Community
Sault Ste. Marie
About Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is Michigan’s oldest city, dating to a 1668 mission, and faces its Ontario namesake across the St. Marys River. The Soo Locks lift freighters around the river’s rapids between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes, and Lake Superior State University sits on the hill above downtown. The city is the Chippewa County seat and the home of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Our Soo coverage follows city and county government, the locks and Great Lakes shipping, Lake Superior State Lakers hockey and Sault Area High School sports, and things to do along Portage Avenue and the riverfront.
Top things to do in Sault Ste. Marie
- Watch freighters lock through from the observation platform at Soo Locks Park.
- Tour the Museum Ship Valley Camp, a retired Great Lakes freighter on the river.
- Ride a Soo Locks boat tour through the locks in season.
- Take in the river view from the Tower of History.
- Cheer on Lake Superior State Lakers hockey at Taffy Abel Arena.
- Make the scenic drive west to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Guides
Nearby on The Mitten Daily
Latest from Sault Ste. Marie
Community · October 20, 2026
Sault Ste. Marie gets an early look at its ‘Under the Radar Michigan’ episode at a free watch party Oct. 27 at the Del-Mar
The episode features Fudge Du Locke, Cultured Pop, Yooper Trading Co., the Del-Mar and LSSU’s freshwater research center. Appetizers are free.
News · October 20, 2026
Sault Ste. Marie extends its airport development tax district 25 years, projecting $4.4 million for infrastructure and marketing
The extension adds no new tax. It keeps capturing growth in property taxes inside the district for projects around Sanderson Field.
News · October 20, 2026
Chippewa County voters decide Nov. 3 whether to renew the 8-mill limit that funds county, township and ISD operations
The question renews separate tax limitations for 2027 through 2030: 6.15 mills for the county, 1.65 for townships and 0.20 for the intermediate school district.
News · October 20, 2026
The New Lock at the Soo is half built: what’s been poured, what’s next and why it matters to steel
Contractors have placed more than 140,000 of about 400,000 cubic yards of concrete. The $3.2 billion lock will give the Poe Lock, which carries 88% of U.S. domestic iron ore, a twin.
News · October 20, 2026
Sault Ste. Marie officer honored for pulling a person in crisis back over the East Portage Avenue Bridge railing
Officer Michael Rand kept the person talking, closed the distance and grabbed an arm, then took away a knife. Help is available 24/7 at 988.
News · October 20, 2026
Sault planners take up Cloverland’s lineman training center at old Washington School and a new hospital surgery wing Thursday
The Oct. 22 meeting is a final review for Cloverland and a site plan for MyMichigan Medical Center Sault, where the main entrance has moved during construction.
Sports · October 20, 2026
LSSU hockey finally plays at home: the Lakers open CCHA play against Bowling Green, with Saturday the 200th meeting
After six road games, the 2-2 Lakers unveil a renovated Taffy Abel Arena during Great Lake State Weekend and the program’s 60th season.
Sports · October 20, 2026
Soo Eagles pull away from Elliot Lake 6-3 as Harmon Esch scores twice in the first 28 seconds of the third
Alex Povorozniouk stretched his point streak to nine games. The Eagles’ next home game is Halloween night at Pullar Stadium.
Sports · October 20, 2026
The Soo Indians, the U.P.’s last AAA under-18 hockey team, shut down for the season after running out of players
Founded in 1990, the program had been playing with a depleted lineup and sat last in the standings. Players have been released to find other teams.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Things to do in Sault Ste. Marie Oct. 23–24: LSSU’s Great Lake State Weekend, Oozeball and Downtown Fall Fest on Ashmun Street
Lake Superior State’s homecoming brings the hockey home opener, a 5K, open houses and mud volleyball. Downtown, Ashmun Street closes for vendors, pumpkin painting and a bounce house.
Michigan Travel · October 20, 2026
Halloween in the Soo: a haunted Valley Camp freighter Oct. 29–31, a downtown Parade of Frights Oct. 30 and a costumed 5K
The museum ship on Water Street turns into a haunted attraction three nights. Downtown gets trick-or-treating and a trunk-or-treat at the Farmers’ Market Pavilion.