Sudbury 
Credit: Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site
If you’re considering or planning a getaway this summer, you might be surprised to learn that Sault Ste. Marie has everything you could want. From relaxation to adventure, culture to the rugged Canadian wilderness, the city and the area surrounding it is chock-full of adventures just waiting to be discovered. The city boasts beautiful views and is steeped in history and culture. There are a ton of different museums and galleries to help you take everything in. The incredible St. Mary’s River runs through the city and the Provincial Parks in the area are simply stunning. The city also boasts great shopping, incredible dining options, exciting places to stay, and many natural sites to see to round out your trip.
1. Sit and watch the boats go by
The Sault Ste. Marie Canal was built in 1895 and was once the world’s longest lock. It was also the first one to use electricity in its day to day industrial use. The Canal is now a National Historic Site and is used only for recreational watercraft. Maybe you’re visiting and you’ve never had the opportunity to see a sailboat up close and personal. Maybe you just want to kick back and relax in the beautiful area and watch the boats go by. The Canal actually connects Lake Huron and Lake Superior, so there is generally quite a bit of boat traffic that you can take in. It’s a gorgeous area and definitely an experience you should take in while you’re in the city. There is also a short trail system right by the Canal, a favorite for walking and biking.
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2. Take a waterfront walk along the St. Mary’s River
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3. Learn all about the bushplane at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
If you’re interested in aviation history, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre is just the place for you! Even if you didn’t previously have an interest in planes, you should still check out the centre. It has so many exciting things to offer, see, and do. You can take in the collection of bushplanes and enjoy the many different, informative exhibits. There is a huge collection of articles and photographs offering a glimpse back in time. The centre is open all year round and also offers and hosts different events. Be sure to check the website, as there might just be something exciting going on around the time you’re planning a visit that you won’t want to miss.
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4. A mouth-watering tour with Blaq Bear Culinary Adventures
One of the best parts about visiting a different place is finding that perfect restaurant or hidden gem to sample the local fare. Blaq Bear Culinary Adventures offers opportunity to see the sights and take in the sounds of Salt Ste. Marie, and they pair it with a culinary experience that is sure to be memorable. They do all the work of finding that hidden gem for you. All you have to do is book one of their tours and show up hungry! You get to take in all of the city’s unique history, and sample some of the best cuisine and beverages the region has to offer on these tasty tours. Yes, that does include locally grown and made foods and beverages. There are two different tours you can go on. Why not book them both!
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5. Buy some local veggies at Mill Market
Mill Market is located right by the St. Mary’s River waterfront area and features the best of Northern Ontario. Local farmers, ranchers, artists, and fishermen bring their wares to the market, making it easy for you to enjoy fresh fruit, veggies, and meat. You can also shop the amazing arts and crafts made by the local artisans at the market. Not only will you get the best fresh and tasty offerings, you’ll be helping support the local economy.
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6. Check out the live entertainment at Roberta Bondar Park and Tent Pavilion
If you’re looking to enjoy an event or take in some live music while you’re in town, you should check out the Roberta Bondar Park and Tent Pavilion. The Pavilion is an outdoor venue that can actually be rented out and of course hosts different events. The Park and Pavilion are located right by the St. Mary’s River waterfront area. Be sure to check out their website for the many exciting events happening this year.
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7. Traverse Agawa Canyon Park
Credit: Agawa Canyon Tour Train
The Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park is an incredibly beautiful area. If you’re looking to see the best of Northern Ontario and the Canadian Wilderness, you should base your next adventure here. The park is beautiful at any time of the year, but it’s especially vibrant in the fall, when the leaves start changing colour. There are many different trails to hike in the park, beautiful bodies of water to canoe, and four waterfalls! One of the best ways to see the park is to book a ticket on the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. The rail trip is sure to be a memorable experience. There are one-day adventures or you can book overnight packages. The train operates from June until October.
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8. Finish a Race at Laird International Raceway
If you’re looking for an action packed experience that everyone can enjoy, look no further than the Laird International Raceway. There are exciting races almost every single week this summer, starting in June. You can take in a race by yourself or bring the whole family. The ticket prices are very affordable and it’s sure to be a unique evening or afternoon out.
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9. Discover Marks Bay Conservation Area
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10. Take in a massive park right in the city
Bellevue Park is the city’s main park, and as you can imagine, it’s huge. There are 42 acres of exciting things to do. If you’re adventuring with kiddos this summer, there is a huge playground in the park. There are a ton of things to enjoy at the playground, so kids can literally spend an entire morning or afternoon playing and discovering. There are also 2.4km of walking paths in the park, perfect for walking or jogging. During the summer months, the park even shows movies outdoors. Be sure to check out the website before travelling.
