Sault Sainte Marie (Ontario)

The history of the area involves an eclectic mix of cultures; once called "The Meeting Place", it drew inhabitants from all over Europe and from North American tribes.

The Ojibwe First Nation (Indigenoys) people called this area Baawitigong, meaning "place of the rapids." The rapids long represented an obstacle to voyagers heading westward to Lake Superior; since at least the era of the French coureurs du bois, traders needed to portage here. In the 1600s, Sault Ste. Marie was established as a fur trading post. From 1668 to 1817, Sault Ste. Marie was a single settlement on the St. Mary's River in North America's Great Lakes region from 1668-1817. Later, it was divided by the establishment of the Canada-US border to form the twin cities.

In the War of 1812, while the city was still a single settlement, it was a strategic point on the frontline due to its control over access to Lake Superior. Later in the 1800s, canal locks were constructed on both sides of the boundary to bypass the rapids. During the 1900s, Sault Ste. Marie was a site for steel making.

Today, Recreational craft and tour boats in the area use the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, on the Canadian side of the border. Large, ocean-going cargo vessels use the Soo Locks on the American side.

• 🌍 Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM  ^IATA), 475 Airport Rd (take Second Line and turn south to Airport Road), ☏ +1 705-779-3031. Sault Ste. Marie Airport is 20 km from downtown on the western outskirts. Served by Air Canada, Bearskin Airlines and Porter Airlines. Flights from Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Toronto (both Pearson and Billy Bishop), all taking approximately 1.25 hours. There is no bus service from the downtown area to the airport. Taxis and limos provide flat-rate service between the airport and anywhere in the city; rides cost $45. Taxi: 7500 Taxi, +1 705-945-7500. Car rental is available from Avis and National. (updated May 2022)

Airports on the Michigan side include: Chippewa County (CIU ^IATA), served twice a day by Delta Connector, and Sault Ste. Marie Municipal (Sanderson Field, SSM ^IATA), a single-runway airport used by private aviation.

Sault Ste Marie is a major stop along Highway 17, the southern route of the Trans-Canada Highway. Heading west from Sudbury, the highway traverses the northern shore of Lake Huron, reaching Sault Ste Marie in approximately 4 hours. Heading east from Thunder Bay, it follows the northern and eastern shorelines of Lake Superior, a spectacular drive that takes about 8 hours.

The International Bridge crosses the St. Mary's River and connects with the beginning of the Interstate 75 freeway in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA continuing further south to Saginaw, Flint, Detroit, and eventually Miami, Florida, USA.

• Ontario Northland, toll-free: +1-800-461-8558. Operates primarily in Northern Ontario. (updated Apr 2022) Bus routes operating to Sault Saint Marie:
  • Between Thunder Bay and Sault Sainte Marie including stops in Red Rock, Nipigon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, White River, and Wawa. Travel time to Sault Saint Marie from Thunder Bay is 9.75 hours, from Nipigon is 8 hours, From Marathon is 5.5 hours, from White River is 4 hours, from Wawa is 2.75 hours. Connecting service from Winnipeg is available in Thunder Bay.
  • Between Sault Sainte Marie and Sudbury including stops in Blind River, Elliot Lake, and Espanola. Travel time to Sault Saint Marie from Elliot Lake is 1.25 hours, from Espanola is 3 hours, from Sudbury is 4.25 hours. from Connecting service from Ottawa and Toronto is available in Sudbury.

There are approximately 400 km of snowmobile trails in the Sault area and 1,000 km of trails in the Algoma district with connecting trails to Sudbury. Trails are maintained by the Sault Trailblazers Snowmobile club and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and they operate on a user-pay system that requires users to purchase a trail permit. Official staging area is on the north side of McNabb Street one block east of Black Road.

Sault Ste. Marie Transit Services, ☏ +1 705-759-5438, transit@cityssm.on.ca. (updated Sep 2022) Operates from a central transit terminal at 160 Queen Street East at Dennis St. There are 8 regular routes running 19 hours a day, 7 days a week except statutory holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Cash fare is $2.85 for all riders (Dec 2018), and you must have exact fare as drivers do not provide change. Children 12 years of age and under ride free when accompanied by an adult; to qualify, children must be under 5 feet (150 cm) tall. You can also get a multi-ride pass with 20 rides for $45. Monthly adult, student, and senior passes are available upon advance purchase.

If paying fare by cash or multi-ride pass and you need to use more than one bus to complete your trip, ask the driver for a transfer after you pay the fare.

Request stop service, where the driver will let you off at a location along the route other than a bus stop, is available in the evenings -- either when the street lights turn on, or after 9PM, whichever is earlier. Speak to the driver a few blocks in advance, and they'll let you off as close as possible to your request, so long as they can stop safely. Exit via the front doors.

