Tammy & David's Guidebook
Sightseeing
You cannot come to Sault Ste Marie without going to the Soo Locks. Visit the Visitors Center, walk through the park and enjoy a rest by the fountain, and watch a freighter go from the Upper to Lower St. Mary's River. The Locks is located on Portage Ave also known as Fudgy Lane. Plenty of fudge shops, ice cream stores, gift shops, and restaurants, a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
55 locals recommend
Soo Locks
You cannot come to Sault Ste Marie without going to the Soo Locks. Visit the Visitors Center, walk through the park and enjoy a rest by the fountain, and watch a freighter go from the Upper to Lower St. Mary's River. The Locks is located on Portage Ave also known as Fudgy Lane. Plenty of fudge shops, ice cream stores, gift shops, and restaurants, a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
A natural wonder. The Falls is separated into the Lower and Upper Falls with a four mile drive or four mile hike between them. Our favorite hike. One we do every Spring and Fall.
74 locals recommend
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 W M-123A natural wonder. The Falls is separated into the Lower and Upper Falls with a four mile drive or four mile hike between them. Our favorite hike. One we do every Spring and Fall.
A very informative museum with artifacts from Great Lakes shipwrecks. Located just a bit outside of Paradise, MI, this is a perfect add on to a day Tahquamenon Falls or, for the more adventurous, Vermillion.
30 locals recommend
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
18335 N Whitefish Point RdA very informative museum with artifacts from Great Lakes shipwrecks. Located just a bit outside of Paradise, MI, this is a perfect add on to a day Tahquamenon Falls or, for the more adventurous, Vermillion.
A stand alone wonderful destination. Can be done in a day! So many exciting places to explore. If you go, ask us about our favorite places.
276 locals recommend
Mackinac Island
A stand alone wonderful destination. Can be done in a day! So many exciting places to explore. If you go, ask us about our favorite places.
Walk on and inside a Great Lakes Freighter. An informative experience for all ages.
10 locals recommend
Valley Camp
501 E Portage AveWalk on and inside a Great Lakes Freighter. An informative experience for all ages.
Located on Lake Superior along the scenic "Curly Lewis" highway. A must drive for all seasons but especially Fall. Great place for pictures and rock hunting. Across the shipping channel is Canada.
Point Iroquois
Located on Lake Superior along the scenic "Curly Lewis" highway. A must drive for all seasons but especially Fall. Great place for pictures and rock hunting. Across the shipping channel is Canada.
Unique location. Can be difficult to get to. Great place for rock hunting, sunsets, and Yooper lights.
Vermilion
Unique location. Can be difficult to get to. Great place for rock hunting, sunsets, and Yooper lights.
A perfect destination to combine with a visit to Point Iroquois Lighthouse. A very nice hike that loops to Lake Superior before continuing to a mini Mac suspension bridge.
Naomikong Point Site
A perfect destination to combine with a visit to Point Iroquois Lighthouse. A very nice hike that loops to Lake Superior before continuing to a mini Mac suspension bridge.
Crisp Point Lighthouse
1944 Co Hwy 412A bit of a drive but well worth it once you get there.
A unique little bear ranch. See bears up close. This would be a nice destination to combine with Tahquamenon Falls.
45 locals recommend
Oswald Bear Ranch
13814 Co Rd 407A unique little bear ranch. See bears up close. This would be a nice destination to combine with Tahquamenon Falls.
Open seasonally the Historic Water Street homes are operated through a cooperative effort between the Chippewa County Historical Society, the Sault Historic Sites, and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Sault Historical Sites
Open seasonally the Historic Water Street homes are operated through a cooperative effort between the Chippewa County Historical Society, the Sault Historic Sites, and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
The River of History Museum was opened by The Sault Ste. Marie Foundation for Culture and History in 1992, with the mission of preserving and promoting the history of the St. Mary’s River system.
River of History Museum
531 Ashmun StThe River of History Museum was opened by The Sault Ste. Marie Foundation for Culture and History in 1992, with the mission of preserving and promoting the history of the St. Mary’s River system.
Soaring 210 feet above Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Locks, the tower has observation platforms for visitors to get spectacular views and photos of the world’s busiest inland shipping channel. In the view below from the Tower of History, one can see several historic houses, and the Museum Ship Valley Camp.
8 locals recommend
Tower of History
326 E Portage AveSoaring 210 feet above Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Locks, the tower has observation platforms for visitors to get spectacular views and photos of the world’s busiest inland shipping channel. In the view below from the Tower of History, one can see several historic houses, and the Museum Ship Valley Camp.
According to their website: The "Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours provides an educational tour of historic Sault Ste. Marie and an engaging experience of passing through the Soo Locks. Proudly operating since 1959, Famous continues the tradition of highlighting history and attractions for a relaxing and memorable experience for locals and visitors. Our yellow and blue boats, the Nokomis and LeVoyageur, accommodate 150 passengers and feature a full snack bar with beer, wine and hard seltzers".
