There’s something special happening in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario that is quite unique in the province, if not the country. With St. Marys River and Lake Superior at its doorstep, numerous parks, and boundless beaches, it’s a hotspot for outdoor lovers. Combine that with Indigenous experiences that are accessible and truly awakening, this is 100% a road trip worthy destination.
While this northern Ontario city is quite the long drive, we made it a point to show that it’s entirely do-able in a 4 day itinerary. Through our experiences, we’ve picked out 11 things to do in Sault Ste. Marie that will make you love this region as much as we did.
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Where to stay in Sault Ste Marie?
- At the bottom of this article, there’s several recommendations for where you can stay. We stayed at the Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront that is an excellent choice.
Here's what we're covering:
- Where is Sault Ste. Marie?
- Best Things To Do in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- 1. Attend a pow wow
- 2. See the Agawa Rock Pictographs
- 3. Explore the murals in downtown Sault Ste. Marie
- 4. Learn the history of the Shingwauk Residential School
- 5. Relax at Katherine Cove and Bathtub Island
- 6. Hike Pinguisibi/Sand River Trail
- 7. Watch the sunset at Gros Cap Bluffs
- 8. Lake Superior Coastal Drive
- 9. Explore Whitefish Island
- 10. Kayak St. Marys River
- 11. Chow on fish fry at Chummy’s Grill
- Map of Where To Go in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Where to Stay in Sault Ste. Marie
- Closing Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sault Ste. Marie?
Before we jump into our favourite activities and sights in Sault Ste. Marie, it’s worth quickly showing you where it actually is and why there may be some confusion sometimes.
Sault Ste. Marie is the same name on both sides of the border in Michigan and Ontario with the International Bridge connecting the two and both sit adjacent to St. Marys River which connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing on Sault Ste. Marie in Canada.
Popularly called “the Sault” or simply “the Soo”, this is the territory of the Ojibwe who call it Bawating meaning “place of the rapids”.
From Toronto, this is a 7.5 hour drive, 8.5 hours from Ottawa, and 6.5 hours from London (if you go through Michigan).
We would also like to acknowledge that during our visit to Sault Ste. Marie, we were in Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and that the land on which we visited is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, specifically the Batchawana and Garden River First Nations, as well as Métis People.
Best Things To Do in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Whether you’re a first time visitor or you’ve been before, the beautiful Northwestern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie has a lot to offer. The Soo is a city that’s surrounded by enormous natural beauty and is an incredible place to learn more about Indigenous culture.
As our very first time, we wanted to build an authentic 4 day itinerary for those driving in from the GTA or anywhere in southern Ontario. Yes, there’s a lot of driving but it’s surprisingly easy.
Whether you do this as a long weekend getaway like what we did or you plan it as a larger road trip, these are our top picks for best things to do in and around the city if you’re looking for outdoor adventure, and want to learn more about the Indigenous spirit, history, and future.
The list is, in by no means, any particular order so feel free to mix and match the things you’d like to see, do, and eat in Sault Ste. Marie.
Somewhere we started with for much of our research came from Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.
1. Attend a pow wow
Pow wows are cultural gatherings that are all about celebrating Indigenous culture, reconnecting the community, reviving the spirit, and ultimately having a lot of fun.
The best way to go to your first pow wow is by embarking on a guided eco-tour and educational experience with Thrive Tours, an Indigenous-owned business in Sault Ste. Marie. This is a great way for not only travellers but also locals, Indigenous and non-indigenous to learn how to pow wow.
Attending a pow wow is more than just being there to watch but with Thrive Tours, you become part of the celebration and you’ll also gain a much better appreciation of Indigenous culture and history.
During the experience, you’ll be able go through a tradition called smudging, honour the sacred fire with a tobacco offering, participate in inter tribal dances, eat locally made food, chat with members of First Nations, and celebrate the winners of the competitions.
With the beating of the drum, reverberating song, and skilled dancing, it’s a palpable energy that’ll touch your mind and spirit.
When planning your visit to Sault Ste. Marie, we highly encourage you to plan around a pow wow. They happen several times a year and between different First Nations. The one we had a chance to visit in August was the Garden River First Nations Pow Wow.
Learn more about Indigenous tourism in Sault Ste. Marie to find out other ways to explore and connect.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
There are pow wows that happen in Ontario throughout the year including in and around Sault Ste. Marie. As they occur on specific dates, it’s worth noting the ones you’re interested in and building a trip around them.
