The Agawa Canyon Tour Train and Beyond: A 50+ Traveller’s Guide to Sault Ste. Marie

If you’re old enough to remember the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles, this article is for you, but we’re expanding the modes of transportation for the fun of it. For travellers aged 50 plus, few destinations in Canada strike the balance of comfort, accessibility, and awe-inspiring natural beauty quite like Sault Ste. Marie. 

Why Sault Ste. Marie Is a Top Destination for 50+ Travellers

Whether you are travelling as an empty-nester couple, have your kids or parents in tow, or are flying solo, this Northern Ontario city invites visitors to explore by train, boat, bus, on foot, or by car, offering experiences to match every energy level and interest.

At the heart of it all is the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, a bucket-list experience that combines the romance of rail travel with the rugged landscapes that inspired some of Canada’s most emblematic art.

Agawa Canyon Tour Train: Ontario’s Iconic Rail Journey

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is more than a sightseeing excursion; it’s a chance to step back into a slower pace of life, while still enjoying modern comforts. Departing from the station in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, this 183 km (114-mile) rail journey carries passengers deep into the Canadian Shield, across towering trestles, past rushing rivers, and through dense northern forests that explode with colour in autumn.

For travellers who value ease and relaxation, the train offers comfortable, spacious coaches with large tinted windows. Settle in with a coffee or light meal, and let the scenery unfold. The train features GPS-triggered commentary that tells the story of the land, featuring those who shaped the region, from the Anishinaabe people to the fur traders, explorers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Cameras mounted on the locomotive beam forward-facing views to screens throughout the coaches, giving every passenger an engineer’s eye view. Special events on the Agawa Train, like the Sacred Pathways experience featuring Thrive Tours, enhance the journey.

The pace is unhurried. After about four hours, as anticipation builds, the train begins its dramatic descent into Agawa Canyon. Over the course of ten miles, the rail line drops 500 feet to the canyon floor.

Exploring Agawa Canyon Park: Trails, Waterfalls, and Lookouts

When the train comes to a stop, you’ll have 90 minutes to enjoy Agawa Canyon Park. The exclusivity is part of its magic, as it is only accessible by rail. For those who prefer gentle activity, there are flat walking paths leading to Black Beaver Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (made famous by Group of Seven Paintings). More adventurous visitors can climb the Lookout Trail’s 300 steps to be rewarded with a sweeping view of the canyon and train below.

Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park, and many travellers choose to bring their lunch off the train to enjoy in this natural amphitheatre. Whether you walk, rest, or photograph the scenery, you’ll leave with the sense of having stepped into a wilderness retreat far removed from daily life.

Group of Seven Inspiration Along the Agawa Canyon Route

The landscapes along the Agawa Canyon route are not only beautiful but historic. Members of the Group of Seven, including Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, and J.E.H. MacDonald, travelled this same railway in the early 20th century, renting a boxcar to use as their mobile studio. The paintings they produced introduced the world to the raw, rugged beauty of Northern Ontario. For art lovers, riding the train, which has even been referred to as the Group of Seven train, is like stepping into their canvases.

Why Ride the Agawa Canyon Tour Train? Scenic Highlights & History

The scenery, from vivid fall colours to rugged canyon walls, is nothing short of breathtaking. Tied to Indigenous history, Canadian exploration, and the legacy of the Group of Seven, this 10-hour round trip feels immersive yet manageable, often becoming the highlight of a Northern Ontario getaway.

See Sault Ste. Marie from the Water: Cruises, Canoes, and Top-Notch Fishing

The Sault also needs to be explored by the water that made it a notable trading location, and gave it its name (Sault means rapids in French). Choose your own adventure on the water by donning waders and getting a guide to fish for salmon in the rapids or paddle back in time in a replica 36-foot birch-bark big canoe to learn about the Metis and the region. Another great option is the Miss Marie Lock Tour, a two-hour cruise that takes passengers through both the Canadian and American Locks.

Big Ben Double-Decker Bus: Easy City Sightseeing for All Ages

The “Big Ben” Double-Decker Bus Tour makes city sightseeing easy. Operating Tuesday through Sunday, the bus runs hourly from the Roberta Bondar Pavilion and offers 13 hop-on, hop-off stops at museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants. With audio commentary and a walking-tour app in multiple languages, it’s a low-stress way to explore. The bus is also wheelchair accessible, making it inclusive for all travellers.

Sault Ste. Marie Cultural Attractions Pass: Museums, History, and Art Throughout the City

Culture seekers will appreciate the Sault Cultural Attractions Pass, which bundles admission to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (you knew we’d get “planes” in here somehow), the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, and the Art Gallery of Algoma. With 30 days to use the pass, you can enjoy these highlights at your own pace over a multi-day stay.

Exploring Sault Ste. Marie on Foot: Boardwalks, Parks, and Murals

Some contend that Sault Ste. Marie is best appreciated slowly. Stroll the waterfront boardwalk to Whitefish Island, and visit Parks Canada’s Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. The Sault Ste. Marie Canal, built in 1895, was the world’s longest lock, the first to operate using electricity, and has the world’s last remaining emergency swing dam. You can read more about the site in this Guide to the Sault Ste. Marie National Historic Site.

Downtown also proudly offers a number of colourful murals to enjoy and use as urban photo backdrops.

Bellevue Park is Sault Ste. Marie's best-known park. Located on the waterfront, it has multiple playground areas, including an adventure and sensory playground, 2.4 kilometres of asphalt walkway, and a quaint display greenhouse to visit.

For a deeper nature escape, the Hiawatha Highlands offer gentle trails through red pine forests, with birdwatching opportunities and fall foliage that rivals the canyon itself.

Day Trips by Car: Lake Superior, Agawa Pictographs, and More

One of the most spectacular views in the region by car is when you are headed north to see the mighty Lake Superior. Three possible day trips include hiking Ontario Parks’ Edmund Fitzgerald Trail, visiting the Agawa Pictographs, or exploring the smooth rocks of Lake Superior’s beaches, such as Sawpit Bay.

If you are inspired by the Group of Seven, you can also download the Moments of Algoma App for a driving tour of several Group of Seven paintings locations along the TransCanada Highway.

Dining in Sault Ste. Marie: Where To Eat After a Day of Exploring

Sault Ste. Marie’s dining scene blends local flavour with big-city variety, making it easy to cap off your day with a memorable meal. For a refined evening, Arturo Ristorante serves classic Italian dishes in the heart of downtown, while The Mill Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers fine steakhouse favourites in a historic stone building at the city’s Canal District. If you’re after something more relaxed, head next door to The Boiler Room for wood-fired pizza and pub-style comfort. Locals swear by Ernie’s Coffee Shop, a downtown diner with timeless charm and a surprising, chef-inspired menu featuring local flavours that you don't want to miss.

Sault Ste. Marie Travel for 50+: Comfort, Culture, and Adventure in One Place

Whether by train, boat, bus, (bushplane), on foot, and/or behind the wheel, Sault Ste. Marie invites travellers over 50 to discover its blend of history, culture, and nature at their own pace. The Agawa Canyon Tour Train may be the crown jewel, but the Sault’s variety of experiences ensures that every visitor, from art lover to nature enthusiast, solo explorer to couples, or a bigger group with multi-generations travelling together, will find something unforgettable.

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