Every city, town or village can be turned into an ABC adventure! If visiting for a day, choose one letter, or see if you can complete the whole alphabet. If you return to this location you can always choose a new letter or change up the way you choose to see things. The options are as endless as your imagination. Here is an example of how we have explored the Sault Saint Marie area over a period of years and decades. How will you plan your adventure?
A-Agawa Train Tour This is a beautiful, scenic journey which should be made at least once in a lifetime. At 9-10 hours long, it is a full day of adventure. The train travels along waterways and through the beautiful Agawa canyon. At the end of the line, passengers may disembark to explore the unspoiled beauty for about 90 minutes before the 4 1/2 hour return journey. This area is only accessible by train. We have done this journey a couple of times in different seasons. https://agawatrain.com/
Other A themed ideas might include getting active (hike, bike, golf, snowboard, ski etc)/ Alpine Chocolate/architecture/Alberta House (art displays)/Alford Park/Ashmun Creek Nature Trail
B-Boat Tour The best way to experience the locks is to sail through them! Boat tours of the locks have been sailing since 1934. It was 1994 before we had the chance to experience them in this way. Our sons were still quite young when we did the tour, but this was a great way to sneak in a little education while having fun. https://www.originalsoolocktours.com
Other B themed ideas: Bishop Baraga House/ Bridge (International)/Bird’s Eye Outfitters (kayak through the locks)/Blue Heron Charters (fishing)/Bailey Lagerstrom Nature Preserve/BARmuda Triangle (brew pubs)
C-Chippewa County Courthouse Built in 1877 for the astronomical sum of $20,000 this building was a huge investment in a thriving community. It was designated as a historic building on the National Registry of Deeds in 1987, making this one of the oldest buildings in the state of Michigan. The walls are two feet thick! The memorial stone on the lawn of the Courthouse is in memory of Reverend Abel Bingham, Baptist Missionary to the Indians and forerunner of the First Baptist Church founded in 1855 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Other C themed ideas: Cultures (specifically Ojibway and Cherokee)/Church ( Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church)/Charter Fishing
D-Dine & Drink There are many great places to eat in Sault St. Marie. Here are our top 3 recommendations:
Karl’s Cuisine, Winery and Brewery- “A taste of the good life”. A great place for fish dishes. https://www.karlscuisine.com/menus
Lock View Restaurant-Across from the locks. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with some of the freshest fish in the area! https://www.thelockviewrestaurant.net/menu
Wicked Sister-The Wicked Sister is sort of like a backward mullet: Party in the front, business in in the back. Our mission is to be playful & fun, but we’re always serious about delicious, creative food using fresh ingredients and made from scratch dishes. With such a talented crew (in the front & back), we get to have fun without taking ourselves too seriously. Lots of interesting food items, but they specialize in burgers. www.https://www.wickedsistersault.com/menu
Other D themed ideas:
E-Established There are several memorial stones on Courthouse lawn which demonstrate the establishment of the area. On the steps of the courthouse there is a marker representing the original construction at1877. A second stone dated 1904 was placed at the site following construction on the building. The “time capsule” inside held bonds dated 1876, pictures, business cards of each elected officer, a bottle of champagne, a 1904 Evening News, a Marquette Mining Journal, a Lake Superior News, a Northern Tribune, the Sault Star, and coins. The original plan was rectangular, the addition turned it into a T shape. The entire structure was completely renovated and refreshed with new paint, doors and windows in 1980. At that time the clock face was also repaired.
F-Find the Freighters From big to small, the boats and ships must pass through the locks to move between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. They bypass the rapids of the St. Lawrence river, where the water falls 21 feet (6.4 m). The locks pass an average of 10,000 ships per year, despite being closed during the winter from January through March, when ice shuts down shipping on the Great Lakes. Hoping to spot one of the 1,000 foot freighters? You can track them here. https://www.saultstemarie.com/things-to-do/finding-freighters/
Other F themed ideas: Fort Brady
G-George Kemp Marina Located within walking distance of downtown, this is a great place to dock if you are arriving by boat, The tidy marina is situated just east of the downtown area and offers a nice little green space if you just want to do some boat watching.
Other G themed ideas: Great Lakes/Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Canadian side)/golf
H-Hydroelectric Plant
The Edison Hydroelectric Plant was once the second largest power generator in the USA! Operational since 1902, this is one of the oldest hydroelectric plants in the United States. This century (+) plant combines historic architecture with modern technology to successfully generate 25 to 30 MW of electricity when operating at full load. Now recognized as a historic landmark in Sault Ste. Marie, the beautiful sandstone building was crafted more than a century ago by Italian masons who used the stone from the canal, which they began excavating to build the locks in 1885. At peak operation, the plant discharges approximately 30,000 cfs of water, which is equivalent to about 13.5 million gallons per minute.
Other H themed ideas: Hiawatha National Forest/Historic Homes/Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Office
International Bridge Opened in 1962, the three-arch Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge spans the St. Mary’s River, connecting the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The bridge is the only fixed link crossing between the two countries within 1,000 kilometers and it is an important trade route between key American and Canadian markets via Interstate 75 and the Trans-Canada Highway. On average, about 1,900 million vehicles cross the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge every year.
