The oldest city in Michigan, Sault Ste Marie is actually two cities which straddle the St Mary’s River, one in America the other in Ontario, Canada. Right in the northeastern part of the state beside Lake Superior, the town has traditionally been well-known for its locks which serve as a channel for domestic and international vessels passing between the Great Lakes.
Given its location as a junction between the US and Canada as well as a gateway joining Lake Superior to the rest of the Great Lakes, Sault Ste Marie is a city that sees a large number of visitors, many of whom come to witness the huge ships passing between the Great Lakes. Tourists are able to easily cross into Canada along the Sault Ste Marie International Bridge, which serves as a link between both parts of the city. If you’re a fan of outdoor activities then Sault Ste Marie is a great destination with its long Lake Superior coastline and immaculate forests.
Sault Ste Marie also enjoys popularity as a gambling town with a handful of casinos located on the Canadian side of the border which draw in punters from the rest of Michigan and Ontario.
Highlights
Sault Ste Marie Locks: a major junction as part of the shipping routes that link the Great Lakes, the locks are an intriguing sight, especially when large domestic traffic is passing through.
Casino Sault Ste Marie: close to the Sault Ste Marie International Bridge on the Canadian side, this casino draws in gamblers in particular and to a lesser extent Americans looking for a drink, given the legal drinking age here is 19 and not 21 years.
Sherman Park: home to the city’s only public beach beside the St Mary’s River, this park features camp grounds, nature trails, cross-country skiing and barbecuing areas.