Great Lakes Collection

Visit Sault Sainte Marie’s shores to discover the importance of the Soo Locks and the city’s storied origins. Meet your guide at your ship and set out on foot through the city, passing by Brady Park, the former site of Fort Brady, and the Jesuit Mission to the Historic Water Street. View the exteriors of prominent buildings, including the Bishop Frederic Baraga House and other local landmarks as you make your way to Soo Locks Park. Here, listen as your guide highlights the critical placement of the original settlement and the vital role the waterways continue to play in the city’s development. Enjoy free time to discover more on your own at the Soo Locks Visitors Center, where you can learn about the expert engineering that was required to construct the locks and observe them in action, watching as freighter ships navigate the waterway. After, return to your awaiting ship.

Delve into Sault Sainte Marie’s intriguing history as you walk through its most prominent districts. Meet your guide at your ship before setting off on foot to stroll along the renowned Water Street and explore the interiors of its Nationally Registered Historic Sites, including the home of legendary fur trader John Johnson and the waterfront Kemp Coal Dock Office. Continue your walk, viewing the stately City Hall and Chippewa County Courthouse as your guide shares stories of the city’s past and highlights prominent buildings. Visit the impressive red-brick St. Mary Proto-Cathedral, the oldest Cathedral in Michigan. Finally, stop at the imposing Tower of History to ascend 210 feet by elevator. Here, admire the city from your vantage point, marveling at the unparalleled view of the Soo Locks, the rushing St. Mary River and the expanse of wilderness that surrounds the area.

Kayak and hike along the history-rich waterways of St. Marys River, enjoying scenic views in a verdant environment. Enjoy a short drive through Sault Sainte Marie to your launch site near the Soo Locks. Here, watch as the ships navigate through the complex of canals before listening to a safety demonstration. Then, you will board your kayak and set off downstream towards the islands of the Lower St. Marys River. As you paddle alongside boats, admire the lush shoreline and keep watch for the local wildlife that call this river home. Land at the verdant Voyageur Island, where you will pull your kayak ashore and set off on the Riverside Trail for a leisurely hike through the woods, reveling in the tranquil atmosphere. After, relax along the shoreline, watching as the freighters sail past and listening to the riverside soundscape before paddling back to your pier.

Set off on a picturesque hike along the Tahquamenon River to immerse yourself in the region’s stunning nature. Meet your guide, board your motor coach and traverse Michigan’s lush countryside on your way to the Upper Falls of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Upon arrival, admire the “Root Beer Falls, ” nicknamed for their unique coloration due to the cedar swamps that feed the river, watching as the water rushes down a sheer, 48-foot drop. After, lace up your hiking boots and navigate along the narrow paths and wooden footbridges that trace the river’s shores. Marvel at the giant cedars, hemlocks and seasonal plants that line the trail and revel in the gentle trickling of the river, the rustle of leaves and bird calls as you make your way to the Lower Falls. Here, enjoy time to explore the Lower Falls independently, before rejoining your coach and returning to your ship.

Sail the St. Mary’s River, a vital connection between the Great Lakes, to cast your line and admire local nature. Enjoy a short drive to your dock, where you will meet your charter captain. Here, listen to a short safety briefing before boarding your vessel and heading out to fish in the St. Mary's River. The Ojibwe First Nations people were the first to fish here, utilizing weirs, spears and nets in the rapids, which were well stocked due to their connection to Lake Superior. An abundance of fish species can still be found in these waters, including lake trout, salmon, white fish and walleyes. As you navigate the river, pause at seasonal fishing spots to cast your line and admire the verdant shorelines and expansive beauty offered by the Great Lakes Region. Pose for a picture with your catch before releasing it back into the water.

Immerse yourself in nature during a visit to the Hiawatha National Forest. Meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to Michigan’s Hiawatha National Forest. Journey through lush woodlands to the historic Point Iroquois Lighthouse, where Lake Superior meets the St. Mary’s River. Operational from 1857 to 1963 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lighthouse played a key role in the development of Sault Sainte Marie. Continue to Naomikong Overlook for panoramic views over Lake Superior, before setting off on a guided multi-terrain hike through forest trails and marshlands, and along the sandy shoreline. Cross the Naomikong Bridge, surrounded by native flora and fauna, and enjoy the tranquility of nature before returning to your coach for the drive back to your ship.