I Don't Know Why You Don't Take Me Downtown
I live in Sault Ste. Marie. More specifically, downtown Sault Ste. Marie. We are the third (fourth if you count both Jamestown settlements) oldest city in the country. Not only is there tons of history in this town, but we are also home to the Soo Locks. Read more about the history on Sault Ste. Marie's blog. I love my little city and I want you to love it too. The following are some things to do in my little town.
I love that I live in the heart of our downtown area. Its perfect walking distance from great shopping, events, restaurants, and the Locks. I love to go hang out and watch the freighters go by. Its so peaceful and it just feels right. Especially in the summer.
Bear and I do a lot of walking in the summer and there are many different routes that we take. Each time I feel like I discover something new in our little city. Murals popping up on the sides of buildings, crosswalks that are painted, historic sites that I rediscover, photographic opportunities, and the like.
I remember when I was growing up spend time downtown. We would go to ice cream shops as a family and hang out. My grandma would spend time with us before school started. She would take us mini golfing and then we would play tourist. Stopping at all the fudgie shops, getting ice cream, and walking around the Locks. Those are some wonderful memories.
We have some amazing seasonal events that happen in our quaint little downtown. Summer kicks off with Ladies Night Out and ends with Oktoberfest. Also the weekly Music in the Park concert series starts June 12th this year!
My friends and I love playing tourist too. We start out visiting local shops, eating at the seasonal and year round restaurants and getting ice cream. In the near future look for a post with our favorite and go to restaurants for girls night!
Things to do in Downtown Soo
The Soo Locks
The Soo Locks are the best part of downtown Sault Ste. Marie. You can sit all day and watch freighters go through them. There are view platforms in the locks park along with a welcome center that shows a movie every hour or so and even a fountain. Its a nice park for a picnic in the summer with your family.
Shopping
There are a lot of little shops in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie each with its own little niche in the market. If you like shopping there are a variety of options from clothing to home and office decor to art to gift shops for our tourists. Shopping is something to definitely check out in the downtown area. Summer shopping season kicks off with Ladies Night Out, a yearly event that highlights each location in its own light. There are special in store events, discounts, demonstrations, giveaways, tastings and more. You can get more information on this event at http://downtownsault.org/events-2/ladiesnight/. Click the link to view the participating shops and to preregister.
Music In The Park
Kickoff for this event is June 12th. Every Wednesday during the summer a concert happens in the Soo Lock Park at 7 pm. This is a fun way to enjoy the beautiful evenings in the summer. The concerts are free but volunteers do come around during a short intermission to collect donations to continue bringing new/old exciting acts. I personally try and go every week to not only support this cause, but to support the artists and musicians that come to perform.
Food
Nestled in this great area are some of my favorite restaurants. You can get Mexican, Greek, crepes, fish and more! Each restaurant has its own flair. My friends and I try to pick a different restaurant each Saturday to try out, its fun discovering new and old flavors.
The River of History Museum
To learn more about the history of Sault Ste. Marie, you NEED to check out the River of History Museum. It takes you on a history of the Saint Mary's river. The best part? Its an affordable and fun option for families to learn about early life on this wonderful river. For more information go to http://riverofhistory.org/
Soo Locks Boat Tours
Want a perfect way to explore the locks and see a freighter up close, check out the Soo Locks Boat Tours. There are many different tour options including lighthouse and dinner cruises. Each trip is narrated giving you a history of the locks, pointing out important landmarks, and information about passing ships. Visit http://www.soolocks.com/ for more information, including pricing.
I love that I live in the heart of our downtown area. Its perfect walking distance from great shopping, events, restaurants, and the Locks. I love to go hang out and watch the freighters go by. Its so peaceful and it just feels right. Especially in the summer.
Bear and I do a lot of walking in the summer and there are many different routes that we take. Each time I feel like I discover something new in our little city. Murals popping up on the sides of buildings, crosswalks that are painted, historic sites that I rediscover, photographic opportunities, and the like.