Parabus Service: Sault Transit also operates a Parabus service for passengers with disabilities. Trips on Tu-F are booked the day before; trips on Sa-M are booked by F 4PM. Same-day service is offered if scheduling permits. Call the Parabus office at +1 705-942-1404 to book a trip. Visitors are requested to call the Parabus office to make arrangements. Cash fare is $2.85; a 40-ride pass is also available for $79.

• 7500 Taxi +1 705-945-7500
• Checker Cab +1 705-942-3600
• Cruz Cab +1 705-450-2789
• Union Cab +1 705-946-1300
• Easy Cab +1 705-256-2222
• Soo Yellow Cab +1 705-942-0005

If the driver was helpful to you, it is customary to tip the driver about 10% and a dollar per bag that they carry for you (not just unload). At the very least, you should round fares up to the nearest dollar.

• Agawa Canyon Tour Train - One of the most popular and scenic one-day rail excursions that takes visitors on a fully narrated tour non-stop to Agawa Canyon Park, 114 railway miles north of the Sault. There is a three-hour stopover at the canyon where there are hiking trails, a canteen, railway museum, and children's play area. This tour runs from mid-June to Mid-October (adult $100, senior $92, 18 and under $55 in 2020). Most popular times are in September and October when the fall colours are at their peak (and all tickets are $125 in 2020). Train has dining cars and dome cars in addition to regular coach cars. The train cars have big windows, comfortable seating, flat screen monitors with front of locomotive camera, and GPS-guided narration in five languages (English, French, German, Japanese, and Mandarin).
• Wilderness and snowmobile adventures
• Camp car and private car rentals

• 🌍 Casino Sault Ste. Marie, 30 Bay Street West (near International Bridge), ☏ +1 705-759-0100, toll-free: +1-800-826-8946. Slots M-W 9AM-4AM, Th-Su 24hr; tables Su-Th 6PM-2AM, F Sa (6PM-4AM. Northern Ontario's first full-time casino features a 35,000 sq ft (3,252 m²) gaming floor, 450 slot machines, 21 gaming tables and a 100-seat restaurant and bar. By law, you must be 19 years of age or older to enter. 

• 🌍 Ernie's Coffee Shop, 13 Queen St E, ☏ +1 705-253-9216. Tu 11:30AM-3:30PM & 5-8PM, W Th 11:30AM-3:30PM & 5-9PM, F Sa noon-3:30PM & 5-10PM. A family tradition - inexpensive, and the portions are very generous. (updated Feb 2023)
• Gino's Family Restaurant, 1076 Great Northern Rd, ☏ +1 705-759-8285. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 9AM-9PM. Good steakhouse. (updated Dec 2018)

• Aurora's West Side, 760 Second Line East and 300 Second Line West, ☏ +1 705-949-3000. Second Line East: M–W 11AM–9PM, Th 11AM–10PM, F 11AM–11PM, Sa 11AM–10PM. Second Line West: M–Th 11AM–11PM, F Sa 11AM–midnight, Su 4PM–10PM. Italian, pizza. (updated Dec 2018)
• Fratelli's Kitchen and Pizzeria, 522 Great Northern Rd, ☏ +1 705-256-1313. M-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11:30AM-10PM. (updated Dec 2018)
• Mrs. B's, · 97 Great Northern Rd #3, ☏ +1 705-575-7522. M-Th 11AM–10PM, F Sa 11AM–11:30PM, Su 1–7PM. Good pizza, secret recipe. Burgers and wings, too. (updated Dec 2018)
• North 82 Steak & Beverage Co, 82 Great Northern Rd, ☏ +1 705-759-8282. Daily 11AM–11PM. Specializes in steaks, seafood and prime rib. (updated Dec 2018)
• Service Grill & Sidetrack Lounge, 319 Korah Rd. M-Th 11AM–11PM, F Sa 11AM–midnight, Su 4-11PM. Pizza and sports bar/lounge. (updated Dec 2018)

• 🌍 Arturo Ristorante, 515 Queen St E, ☏ +1 705-253-0002. Classic Italian fare in an elegant but cozy atmosphere. (updated Feb 2018)
• 🌍 Embers Grill & Smokehouse, 531 Albert St E, ☏ +1 705-575-3359. (updated Feb 2018)
• Giovanni's, 516 Great Northern Rd, ☏ +1 705-942-3050. M-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11:30AM-10PM. Southern Italian, with richly flavored sauces, homemade pastas, steaks, and BBQ back ribs. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Gliss Restaurant, 180 Bay Street, ☏ +1 705-759-0000, info@glissrestaurant.ca. Located inside the Quality Inn & Suites. Angus steaks, seafood, pasta. (updated Feb 2018)
• 🌍 Peace Restaurant, 250 Queen St E, ☏ +1 705-450-0077, info@peacerestaurant.ca. Asian fusion cuisine. Menu items around $20. (updated Jun 2023)

