Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Attractions
The Canadian border city of Sault Ste Marie, principal town of Algoma County, is situated on the delightful St Mary's River which joins Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
Long before the arrival of Europeans the significance of this particular location was appreciated by the native Indians for whom it was a place to meet and trade. As early as the first half of the 17th c. French "voyageurs", fur traders and timber raftsmen had already formed close links with local tribes. In 1667 the Ste Marie Mission was founded by French Jesuit missionaries and in 1671 possession was taken of the land in the name of the French king, Louis XIV.
Increasing numbers of settlers, the majority British but also some French, came to Sault Ste Marie after 1797/98 when a canal was dug to by-pass the rapids. In 1861 the town became a free port, and 26 years later was granted civic status. A second canal built on the Canadian side in 1895 and a rail-link to the Canadian Pacific Railway further quickened the pace of settlement. In 1899 the (iron and steel producing) Algoma Steel Company was established, to be followed in later years by numerous other industries (including timber processing, paper and chemicals). The city is also well known for its long established and highly regarded forestry and land research institute.
The waterway connecting Lakes Superior and Huron forms the frontier between the USA and Canada. Like Sault St Marie ("The Soo"), Ontario, to which it is joined by a bridge, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, has a number of major industries (timber, leather and food processing, ship building, rail repair shop, etc.).
Long before the arrival of Europeans the significance of this particular location was appreciated by the native Indians for whom it was a place to meet and trade. As early as the first half of the 17th c. French "voyageurs", fur traders and timber raftsmen had already formed close links with local tribes. In 1667 the Ste Marie Mission was founded by French Jesuit missionaries and in 1671 possession was taken of the land in the name of the French king, Louis XIV.
Increasing numbers of settlers, the majority British but also some French, came to Sault Ste Marie after 1797/98 when a canal was dug to by-pass the rapids. In 1861 the town became a free port, and 26 years later was granted civic status. A second canal built on the Canadian side in 1895 and a rail-link to the Canadian Pacific Railway further quickened the pace of settlement. In 1899 the (iron and steel producing) Algoma Steel Company was established, to be followed in later years by numerous other industries (including timber processing, paper and chemicals). The city is also well known for its long established and highly regarded forestry and land research institute.
The waterway connecting Lakes Superior and Huron forms the frontier between the USA and Canada. Like Sault St Marie ("The Soo"), Ontario, to which it is joined by a bridge, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, has a number of major industries (timber, leather and food processing, ship building, rail repair shop, etc.).
Ermatinger House
Ermatinger House is an attractive solid 1814 stone-built house originally belonged to a fur trader whose wife came from the local Ojibwa tribe. Now restored it provides a graphic insight into what life was like here almost 200 years ago.
Ermatinger House
831 Queen Street East
Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A2A8
Canada
831 Queen Street East
Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A2A8
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 759-5443
Fax 1 (705) 541-7023
Hours
April 15 to November 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Art Gallery of Algoma
An eye-catching modern building on the St Mary's embankment houses the Art Gallery of Algoma in Sault Ste Marie, a community-oriented visual arts center. Approximately 24 exhibitions feature local, national and international artists, as well, there is an ever growing permanent collection of 4000 works of art.
Art Gallery of Algoma
10 East Street
Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A3C3
Canada
10 East Street
Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A3C3
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 949-9067
Fax 1 (705) 949-6261
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Facilities
Gift shop
Bellevue Park
Queen Street East in Sault Ste Marie is the location of the lovely Bellevue Park with its conservatories, small zoo, lighthouse and marina.
Also in the park is a children's playground.
Also in the park is a children's playground.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 |
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
This Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste Marie collects and displays bushplanes and aviation memorabilia and is a tribute to the history of bush flying. The collection also includes forest fire fighting equipment.
Hours
May 15 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 14 to June 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
M.S. Norgoma
The M.S. "Norgoma" was the last passenger ship built for service on the Great Lakes. Now on permanent moorings and converted into a museum the 24 m (79 ft) vessel can be toured from stem to stern.
