Located on St. Marys River between Canada and the US, this Ontario city has ski resorts, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and access to Lake Superior's hiking trails.
Sault Ste. Marie stretches along the St. Mary's River, which connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron. You'll find vintage water bombers at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, watch 1,000-foot freighters navigate the locks, and spot salmon jumping in the St. Mary's Rapids. In winter, skiers head to Searchmont Resort's slopes, while summer brings cyclists to the waterfront trails and music fans to Roberta Bondar Park's amphitheater.
Getting to the Sault
Air Canada and Porter Airlines operate daily flights between Sault Ste. Marie Airport and Toronto. By car, follow the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17), which connects to Thunder Bay in the west and Sudbury in the east. The International Bridge links the city to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Within the city, Sault Transit runs buses on nine routes, while the flat downtown area makes walking and cycling practical options.
Along the St. Mary's River
Walk the 2-kilometer boardwalk to watch anglers catch salmon in the rapids or see 1,000-foot freighters navigate the shipping channel. The Miss Marie cruise runs 90-minute tours along both the Canadian and American shores, passing under the International Bridge. At the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, you'll find the original 1895 lock system, where interpretive guides explain how boats first bypassed the rapids.
Four Seasons of Activities
Searchmont Resort has 21 ski runs from December to March, with four chairlifts and a terrain park. In summer, mountain bikers ride 23 kilometers of trails at Searchmont, plus additional single-track routes at Hiawatha and Crimson Ridge. The Bon Soo Winter Carnival in February brings ice carving competitions, polar bear swims, and snow slides to Clergue Park. From June through August, local bands perform weekly at Roberta Bondar Park's waterfront amphitheater.
Museums and Culture
The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre occupies a 1940s hangar with 29 aircraft, including restored water bombers and fire-fighting equipment. Visitors can try the flight simulator or watch films in the theater. The Art Gallery of Algoma rotates contemporary Canadian art exhibitions every two months across four galleries. At the Ermatinger-Clergue site, two 1800s stone buildings contain furniture, tools, and trading goods from the city's fur trading era.
The Agawa Canyon Train
The Agawa Canyon train runs daily from June to October, departing downtown at 8 AM. During the 10-hour round trip, you'll climb 500 feet through Canadian Shield rock formations and past clear lakes. The train stops for 90 minutes at the canyon, where you can walk to Bridal Veil and Black Beaver Falls or climb 300 steps to a lookout platform above the gorge.