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11. Explore two unique stone buildings
Credit: Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site
History buffs and lovers of old architecture will be drawn to the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site. Okay, even if you’re not either of those things, these unique old buildings are still really neat to go and see. The Ermatinger Old Stone House and the Clergue Blockhouse are actually two of the oldest stone buildings west of Toronto. You can see for yourself how the Ermatinger Old Stone House has been restored and learn all about what life was like for the house’s past residents. There is also a Heritage Discovery Centre is on site where you can take in other historical exhibits.
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12. Take in the past at Sault Ste. Marie Museum
Located right in the heart of downtown, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum is a must see. To start with, the building itself is absolutely incredible. The iconic red brick and the green roof make for the perfect picture. The museum contains a whole host of artifacts, and materials as well as many interesting and informative exhibits all related to the history and development of the city and the surrounding area. The museum’s permanent collection is impressive, but it also hosts different exhibits and displays on loan from other museums. The museum is sure to be a blast for people of all ages to take in.
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13. Learn all about St. Mary’s River at this dedicated museum
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14. Explore Art Gallery of Algoma
Credit: Art Gallery of Algoma
No trip to Sault Ste. Marie would be complete without a visit to the renowned Art Gallery of Algoma. The gallery, which was established in 1975, is known as a premier art destination on Northwestern Ontario. Plan for a day, or maybe a couple days, to take in the 10,000 sqft gallery. You’ll be sure to be delighted, informed, and amazed by the incredible exhibits. The gallery also offers classes and workshops throughout the year as well as exciting events.
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15. Play in the park named after pancakes
There’s actually a reasonable explanation as to how Pancake Bay got its name. The Bay was named for the fur traders and voyagers who would come to the area to trade, and since the bay was near the end of the line for them, their supplies were usually running lo,w and they’d make a meal of pancakes with what they had left before going on to Sault Ste. Marie. At least, that’s the popular story.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park is a great place to visit near Sault Ste. Marie. The park features incredible whit sand beaches, outstanding hiking trails with lookout areas, scenic landscapes, and rich forests teeming with wildlife. The park is a great place for those who want to canoe or kayak. You can stay right in the park. Camp out or check out one of the yurts!
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16. See the Graveyard of the Great Lakes
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17. Escape without leaving the city at Kinsmen Park
Spend a morning, afternoon, or even a full day in the scenic Kinsmen Park right in the city. The park features walking paths, hiking trails, sparkling water, forested area, and even a small falls. The park is especially beautiful in the fall when all the leaves turn, but of course it’s a beautiful spot to visit in the summer as well. Pack a picnic so you can have lunch or dinner. The park makes for a great escape and you don’t even have to leave the city!
18. Shop ‘til you drop at the Trading Post
It’s easy to see why the Trading Post is a favorite stop in Sault Ste. Marie. The shop offers a huge variety of items. You’ll be able to find anything from souvenirs to moccasins, handbags, blankets, mukluks, and seasonal items like hats and mitts. The shop is well-known in the city and is a must stop destination for tourists and locals alike.
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19. Go on a treasure hunt
With over ten thrift stores and antique stores in Sault Ste. Marie, you can treasure hunt for days! Find that unique item for your collection or score that deal of a lifetime. With so many different options and an ever-changing supply, no store will be the same twice! Half the fun is the discovery, but of course, finding that new to you treasure is always exciting too.
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20. Tantalize your taste buds at Gliss Restaurant
Of course, you can’t visit a new place without trying some of the local restaurants. The Gliss Restaurant offers delicious and creative dishes that will sure to satisfy even the toughest critic. Seriously. Look up some of the reviews on the place. It’s rated as the second-best restaurant in the whole city and the best steakhouse on one of the popular review sites and it’s not hard to see why! The presentation of the dishes is absolutely amazing and the food is even better!
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21. The culinary experience of a lifetime
Credit: Arturo Ristorante
Foodies rejoice! The Arturo Ristorante is a fine dining experience that won’t soon be replicated. The restaurant has been touted as the number one place to eat in Sault Ste. Marie by numerous review websites and they’re not wrong! The food here is simply outstanding! The menu is quite diverse, with something that everyone can enjoy. The restaurant also carries a large selection of wines to pair with their delicious and unique offerings.
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22. Sample a local beer at Outspoken Brewing
Located downtown, Outspoken Brewing is the perfect place to sample some of the city’s best local craft beers. The microbrewery offers four distinct ales, but they also brew speciality ales throughout the year. One of the beers even uses hops sourced and grown locally. The brewery’s back tap room is available for booking, for many different events or just for that causal get together with friends. The brewery also hosts different events throughout the year. It’s so much more than just a great beer, although they definitely brew that too!
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