11 Incredible Things To Do In Sault Ste. Marie – Outdoor And Indigenous Experiences

If you’re looking for memorable things to do in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, this northern city has a lot more to offer than many travelers expect. With the St. Marys River and Lake Superior at its doorstep, easy access to parks and beaches, and a growing range of Indigenous experiences, Sault Ste. Marie is a destination that is a hotspot for outdoor adventure and travel that is quite unique in the province, if not the country.

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Combine that with Indigenous experiences that are accessible and truly awakening, this is 100% a road trip worthy destination.

While it may look like a long drive on the map, we found it to be completely worth the effort and entirely doable as a 4 day road trip. Based on our experience, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie to help you plan a trip that mixes nature, culture, and some of the region’s most unique experiences, that will make you love this region as much as we did.

Where Is Sault Ste. Marie?

Before we jump into our favourite activities and sights in Sault Ste. Marie, it’s worth quickly showing you where it actually is and why there may be some confusion sometimes.

Image courtesy The Canadian Encyclopedia

Sault Ste. Marie is the same name on both sides of the border in Michigan and Ontario with the International Bridge connecting the two and both sit adjacent to St. Marys River which connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing on Sault Ste. Marie in Canada.

Popularly called “the Sault” or simply “the Soo”, this is the territory of the Ojibwe who call it Bawating meaning “place of the rapids”.

From Toronto, this is a 7.5 hour drive, 8.5 hours from Ottawa, and 6.5 hours from London (if you go through Michigan).

Best Things To Do In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you’ve been before, the beautiful Northwestern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie has a lot to offer.

The Soo is a city that’s surrounded by enormous natural beauty and is an incredible place to learn more about Indigenous culture.

As our very first time, we wanted to build an authentic 4 day itinerary for those driving in from the GTA or anywhere in southern Ontario. Yes, there’s a lot of driving but it’s surprisingly easy.

Whether you do this as a long weekend getaway like what we did or you plan it as a larger road trip, these are our top picks for best things to do in and around the city if you’re looking for outdoor adventure, and want to learn more about the Indigenous spirit, history, and future.

The list is, by no means, in any particular order so feel free to mix and match the things you’d like to see, do, and eat in Sault Ste. Marie.

Somewhere we started with for much of our research came from Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.

Outdoor & Nature Experiences In Sault Ste. Marie

See The Agawa Rock Pictographs

Outlasting time, freezing and thawing of ice, beating sun, and pummeling rain are the sacred Agawa Rock Pictographs within Lake Superior Provincial Park that provide a connection to the past.

Generations of Ojibwe spiritual leaders came to this rock to record dreams, visions and events. Etched in crimson are canoes, fish, moose, crane, eagle, turtle, horse, bears, caribou, serpents, and mythical creatures.

One of the most recognizable painting is of Mishipeshu, a spined-horned lynx and spirit of the water.

To get to the pictographs, there’s a short but steep descent through the woods, rocky chasms, and boulders that eventually opens up to Lake Superior.

With the help of ropes and chains, you’ll navigate to the pictographs while carefully avoiding the downward sloping and slippery rock. With the numerous rescue ropes and lifebuoy, it’ll be clear that you need to take this part seriously.

Relax At Katherine Cove And Bathtub Island

This is Katherine Cove. Bathtub Island is on the other side.

Located within Lake Superior Provincial Park, this is a popular cove for its sandy beach, crystal clear waters, convenient picnic tables, access to the Coastal Trail, and a launch point for canoeists.

This is one of those spots that you would easily miss if you didn’t do your research but is a favourite for anyone passing through the park.

Often tied to Katherine Cove is the not-so-secret Bathtub Island. This isn’t the island that you can see from the cove (that’s Lizard Island) but is in fact around the coast towards the south.

To get to Bathtub Island, you’ll need to follow the Lake Superior Coastal Trail. From the fragile dunes, you’ll walk towards the beach and wade in a knee-high sandbar towards the island. You won’t see the all-natural shallow basin right away but assured, it’s on the the back side.

This is a natural swimming hole where the rock formation of the island keeps most the water in, with rippling water overflowing into the basin to keep the water fresh.

This legendary splash pad is a key highlight when it comes to the best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie.

Hike Pinguisibi/Sand River Trail

If you’re exploring Lake Superior Provincial Park and looking for an easy hike to do with waterfall views, Pinguisibi or Sand River Trail is a fantastic choice.

The Ojibwe named for the river is Pinguisibi where pingui means “fine white sand” and sibi means “river”.

There’s 6 kilometres of rolling cascades and rapids that this trail follows, making it exceptionally fun to do. In various locations, you’ll be able to walk out to the rock to take in the view.

There are photo ops at every corner of this hike and the beauty of it is that there’s no singular waterfall at the end that you’re trying to get to. The waterfalls are similar throughout so you can go as far as you’d like, based on how much time you have, and then turn back.

Watch The Sunset At Gros Cap Bluffs

25 minutes from downtown Sault Ste. Marie and a straight shot west towards the coast of Lake Superior is a local sunset hangout spot called Gros Cap Bluffs.

Drive right to the end of Second Line and park right at water’s edge. You can hang out by the breakwater to watch the golden light glistening in the water. There’s something quite magical about the perfect silhouette of the one tree that juts out from the top of the bluff.

There’s also a way to hike up to the rugged and rocky cliff which offers a panoramic vista of the coastline and Michigan in the distance.

Take a pause here to take in that fresh air as the sky blazes with brilliant cotton candy hues.

Drive The Lake Superior Coastal Drive

This is a bit of a general catch-all but while based in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, you can explore a good part of the eastern coast of Lake Superior along the famed Trans Canada Highway (Highway 17).

Even if Katherine Cove or Old Woman Bay is as far as you go, there are a ton of sights, trails, and pitstops that are worth including in your trip plans.

Here are the stops that we’d recommend, starting with the ones closest to Sault Ste. Marie that we don’t explicitly mention in this list on the best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie.

• Chippewa Falls – This is the official midway point of the Trans Canada Highway.
• Batchawana Bay Provincial Park – One of many great beaches along Lake Superior.
• The Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse – Pitstop with a general store that’s known for their apple fritters and adjacent River & Rock Gifts with great to-go meals.
• Agawa Crafts & the Canadian Carver – Trading post-style tourist stop with Indigenous arts and crafts.
• Pancake Bay Provincial Park – Another wide-open stretch of white sandy beach that’s great for families. They also have the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout hike (6.1 km, 1.5 hours)
• Old Woman Bay – With its 200-metre cliff to the left and horseshoe shaped bay, this is an incredibly scenic part of Lake Superior Provincial Park. If you have time for a hike, The Nokomis Trail is very well-regarded.

Cultural & Indigenous Experiences In Sault Ste. Marie

Attend A Pow Wow

Pow wows are cultural gatherings that are all about celebrating Indigenous culture, reconnecting the community, reviving the spirit, and ultimately having a lot of fun.

The best way to go to your first pow wow is by embarking on a guided eco-tour and educational experience with Thrive Tours, an Indigenous-owned business in Sault Ste. Marie. This is a great way for not only travellers but also locals, Indigenous and non-indigenous to learn how to pow wow.

Attending a pow wow is more than just being there to watch but with Thrive Tours, you become part of the celebration, and you’ll also gain a much better appreciation of Indigenous culture and history.

During the experience, you’ll be able go through a tradition called smudging, honour the sacred fire with a tobacco offering, participate in inter tribal dances, eat locally made food, chat with members of First Nations, and celebrate the winners of the competitions.

With the beating of the drum, reverberating song, and skilled dancing, it’s a palpable energy that’ll touch your mind and spirit.

When planning your visit to Sault Ste. Marie, we highly encourage you to plan around a pow wow. They happen several times a year and between different First Nations. The one we had a chance to visit in August was the Garden River First Nations Pow Wow.

Learn more about Indigenous tourism in Sault Ste. Marie to find out other ways to explore and connect.

Learn The History Of The Shingwauk Residential School

Canada’s dark past is brought to light in an eye-opening, thoughtful-provoking, and hopeful tour of the Shingwauk Residential School.

To learn more about the history of this residential school, we encourage you to reach out to Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC) to do one of their site tours. These tours are by appointment only and must be booked two weeks in advance. These are free but donations via their website are welcome.

Across the street from the residential school is Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), one of 9 Indigenous institutes of higher learning which is right across the street. This is a fitting juxtaposition of an institution with an unsettling history with one of hope and understanding.

If you’re lucky enough to visit, notice that the centre roof is representative of a teaching lodge which is representative of a mother’s womb.

For tours of SKG, you can arrange them directly by e-mailing them at [email protected].

Explore Whitefish Island

For the best views of St. Marys River where you get to see tumbling rapids with the backdrop of the International Bridge, you have to come to Whitefish Island.

The island is historically significant because this was an ancestral fishing station, meeting place, and burial grounds. Whitefish Island’s 22 acres was returned back to the Batchawana First Nation of Ojibways in 1997.

As you make your way to Whitefish Island, you’ll also be passing through the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. In fact, you’ll need to cross the pedestrian bridge of this recreational lock, another great photo stop.

Your first bridge crossing will take you to South St. Marys Island. Continue further and you’ll cross another bridge into Whitefish Island.

This is an easy island to walk around on its designated hiking trail and boardwalk. You’ll find the island teeming with flora, fauna, wildlife, and history. What’s also nice about the island is that there are plenty of lookout points with areas to sit.

Packing List For Sault Ste. Marie

With a mix of outdoor adventures, scenic viewpoints, and relaxed city exploring, you’ll want to pack for both comfort and versatility. Whether you’re hiking along rugged trails, strolling the waterfront, or hopping on a boat tour, having the right gear will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

• Comfortable walking shoes – You’ll be on your feet a lot exploring downtown, boardwalks, and attractions.
• Light hiking shoes or trail runners – Ideal for spots like hiking trails and uneven terrain.
• Daypack/backpack – Perfect for carrying water, snacks, and layers during day trips.
• Weather-appropriate layers – Temperatures can shift quickly, especially near the water.
• Light rain jacket or windbreaker – Weather can change fast, even in summer.
• Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated during hikes and outdoor activities.
• Sunscreen & sunglasses – Essential for sunny days on the water or exposed trails.
• Buff or neck gaiter – Great for hiking to block sun and wick away sweat.
• Sun hat – Helps protect your face and head from sun exposure, especially during activities like kayaking or spending long periods outdoors.
• Bug spray – Especially useful in wooded areas or near water during warmer months.
• Swimwear – Handy if your hotel has a pool or you’re near the lake.
• Casual everyday outfit – For dining out or relaxing in town.
• Powerbank – Great for long days of exploring and taking photos.
• Camera or smartphone – You’ll want to capture the waterfront views and sunsets.

Closing Thoughts On Sault Ste. Marie

This is a road trip like no other. With these 11 best things to do in Sault Ste. Marie, you’ll be able to plan a fantastic stand-alone getaway or connect this by continuing along the Lake Superior coast.

The best way to describe our 4 days in the Soo is enlightening.

It was enlightening to discover all of the great outdoors that you often hear about but never get to see in person because of how far Sault Ste. Marie is always perceived to be.

It was also enlightening to learn about Indigenous culture through the guiding hand of Thrive Tours and to see pow wow so full of inclusivity, positive energy, and celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions