• Get in
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Sault Ste Marie is a town in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan.

[edit] Get in

Sault Ste. Marie is served by Interstate 75 from the south. This is the same highway that links Lower Michigan to the Upper Peninsula via the Mackinac Bridge. Sault Ste. Marie is at the northern terminus of I-75, about 50 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge. Two exits will get you into the Sault. 3-Mile Road is the first (approaching from the south) and takes you through most of the town via Business I-75. This route covers the main thoroughfare in town (Ashmun Street) and eventually gets you to Portage Avenue and the Soo Locks. The second (and last in the USA) exit off of I-75 is Easterday Avenue. This puts you virtually on the campus of Lake Superior State University to the east, or gets you more directly to Portage Ave. and the Locks to the west. The route is not quite as well-marked, however, and goes through some old and somewhat unattractive industrial areas. You bypass the downtown completely, which may not be so good, as you will miss lots of shopping, hotels and other amenities completely. But, if you don't take this exit either, you will end up in the toll and customs / immigration plaza for the International Bridge to Canada. They will let you turn around if you make this mistake, but it is a hassle since traffic getting onto the bridge is often backed-up in this area.

Flying in is another story. Warning! The "Sault Ste. Marie" airport is about 22 miles south of town, along I-75. A shuttle bus is available. The airport is served by Northwest Airlines, which offers daily flights to and from Detroit Metro Airport. There is also another small airport right in town that used to be the main airport years ago. After a long period of closure, it was re-opened for private planes a few years ago.

There is no rail service, and bus service by any major carriers was discontinued some time ago. Some local company may have stepped in recently, but that is uncertain also.

With all this in mind driving is about your only option. If you are headed for the UP anyway, it is definitely worth stopping in the Sault. It is also a great stop-over if you are planning to continue on over to Canada, as the Michigan side tends to be less expensive for hotels, food, etc.

[edit] Get around

[edit] See

[edit] Do

Visit the Soo Locks. Lake Superior State University is located here, and has a great hockey team. The campus is pretty and well worth a walk through, as it overlooks the deep channel and has a view of the International Bridge over to Canada. Some beautiful views at night, as the campus is elevated and you can see the distant lights of the Canadian side.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Eat

Antlers Restaurant is an oldschool classic. Steaks and smoking. Tons of amazing taxidermy items and arcana hanging everywhere. Numerous steam whistles are mounted to the ceiling and are blown when a local dignitary enters (or whenever they feel the need). The whistles are painfully loud.

The Palace sports Americanized "Mexican" food. Not the best for the waistline, but oh-so-tasty.

Maloney's Irish Pub.... check out the atmosphere, try the nacho's... the cheese dip is addicting!

[edit] Drink

• Back Door Night Club, 313 Ashmun Street, 1-906-635-1547 (Fax 1-906-635-1477). W-Su 8PM-2:30AM. Nightclub with music and dancing. Theme nights W-Sa. Designated drivers program and special occasions.
• The Savoy Night Club, 117 West Portage Ave, 1-906-632-2689. Open mon thru sat, check us out at http://www.saultsavoy.com music, dancing, qb1 and much more.

[edit] Sleep

• Best Western, 4335 I-75 Business Spur, 906 632-2170, [1]. Free highspeed wireless internet and deluxe breakfast in the morning.
• Comfort Inn, 4404 I-75 Business. Spur, 906 635-1118, fax 906 635-1119, [2].
• Park Inn, 3525 I-75 Business Spur, 906 632-6000, fax 906 632-6666, [3]. 1 mile Northeast of I-75 on I-75 Business Spur, exit 392, just minutes from all major attractions such as The Soo Locks, Tower of History, Kewadin Casino,LSSU, and the always popular, Agawa Canyon Train Tours. Secure Online Reservations.
• Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center, 3290 I-75 Business Spur, 906 635-6918, fax 906 635-2941, [4].
• The Plaza Motor Motel, 3701 I-75 Business Spur, 800-809-1881, plaza@sault.com, [5]. Charming Rooms and wedding venue.

[edit] Get out