We welcome
your comments
experiences &
corrections.
---
E-mail us
The online version of the popular regional travel book
---
Hunts' Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA
---
A candid guide to enjoying and understanding the U.P.
| UP Travel Map ad

---
Home

Search

U.P. Maps

Regions

Towns

Restaurants

Lodgings

Campgrounds

Points of Interest

Fun for kids

Waterfalls

Wayne Premo's Waterfalls

Beaches

Canoeing & Kayaking

Hikes

Lighthouses

Walks

Mountain Biking

Notable U.P. Shops

Specialty foods

Maritime

U.P. History

Useful Information

Links

About us

UP Travel Map

-
SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN
POINTS
OF INTEREST

Soo Locks Park & Visitor Center. This is the place to get really close-up views of giant freighters, plus see some interesting exhibits ... more

Soo Lock Train Tours. Great intro to Soo. Smart, funny 1-hour narrated tour of historic sites. From International Bridge, look down 135' on all 5 locks. ... more

Soo Locks Boat Tour. This 2-hour excursion provides a dramatic look at the big locks, the quaint Canadian locks, and the Twin Soo's waterfronts. ... more

River of History Museum. Compelling life-size dioramas bring to life scenes from Sault Ste. Marie's long history and prehistory. ... more

Riverfront walk along Water Street and Brady Park. See upbound boats waiting at the locks at beautiful Brady Park, site of the 19th c. fort. See interesting historic monuments from Sault Ste. Marie's aspiring years, including idiosyncratic Chase Osborn, the only U.P. governor. ... more

Bingham Avenue historic buildings. An avenue of grand 19th-century buildings, from a time when locals saw a grander future for the city than actually unfolded ... more

Tower of History. An oustanding geographical of the area from a 21-story tower. ... more

St. Mary's Pro-cathedral. This 1880s cathedral has a wonderful interior, with richly colored stained glass and striking wall accents ... more

Schoolcraft, Johnston and Baraga houses. Three of the earliest and most significant houses in Upper Peninsula history ... more

George Kemp Downtown Marina . A nice picnic area at a beautiful marina ... more

Museum Ship Valley Camp . A 1917 Great Lakes steamship is the vehicle for an interesting maritime museum ... more

St. Mary's River Lighthouse Cruise. A 4-hour journey past landmarks like the lighthouse at the entrance to the St. Marys River ... more

Edison Sault Power Plant & Alford Park. This 1902 quarter-mile-long landmark never attracted the industries it was built to serve, but still generates electricity ... more

Mission Point, Aune Osborn Park & Sugar Island Ferry. It's been called the #1 place anywhere to see Great Lakes freighters in motion ... more

Sugar Island. Once a favorite Chippewa sugaring spot, the island still has many maples and still is a popular stop for migrating birds ... more

New Fort Brady/Lake Superior State University. Begun in 1893 as an Army fort and barracks for 20,000 troops, this overlook now is the site of 3,300-student Lake Superior State University ... more

International Bridge. Connecting the 5,000-mile Trans-Canada Highway with 2,000-mile I-75 to Florida, this 1962 bridge does much more than connect the two Soos ... more

 

 
|
SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN
-

St. Mary's River Lighthouse Cruise

-
This 4-hour cruise, now offered regularly in summer, takes visitors up through the locks to offer a sailor's view of Bay Mills and the much-visited Point Iroquois Lighthouse that marks the entrance to the St. Marys River. The ship passes some interesting and little-known navigational aids along the way. The route is weather dependent. The early morning departure time is more likely to have favorable conditions.

The cruise passes an impressive keeper's residence at Cedar Point near Brimley, now in private hands, and the remains of an abandoned lighthouse on Round Island. The cruise boat crosses to the Canadian side, passing the Gros Cap Reefs Light, going by the Point aux Pins beaches, and passing more navigational aids. Extra bonuses: you may get to see a lot of freighters coming in and out of the St. Mary's River, and you necessarily go through locks. The tour boat usually uses one lock on the American side and the Canadian lock
-
Cruise season is from May 15 through October 15. From June 18 through October 1, leaves Saturdays at 8 a.m. From July 6 through August 24, also leaves Wednesdays at 8 a.m. from Dock #2. Call (800) 432-6301 for dates in spring and fall. Reservations a must. Cost: $48. Ages 3 and under free. Both cruises leave from Dock # 2, 515 East Portage - nearest the Valley Camp, to west of the Power Plant. Wheelchair-accessible.


Return to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan


Copyright © 1997-2007 Midwestern Guides