How do you find Pow wows?: There isn’t a central calendar for them all but make sure to visit websites such as the Pow wows calendar by Northern Ontario and Canadian pow wows by Destination Indigenous. They’re not always the most complete so it’s worth referencing multiple sources.
Learn how to Pow wow: Thrive Tours offers Learn to Pow Wow Tours.
Tips: Make sure to read our experience at the Garden River First Nation Pow Wow and what you should know about going to your first pow wow.
2. See the Agawa Rock Pictographs
Outlasting time, freezing and thawing of ice, beating sun, and pummelling rain are the sacred Agawa Rock Pictographs within Lake Superior Provincial Park that provide a connection to the past.
Generations of Ojibwe spiritual leaders came to this rock to record dreams, visions and events. Etched in crimson are canoes, fish, moose, crane, eagle, turtle, horse, bears, caribou, serpents, and mythical creatures.
One of the most recognizable painting is of Mishipeshu, a spined-horned lynx and spirit of the water.
To get to the pictographs, there’s a short but steep descent through the woods, rocky chasms, and boulders that eventually opens up to Lake Superior.
With the help of ropes and chains, you’ll navigate to the pictographs while carefully avoiding the downward sloping and slippery rock. With the numerous rescue ropes and lifebuoy, it’ll be clear that you need to take this part seriously.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Agawa Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park
Open: Mid-May to mid-September
Distance: 0.5 kilometres (0.3 miles) loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: Plan to spend 2 to 2.5 hours here.
Price: Daily vehicle permit (DVP) is $15.50 including tax. Note that this pass can be purchased at any of the provincial parks and is valid for any that you visit for the day. You can purchase the permit at the Agawa Bay Visitor Centre, Gatehouse, or the Park Office. Visit the Ontario Parks day use fees.
Website: Lake Superior Provincial Park
Parking: There are officially 26 parking spots plus 5 lanes for long vehicles such as RVs and buses.
Tips:
- As this is a sacred site, respect and preserve the pictographs by not touching them.
- While the hike itself isn’t long nor is it particularly technical, it does require so care as there are rocks you will need to balance yourself on and also stairs that you’ll have to take (some with steep height differences).
- Before you go down to see the pictographs, take a photo of the plaque which has them labelled with what they’re supposed to represent. This way, you know what to look for when you’re there.
- Once you take the stairs down to the pictographs, you’ll have to use extreme caution. Even with the best hiking shoes like the Arc’teryx Aerios AR Mid GTX Boot that has the Vibram XS-Trek outsole, the granite rock can be deceptively grippy but if wet will be very slippery.
- Use the rope and/or chains as you make your way across and stop when they end.
- Avoid coming here if it’s raining. The rock is a lot more slippery than you think.
- When there are a lot of people, you will either have to stay patient, or cross over other people as you try to make your way in or out. Stay as cautious as possible.
- If you buy a DVP in advance online, it’s only valid for the park they were purchased for. That’s why we recommend you buy the pass on-site.
3. Explore the murals in downtown Sault Ste. Marie
Something that’s quite noticeable in downtown Sault Ste. Marie is the amount of vibrant art that’s on display in the community. In 2019, the city commissioned the creation of murals including talented Indigenous artists.
There are a total of 13 murals, 5 of which were part of a project with FutureSSM as part of a downtown revitalization project.
Whether you’re staying at the Delta or you park along Queen Street East, the beauty of the murals is that they are close proximity to each other and you can easily string several or all of them together.
Each mural is culturally significant, meaningful, and vivid. Makes sure to read all about them in the walking tour guide of the murals.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Various locations throughout downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Price: Free to visit.
Parking: There is plenty of street parking around but in the weekday 8AM – 6PM, you have to pay. For free parking, come in the evening or park at the nearby Station Mall.
Tips:
- On Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, there’s a full walking tour of the murals that starts by the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and ends at the Agawa Canyon Tour Train depot.
- You don’t have to visit all the murals so feel free to pick and choose where to go.
4. Learn the history of the Shingwauk Residential School
Canada’s dark past is brought to light in an eye-opening, thoughtful-provoking, and hopeful tour of the Shingwauk Residential School.
To learn more about the history of this residential school, we encourage you to reach out to Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC) to do one of their site tours. These tours are by appointment only and must be booked two weeks in advance. They are restarting these tours starting early October 2022. These are free but donations via their website are welcome.
Across the street from the residential school is Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), one of 9 Indigenous institutes of higher learning which is right across the street. This is a fitting juxtaposition of an institution with an unsettling history with one of hope and understanding.
