Sault Ste. Marie Michigan
- Major Airports:
- Sault Ste. Marie (YAM)
- MBS/Freeland (MBS)
- States:
- Michigan
Explore the sights of Michigan’s first city.
Maritime Majesty
Sault Ste. Marie is home to the Soo Locks – a canal system that uses water to raise and lower ships and other vessels six meters between Lake Superior and Lake Huron levels. Built 160 years ago, the locks provide passage for more than 8 million tons of grain, coal, iron ore and other important natural resources distributed throughout the Great Lakes region. Visitors can trace that path and explore the river aboard a Soo Locks Boat Tours vessel. Back on land, a picturesque park and informative visitor center is found at the Soo Locks complex. Visit Museum Ship Valley Camp – a retired shipping freighter that now houses hundreds of nautical exhibits – and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at the Whitefish Point Lighthouse. Climb to the top of Point Iroquois Lighthouse’s nearly 20-meter tower for sweeping views of Lake Superior and Sault Ste. Marie.
The Wonder of Nature
Lake Superior’s sparkling fresh water is enjoyed by swimmers, boaters and anglers. Its beaches and parks offer the perfect location for a leisurely walk or waterfront relaxation. Mother Nature is also on display at nearby Tahquamenon Falls State Park, where thundering waterfalls cascade over rocks. The Upper Falls drop more than 15 meters to the river below. The Lower Falls provide a succession of smaller falls, each more beautiful than the last. The park features hiking trails, rowboat rentals, and food and gifts for purchase. Go deep into the woods in the Hiawatha National Forest, the perfect place for hiking and wildlife viewing.
North American Culture
Native Americans were Sault Ste. Marie’s first residents, where they lived on the abundant foods found in the waters and woods surrounding the city. Tribes from near and far found a gathering place in the Soo. Today, visitors participate in this heritage by attending annual Pow Wow celebrations, visiting local museums and listening to native storytellers share the lives of their ancestors here at Bahwating – the native name for Sault Ste. Marie. Ascend the Tower of History’s 64 meters by swift elevator to marvel at the city stretching out below you all the way to the Canadian wilderness, then explore the two-level museum’s informative exhibits devoted to area culture.
Fun Fact

You can reach three Great Lakes – Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan – within an hour’s drive of Sault Ste. Marie.

The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians first settled the area.
Photo: Sault CVB

Sault Ste. Marie receives an average of 304 centimeters of snow annually.
Photo: Sault CVB

Nearby Experiences
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