Sault Ste. Marie offers a range of options for your trip: the history of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, cultural sites with different themes, museums with activities for children, and trails for hiking, cycling and paddling. This gives you the opportunity to include industrial history, local culture and outdoor activities in your plans.
Museums and Activities for Children
The Sault Ste. Marie Museum is located downtown. A city bus stops right outside; check current transit conditions before travelling. The museum’s Discovery Gallery is an entertaining, interactive learning area for children that offers hands-on learning. Another activity for children is at the Bushplane Museum: its Children’s Learning Centre offers children of all ages hands-on learning experiences, with arcade-style game consoles, interactive exhibits and enclosed, real aircraft cockpits.
Industrial History and Local Heritage
The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site was built in 1895; its lock was the first to be powered by electricity. Its construction date and lock technology give the site a clear focus on industrial history. The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site offers a different perspective: it is a cultural attraction open year-round to residents and visitors to Sault Ste. Marie. Its historic Summer Kitchen offers culinary experiences at the hearth; availability may vary seasonally. The Sault Ste Marie MĂ©tis Heritage Centre on John Street preserves the history and culture of the local MĂ©tis community.
Trails and Nature Experiences
The John Rowswell Hub Trail is a popular, family-friendly 22.5 km multi-use loop in Sault Ste. Marie. Hiawatha Highlands, meanwhile, offers trails for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing. For hikers, parking near the Hiawatha Highlands clubhouse on Landslide Road provides access to Crystal Falls. As access information may change, check locally before travelling.
Whitefish Island also combines trails with a special historical connection. Visitors can walk there; the island is a historic gathering place where Anishinaabe communities have met for generations. Those who want to consider the history of the place as well as the trail during their walk will find a different focus here than on the multi-use trails or in Hiawatha Highlands.
Paddling and Lock Passage
A paddling route on the St. Marys River is described as 1 to 10 km long and easy in difficulty. Water conditions vary seasonally; check conditions before paddling. You can also explore the river by boat: boats can pass through the Sault Ste. Marie Canal in the city centre, taking in the scenic views and historic surroundings. Check current lock conditions before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Thessalon, Blind River, Algoma Mills, Michipicoten, Richards Landing, Bruce Mines, Iron Bridge, Goulais River.
For the broader travel overview: Algoma District.
