Things To Do in Sault Ste. Marie

Many of Sault Ste. Marie's major attractions are concentrated Downtown, and maximize its relationship to the waterfront. Restaurants, bars, unique shops and professional business line the city's main drag, Queen Street. Additionally, there are day-trip attractions accessible by car or rail, located within several hours from Sault Ste. Marie. For a full experience of "the Soo," Canada's twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in the state's upper peninsula, full of maritime opportunities, a casino and restaurants.

Inside Downtown--The waterfront is crown jewel of Sault Ste. Marie. Visitors are entranced with the natural beauty -- the "naturally gifted city," as it's nicknamed -- and there are numerous accommodations and points of interest.

A good place to start exploring this beautiful city is at the Waterfront Boardwalk, along the St. Mary's River in downtown, and which stretches from the Great Lake Power Plant on Canal Drive to Roberta Bondar Park, and ends at the Civic Centre on Foster Drive. Cyclists, walkers, joggers, tourists, and fishing enthusiasts all vie for space on this expanse. Historic plaques along the way highlight the stories of the twin Saults -- that is, Sault Ste. Marie Canada, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Take in the sights of boats passing by, the International Bridge connecting Ontario to Michigan, and the skyline. Observation and fishing platforms are located along the way.

Museum Ship Norgoma at Roberta Bondar Park and Tent Pavillion, Foster Dr. (tel. 705/759-5310; www.city.sault-ste-marie.on.ca/csd/reccult/pavilion.htm) is the last passenger vessel/ferry constructed on the Great Lakes. It is a huge landmark downtown and served the run from Owen Sound to Sault Ste. Marie from 1950 to 1963 and then served as an auto ferry until her retirement in 1974. It's now open for tours, which are guided and take about 45 minutes. The park includes a tent pavilion with a 350 foot backlit art mural, called Meeting Place. The park and pavilion host all kinds of entertainment, including concerts and festivals, and a farmers market operates from July through October on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The Roberta Bondar Marina is located next to the tent pavilion and offers 38 slips and 450 feet of dock-face for those who would like take less traditional mode of transportation, perfectly applicable here, in this riverside city. In the summertime, the park is the site of a Salmon Derby and Festival. While you're at the park's tent pavilion, start your visit off with a trip around the city by water. Lock Tours Boat Cruises, off Foster Dr. (tel. 877/226-3665; 705/253-9850; www.locktours.com) is located right next to the tent pavilion. Get on board and experience the last sixteen "steps" of the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Seaway system, which connects Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, with the Atlantic Ocean. Passengers can experience the 21-foot drop difference between the levels of Lake Huron and Superior and see Algoma Steel, the International Bridge, and the world's largest jackknife railway bridge on this two-hour tour. Tours run at least twice a day, rain or shine, and cost $24.50 for adults; $19.50 children 13-18; $12.50 for kids 5-12; free for children 4 and under. Lock Tours also operates breakfast and dinner buffet cruises from May 15 through October 15, ranging in price from $35-$54. All prices include tax.

Money Money Money: Spend Your Dough in Sault Ste. Marie--The twin Soos are both home to casinos, an undeniable tourist attraction. Casino Sault Ste. Marie, 30 Bay St. (tel. 800/826-8946) features 450 slot machines running from five cents to five dollars, and 21 table games. It is one of Canada's many charity casinos. Across the bridge in Michigan try your luck at Kewadin Casinos, 2186 Shunk Rd. (tel. 800/KEWADIN; www.kewadin.com). Kewadin also has a hotel, three different dining spots, and entertainment, including Dreammakers Theatre, which has seen the likes of Kenny Rogers, Smokey Robinson and Loretta Lynn. The Station Mall, 239 Bay St. (tel.888/277-6880, 705/946-7239; www.thestationmall.com) positioned right on the waterfront, is the largest mall in northeastern Ontario, with over 120 stores, including Sears and Zellers, an arcade, movie theater, food court, and restaurants. There's also a post office and currency exchange -- helpful for visitors.

Tickets for some events in Ontario are sold through Ticketmaster (tel. 705/715-6000; www.ticketmaster.ca). Tickets for most events in Sault Ste. Marie, however, can be purchased directly from the venues.

The Performing Arts-- Established in 1948, the Sault Theater Workshop (tel. 705/946-4081; www.saulttheatre.com) is community theater at its best with a variety of musicals, drama, one-act plays, suitable for the family, with special shows around the holidays, such as A Christmas Carol. Algoma Conservatory of Music (tel. 705/253-4373; www.algomaconservatory.com), connected with Algoma University, is responsible for much of the music education in the Sault area. Their concert series regularly brings touring artists and ensembles to audiences. Additionally the four choirs and three youth orchestras frequently perform. One of the longstanding arts staples is the Sault Symphony, 121 Brock St. (tel. 705/945-5337; www.saultsymphony.com), which performs a variety of concerts around the city, including an annual summertime series at the Roberta Bondar Tent Pavilion called Bratwurst, Beer and Beethoven.

The Bar & Club Scene-- To find out what's happening, pick up a copy of the Sault Star, or check their website at www.saultstar.com. A new sports and entertainment arena Sault Ste. Marie Sports and Entertainment Center (tel. 705/759-2500; www.city.sault-ste-marie.on.ca) is slated to open August 2006. It will seat 5000 when used for ice events (the Soo Greyhounds, a minor league hockey club, will make their home there) and concerts, conferences and tradeshows.

For an eclectic experience that melds art, music and food, check out the stylish lounge and gallery Loplops, 651 Queen St. E. (tel. 705/945-0754; www.loplops.com), which opened in late 2003. Husband and wife owners Stephen Alexander and Jennifer Bellerose, inspired by their travels, created an environment that celebrates fine art, food, wine, and music. The blackened steel bar and exposed beams echo the area's history as a steel town. Two galleries of contemporary and local art, an award-winning wine list, and jazz, blues, Celtic, bluegrass and folk music from Thursday through Saturday nights keep people coming. Another favored hangout, just a few steps away, is the Downbeat Lounge, 740 East Queen St. (tel. 705/256-8844; www.downbeatlounge.com), an intimate club with retro decor that offers a variety of entertainment from ska to rock to pop most nights and an inventive martini list. Right on the waterfront, located at the Roberta Bondar Park is a popular spot called Docks Riverfront Grill, 89 Foster Dr. (tel. 705/256-6868), is a bar and restaurant with pool tables and an outdoor patio serving Canadian and American fare, located between the Tent Pavilion and City Hall. Weekend entertainment is all deejays and dancing, but there is live jazz on Thursdays and an "easy listening" rock band on Wednesday nights. For local flavor and an alternative to the bar scene, or just a sweet evening snack, try The Steamy Bean Coffee Company, 357 Great Northern Rd., (tel. 705/253-9690; http://thesteamybean.com). Serving a wide variety of coffee, tea, and espresso-based drinks, the Steamy Bean is a perfect spot, too, for morning java, afternoon snack, or evening dessert; they serve alcohol, light lunch meals such as soups and salads, and lots of chocolate desserts. Sunday and Monday nights are reserved for live, local acoustic music -- so as to not compete with the bars and give people something to do all nights of the week -- and are often booked months in advance.