• Algonquin Hotel, 864 Queen Street East, ☏ +1 705-253-2311, algonquinhotel@hotmail.com. From $75. (updated Dec 2018)
• Sleep Inn, 727 Bay St, toll-free: +1-855-973-7216. From $89. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Super 8, 184 Great Northern Rd, Hwy 17 North, toll-free: +1-800-536-1211. From $82. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Northlander Motel, 243 Great Northern Rd, ☏ +1 705-254-6452. A fridge, coffee maker and cable TV are standard in all of the rooms. From $71. (updated Dec 2018)

• 🌍 Hotel Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel, 208 St Mary's River Dr, toll-free: +1-855-821-4553. Waterfront hotel featuring 195 modern rooms, full service View Restaurant+Bar, Bridgewater Health club with a large indoor pool. From $127. (updated Dec 2018)
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 633 Great Northern Rd, toll-free: +1-855-821-4553. Continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, salt water pool and 24-hr fitness centre. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre (Great Northern Hotel), 229 Great Northern Rd, toll-free: +1-855-973-7216. Largest hotel in the city, largest conference facilities in Northern Ontario; full service hotel with continental breakfast included; outdoor pool and indoor pool with 5½-storey water slide, sauna, and fitness centre, Bistro Lounge, free Wi-Fi. From $126. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Water Tower Inn - BW Premier, 360 Great Northern Rd, ☏ +1 705-949-8111, toll-free: +1-888-461-7077. indoor/outdoor hot tubs, wading pool with waterfall, pool, Casey's Grill Bar and The Pub. From $115. (updated Dec 2018)

• 🌍 Quality Inn & Suites Bay Front, 180 Bay St, ☏ +1 705-945-9264, toll-free: +1 800-567-4421, info@qualityinnssm.com. Opposite Station Mall and the ACR train station. From $98. (updated Dec 2018)

Mobile service from Sault Ste. Marie westward through Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border is operated by TBayTel. The rugged landscape of this area, combined with the significant gaps between towers, means that a signal is by no means guaranteed.

In Sault Ste. Marie, limited cellphone coverage can be expected outside the city centre, especially north (Fifth Line, Hiawatha Park) and west of town (Airport, Pointe des Chênes, Gros Cap). Coverage on Highway 17 north from Sault Ste Marie to Wawa is sporadic; huge areas have no coverage at all. Leave the beaten path (the Trans-Canada Highway or the few cities) and there's nothing. Much of the road to Wawa is parkland with few services of any kind.

Roaming is supported for clients of the three major Canadian 3G networks (UMTS/WCDMA on 850/1900 MHz). There is no 2G capability. While TBayTel advertises something it calls `4G` in limited areas, this is HSPA+ (a faster version of the 3G UMTS standard) and not LTE.

Unless your handset supports 3G/UMTS on the North American frequencies, you will get no service... not even to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Do not rely on having cellphone coverage on this route! Before heading out on this relatively remote section of highway, it is strongly recommended to carefully examine your cell provider's coverage maps and bring appropriate supplies for use if stranded by a breakdown.

• Branches of the Sault Ste. Marie public library offer free Wi-Fi access.
• Sault College and Algoma University provide free Wifi for guests on their campuses.
• Customers of Shaw Cable from anywhere in Canada can take advantage of the numerous Shaw Go Wifi hotspots present in the Sault. Look for a ShawOpen SSID; after connecting, log in with your Shaw email address and password.

• As a rule, the most pressing concern for travellers in Sault Ste. Marie is property crime. Violent crime is most prevalent between people who already know each other (e.g. organized crime; domestic violence); stranger-on-stranger violence is uncommon.
  • Do not leave any kind of valuables in your car. Thieves may break into your vehicle for a trivial amount of goods, causing much more damage than the stolen items are worth. If such items need to be left in your car anyway, at least conceal them.
  • Valuables to safeguard include not only cash, but also electronics (including cell phones and GPS systems), firearms, alcohol, tobacco, and medication. In particular, opioid pain medications are a common target for theft.
  • Do not leave bicycles unattended -- they will likely be stolen.

Winters in Northern Ontario are often severe, making auto travel in winter an unpredictable venture. Whether travelling locally or on the highways, one must be prudent, allow extra travel time, and be prepared to be flexible with one's travel plans. See the Winter driving topic for a general backgrounder.

Highway 17 North from Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa sits in a snowbelt and receives heavy amounts of snow every year. The prevailing westerly winds pick up moisture as they blow across Lake Superior, which then gets visited on the shoreline as lake-effect snow and snow squalls. As such, this section of highway is frequently closed in winter, sometimes for days at a time. Closures may occur because of crashes, because of whiteouts that reduce visibility to near zero, or because snow is simply accumulating too quickly for the snowplow crews to keep up.

Highway 17 East is also occasionally closed by crashes or inclement weather, though considerably less often than the northern route. To the south, into the United States, US-2 is sometimes closed, as is the Mackinac Bridge; I-75 is very rarely closed, though if surrounding roads are, travel on it may be inadvisable as well.