St. Mary's River Lighthouse Cruise

Point Iroquois Lighthouse. Built in 1872 in the Cape Code Style, it marks the entrance to Lake Superior from the St. Mary's River.

This 4-hour cruise, offered regularly in summer, takes visitors up through the Soo Locks to offer a sailor's view of Bay Mills and the much-visited Point Iroquois Lighthouse marking the entrance to the St. Mary's River. The ship passes some interesting and little-known navigational aids along the way. The route is weather dependent.

Sea Grant Michigan

Round Island Light

Departing at 8 a.m. means it's more likely to have favorable weather.

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 before passing cottages on the way to Point Iroquois.

The cruise boat crosses to the Canadian side, passing the Gros Cap Reefs Lighthouse, 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 280-passenger tour boat usually uses one lock on the American side and the Canadian lock. Snack bar, restrooms, box lunch on request. Includes continental breakfast. No passport required. Wheelchair-accessible.

Regular cruise season is from late June thru most of Sept. Leaves from Dock #2, 515 E. Portage, nearest Valley Camp. Current schedule: late June thru Aug, leaves Wed. at 8 a.m. Holiday Saturdays and Sept. Saturdays leaves at 8 a.m. Can go with tours in spring and fall. Call (800) 432-6301 or (906) 632-2512. Reservations a must.
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Return to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

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

Portage Avenue shops and beyond. Shops of note in the central part of town ... more

Soo Brewing Company. Serious ale brewer will fill you growler for $8 ... 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. 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 view 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

Water Street Historic Block. 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 Wi-fi Hotspots. Bayliss Public Library has public computers. 541 Library Drive. Take last US exit on I-75, turn right on Easterday, turn left at traffic light onto Ashland St. to Library Drive. • Lake Superior State University campus is a wi-fi hotspot. 650 W. Easterday. ... more

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