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Sault Ste Marie (Ontario) Travel Guide

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Sault Ste Marie [1] is a city of approximately 78,000 people, located in Northern Ontario, Canada. Located directly across the St. Mary's River -- and the Canada/US border -- is its twin city, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

International Bridge.
Enlarge
International Bridge.
The area boasts rugged shores, sandy beaches, untouched forests, winding rivers, and two Great Lakes.

The history of the area involves a fascinating eclectic mix of cultures. "The Meeting Place" as it was once called, drew habitants from all over Europe and North American tribes. Sault Ste Marie was established in the 1600's as a fur trading post and later in the 1900's as a site for steelmaking.

Contents

Get in

  • Most common ways are by road and air

By plane

  • Airport (YAM) -- Air Canada `Jazz', Bearskin Airlines

By train

  • Not geared well to travel -- poor connections; ACR runs infrequently
  • Main function is for tourism and getting out to bush camps
  • Not impossible: Connection between Algoma Central Railway and Ontario Northland bus-train connection at Hearst, ON (a two-day trip).

By car

  • Hwy 17; I-75

By bus

  • Greyhound buses

By boat

  • No commercial passenger runs; private boats and yachting

Get around

Getting around is easy - you can walk, bike or take the bus...it is a big town with a small town atmosphere. If you are driving, don't expect any traffic jams or road rage. This is a nice, relaxing place to be and it is very convenient to get around. However, public transit can be limited and infrequent. Not to mention the beaches, rugged outdoors and ski hills are less than 30 minutes away from the city centre.

See

On your visit you can walk to boardwalk along the river or take a Sault Locks tour to cruise the first original canoe lock, the original Ermatinger-Clergue Old Stone House, Bush Plane Museum, the Sault Ste. Marie Art Gallery and Museum and the Sault Ste. Marie Canal.

Along the waterfront in the City Centre are many historic sites and attractions and in 2008 be prepared to view the spectacular Borealis project in flying colours

Do

Learn

  • Algoma University College -- Computer Game Conference
  • Sault College

Work

  • Very little
  • Major Employers: Algoma Steel Incorporated, St Mary's Paper, OLG (Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation), Ministry of Natural Resources, various call centers

Buy

  • Station Mall
  • Downtown
  • Cambrian Mall
  • Golden Mile
  • Farmer's Market
    • Corn
    • Maple Syrup

Eat

Budget

  • Frenchie's Fries
  • Paesano's
  • Muio's

Mid-range

  • Texas Lonestar, formerly Jimmie Johns, located at the Water Tower Resort. Has an upscale lodge atmosphere, high ceilings, nice lighting, and unpretentious food (fajitas, burgers, margaritas) with the best chips and salsa (homemade) in town. Even at full capacity it never feels crowded. Highly recommended for all informal occasions.
  • Gino's
  • Uncle Gino's
  • Hard Wok Cafe (formerly Purple Lantern)
  • The Docks
  • Aurora's West Side - Italian. Good meals, not very expensive.
  • Mrs. B's - best pizza in town, secret recipe, authentic
  • Service Grill - Mom & Pop business, old world italian

Splurge

  • Gino's Family Restaurant(Great Northern Road)-Best Steakhouse in town!
  • A Thymely Manner- one of best homestyle restaurants in Ontario(rated as such)
  • Giovannis - established, you won't go away disappointed - no reservations (unless party of 8+), quality is top 5 in city
  • Amici Ristorante - the service is great and it has all the Italian staples.
  • Cesira's - Italian - quiet
  • Miiracles - International Cuisine, Tapas offered everyday, Excellent food, Unforgetable experience, Call 705 253 8111
  • Arturo's - Italian - intimate, respected in city
  • Franzisi's - Italian. Don't expect quick food, but it is good. Attention paid to details - the chef flies his tomatoes in from California
  • Panna - Eclectic and expensive. Does theme nights (greek, sushi, indian, etc) Best new restaurant, modern, dark wood floors

