Sault Ste. Marie puts Great Lakes shipping history at the center of your Michigan getaway, from watching vessels at the Soo Locks to exploring Museum Ship Valley Camp and the Tower of History. Spend a day around the riverfront, then leave room for a separate beach outing to Brimley State Park on Lake Superior.
Yes. 5 of our Sault Ste. Marie vacation rentals have internet access, so you can stay connected throughout your trip.
Browse homes with internet access >Absolutely. Our local Sault Ste. Marie team includes professional housekeepers who care for all our homes here. They’ll clean thoroughly and restock amenities, so everything is ready for your arrival—and all you have to do is settle in and relax.
Learn more about Vacasa Premium Clean >For families, couples, and travelers interested in maritime history, Sault Ste. Marie vacation rentals offer a home base for days divided between the St. Marys River and downtown. Compare each home's location with the Soo Locks and the historic attractions you want to visit, especially if you plan to return downtown for meals.
Choose a property type and sleeping layout that suit your group rather than assuming every rental works the same way. Each home is unique, and amenities, parking, pet policies, and other features vary by home, so review the individual listing before booking.
Start with the working locks, then see how life aboard a freighter and the history of the river connect to the city. The following stops offer different ways to understand the same waterfront setting.
The Soo Locks raise and lower vessels between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes, with an observation platform in the park for watching the process. Pair ship watching with the visitor center's exhibits for an outing that helps curious travelers understand what they are seeing.
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Museum Ship Valley Camp brings you aboard a retired Great Lakes freighter, with maritime exhibits inside its cargo holds and crew quarters to explore. The Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit and aquariums add different points of interest for families and visitors drawn to shipping history.
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The Tower of History offers elevated views over Sault Ste. Marie, the Soo Locks, and the St. Marys River. An elevator ride to the observation level makes this a useful stop for getting your bearings and seeing how the city's waterfront fits together.
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The River of History Museum on Ashmun Street tells the story of the St. Marys River through a self-guided tour with audio narration. It suits travelers who want more historical context after seeing the locks and waterfront.
Plan meals around downtown, where Portage Avenue and Ashmun Street bring together restaurants and cafés near the city's sightseeing areas. A café stop and a separate sit-down meal can help break up a day spent between museums and the riverfront.
Penny's Kitchen on West Spruce Street offers a café and deli stop in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Work it into your sightseeing day for coffee, pastries, or lunch.
The Wicked Sister on Ashmun Street serves made-from-scratch dishes and has been part of the local dining scene since 2015. Consider it for a sit-down meal after exploring downtown and the waterfront.
Keep the locks and downtown at the center of your stay, then set aside time for Lake Superior's shoreline. These nearby outings offer a different pace without turning your getaway into a long-distance road trip.
A short regional drive west of Sault Ste. Marie brings you to Brimley State Park in Brimley, on Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay. Allow a half-day for the sandy beach and picnic area, or a longer visit if your group wants an unhurried shoreline outing.
Farther along the Lake Superior shoreline in the Brimley area, Point Iroquois Lighthouse adds a historic light station to a regional driving day. Allow a half-day for a focused visit or combine it with Brimley State Park for a full-day outing; museum and tower access depend on the operating schedule.
