Sault Ste. Marie is truly stunning in the fall, with vibrant fall foliage, majestic mountains and scenic trails offering endless opportunities for adventure. The natural beauty here is undeniable, and the best part? Most attractions are just a short drive from the city.
A trip to Kinsmen Park is a must, where the Crystal Creek Trail leads you to the breathtaking Crystal Falls—an experience you won’t want to miss.
“It’s an awesome, all year-round location. It’s a pretty awesome spot for some beautiful fall colours,” says Ryan Walker, a tour guide from Forest the Canoe.
The park is 97 hectares of land maintained by the Kinsmen Club and is part of the Hiawatha Highlands.
“If you only have a short period of time, you need to come and check out Crystal Falls…I never know what the Falls will look like,” says Walker, noting that the Falls looks different depending on the weather and season.
Whether you’re walking, hiking or biking, Kinsmen Park offers all the outdoor adventure you need, right within the city limits.
Back in town, you can sightsee and steep yourself in the Soo’s rich history.
At the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, you’ll see two of the oldest stone buildings northwest of Toronto. They’re over 200 years old—it’s a marvelous sight to see.
Just across the street is the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
The museum has 64,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on activities along with a massive collection of historical bushplanes.
“We are home to telling the story of not only the Ontario Provincial Air Service, which is now the MNR, but the story of bushplanes in Canada and the world and forest firefighting,” says Jamie Hilsinger, Executive Director of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Continue to look and learn inside the centre by dropping into the Entomica Insectarium. It’s an insect-based science centre and natural history museum that features spiders and other live insects.
Between August and October, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train is an experience like no other. Passengers embark on a full-day adventure as they head out to Agawa Canyon Park to hike the trails and see the panoramic views of nature.
During my adventure in the Soo, I had to give fishing in the St. Marys River a try.
Dean Lapham from Redwood Sportfishing Charters offers 5-hour fishing excursions on his 18-foot charter that seats up to 4 people.
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“I started with my Dad as a guide. I’ve always loved nature and being outdoors, and now, I love to see people catch fish,” says Lapham.
On a cool, windy and slightly chilly day, Dean’s patience and warmth was enough to take me through the choppy waters.
On any given day, you might reel in salmon, trout, pike, or even walleye. While I wasn’t as lucky on my quick fishing trip, the breathtaking views more than made up for it.
The city offers a wide variety of dining options, showcasing both authentic dishes and creative fusion cuisine.
Georgie’s Shawarma is, without a doubt, the best shawarma spot I’ve ever visited. From the fresh hummus and crispy falafel to the richly seasoned meats, every bite delivers the vibrant flavours of the Middle East—all without leaving downtown.
For a different kind of experience, find tranquility at Peace Restaurant. With its stunning decor and mouthwatering Asian-inspired cuisine, this spot is perfect for sharing. The tapas-style dishes, crafted by Chef John Armstrong, are designed to bring people together over a memorable culinary journey.
“We specialize in shareable cuisine so what we are trying to do is to inspire people to have great conversations with each other while having great food,” says Kevin Rusnell, owner of Peace Restaurant.
No matter when you plan your escape to Sault Ste. Marie, a boat tour on the St. Marys River aboard the Miss Marie is a must-do. The Sault Lock Tour offers a rare opportunity to see both the Canadian and American locks up close, as well as the waters that divide the two countries.
The Miss Marie is a striking 70-foot, double-decker vessel that accommodates up to 100 passengers and even offers refreshments during the journey.
“Sault Ste. Marie is actually growing in population now and you’re noticing a lot more vibrant downtown core,” says Rusnell. “Obviously, there’s still work to be done, but it’s creating a cool experience here.”
The Soo is the real deal whether you’re looking for nature, adventure or a good food.
It was my first visit, but it definitely won’t be my last.