevue Park, Fort Creek Conservation Area and the Canal District. Get all the info about this route here!
40 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie and minutes away from Batchawana Bay, feel the rush from Chippewa Falls, a 25-foot waterfall that will astonish your eyes and ears! As you head back to the parking lot, watch for a plaque indicating that you’re standing smack dab in the middle of the entire Trans-Canada Highway, where east meets west along a stretch of road that’s over 7,800 km long!
Meanwhile about 25 minutes west of the city at Gros Cap Conservation Area, watch as Superior’s waters enter St. Mary’s River. A scenic spot with rocky cliffs and gorgeous vantage points, Gros Cap is one of those unique spots that fill your lungs with fresh air and feed your senses with spectacular views of Lake Superior and the sprawling, natural terrain of the region.
Located at the crossroads of the Great Lakes and a stone’s throw from the United States, it’s fair to say that this city is loaded with history! Head inside to the dynamic and fun Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, or stay outside and explore Whitefish Island as well as several National Historic Sites of Canada, including the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site (the world’s first electrically operated lock). You can also visit the 'Old Stone House' at Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and learn all about the war of 1812. Finally, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum tells the full history of the city from the earliest routes through to present day.
The food scene in Sault Ste. Marie has exploded in the last 5 years or so. Whereas previously the city was known primarily as a hub of Italian restaurants, now there are a huge range of eateries - and we still have great Italian options! To name but a few the Soo now can boast: Indian, Nepalese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Syrian, Indigenous-owned, Asian-fusion, breakfast cafes, soup eateries, steakhouses, pizzerias, Sushi bars, classic diners, microbrew pubs and Irish bars.
So, arrive with an appetite, click one of the below links, then feast away!
Take the trip. Look around. Discover and rediscover. There’s plenty to see. And much, much more!
