Roland

We'll be in Sault Ste Marie just after Labor Day. We've heard about the Soo Locks Dinner Cruise and the Canyon Rail Tour. We'll be there a couple of days. We would like to know the best things to do, a good restaurant, a good hotel. I don't want to waste the short time we're there. Thanks.

linda

hi roland, i never expected to see a posting for ssm. i love ssm and i try to go about 5 times a year. i load up my van with 3 or 4 friends and we make the 6 hr drive up from detroit. we also have so much fun along the way. yes, you have to do the cruise, the rail tour-this is an all day trip, train leaves about 8-830 in the morning and costs about 46.00, visit the kewadin casino on the reservation-they have a non smoking room just ask how to get there if you wish, but the smoking side is not bad at all. i have never stayed overnite at the casino, 1 800 kewadin//but my preference is the best western hotel. make sure they give you a room in the newer bldg. its very comforable and relaxing. the room i had was very homey with furniture like you would have at home. not that stuff you see in all the hotels. they also give you a nice cont brkfast if youre an early riser. fr 6-11am. make sure you go to abners for their all you can eat brunch sat and sun. call and ck for sched from hotel. the dinner buffet is good too but the brunch is the better value. they also have a bar incase you'd like to have a few beers. the scenery is fantastic bec of the changing fall colors.its a small town but thats what i love about it. there is a cinema, bowling, and of course lots of shops. dont forget to buy some fudge too. if you can go to mackinaw island while you are there, it's about an hour south on i75. once you get to st ignace you'll have to take a ferry to the island. oh my, i cant wait till i go again. now dont be misguided by my exhuberance. its kind of hokey up there. but i love it. along w/their walmart. you'll just have to make your own decision. hope you like it too!! too bad you'll only have a couple of days. and about the the agawa canyon train tour, you have to book that in advance as early as possible. it is very popular, especially that time of year. you can prob get their number through info. keep an open mind and have lots of fun. linda

linda

hi again roland,
i found the tel no for the agawa canyon rail tour/800-242-9287 and the soo locks dinner cruises/800 432-6301. if you are really interested in these excursions, i recommend you book ahead of time. have a good time.

Dennis

Hi Roland, We enjoy SSM also. We like the Antler's restaurant. Good Service and food in a UP style. There are stuffed animals all areound the room. They have a gift shop downstairs you can browse in while waiting for a table. They don't take reservations so it is best to get there early but in September it might not be bad.
When we go we like to stay on the Canadian side. Right now Amnerican money is given a 50% premium so use cash and save it. The Sleep Inn in SSM, Canada has a view of the river over a field and is next to a city park where you can watch boat traffic. The hotel is only a couple years old too so it is in good shape. Be sure to stop at Tim Horton's for donuts and coffee in the morning. Very Yum. You can get the best exchange rate at the casino just a couple blacks off to the right after you cross the bridge into Canada. It is next to the Tourist Info Center.
It only costs $1.50 to cross the bridge. Be sure to take your birth certificate or voter registration card for crossing the border. Since SSM is a bigger city than on the US side, there are more restaurants and hotels to choose from and you will be closer to the train station if you take the Agawa Train.
We have done the train trip and enjoyed it especially because I am a train buff. We also like the SS Camp Museum ship on the Michigan side. Have a good time.

Dan

I work for the Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the Soo Locks. When we travel up there for work, we like to stay at the Ojibway Hotel, right next to the locks. Very nice and comfortable place. Very professional staff, too!

Last time I was up there, we found a nice restaurant on the Canadian side called Docks, right on the river. Prices are reasonable in USD, but after you do the conversion to CDN, it's a bargain. Atmosphere is great, as is the food. You have to try the made-in-house Red Maple beer. Abner's is also a great place, especially for steak.

