One of Michigan’s most historic towns is Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. “Soo Michigan” as it is referenced by many locals, shares the same name with its Canadian counterpart across the St. Mary’s River in Sault Ste Marie Ontario.
Founded in 1667, Sault Ste. Marie is one of Michigan’s oldest towns. It has a deep history in the state of Michigan, with its proximity to Canada, as well as its role in the critical Great Lakes Shipping industry. Some must-visit spots during your visit:
Soo Locks
The most prominent piece of Sault Ste. Marie are the locks. Located downtown, visitors can watch near 1,000-foot freighters carrying iron ore, concrete, and other supplies in both directions upbound and downbound from Duluth, Minnesota all the way to the St. Lawrence Seaway. There is a visitors center where you can learn about how the locks work, with the raising and lowering of waters of the St. Mary’s River so ships can safely pass through.
Downtown
Across the street from the locks, the main downtown corridor of Portage Ave. offers dozens of shops, restaurants and bars. Find special Upper Peninsula and Great Lakes gifts, books and sweatshirts. There are also several lodging options downtown as well.
Soo Boat Tours
Visitors are able to get a tour of the locks and the St. Mary’s River by going on a Soo Boat Tour cruise. Tours go daily, depending on the shipping schedule. Additionally, there are amenities during your cruise, such as a snack bar. More information is here at https://www.famoussoolocks.com/.
Soo Brewing Company
A growing brewery in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Brewing Company offers local Upper Peninsula crafted micro beers. The brewery also offers a full menu with pizza, chicken, burgers, and appetizers. This highly successful brewery just moved into a new location on Portage Street.
Karl’s Cuisine
One of the gems of the Soo, Karl’s delivers an outstanding farm-to-table dining experience. Additionally, Karl’s has an upstairs dining patio to enjoy the nice summer weather and watch the freighters come in. Dishes are homemade, as is their craft beer and wine. Try the chicken club Stromboli!
Oh Crepe & Coffee
Located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Oh Crepe & Coffee offers a unique eating experience. The eatery offers a wide range of eclectic crepe offerings and coffee, including breakfast crepes as well as pizza crepes.
Bird’s Eye Outfitters
Bird’s Eye Outfitters is a unique shop offering a rare combination of beer, coffee, smoothies, and kayaks. Kayaks? Yes, as you wait for your smoothie to be made, browse their outdoor gear selection, with quality jackets and outerwear, and supplies. Additionally, Bird’s Eye offers guided kayak tours of the St. Mary’s River.