Soo Locks Boat Tours Original - DOCK # 1
According to their website: The "Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours provides an educational tour of historic Sault Ste. Marie and an engaging experience of passing through the Soo Locks. Proudly operating since 1959, Famous continues the tradition of highlighting history and attractions for a relaxing and memorable experience for locals and visitors. Our yellow and blue boats, the Nokomis and LeVoyageur, accommodate 150 passengers and feature a full snack bar with beer, wine and hard seltzers".
Located next to Clyde's Drive in, Rotary Park boasts a launching pad for kayaks or paddleboards, children's fishing pond, and playground. A great place to watch the Freighter's up close as they travel down the St. Mary's River. You can also watch the Sugar Island ferry as it transports passengers between the island and mainland.
Rotary Island Park
Located next to Clyde's Drive in, Rotary Park boasts a launching pad for kayaks or paddleboards, children's fishing pond, and playground. A great place to watch the Freighter's up close as they travel down the St. Mary's River. You can also watch the Sugar Island ferry as it transports passengers between the island and mainland.
Have kids that need to burn off some energy? Project Playground is close to LSSU and Dairy Queen. This playground will soon host the all new Soo Splash Pad (slated to open Summer 2023).
Project Playground - Sault Ste. Marie
Have kids that need to burn off some energy? Project Playground is close to LSSU and Dairy Queen. This playground will soon host the all new Soo Splash Pad (slated to open Summer 2023).
A short drive from our vacation homes, Brimley State Park has a new playground and spacious beach area. Located nearby is a small grocery and Pizza and Ice Cream Shop (Superior Pizza & Subs).
Brimley State Park
9200 W 6 Mile RdA short drive from our vacation homes, Brimley State Park has a new playground and spacious beach area. Located nearby is a small grocery and Pizza and Ice Cream Shop (Superior Pizza & Subs).
A unique place that provides coffee, food, gear, and guided paddleboard and kayak tours. Very friendly staff and fresh, healthy food options.
9 locals recommend
Bird's Eye Outfitters
107 E Portage AveA unique place that provides coffee, food, gear, and guided paddleboard and kayak tours. Very friendly staff and fresh, healthy food options.
Food scene
On the St Mary's River. Perfect burger and fries location. Walk to Rotary Park (brand new playground equipment).
11 locals recommend
Clyde's Drive-In
1425 Riverside DrOn the St Mary's River. Perfect burger and fries location. Walk to Rotary Park (brand new playground equipment).
Unique dining location with all your faborite Mexican dining options
8 locals recommend
The Palace Mexican Restaurant & Saloon
200 W Portage AveUnique dining location with all your faborite Mexican dining options
The Wicked Sister
716 Ashmun StNewer restaurant to the area. Great food!
The Antlers
804 E Portage AveUnique dining experience.
Another great drive in with a view of the water. Burgers, fries, and more.
6 locals recommend
West Pier Drive-In
849 West Pier DriveAnother great drive in with a view of the water. Burgers, fries, and more.
Dancing Crane Coffee House
12072 W Lakeshore DrStop on your way to Point Iroquois and the Naomikong Trail.
A local, seasonally open restaurant famous for their whitefish dinner. Location is the selling point here...right across from the Soo Locks and located on Portage Avenue, the main tourist street in Sault Ste. Marie, also known as "Fudgy Lane".
Lockview Restaurant
329 W Portage AveA local, seasonally open restaurant famous for their whitefish dinner. Location is the selling point here...right across from the Soo Locks and located on Portage Avenue, the main tourist street in Sault Ste. Marie, also known as "Fudgy Lane".
One of our favorite places to eat on the island. Great food, great staff, and great theming.
Yankee Rebel Tavern
One of our favorite places to eat on the island. Great food, great staff, and great theming.
An all around excellent dining experience on Mackinac Island. We are always torn between the Carriage House and Yankee Rebel when we visit the island.
Carriage House
An all around excellent dining experience on Mackinac Island. We are always torn between the Carriage House and Yankee Rebel when we visit the island.
A wilderness themed restaurant located at the Upper Falls. Open for the summer and snowmobile season.
15 locals recommend
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub
24019 Upper Falls DriveA wilderness themed restaurant located at the Upper Falls. Open for the summer and snowmobile season.
Great Pizza! If you are visiting Brimley State Park or looking to pick up dinner on your way back from Tahquamenon Falls, this is the place to stop.
Superior Pizza & Subs
9449 W 6 Mile RdGreat Pizza! If you are visiting Brimley State Park or looking to pick up dinner on your way back from Tahquamenon Falls, this is the place to stop.