If you’re lucky enough to visit, notice that the centre roof is representative of a teaching lodge which is representative of a mother’s womb.
For tours of SKG, you can arrange them directly by e-mailing them at [email protected].
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 1520 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Parking: Parking is free at Algoma University.
Tips:
- We recommend doing your own research ahead of time so that you can come prepared with questions of your own.
5. Relax at Katherine Cove and Bathtub Island
Located within Lake Superior Provincial Park, this is a popular cove for its sandy beach, crystal clear waters, convenient picnic tables, access to the Coastal Trail, and a launch point for canoeists.
This is one of those spots that you would easily miss if you didn’t do your research but is a favourite for anyone passing through the park.
Often tied to Katherine Cove is the not-so-secret Bathtub Island. This isn’t the island that you can see from the cove (that’s Lizard Island) but is in fact around the coast towards the south.
To get to Bathtub Island, you’ll need to follow the Lake Superior Coastal Trail. From the fragile dunes, you’ll walk towards the beach and wade in a knee-high sandbar towards the island. You won’t see the all-natural shallow basin right away but assured, it’s on the the back side.
This is a natural swimming hole where the rock formation of the island keeps most the water in, with rippling water overflowing into the basin to keep the water fresh.
This legendary splash pad is a key highlight when it comes to the best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Lake Superior Provincial Park
Open: All year round but not maintained in the winter.
Distance: 500 metres (0.3 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes to get from Katherine Cove’s parking lot to Bathtub Island.
Price: Similar to the Agawa Rock Pictographs, you’ll need a daily vehicle permit.
Parking: There is a parking lot at Katherine Cove but can fill up quickly if there are many cars starting the Lake Superior Coastal Trail from here, RVs, and/or cars loading/unloading canoes or kayaks.
Tips:
- Parking is at Katherine Cove but to get to Bathtub Island, you’ll need to follow the Coastal Trail.
- Don’t park on the side of the highway to try to take the shortcut to get to Bathtub Island. This is illegal and you will get ticketed.
- The area near Bathtub Island is ecologically sensitive with the dunes and dune grasses so stay on marked trails.
- On Bathtub Island there is also sensitive vegetation growing so stick to the rock.
- It’s a good idea to have water shoes or sandals like the Keen Newport H2’s when crossing over to Bathtub Island.
- Be careful on the rock because it’s more slippery than it looks.
- There are washroom facilities at the parking lot.
6. Hike Pinguisibi/Sand River Trail
If you’re exploring Lake Superior Provincial Park and looking for an easy hike to do with waterfall views, Pinguisibi or Sand River Trail is a fantastic choice.
The Ojibwe named for the river is Pinguisibi where pingui means “fine white sand” and sibi means “river”.
There’s 6 kilometres of rolling cascades and rapids that this trail follows, making it exceptionally fun to do. In various locations, you’ll be able to walk out to the rock to take in the view.
There are photo ops at every corner of this hike and the beauty of it is that there’s no singular waterfall at the end that you’re trying to get to. The waterfalls are similar throughout so you can go as far as you’d like, based on how much time you have, and then turn back.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Lake Superior Provincial Park
Open: All year round but not maintained in the winter.
Distance: 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) linear out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: Plan to spend 1 to 1.5 hours here.
Price: Similar to the Agawa Rock Pictographs, you’ll need a daily vehicle permit.
Parking: There is a decent sized parking lot here.
Tips:
- When you get out on the rock near the water, be careful as it can be more slippery than you think.
- The end point of the trail is near portage 28, a backcountry campsite that is popular with canoeists.
7. Watch the sunset at Gros Cap Bluffs
25 minutes from downtown Sault Ste. Marie and a straight shot west towards the coast of Lake Superior is a local sunset hangout spot called Gros Cap Bluffs.
Drive right to the end of Second Line and park right at water’s edge. You can hang out by the breakwater to watch the golden light glistening in the water. There’s something quite magical about the perfect silhouette of the one tree that juts out from the top of the bluff.
There’s also a way to hike up to the rugged and rocky cliff which offers a panoramic vista of the coastline and Michigan in the distance.
Take a pause here to take in that fresh air as the sky blazes with brilliant cotton candy hues.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 4837 Second Line W, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6K4
Price: Free
Parking: There are a good number of parking spots right at the end of the roundabout.
Tips:
- On the left side of the shore is a dock that extends into the water but this is private property.