Other I themed ideas: Ice Cream/ Iva Biggen Charters (Charter fishing)
J-John Johnston House Visitors can tour the home of John Johnston, one of the first European settlers to the area. John Johnston, a native of Ireland, immigrated to Canada in 1785 and made a very successful living in the fur trade.
He was married in 1793 to Ozhahguscodaywayquay, daughter of Waubojeeg, the leader of the Chippewa. The couple moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1793 where they constructed a home, part of which is currently on display. See Ozhahguscodaywayquay’s statue in her beloved garden beside the Johnston home.
This historic home has been preserved to offer a glimpse into the lives of the early fur traders and settlers. Many items were originally from the Johnson family.
Other J themed ideas:
K-Kemp Coal Dock Office
The Kemp Coal Dock Office Building was built in 1904 by Sault businessman George Kemp. He owned all of the waterfront property between the Cloverland power house and the Coast Guard Station. In 1917 Kemp turned his coal business over to his sons and the building became the office for Kemp Brothers Coal Company, which operated in the Sault until 1959.
In 1960 the property was given the City of Sault Ste. Marie and developed for a variety of tourist related businesses. In 2007 the Coal Company office building was opened as the Kemp Industrial Museum.
Drawn by the natural resources of the region, access to transformation and energy (from the Cloverland power house) the Union Carbide, Northwestern Leather Company, Soo Woolen Mil and Cadillac-Soo Lumber Company became the major employers of the Sault.
AS Local resources grew scarce and the processing and product demands changed the Sault’s major industries were no longer viable. All had shut down by the early 1960’s. It is these industries that are remembered in the Kemp Industrial Museum.
Other K themed ideas: Kewadin Casino (nearby but not in Sault Ste Marie)
L-Locks
Other L themed ideas: Lake Superior State University-Cisler Center/Lockside Mini Golf/Lynn Trail System
M-Museum Ship Valley Camp
Other M themed ideas: Monocle Lake Hiking Path
N-Nature
Other N themed ideas: Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures/Nicolet Shores Charter Fishing/North Country Trail/Naomikong Overlook/Northwind Fishing Charters
O-Ojibway Learning Center and Library
P-Point Iroquois Lighthouse Just a short drive westward from Sault Ste. Marie. This historic Lake Superior beacon isn’t just a must-stop attraction during the summer, it is also a great winter attraction.
Q
R-River of History Museum This is a small museum dedicated to the history of the Saint Mary’s river. Development of Sault Saint Marie is covered from the glacial period to the present day. Information on the French, Native American, fur trading, lumbering and fishing is offered through short videos and hands on exhibits. 531 Ashmun Street, Sault St. Marie, Michigan (906) 632-1999 http://riverofhistory.org/
Other R themed ideas: Rotary Island Park/Round Island Point Nature Preserve
S-Statues-There are many amazing statues to see scattered throughout the town. Many represent the history and/or connection to the Native American culture. Since we were only there for a short time, we only had the ability to take in two. These are located in front of the Courthouse.
The Crane of the Sault-The statue depicts the Chippewa Legend of two young brothers who fled their wicked mother, who was pursuing them with the intent to kill them. When they reached the north shore of the St. Marys Rapids they were met by a crane, who, after hearing their story, carried them to the south shore of the rapids. The Crane then met the mother on the north shore and agreed to transport her to the other side. Instead, the crane dropped the mother in the rapids. When she hit the stones below, the mother’s skull cracked open and her brains became the whitefish that inhabit the rapids to this day. The crane adopted the boys and one of them remained in the area, married the daughter of the crane, and founded Bahweting.
The Wolf of Rome
Other S Themed ideas: Sault Seal Recreation Area/Shopping/Sherman Park/Sault Tribe of Chiippewa Indians Interpretive Center/Soo Fishing Charters/Soo Locks Park/Spirit Stone Trail
T-Tower of History This is a great place to get a birds eye view of the area. Towering 250 feet, the building is a prominent feature of the area. Originally built in 1968 by the Catholic church, the building was intended to be a shrine to the Missionaries which served here. Eventually the project was discarded and the tower was turned over to the city in 1980. Today it serves as a museum for both local and Native history.
Other T themed ideas: Theater (Soo Theater Project)/Trout Lake Pathway/True North Guide Service (fly fishing)
U-US Weather Bureau
V-Veterans Memorial
Other V themed ideas: Voyageur Island
W-Water Street Historic Block (Walking Tour)
Other W themed ideas: Winery
X
Y-Yooper A native or resident of the Upper Peninsula
Z-Zak and Mac’s Chocolate Haus As you finish your tour, indulge your sweet tooth with a scoop or two of ice cream. There are over 30 flavors to choose from! If fudge, popcorn or taffy are more to your liking, you can find that here also. This delightful business has been around since the 1960’s.