Drink

  • The Eastgate Nightclub - Dance club and rock bar. Largest dance floor in town. Clientele usually under 30. Serves beer by the Gallon, hosts many out of town bands as well as local entertainment. Located on Queen Street.
  • Koolies and Cues...?
  • Loplops - Art Gallery & Martini Lounge. Has live music most evenings, typically of the folk and eclectic variety. Crowd is mixed and 'upscale' in comparison to most places in town. Not easily noticed from Queen street, park in back. One of the 'Core Four' within two blocks of downtown Queen Street. Always mixing it up with artists, wine/beer tasting events, live music...not to mention great drinks.
  • Downbeat - Small blues bar with good atmosphere. Live music most evenings, tending to blues and jazz. Good beer selection. Similar clientele to Loplops. One of the 'Core Four' within two blocks of downtown Queen Street.
  • Foggy Notions - Rock bar. Live music most nights, played loud, and many out of town bands. Crowd is usually either young (under 25) or old (40+). One of the 'Core Four' within two blocks of downtown Queen Street.
  • Top Hat - Billiards, darts, general game room. Large area. Mixed ages, often younger (under 30). One of the 'Core Four' within two blocks of downtown Queen Street.
  • Docks - Large, sometimes very busy with a lineup. Three sections: Restaurant, billiards, and dance club. Billiards area has live music on weekends, while the restaurant section is closed early (10pm-ish). On the river a five minute walk from the Queen St core.
  • RiverRock / O'Aces - Formerly known as the Royal. 'Rock is much larger. Can be a busy and active watering hole & club. Rowdy reputation at times. Generally younger crowd with many older regulars.
  • Reggie's - Country bar. Older clientele. Restaurant is open during the day. Known for its burgers.
  • Canadian - Split into two sections, dance club downstairs, pub/lounge upstairs. Mixed clientele, with the downstairs bar catering to the younger crowd. Thursdays usually very busy. Who knew you could buy beer on Tues. for Canadian Tire money?!
  • Smack Daddy's - Small sports bar. Busy after soccer, softball, hockey, etc games with teams coming in. Large covered & heated smoker's patio. Adjacent to the Canadian on Pim Street.
  • U Betcha - Sports Bar & Grill in the Station Mall. Large collection of memorabilia. Has tv trivia games. Relaxed but pricey, more restaurant than bar.
  • Sportscenter - Sports Bar & Grill. See U Betcha, but smaller and more pub-ish.
  • The Princess - Not often open, and then on Fridays only. Large disco/club. Has hosted large concerts. Down the street from O'Aces/Rock.
  • Studio 10 - Adult entertainment.
  • Lone Star - Tex Mex restaurant.
  • Roosevelt Hotel - "The Rosie" - Local watering hole in the West End. Well kept, cheap beer. Live country music.
  • Steamy Bean Cafe (sometimes live music and lots of yummy goods)

Sleep

The corner of Brock and Wellington has a sweet Bed and Breakfast.

Budget

  • Motels up and down the Golden Mile

Mid-range

  • Best Western (formerly the Ramada)
  • Holiday Inn - on the river, walk the boardwalk and you are right downtown and apparently lots of awards to staff for excellent customer service
  • Water Tower Inn - great spa, pool, Lone Star restaurant and Bar

Splurge

Radisson (coming 2008)

Contact

  • Cell coverage
    • Telus, Bell, Rogers; no Fido/Microcell digital coverage
    • No coverage north of town! - Very limited in even in north end of city limit (5th Line)
  • Library: wireless internet access

Stay safe

  • Property crime

Cope

Get out

  • Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
  • Sudbury, Thunder Bay
  • Lake Superior Provincial Park - The Agawa Pictographs
  • Chipewa Falls
  • Hiawatha Park
  • Batchewana Beach
  • Harmony Beach
  • Fall Colours
  • St' Joe's Island - Cornfest
  • Poplardale - Hempfest
  • Bellvue Park
  • Soo Locks
  • Fort Creek
  • Gros Cap
  • Boardwalk


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