- Don’t confuse the Gros Cap viewpoint with the Gros Cap Loop Trail which is in the middle of the Gros Cap Conservation Area. This trail has no overlap with the Gros Cap Bluffs
- You can also hike up to the viewpoint at the top of the bluffs. The trailhead starts from the parking lot and is a well travelled path.
8. Lake Superior Coastal Drive
This is a bit of a general catch-all but while based in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, you can explore a good part of the eastern coast of Lake Superior along the famed Trans Canada Highway (Highway 17).
Even if Katherine Cove or Old Woman Bay is as far as you go, there are a ton of sights, trails, and pitstops that are worth including in your trip plans.
Here are the stops that we’d recommend, starting with the ones closest to Sault Ste. Marie that we don’t explicitly mention in this list on the best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie.
- Chippewa Falls – This is the official midway point of the Trans Canada Highway.
- Batchawana Bay Provincial Park – One of many great beaches along Lake Superior.
- The Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse – Pitstop with a general store that’s known for their apple fritters and adjacent River & Rock Gifts with great to-go meals.
- Agawa Crafts & the Canadian Carver – Trading post-style tourist stop with Indigenous arts and crafts.
- Pancake Bay Provincial Park – Another wide open stretch of white sandy beach that’s great for families. They also have the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout hike (6.1 km, 1.5 hours)
- Old Woman Bay – With its 200-metre cliff to the left and horseshoe shaped bay, this is an incredibly scenic part of Lake Superior Provincial Park. If you have time for a hike, The Nokomis Trail is very well-regarded.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Price: Since you will be passing by numerous provincial parks, you’ll need a daily vehicle pass. If you buy it in-person, it’ll be valid for all of them.
Tips:
- If you are going as far as Old Woman Bay, note that this is a 2 hour and 18 minute drive so plan your time accordingly.
- There aren’t many designated viewpoints along the drive.
- Are you into birding? The Orphan Lake hike is supposed to be a great choice.
9. Explore Whitefish Island
For the best views of St. Marys River where you get to see tumbling rapids with the backdrop of the International Bridge, you have to come to Whitefish Island.
The island is historically significant because this was an ancestral fishing station, meeting place, and burial grounds. Whitefish Island’s 22 acres was returned back to the Batchawana First Nation of Ojibways in 1997.
As you make your way to Whitefish Island, you’ll also be passing through the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. In fact, you’ll need to cross the pedestrian bridge of this recreational lock, another great photo stop.
Your first bridge crossing will take you to South St. Marys Island. Continue further and you’ll cross another bridge into Whitefish Island.
This is an easy island to walk around on its designated hiking trail and boardwalk. You’ll find the island teeming with flora, fauna, wildlife, and history. What’s also nice about the island is that there are plenty of lookout points with areas to sit.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 4837 Second Line W, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6K4
Hours: 6AM to 10PM (canal site access)
Open: All year round
Distance: 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Price: Free
Parking: There is a large parking lot at lower part of the canal. There is a smaller lot near the lock’s bridge and washroom facilities but heads up that the big lot that shows up on the map is reserved for staff. This parking lot also has electric car charging stations.
Tips:
- Are you looking for a interpretive guided tour, Thrive Tours can definitely show you around.
- It’s worth going to the visitor centre which has more history of the canal but you can also ask them about the condition of the trails on Whitefish Island (some of it may get flooded or get muddy after rain).
- Despite Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site being under Parks Canada, it’s completely free so you won’t even need your Discovery Pass.
- There are washroom facilities at the upper part of the locks.
- If you have time, also do the trail around South St. Marys Island (Attikamek Trail).
- Cow Parsnip can be found here and handling of this plant can result in skin irritation.
10. Kayak St. Marys River
Another one of the best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie is being able to paddle the waters of St. Marys River. On your kayak, you’ll be able to see the city from a new perspective and with Thrive Tours, you’ll also connect the experience back to the significance of this waterway to the Ojibwe and hear an honour song.
The guided kayak excursion launches from the docks of Waterfront Adventure Centre. Thrive Tours provides all the gear you’ll need and you’ll be able to get out into the water easily and with confidence thanks to their their nifty kayak launching dock.
The advantage of booking a custom kayak tour is to not only help you navigate the currents and direction you should go based on the time you have, but to also bring Indigenous education into the experience.
In our case, we paddled all the way to a small bay in front of the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG) University. This is in fact most children of the Shingwauk Residential School were delivered by water. Brad from Thrive Tours sang an honour song to not only the past but also present and future of those impacted by residential schools.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 18 McPhail Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3K4 (Waterfront Adventure Centre)
Price: Custom Indigenous experience with Thrive Tours.
