Local Locations
Soo Locks Park & Visitors Center
The Soo Locks are a remarkable feat of engineering and human ingenuity that connect Lakes Superior and Huron. The locks operate by raising and lowering boats between the levels of Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Visitors can watch ships pass through the locks, explore the scenic observation areas, and learn about the fascinating history of this iconic waterway dating back to the mid-1800s.
Address: 312 W Portage Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact: SooRangers@usace.army.mil or Website link
Recommend 45 minutes to explore Summer hours 9 AM to 10 PM
Group Tours available at request Via email
The Museum Ship Valley Camp
The Museum Ship Valley Camp offers more than just a tour of her deck. Housed inside her massive cargo holds is a 20,000 square foot museum with over 100 exhibits! This freighter sailed the Great Lakes for 49 years before it was retired and later made a museum.
Address: 501 E Water St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact: (906) 632-3658 or Website link
3 minute drive from the locks (0.9 miles)
Recommend 60-90 minutes to explore
Monday – Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Group tour rates Organization/Military rate $16 per adult MotorCoach Rate (25+ people) $15 per adult
River of History Museum
The River of History Museum showcases the history of the St. Marys River and the powerful St. Marys Rapids that once made passage between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes impossible, leading to the creation of the Soo Locks. Exhibits trace the story of the region and its people from the days of glaciers through the 21st century.
Address: 531 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact: (906) 632-1999 or Website link
3 minutes drive from the locks (0.6 miles)
Recommend 60 minutes to explore
Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 5 PM Closed on Sundays
Group tour rates Organization/Military rate $7 per adult MotorCoach Rate (25+ people) $6.50 per adult
Tower of History
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.
Address: 326 E Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact: (906) 632-3658 or Website link
2 minute drive from the locks (0.6 miles)
Recommend 45 minutes to explore
Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Group tour rates Organization/Military rate $8.25 per adult MotorCoach Rate (25+ people) $7.75 per adult
Historic homes
Each house tells a unique story, offering a glimpse into the past and reflecting the diverse cultural, industrial, and social heritage of the area. A visit to these homes is a journey back in time, highlighting the significance of Sault Ste. Marie as a pivotal location in American history.
Address: 435 E Water St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact: (906) 635-7082 or Website link
4 minutes drive from the locks (0.8 miles)
Recommend 60 minutes to explore
Wednesday-Sunday, 12 PM to 5 PM (Last friday of June through Labor day)
$5 Per adult
LSSU Center for Freshwater Research and Education
Explore the science, stories, and stewardship of the Great Lakes through engaging, hands-on exhibits designed for visitors of all ages. Located in Sault Ste. Marie and operated by Lake Superior State University’s Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE), brings freshwater issues to life with engaging displays focused on fisheries management, watershed connections, and the challenges posed by aquatic invasive species.
Address:100 Salmon Run Way, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact: amoerke@lssu.edu or call (906) 635-2153
5 minutes drive from the locks (1.2 miles)
Recommended 45- 60 minutes to explore
May 29th to Aug 30th, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM
Guided Tours by request Via email
Downtown
Whether you are waiting for a boat to arrive or you’ve already stopped to watch one pass through the Soo Locks, you can’t miss exploring the downtown area. Right outside the locks along West Portage Avenue. With unique shops, local restaurants, and historic attractions just steps away, downtown Sault Ste. Marie is the perfect place to continue your visit.
Day Trips
Point Iroquois Lighthouse
The museum reveals the stories of lightkeepers and their families through family album photographs, antiques, and artifacts. Learn about the fourthorder Fresnel lens that could project light for sixteen miles. Climb the 72 steps to the top of the tower for a picturesque view of Lake Superior or walk down the boardwalk!
Address:13042-13260 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715
Contact: (906) 643-7900 or Click to read more
40 minutes drive from the locks (24 miles)
Recommend 60 minutes to explore
May 16 – Oct 7, Tues-Sat 10 AM to 6 PM, Sun 1 PM to 5 PM
Great lakes Shipwreck Museum
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum features the Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Quarters, which was built in 1923. The Society also offers programs at its U.S. Weather Bureau Building in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. There is also Whitefish Point Light Tower, which stands as the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior.
Address: 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI 49763
Contact: (800)-635-1742 or Website link
1 hour and 30 minutes drive from the locks (73 miles)
Recommend 60 minutes to explore
Open May 1 to October 31 – 9 AM to 5 PM Daily
Group Rates $11 per adult; $8.50 per youth (ages 6-17); Children 5 and under are free. Provides two complimentary admissions for the tour guide and bus driver.
Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan’s second-largest state park, features the massive Upper Falls, over 200 feet wide, plus the scenic Lower Falls, a series of five cascades. The park also offers rich wildlife viewing, including nesting birds, moose, bear, wolves, fishers, and more.
Address: Tahquamenon Falls, McMillan Township, MI 49768
Contact: AndersonS51@Michigan.gov or call 906-440-0114
1 hour and 30 minutes drive from the locks (76 miles)
Recommend 2-4 hours to explore
6 AM to 10 PM Optional Guided Tours for $50, plus a $21 Recreation Passport fee per bus is required for entry into the park and can be obtained upon payment of your tour reservation or at the park entrance. Guided tours should be scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance.
Oswald Bear Ranch
The United States’ largest Bear Ranch, boasting 40 roaming bears, is just north of Newberry, MI. These rescued bears are given a chance to continue their lives in natural habitats and comfort. We invite you to explore Oswald’s Bear Ranch which is family friendly, affordable and fun.
Address: 13814 County Rd 407 (H-37), Newberry, MI 49868
Contact: (906) 293-3147 or Website Link
1 hour and 20 minutes drive from the locks (76 miles)
Recommend 60-90 minutes to explore
9:30 to 5:00 Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the 1st Sunday of October
Admission: $30 per vehicle or $15 for lone visitor. Vans over 6 people $10 per person.
Kitch-iti-kipi
Nicknamed “Mirror of Heaven’’ by ancient Chippewas, this must-see site reflects its surroundings year-round on crystal-clear waters. A short 0.2-mile paved path leads from the lot to the dock, where the raft is ADA accessible.
Address: Palms Book, Sawmill Rd, Manistique, MI 49854
Contact: (906) 341-2355 or Website link
2 hours and 20 minutes drive from the locks (131 miles)
Recommend 60 -90 minutes to explore
8 AM to dusk.
