Experience the ultimate Canadian getaway in Sault Ste. Marie

For many Torontonians, the desire to escape on a fabulous vacation typically grows in direct proportion to how stressful, chaotic or exhausting day-to-day life gets. With the added headaches that travelling abroad entails these days, including travel documents, border crossings, safety concerns, exchange rates and customs forms, choosing a vacation destination here at home is becoming increasingly popular.

In fact, a recent survey by Flight Centre found that domestic tourism is flourishing in Canada, with 42 per cent of Canadians now adopting a “Canada strong” approach to vacation planning, and 37 per cent saying that a destination within Canada is their number one choice for a holiday.

It may feel unlikely that you could leave the city behind to surround yourself with wonder and beauty and endless hours of outdoor adventure without ever needing a passport, translation app or foreign currency.

In Sault Ste. Marie, that experience is a guarantee. Think swimming or paddling in crystal-clear waters, hiking or biking through lush forests and along scenic mountain trails, enjoying a round of golf on a championship course or a leisurely day of fishing, then capping it off by watching a gorgeous sunset from a perfect spot on the beach.

Nestled along the shores of Lake Superior and surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes that inspired the Group of Seven, Sault Ste. Marie is the ultimate outdoor-adventure town, and it’s right in our own backyard. A thrill-seeker’s playground and an oasis for nature lovers, the Soo is just a seven-hour scenic drive or a short 90-minute flight north of Toronto, so you can spend less time travelling and more time recharging your spirit, revitalizing your body, relaxing your mind and rediscovering why exploring Canada easily bests heading south of the border.

Epic outdoor adventure

Without question, Sault Ste. Marie’s biggest draw is the sheer breadth, depth and unrivalled volume of outdoor-adventure options it affords, no matter the season, sport or your skill level.

Love biking? Whether it’s fat biking, mountain biking or just casually tooling around the city, off- and on-road adventure awaits. The rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield creates some of the best high-calibre mountain-bike trails in Canada, and the Soo’s $3.7-million network of interconnected trails provides all manner of cycling environments, be it gravel, dirt, paved roads or groomed trails.

If water activities are more your style, Sault Ste. Marie’s sparkling freshwater lakes, winding rivers and hidden coves are prime locations for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling and fishing. The Goulais River’s Class I and II rapids offer the thrill of whitewater paddling; the St. Marys River allows for casual aquatic exploration; or cast a line for salmon, trout, walleye and more in one of hundreds of prime spots for fly-fishing, wade-fishing, bait-fishing and spin-casting.

Walkers, hikers, runners and cyclists can set out on the 22.5- kilometre Hub Trail to see the city from end to end, or dive headlong into natural splendour at Hiawatha Highlands. Golfers can take a swing at the championship-level course at Crimson Ridge or the 18-hole Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club, which also features a driving range, pitching range and putting green. And climbers can scale the towering cliffs and challenging rock faces of the Canadian Shield in spring, summer and fall or go ice climbing in the winter.

Arts and culture abound

Arts aficionados, culture mavens and Canadiana buffs will also find plenty to see, do and experience in Sault Ste. Marie. You can browse the collection and rotating exhibits at the Art Gallery of Algoma, learn about aviation history and see dozens of beautifully restored vintage aircraft at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, try your luck at Gateway Casino or peer into the vivariums to see and touch four-, six- and eight-legged creatures at Entomica Insectarium.

Weekends bring the best in fresh local produce and artisanal products to both the Soo Market and Algoma Farmers’ Market, and the Indigenous history of the region can be explored through a variety of Indigenous-led tours and educational experiences, including walking tours, canoe trips or a visit to Whitefish Island.

Eat, drink and then sleep like a baby

Like any top vacation destination, Sault Ste. Marie also features a wide selection of affordable places to dine, drink, rest and decompress, so you can book a table or a room without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a full-blown foodie or just a hungry adventurer, the Soo’s array of eateries includes charming bakeries and cafés, family-run restaurants and four-star dining. With cuisine that spans the globe, including Japanese, Nepali, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Italian, everything from shawarma, sushi and spaghetti to teeny pancakes and mouthwatering gourmet milkshakes are on the menu. Swap trail tales over a glass or a pint at one of many cozy bars and pubs or visit a local craft brewery or winery to sample some of the area’s best ales, lagers and vintages.

And, after a day spent savouring the grandeur of the great outdoors, you can fall into the kind of sound, satisfying slumber that rejuvenates your soul in one of Sault Ste. Marie’s 1,700-plus guest rooms. Choose from well-known chain hotels and character-filled throwback motels, or quaint B&Bs, inns, cottages and lodges. Or, to truly immerse yourself in nature, reserve a spot at any number of stunning, well-appointed campgrounds where you can park your RV, pitch a tent or sleep under the stars.

With its abundance of natural beauty, expansive outdoor activities, rich history and myriad options for fun and relaxation, Sault Ste. Marie is a Canadian city that proves that when it comes.

To discover more or plan your trip in Sault Ste. Marie, visit saulttourism.com.