Parking: Waterfront Adventure Centre has a parking lot for guests.
Tips:
- The water south of Whitefish Island calms considerably so kayaking in and around the Waterfront Adventure Centre is quite easy. That said, Thrive Tours will monitor the weather and water conditions to make sure everyone in the group can comfortably paddle.
- Thrive Tours has you covered for all the gear you’ll need (including dry bags) but if you have any special requests, let them know.
11. Chow on fish fry at Chummy’s Grill
A popular Indigenous-owned restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie is Chummy’s Grill. They’re an institution of sorts with travellers that swear by coming here every time they’re in town.
The first thing you’ll notice when you enter is the impressive showcase of traditional wood carvings that adorn the walls, alcove, window sills, and practically all corners of the restaurant.
Alongside the carvings, it’s newly renovated which means it has a modern and clean layout, while honouring its Indigenous heritage.
Chummy’s Grill is well-known for their breakfast but the secret is that every Thursday and Friday they offer fish fry on the menu. They offer white fish, lake trout, and pickerel.
Something that we immediately noticed was that fish fry is quite different from your traditional British-style fish & chips. While both deep fried, fish & chips are battered, creating a flaky shell that often separates from the fish whereas fish fry is predominantly breaded with seasoned crumbs that stays on the fish and gives it a ton of flavour even without the tartar sauce.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 262 Frontenac St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5K9
Parking: Large parking lot in front of the restaurant.
Website: Chummy’s Grill
Tips:
- Fish fry is only offered on Thursday and Friday from 2PM to close, but their fish sell out quickly so try to go earlier if you’re going for dinner.
- Chummy’s Grill is also known for their breakfast.
Map of Where To Go in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
The below is a map of how we planned our 4 day Sault Ste. Marie itinerary as someone an example of someone driving in from Toronto or just about anywhere in southern Ontario.
TIP: If you maximize the map and you’re logged into your Google account, you’ll be able to make a copy of the map and tweak it to your own liking.
Where to Stay in Sault Ste. Marie
These are our recommendations for where to stay in Sault Ste. Marie, whether it’s a hotel or cottage you’re looking for.
WHERE WE STAYED
Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront
Easily one of the best hotel properties in the Soo because of it’s location on the waterfront and proximity to the downtown core and Miss Marie Sault Lock Tours. The sunsets from here are unreal and if you have Marriott Bonvoy status, you can get free breakfast.
UPTOWN
This is a well-reviewed hotel that is known for their breakfast and indoor pool that also includes a hot tub and sauna. Recent guest said: “Courteous staff, clean, quiet hotel room. The fried calamari at the hotel restaurant was the best I’ve ever had!”
LAKE COTTAGE
A beautiful 1400 sq ft lakeside cottage that checks off all the boxes for a relaxing getaway just outside of the Soo and by Sand Bay. Sleeps 8 so this is great for large groups.
GOOD VALUE
Featuring indoor pool and fitness centre, this hotel is located in the northern part of the city. Rooms are modern and clean. Breakfast is also included.
Closing Thoughts
This is a road trip like no other. With these 11 best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie, you’ll be able to plan a fantastic stand-alone getaway or connect this by continuing along the Lake Superior coast.
The best way to describe our 4 days in the Soo is enlightening.
It was enlightening to discover all of the great outdoors that you often hear about but never get to see in person because of how far Sault Ste. Marie is always perceived to be.
It was also enlightening to learn about Indigenous culture through the guiding hand of Thrive Tours and to see pow wow so full of inclusivity, positive energy, and celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Agawa Rock Pictographs is located in Lake Superior Provincial Park and an advance daily vehicle permit is required.
There is controlled airspace around the Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) which you won’t be able to fly around. You are also not allowed to fly in any of the provincial parks. Otherwise, you’ll be able to fly with a drone pilot certificate.
The two main pow wows every year is the Garden River First Nation Pow wow and the Batchawana First Nation Pow wow. It’s also worth checking the Pow wows calendar by Northern Ontario and Canadian Pow wows by Destination Indigenous.
There are no fees to attend a pow wow as they are for community and open to all visitors. However, if you decide to book a Learn How To Pow wow experience with Thrive Tours, there would be a fee.
Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC) offers site tours that you can book by appointment.
The most highly recommend restaurants are Peace Restaurant, Ernie’s Coffee Shop, The Breakfast Pig, Georgie’s Shawarma, and Chummy’s Grill.
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