TOM WARD

ROLAND, ONE THING I WOULD RECOMMEND WHILE YOU ARE IN THE "SOO" IS A DAY TRIP TO THE TAHQUAMENON FALLS AREA. YOU SHOULD SEE BOTH THE UPPER AND THE LOWER FALLS. THE UPPER FALLS ARE THE 2nd HIGHEST EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI (ONLY NIAGRA IS HIGHER), WITH A MICROBREWERY RIGHT AT THE THE GIFT SHOP IN CASE YOU GET THIRSTY. AT THE LOWER FALLS THEY HAVE RENTAL BOATS FOR ABOUT 2 OR 3 DOLLARS (NO TIME LIMIT!!!). YOU ROW ABOUT 100 YARDS TO AN ISLAND SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY RAPIDS AND WATERFALLS. YOU DOCK THE BOAT AND WALK A TRAIL AROUND THE ISLAND WHICH ONLY TAKES ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES. YOU CAN WEAR SWIMSUITS IN CASE YOU WANT TO WADE INTO THE SMALL WATERFALLS OR RAPIDS, HOWEVER THERE IS NO PLACE TO CHANGE ON THE ISLAND SO YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO IT IN THE RESTROOMS AT THE GIFTSHOP. MOST PEOPLE DON'T MAKE IT TO THE LOWER FALLS, AND FEWER YET RENT THE BOATS. IT'S ONE OF THOSE "UP NORTH" THINGS THAT ARE RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING IN THESE "BEEN THERE DONE THAT" DAYS. FROM THE FALLS YOU CAN DRIVE UP THROUGH PARADISE, MI TO WHITEFISH POINT. HERE YOU CAN STOP INTO THE GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM. THEY HAVE MANY EDMUND FITZGERALD ARTIFACTS ALONG WITH MANY OTHER SHIPWRECK DISPLAYS. IT'S REAL EERIE THE WAY THE DISPLAYS ARE SET UP WITH THE LIGHTING AND MUSIC. IT WAS INTERESTING TO FIND HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST OVER THE YEARS DUE TO COLLISIONS RATHER THAN STORMY WEATHER. IN THE BUILDING NEXT TO THE MUSEUM IS A SHORT MOVIE ABOUT THE EDMUND FITZGERALD. ALSO TOUR THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE SAME SITE AND WALK TO THE BEACH TO SEE HUGE WAVES IF THE WEATHER IS RIGHT. OF ALL THE THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA THESE ARE MY FAVORITES. THEY GIVE YOU A REAL FEEL FOR THE U.P. FOR SUCH A SHORT TRIP TO THE AREA I THINK THE ALL DAY ALGOMA RAILWAY TRIP, WHILE BEAUTIFUL, IS BETTER LEFT TO A LONGER TRIP. ANOTHER OPTION MAY BE A TRIP TO MACKINAW ISLAND & VILLAGE, A BEAUTIFUL TRIP TO A TURN OF THE CENTURY TOWN WITH NO MOTOR VEHICLES. THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION IS ON BIKES OR BY HORSE CARRIAGE. I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU ARE GETTING TO THE SOO BUT ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT IN MICHIGAN IS THE MACKINAW BRIDGE (NEAR MACKINAW ISLAND), IT JUST SEEMS TO BE THIS HUGE STRUCTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THESE SIDE TRIPS I MENTION, WHILE EASY DRIVES, DESERVE AN EARLY START SO YOU DON'T FEEL RUSHED. THE SOO LOCKS ARE INTERESTING BUT WON'T TAKE VERY MUCH TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY. THE "ANTLERS" RESTAURANT IN TOWN IS WELL WORTH VISITING. WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO IN THE AREA I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME. IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER IDEAS ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN THE UP OR THE REST OF MICHIGAN FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME AT [email protected] AND DON'T FORGET TO "SAY YA TO DA UP, EH !!

Lori

Tom, I just saw that bumper sticker yesterday...was that you?

I just wanted to point out to anyone who's considering eating at the Antler's that things can get a little, um, LOUD, at times. Those with small children or heart conditions should beware of the fact that they blow an obnoxiously loud whistle at times and it can be quite startling. It's all in fun, though, so go and have fun!

Nancy

I was just up there on my honeymoon a month ago. Someone on this forum suggested the Best Western in Sault Ste. Marie on the US side. It was a great hotel and I recommend it highly. Stay in the new building.

I also went to the Shipwreck Museum and Tahquamenon Falls. Both are WONDERFUL! By all means, do both! They are only about an hour and a half or so away from Soo. And stop and see the Port Iroquis lighthouse on the way.

Have fun! It's a great area. Why both going down to Mackinaw Island and fight the crowds?

Laurie

Hi...I don't know if you'll read this before your trip, but I live in Sault, Canada but grew up in Sault, Mich.

I can tell you about some really good places to eat.
The Canadian side definately has the better restaurants...wonder authentic Italian places (lots of Italians around here).
Cesiera's is very good, quality food. All home made Italian dishes that are the best. It's on Spring Street.
Another of our favorites is North 82, which is on 17N, lots of great choices.

Walk the boardwalk on the Candian side, also the Locks and Portage Ave. in Michigan is fun.

See the Old Stone House and the Bush Plane Museum on the Canadian side, as well as the Agawa Canyon Tour if you prebooked. Also the Lock Tour on the Canadian side is great.

Have fun and we hope you'll enjoy our northern hospitality.