I remember when I was growing up spend time downtown. We would go to ice cream shops as a family and hang out. My grandma would spend time with us before school started. She would take us mini golfing and then we would play tourist. Stopping at all the fudgie shops, getting ice cream, and walking around the Locks. Those are some wonderful memories.
We have some amazing seasonal events that happen in our quaint little downtown. Summer kicks off with Ladies Night Out and ends with Oktoberfest. Also the weekly Music in the Park concert series starts June 12th this year!
My friends and I love playing tourist too. We start out visiting local shops, eating at the seasonal and year round restaurants and getting ice cream. In the near future look for a post with our favorite and go to restaurants for girls night!
Things to do in Downtown Soo
The Soo Locks
The Soo Locks are the best part of downtown Sault Ste. Marie. You can sit all day and watch freighters go through them. There are view platforms in the locks park along with a welcome center that shows a movie every hour or so and even a fountain. Its a nice park for a picnic in the summer with your family.
Shopping
There are a lot of little shops in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie each with its own little niche in the market. If you like shopping there are a variety of options from clothing to home and office decor to art to gift shops for our tourists. Shopping is something to definitely check out in the downtown area. Summer shopping season kicks off with Ladies Night Out, a yearly event that highlights each location in its own light. There are special in store events, discounts, demonstrations, giveaways, tastings and more. You can get more information on this event at http://downtownsault.org/events-2/ladiesnight/. Click the link to view the participating shops and to preregister.
Music In The Park
Kickoff for this event is June 12th. Every Wednesday during the summer a concert happens in the Soo Lock Park at 7 pm. This is a fun way to enjoy the beautiful evenings in the summer. The concerts are free but volunteers do come around during a short intermission to collect donations to continue bringing new/old exciting acts. I personally try and go every week to not only support this cause, but to support the artists and musicians that come to perform.
Food
Nestled in this great area are some of my favorite restaurants. You can get Mexican, Greek, crepes, fish and more! Each restaurant has its own flair. My friends and I try to pick a different restaurant each Saturday to try out, its fun discovering new and old flavors.
The River of History Museum
To learn more about the history of Sault Ste. Marie, you NEED to check out the River of History Museum. It takes you on a history of the Saint Mary's river. The best part? Its an affordable and fun option for families to learn about early life on this wonderful river. For more information go to http://riverofhistory.org/
Soo Locks Boat Tours
Want a perfect way to explore the locks and see a freighter up close, check out the Soo Locks Boat Tours. There are many different tour options including lighthouse and dinner cruises. Each trip is narrated giving you a history of the locks, pointing out important landmarks, and information about passing ships. Visit http://www.soolocks.com/ for more information, including pricing.
Museum Ship Valley Camp
Ever wanted to know what life is like on a freighter? Well now is your chance. The Valley Camp is a freighter that has been transformed into a museum that gives visitors the chance to see the inside of a ship as well as living quarters of the crew. In addition its also a fresh water aquarium showcasing the many fish that live in the Great Lakes. Check out this link for more:
https://www.saulthistoricsites.com/museum-ship-valley-camp/
So you see now that its fun to play tourist, even in your hometown. Keep reading this summer to hear about my adventures in Downtown Sault. What I'm saying is, before you knock our downtown area or call it too tourist-y stop on down and check it out. You just may be pleasantly surprised! Special thanks goes out to Lindsay Ellis for her help with event dates for this post!
Stay Tuned
https://www.saulthistoricsites.com/museum-ship-valley-camp/
So you see now that its fun to play tourist, even in your hometown. Keep reading this summer to hear about my adventures in Downtown Sault. What I'm saying is, before you knock our downtown area or call it too tourist-y stop on down and check it out. You just may be pleasantly surprised! Special thanks goes out to Lindsay Ellis for her help with event dates for this post!
Stay Tuned
Comments
Post a Comment