A Weekend In Sault Ste. Marie
Located on the shore of the St. Marys River and at the heart of the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie offers some of the best attractions and scenery for wildlife seekers, adventure enthusiasts and leisure explorers alike.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, rich cultural experiences, or just to reconnect with nature, the city commonly known as “The Soo” can keep you entertained for days!
STAY
The Water Tower Inn
360 Great Northern Rd., Water Tower Inn
Conveniently located in the central part of the city, steps from shops and restaurants, The Water Tower Inn is the perfect “home away from home” when exploring the Algoma region. This family-friendly hotel has great amenities including two on-site restaurants, four indoor and outdoor pools, a health spa and many areas to sit and relax. The friendly staff are eager to make you feel welcome and comfortable during your stay.
EAT
Vibe Eatery & Juice Co.
112 March St., vibeeatery.ca
Within just months of opening their doors, this organic eatery has stepped up the culinary scene in The Soo with its 100% gluten-free, plant-based menu, and fresh, cold-pressed juices. We were told that nothing *beets* the scrumptious Beet Burger (it’s even been featured on TV), but if you’re there for breakfast, we highly recommend the vegan-friendly waffles with berry compote or the Avocado Smash Hippie Toast. Flavoured with lemon juice and sprinkled with chilli flakes, it will give you the kick you need to get your day started right.
Café Natura
75 Elgin St., cafenatura.ca
This unpretentious, healthy restaurant not only serves delicious vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, but has a Nutraceutical dispensary onsite, offering professional supplements (just in time for cold season). From smoothies and baked goods to comforting soups and daily specials, this eatery is a must-stop if you’re looking for a nutritious meal made from scratch. Insider tip: the chickpea chocolate chip cookies are highly addictive.
Water Tower Pub
360 Great Northern Rd.
Simply put, you can’t stay at the Water Tower Inn and not visit their pub. With a wide assortment of craft beers (16 to be exact) and live music on-site Wednesdays to Saturdays, the Water Tower Pub is a popular spot among locals. Come for the stone-baked thin-crust pizza, stay for the great tunes.
The Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse
ON-17, Batchawana Bay, voyageurslodge.com
North of Sault Ste. Marie, overlooking the Batchawana Bay, the lodge was originally opened to provide food for Canada’s first voyageurs. Today you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner while admiring beautiful views of the Batchawana Beach. Whitefish is their speciality (pro tip: Saturday night is all-you-can-eat-fish night), but the menu offers a long list of options for everyone (don’t leave without trying the bannocks).
DO
Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site
831 Queen St. E., saultstemarie.ca//Ermatinger-Clergue-National-Historic-Site
Touring the Ermatinger House and the Clergue Blockhouse will not only give you a strong sense of the city’s history and industrial development, but a peek into the life of the two gentlemen who helped shape the city into what it is today. From the mundane to the fascinating, each room is filled with exquisitely preserved relics and furniture, giving you a real sense of 19th-century life, just as if you have stepped into a time capsule.
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
50 Pim St., bushplane.com
This dynamic and colourful museum houses over 30 aircraft, flight simulators, and interactive activities that teach about the importance of bushplanes and aviation-based fire protection across the vast and diverse Canadian geography. Whether you decide to climb inside the aircraft or simply admire the beauty of these machines, you’ll find many ways to keep entertained.
Lake Superior Coastal Drive
Trans-Canada Highway
Considered one of Canada’s most scenic drives, the Lake Superior Coastal Drive up to Wawa is a big draw for Sault Ste. Marie. The Trans-Canada Highway travels along the coast of Lake Superior, offering breathtaking shoreline views. In warmer weather, you’ll find many opportunities to stop for a hike, swim, or picnic. Plan a stop at Chippewa Falls and take in the beauty that inspired Lawren Harris, one of the artists who belonged to the Group of Seven.
Hiawatha Highlands
1100 Fifth Line E., hiawathahighlands.com
The Hiawatha Highlands, also known as the Kinsmen Park, is a conservation area located just outside of downtown Sault Ste. Marie that offers 40 km of monitored wildlife trails, picnic grounds, playgrounds and beautiful waterfalls. Being the only trail system that is lit at night, this natural site is the most popular destination for hiking, biking, walking, cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
Agawa Canyon Train Tour*
129 Bay St., agawatrain.com
*The train operates daily from mid-June to mid-October.
Plan now and don’t miss the opportunity to experience one of the most scenic tours through iconic Northern Ontario landscapes! This one-day excursion takes you 186 km north to the Agawa Canyon where you get to explore and enjoy nature at its best.
Book this beautiful northern getaway and experience an outdoor action-packed adventure in Sault. Ste. Marie
