Sault Ste. Marie is a great place to get out and explore. There are so many great things we have to offer for people of any age. From our many wonderful attractions to all the great outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and so much more. But we also make a great hub for your other Northern Michigan adventures. Read on to find out some great day trips from Sault Ste. Marie that will make your vacation to the Soo even better!

First, we head to Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island is a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. In case you have never heard of the island, it is a small paradise with no cars and is just off the coast of Northern Michigan! 

From Sault Ste. Marie, drive 45 minutes south to St. Ignace and hop on a ferry across to the Island. There you can spend your day exploring shops, riding horses and bikes, hiking trails, eating delicious food, exploring the historical sites and so much more. The close proximity of the island to the Soo makes for the perfect day trip, so you can then head right back to Sault Ste. Marie for the rest of your vacation! 

While Mackinac Island may be the most famous island in the Great Lakes, the Eastern Upper Peninsula is home to a handful of inhabited islands. To the north, right next door to the Soo, is Sugar Island. To the southeast by Barbeau is Neebish Island, and south of Neebish by De Tour Village lies Drummond Island. You’ll have to plan to drive about 45 minutes south of Sault Ste. Marie to De Tour to cross over to Drummond, but the trip is worth it.

Drummond Island is home to many of businesses, restaurants, off-road recreation areas, and even a golf course. But at its heart, it is a quintessential Upper Peninsula destination. Whether you’re off-roading in a Jeep or hiking to remote beaches that are bellied up along Lake Huron, Drummond offers it all. We personally are mesmerized by the Fossil Ledges are on the north side of the island! These ledges are ancient and are made from the fossilized remains of a salt water coral bed.

The next stop on our list is over to Kitch-iti-kipi. Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest natural spring and it is located in the Upper Peninsula! Just drive about two hours to the west of the Soo to Manistique, MI! The two-hour drive is totally worth seeing this natural phenomenon.

Over 10,000 gallons of water gush from fissures in the underlying limestone every minute. The breathtaking view of the springs create a mirror-like reflection of the trees onto the water. Head over to the self-operated observation raft to get a look down into the 40-foot-deep spring and the nature preserved just below the water’s surface.

Our last stop on the list is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks is one of the gems of Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula. If you head west about 2 hours towards Marquette, you will reach Munising, MI, where this natural phenomenon is located. This quick road trip from Sault Ste. Marie is well worth the drive. 

The cliffs along Lake Superior make up what is known as the “Pictured Rocks.” These cliffs are mineral stained that create the myriad of colors along its weather sculpted edges. There are a variety of ways to experience this marvel of Lake Superior. You can go for a ride on a tour boat, kayak or hike some of its over 100 miles of trails. 

The Upper Peninsula has so many wonderful places to go for a day trip from the Soo. We make for the perfect hub for all of the Northern Michigan destinations! There are too many to even mention in one blog! All of these locations will help make your vacation to the Soo and the Upper Peninsula so spectacular. 

Sault Ste. Marie is fun for all ages. Be sure to follow us on all of our social media accounts to keep up with all the Sault Ste. Marie fun! Find us over on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok and tag us in all of your photos with #ilovethesoo. We love to see your photos and might even ask to share them!