Gateway to the Canadian Wilderness
Written: Oct 23 '05 (Updated Oct 25 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: a range of activities for people of varied interests
Cons: more than a few days needed in order to make the most of the area
The Bottom Line: a place from which to start a journey of adventure into the Canadian wilderness; downtown waterfront attractions worth a visit
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| jc_hall's Full Review: Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada |
At the heart of a transportation network that includes Highway I-75 on the American side and the Trans Canada Highway, and with the International Bridge spanning St Mary’s River to connect two neighbouring cities and countries, The Twin Sault area has been known for centuries as The Meeting Place.
North of Sault, Ontario, are landscapes lush with boreal forests and a coastline (of Lake Superior) dotted with huge provincial parks. Travel east of Sault in the summer and you’ll come upon tiny waterfront communities alive with festivals, fairs and concerts. The St Lawrence Seaway (of which St Mary’s River is but a small part) is a massive transportation waterway that allows recreational boaters as well as enormous freighters, cruise ships and sailboats to travel through the scenic Great Lakes.
And then, of course, there is the Algoma Central Railway. A range of rail excursions ferry visitors north into the heart of the Canadian wilderness, where the wildlife draw anglers and bird watchers, where intrepid rock climbers, skiers and snowmobile enthusiasts go in different seasons, heeding the call of the ancient hills of the Cambrian Shield, and where outdoor photographers take their fill of a wild beauty distinctive to this part of the world.
My husband and I had driven up to Sault St Marie for the Agawa Canyon Train Tour. We had stopped off at Manitoulin Island along the way and did not have much time to spend in Sault St Marie. But our package of hotel and train ride included a ‘passport’ to various downtown Sault St Marie attractions—a book of coupons each to the Algoma Art Gallery, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the Sault St Marie Museum, the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, $3.50 off the lock Tours Canada Boat Cruises, and $1.00 off the Spruce Haven Zoo.
Unfortunately, it being the long Canadian Thanksgiving holiday weekend, few things were open. We had arrived late on Sunday, the train tour was on Monday and when it ended around 5.30pm, we felt we should make the most of the rest of our day. So we rushed back to the hotel, got the car and drove the couple of minutes to the Art Gallery of Algoma on the waterfront. Sadly, it was closed because it was the long holiday weekend. But I had spied their gift shop from the outside, so we made the special effort to visit before we left the following morning. It was well worth our effort. Despite its size, the gallery proved to be a little gem, and we found some treasures in their gift shop.
One of my souvenirs is a glass model of an inuksuk, a Native American stone structure built to communicate important information to other Arctic travelers. On our drive up in the north, we had seen many of these stone statues placed high up on large rocks alongside many roads. They have a strong connection to the land, are built on the land, made of the land, and communicate information about the land. The Ojibway and others like them live very gently on this beautiful and unspoiled land, and my inuksuk reminds me to do the same.
Other downtown and waterfront attractions:
Sault St Marie Museum
A heritage building with a distinctive clock tower and a sandstone block façade;
travel back in time to experience a replica of a First Nation dwelling, a blacksmith shop, a pioneer log cabin and other interesting artefacts and stories
Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site
Come and take a peek into the early fur trading days with a tour through the elegant 19th century home of Charles Oakes Ermatinger where he and his Ojibway wide raised their 13 children
Lock Tours Canada Boat Cruises
Enjoy the thrill of going through the US Locks and the Historic Canadian Canal. Bypassing the St Mary’s River Rapids, you are raised and lowered the 21 foot difference between the levels of Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
A unique museum showcasing a collection of bush planes and forest fire educational displays, housed in the historic waterfront hangar where the science of water bombing was developed. Over 25,000 sq ft of interactive hands-on activites to deucate and entertain the entire family. Have a seat in our exciting ‘Flight Adventure’ simulator and soar above Sault St Marie’s finest landmarks.
Casino Sault St Marie
Over 450 popular slots available, 16 table games, non-stop gaming action, open 365 days per year
Related Links:
Ride the Rails through the Magnificent North
(a review of Algoma Canyon Tour Train)
http://www.epinions.com/content_208992439940
Hidden Island of Tranquillity
(a review of Manitoulin Island)
http://www.epinions.com/content_209348628100
Silent Messengers
(a review of The Inuksuk Book)
http://www.epinions.com/content_209204711044
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
jc_hall
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Member: JC Hall
Location: Toronto, Canada
Reviews written: 199
Trusted by: 53 members
About Me:
Going back to Vancouver for Christmas! Happy Holidays, everyone!!
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