Sault Ste Marie Museum
The Sault Ste Marie Museum is housed in the former Post Office built near the turn of the 20th Century. The Museum tells the story of Sault Ste. Marie through five exhibit galleries with exhibits from Pre-historic times to modern times. Artifacts on display include clothing, bedding, carpets; household furnishings and equipment; tools; sports equipment; toys; personal and military gear and archaeological specimens.
Sault Ste Marie Museum
690 Queen Street East
Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A2A4
Canada
690 Queen Street East
Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A2A4
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 759-7278
Fax 1 (705) 759-3058
Hours
June 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
October 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Labor Day - Canada (1st Monday, September)
Thanksgiving - Canada (2nd Monday, October )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Victoria Day - Canada (May 21)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Labor Day - Canada (1st Monday, September)
Thanksgiving - Canada (2nd Monday, October )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Victoria Day - Canada (May 21)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site highlights the many accomplishments from the canal construction in 1895 to its operation today. It was the world's longest lock and the first to operate with electrical power. The canal was converted to small craft use in 1998.
Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
1 Canal Drive
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A6W4
Canada
1 Canal Drive
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A6W4
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 941-6262
Fax 1 (705) 941-6206
Hours
May 15 to June 27
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
June 28 to September 6
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
September 7 to May 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Spruce Haven Zoo
Spruce Haven opened in 1988 as a private Zoo and it has grown into a rehabilitation and release or place for disadvantaged animals. There are over 100 animals from around the world exhibited in a natural setting.
Spruce Haven Zoo
2016 Third Line West
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A6K4
Canada
2016 Third Line West
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A6K4
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 779-2423
Fax 1 (705) 779-2424
Hours
May 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 |
Sault Ste Marie Surroundings
Read More
Agawa Canyon Tour Train
From spring until fall the Algoma Central Railway offers trips to the Agawa Canyon on the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. The journey takes visitors through the hills and forests, to an impressive gorge.
Thessalon, Canada
The old lumber town of Thessalon (population 1500), north of Sault Ste Marie, occupies a pleasant river-mouth site at the head of Lake Huron. During the warmer months it is busy with holidaymakers, one of the attractions being its marina.
There are falls situated just off Highway 129 between Thessalon and Chapleau. The now dammed Mississagi River plummets over a distinctive 39m (128ft) escarpment, carving a path for itself through a gorge.
There are falls situated just off Highway 129 between Thessalon and Chapleau. The now dammed Mississagi River plummets over a distinctive 39m (128ft) escarpment, carving a path for itself through a gorge.
Blind River - Timber Village Museum, Canada
The Timber Village Museum in Blind River focuses on recounting local history. The museum also exhibits the work of local artists. See photos showing what the town looked like in bygone days.
Timber Village Museum
Box 628
180 Leacock Street
Blind River, ON P0R1B0
Canada
Box 628
180 Leacock Street
Blind River, ON P0R1B0
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 356-7544
Fax 1 (705) 356-7343
Hours
May 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Forest Ecology Trail
Reached via Highway 565 the Forest Ecology Trail ("Deer Run" and "Windfall" trails) is open to walkers from the end of June until August. Guided walks are available.
Searchmont, Canada
Searchmont, a winter sports resort, is situated about 50 km / 31 mi north of Sault Ste Marie on Highway 556.
Searchmont offers a ski hill with onsite accommodation and other tourist amenities.
Searchmont offers a ski hill with onsite accommodation and other tourist amenities.
Searchmont Ski Resort
R.R. #2 103 Searchmont Resort Rd
Searchmont, ON P0S1J0
Canada
R.R. #2 103 Searchmont Resort Rd
Searchmont, ON P0S1J0
Canada
Phone 1 (705) 781-2340
Fax 1 (705) 781-2483
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations