NEW! Information added to the Members Only Section on 2010-07-09

Attractions / Arts & Entertainment

Agawa Central Railway

Train Tour

129 Bay Street
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 6Y2
(705) 946-7300
1-800-242-9287
www.agawacanyontourtrain.com

SUMMER: One of the most spectacular train excursions in North America. You will travel 114 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie over towering trestles, alongside pristine northern lakes and rivers, and through the awesome granite rock formations and mixed forest of the Canadian Shield.

FALL COLOUR SEASON: During the fall, Algoma Central Country is ablaze with colour! While peak colour varies with each season, the last two weeks of September and the first week of October can offer the most spectacular colour and should be considered when planning your fall tour.

TOUR OF THE LINE: Travel to the End of Steel! All aboard our regular passenger train for a rail fan's dream. This 590 mile round-trip excursion combines the rugged beauty of the Canyon Tour with the unique boreal forest of the Great Clay Belt region, topped off with an overnight stay in the French Canadian town of Hearst, the Moose Capital of Canada.

 

ALGOMA FALL FESTIVAL

Algoma Arts Festival Association
690 Queen Street E.
P6A 2A4
(705) 949-0822
www.algomafallfestival.com

World-class performances and exhibits will once again come to Sault Ste. Marie for the 32nd Annual Algoma Fall Festival. The festival runs while Algoma's magnificent fall colours are at their peak. For a complete listing of events, see the Algoma Fall Festival's Website or call the Algoma Arts Festival office at (705) 949-0822 or fax 949-4070. Tickets are available at the Station Mall Box Office after Labour Day. Call the box office (705) 945-7299. Fax (705) 945-7346.

ART GALLERY OF ALGOMA

10 East Street
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 3C3
(705) 949-9067
www.artgalleryofalgoma.com

Opened in 1976, this public gallery provides excellent quality, wide-ranging programs and changing exhibits throughout the year. View original work of some of local artists.

Gallery education takes you through classes, lectures, films, tours; schools visit and meet the artist receptions. There is a charming and elegant gift shop on the main level and an art rental and sales area on the mezzanine.

BELLEVUE PARK

Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Bellevue Park has beautifully maintained gardens, greenhouses and picnic areas. This beautiful park set on the shore of the St. Mary's River offers something for everyone. Feed the ducks and geese, take in a concert at the amphitheatre, or just take a relaxing walk. Children's playground with climbing apparatus, swings and creative equipment. Open year round daily 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

ADMISSION FREE

CANADIAN BUSHPLANE HERITAGE CENTRE

50 Pim Street
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 6W6
(705) 945-6242 or 1-877-BUSHPLANE
www.bushplane.com

"CANADA'S BEST INDOOR ATTRACTION"
WHERE ADVENTURES TAKE OFF!
A must for aviation and fire fighter enthusiasts! Aviation memorabilia available. The centre is easily accessible from the right hand lane of Bay Street, which runs along the city's waterfront. The new Object Theatre is an attraction within an attraction, which will show "Wings Over The North," produced by Science North of Sudbury.

CARIBOU EXPEDITIONS

R.R. #2, 1021 Mission Road
Goulais River, Ontario
P0S 1E0
(705) 649-3540
Toll Free: 1-800-970-6662
www.caribou-expeditions.com

Caribou Expeditions offers sea kayak tours of Lake Superior and lake Huron, including day-tips, wilderness overnight camping, lodge-to-lodge kayaking, and kayak instruction. In addition they offer a kayak tour among the whales of the Saguenay Fjord and the gulf of St. Lawrence. They will provide you with a wilderness adventure that is exciting, safe and educational. Call or check out their website for Caribou-Expeditions 2006 Tours.

Courses:
Introduction to Sea Kayaking & Wilderness Kayaking

ERMATINGER CLERGUE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

831 Queen Street E.
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 2A8
Phone: (705) 759-5443

This elegant house was built in 1814 for a very Oakes Ermatinger, his Ojibway wife Mananowe (Charlotte), and their children. During their stay in Sault Ste. Marie, this house served as the social centre for the immediate and surrounding communities. Many dinner parties, dances and voyageur rendez-vous were held here. By 1826, the fur trade in the Algoma area had dropped dramatically. This coupled with family business in Montreal, was a deciding factor in the Ermatinger's decision to return to Montreal in 1828. The Historic Sites Board of the City of Sault Ste. Marie operates the Ermatinger Old Stone House.

FORT ST. JOSEPH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site
Box 220
Richards Landing, ON
P0R 1J0
(705)246-2664
www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/stjoseph/index_E.asp

Hours: Victoria Day to Thanksgiving 10am to 5pm

Once the most westerly frontier outpost in British North America, Fort St. Joseph was strategically located at the entrance to the channel linking lakes Huron and Superior. It was the western headquarters for the Indian Department and a major fur trade supply depot from 1796 to 1812. Fort St. Joseph accords visitors a decidedly different "fort experience". Rather than a reconstruction, visitors see exactly what remained after the fort was burned by the Americans in 1815. Stabilized ruins blend with nature, and the site abounds with birds, animals and wildflowers. Exhibits, audiovisual presentations and services are provided at the Visitor Centre. Interpretive signs at the ruins explain the history of the site.

SOO LOCKS BOAT TOURS

See all four US locks, St. Mary's Rapids, three hydro-electric plants and the Historic Cnadian Lock.  experience "locking through" from Lake Huron to Lake Superior..  Cruise underneath International Highway Bridge, and get a sailor's view of many interesting sites.  Cruise along side lake freighters & ocean vessels.  Learn about passing ships as you get a close up view from your boat.  Please visit the Soo Locks website for more information.

GREAT LAKES POWER LTD.

Frances H. Clergue -- Generating Station
Canal Drive
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 6J6
Phone; (705) 759-7600
Website: www.glp.on.ca

The Francis H. Clergue Generating Station is located on the St. Mary's River, which connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. All water used at this location is regulated by the Lake Superior Board of Control of the International Joint Commission.

Great Lakes Power Limited is proud of its long history as a private electrical energy company supplying essential services to its customers. As a team we thrive by continually challenging and committing ourselves to:

  • Optimized Production Capability
  • Service Excellence
  • Productivity Improvements
  • Competitive Pricing
  • Employee and Public Safety Performance

    GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM

    110 Whitefish Pt. Rd.
    Paradise, MI 49768
    (906)635-1742
    of 1-877-SHIPWRECK
    www.shipwreckmuseum.com

    Throughout the museum and theatre, visitors will see maritime legends come to life. Artifacts and exhibits tell stories of sailors and ships that braved the waters of Superior and those who were lost to its menacing waves.

    DIRECTIONS FROM SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO: Follow I-75 south to M-28 west. Take M-123 north to Paradise, Michigan. Once in Paradise, continue north on Whitefish Point Road for 11 miles to the Whitefish Point Light Station. All roads are well paved and maintained by the State/County.

    Travel Time = approximately 1 hour, 10 minutes

    HEYDEN ADVENTURE BASE CAMP

    785 Hwy 17 North
    "10 Minutes North of Sault Ste. Marie"
    (705) 777-1010
    www.isignedthewaiver.com

    MOUNTAIN BIKING: Their single track network is expanding quickly. Currently they have about 10km of trail and are opening a 1km section each week.

    Rentals and Lessons: You've heard how much fun mountain biking is, and you want to give it a try? Call the Base Camp to book a "learn to mountain bike lesson." Our certified Ontario Mountain Bike Instructors will have you riding like a pro. The 3-hour ride includes a helmet; bike rental, guided tour and pointers to get you started for $30. If you want to it alone, bikes and helmets are available. OUTFITTING: Base Camp offers a wide variety of high quality rental gear to meet your back country needs.

    BIRD WATCHING: The Heyden Adventure Base Camp is always free to hikers and birders.

    PADDLING: Algoma is a paddler's paradise. If you are unsure where to go, or what to do, talk to one of their friendly adventure guides. Shuttle service is available.

    DAY TOURS: Full/Half Day Eco-Adventure: Adventurers will meet at Base Camp and choose their activity.

     

    3 hour learn to mountain bike course featuring bike rental, helmet, instruction and a guided tour of the Base Camp trails.

    TREE TOP ADVENTURES

    Tree Top Adventures hosts many adventure based activities to entertain locals and travellers abroad. The canopy tour is a two-hour activity that consists of 18-20 treetop games. A game consists of a method of travel from one tree to another. There is an advanced and an intermediate course. Visitors of the attraction will trek across cables, beams, and logs, cross wobbly bridges, swing like Tarzan, zip line with speed, and test their balance as they manoeuvre through many obstacles, all while safely attached with two carabineers. Treetop Adventures will also feature the largest zip line in Northern Ontario. It will extend a distance of two football fields over a scenic ravine. The company is also excited to offer an orienteering and a wilderness survuval program that can be utilized separately or as a package with the canopy tour and zip line ride. Thrilling birthday parties, educational and fun field trips for schools, sell-out fundraisers, or dynamic corporate team building activities, Treetop Adventures is for you! The park is TSSA (Government) approved.

    www.treetopadventures.ca

     

    LAIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

     

    www.lairdraceway.com

    Laird Raceway is located east of Echo Bay on Lake George Road West (Laird Fairgrounds) with 5 divisions to meet everyone's interests. Grandstand and Pit season tickets may be purchased by calling (705) 256-1652.

    All races are on Thursdays. Rain Dates will be rescheduled and notified.

    MARINAS

    SAULT STE. MARIE

    Bellevue Marina
    Lower Pine Street
    759-5310, Kiosk - 759-2838

    Robert Bondar Transient Marina
    65 Foster Drive
    759-5430 or 759-5310

    EAST OF SAULT STE. MARIE

    Holder Marine
    Desbarats, ON - 782-6251

    Hilton Beach Marina
    Hilton Beach - 246-2291

    Clark's Cove Marina
    Richards Landing, St. Joseph Island
    246-2381

    Richard's Landing Municipal Marina
    Richard's Landing, St. Joseph's Island
    246-0254

    St. Joseph Island Boatel (Storage)
    Sterling Bay, St. Joseph Island
    246-2628

    Thessalon Marina
    56 Algoma, Thessalon
    842-2217
    759-5430/759-5310

    Blind River Marina Park
    Lakeside Avenue, Blind River
    356-7026

    Bruce Mines Marina
    Highway 17 East, Bruce Mines
    785-3493

    NORTH OF SAULT STE. MARIE

    Patty's Gitchee Gumee Marina
    Haviland Shores Drive
    Goulais River
    Summer: 649-2101

    MUSEUM SHIP NORGOMA

    Seasonal Phone on Board
    Norgoma
    (705)946-4944
    or
    1-800-461-6020
    www.norgoma.org

    Located in the Roberta Bondar Marina, close to the Pavilion, the M.S. Norgoma remains one of Sault Ste Marie's oldest waterfront attractions. In the 1950's and '60's, the M.S. Norgoma served as a passenger and freight vessel docking at various points along the "Turkey Trail" and was considered the life line to the North Channel communities. The vessel could sleep up to 100 people, and she could comfortably seat 50 in the dining room. On the main and lower decks, the M. S. Norgoma was able to transport up to 40 cars along with a sizable cargo. Currently she is being restored to her original condition all the while remaining open to the public from mid-May to mid-October.


    POOLS

    John Rhodes Community Centre Pool (Indoor)
    260 Elizabeth Street

    V.E. Greco Pool (Outdoor)
    269 Albert St. West

    Peter J. Manzo Pool (Outdoor)
    710 Young Street

    PROVINCIAL FISH HATCHERY

    Tarentorous Fish Culture Station
    Fish Hatchery Road, R.R. #5
    Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    (705) 949-7271

    Operating Schedule: Open Year Round Monday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    This large indoor facility is run by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and rears trout for the Great Lakes and inland waterways. The hatchery has a two-level self-guided visitor centre, with displays showing various aspects of fish culture.

    PARKS CANADA

    Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada
    1 Canal Drive
    Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
    (705) 941-6262
    www.pc.gc.ca/sault

    The Sault Canal National Historic Site, a Parks Canada site of national historic significance, is protected and presented on St. Mary's Island, near downtown Sault Ste. Marie.

  • Open year round
  • Visitor Centre
  • See historic structures which have been part of the canal complex since it opened in 1895
  • Fees for guided tours
  • 2.2 km trail leads to the St. Mary's River Rapids
  • The Lock Gates: Two hundred and seventy-four metres long, eighteen metres wide, and thirteen metres deep, the lock chamber was built to hold "one upper laker and two smaller vessels."
  • Gift Shop - Friends of the Sault Ste Marie Canal
  • Facilities: Free parking, indoor & outdoor exhibits, year-round fishing

    Daily tours are available on the hour and a schedule of special events can be obtained by contacting visitor activities at (705) 941 - 6205

    SAULT STE MARIE MUSEUM

    690 Queen Street East
    Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    P6A 2A4
    (705) 759-7278

    The museum building was formerly used as the Sault Ste. Marie Post Office. The interior features a magnificent oak staircase, a three-story light well topped by a skylight and a plated glass floor. Exciting exhibits throughout the year! Convenient free parking and ramp entry at the rear. Elevator access to all floors. Ask about details of "Life in the Past Lane."

    ROBERTA BONDAR PARK

    Located downtown on the shore of the St. Mary's River. The Roberta Bondar Park is a year-round venue for specialty performances of all kinds, concerts, banquets, symphony performances and festivals. Community events and sporting events often centre around the park and the Pavilion. Named after Canada's first woman in space, and a Sault Ste. Marie native, this four-season pavilion is the host to many festivals, concerts and special events. For information regarding musical entertainment and special events please call (705) 759-5310.

    RUNWAY PARK

    Just before the Sault Ste. Marie Airport
    (705) 779-3031
    www.runwaypark.com

    RUNWAY PARK, Northern Ontario's newest Family Entertainment and Recreation Site. This four-season venue is like no other in Northern Ontario. The entire family will comfortably enjoy motor sports, live entertainment, country fairs and community carnival events, in a safe, friendly atmosphere, fully equipped with washrooms, ample parking and campsites. Situated in one of the most beautiful park-like settings just minutes away from the city, RUNWAY PARK offers the best in year round fun and entertainment.

    SAULTEAUX CLUB - VOYAGEUR TRAIL ASSOCIATION

    Strolling along a secluded beach, listening to the birds in an emerald green forest, admiring the colourful spring wildflowers, trading stories at the campsite by a picturesque lake, enjoying spectacular views from a high rocky ridge, sharing lunch time conversation beside a tumbling forest brook, walking with others and breathing fresh, healthy air. These are just some of the experiences to be had along the Voyageur Hiking Trail.

    For more information about hiking please contact the Voyageur Trail Association at (705) 942-1891 or toll free at 1-877-393-4003

    Visit the Voyageur Trail Association website at www.voyageurtrail.ca


    SPRUCE HAVEN  ZOO

    2016 Third Line West
    Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    P6A 6K4
    (705) 779-2423
    www3.sympatico.ca/sprucehaven

    Spruce Haven is a petting zoo and wildlife park located on 30 picturesque acres just 15 minutes from downtown Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada. Beginning in 1988, they have become a popular attraction and become the area's only animal park, with a wide assortment of animals and birds from many countries. They offer a fun-filled family adventure with a hands-on petting zoo, and the opportunity to view wildlife in a natural scenic setting. They are located in scenic countryside, just off hwy 550 west, on the marked route to the airport. Travel info is available just after a right turn after crossing the bridge.

  • Hayrides are available
  • Zoo Camp (groups of 10 or more)
    (Overnight) for boy scouts, girl guides, schools day and night time wildlife zoo tour wilderness mountain hike(guided) animal handling demonstration petting zoo, hayride, garden tour, plant and animal discussions. $20.00 per person tent site, water, washroom, electric power, fire pit, wood, picnic tables 12 noon until 5pm the next day 10 or more
  • Animal/Bird Handling display (i.e.: "Dance With Wolves Show", "Yuma The Puma", and more)

    WILDERNESS GUIDED HIKE: Approximately 2 hours and starts with a tour of Wildlife at the Zoo and then to the adjoining Mountains and Forest north of the zoo. It is a gradual slope to the mountain peak with a 300' difference in elevation.

    Highlights: Zoo Wildlife: Getting up close and personal with Arctic Wolves, Black Bear, Cougar & more. Learn about them and see a "Dances with Wolves show" where staff join the Wolf Pair.

    Wilderness Experience: View the Majesty of the Forest, Mountains and Streams as you accompany a quide who will introduce you to some of Sault Ste. Marie's beauty.

    Photo Opportunities: This hike offers opportunity for some incredible shots of the countryside, the city, and the coastline.

    ST. MARY'S RIVER BOARDWALK

    For a brisk walk or leisurely stroll, the waterfront boardwalk is the perfect place. Located along the St. Mary's River in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, the walkway runs from the Great Lakes Power plant on Canal Drive to Roberta Bondar Park and ends at the Civic Centre on Foster Drive.

    SAULT STE. MARIE LIGHT THE CROSS
    Perched on the hilltop adjoining St. George's Avenue is the Western Hemisphere's tallest, illuminated, self-supporting cross. From this location there is a panoramic view of the St. Marys River rapids and the Twin Cities. A symbol of peace, love, and unity within and between our two communities, the lighted cross commemorates a cross erected on a hilltop in the areas in 1671. The view of the cross from the International Bridge at night is inspiring. For Information call (705)-779-2483.


     

    The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - 489 Bay Street - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - P6A 1X6
    P: +1 705-949-7152 F: +1 705-759-8166 E: comments@ssmcoc.com Webulation by Pictographics :: Terms and Conditions