Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie is a city of 13,335 people in Chippewa County, Michigan, founded in 1668.
Why visit Sault Ste. Marie
Townapedia lists 41 museums and landmarks, 42 parks and trails, 41 places to eat, 20 places to stay and 5 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company, John Johnston House and SS Valley Camp.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 77°F; January lows average 8°F, and about 120 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Sault Ste. Marie
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie ( SOO saynt mə-REE; Ojibwe: Baawitigong) is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Chippewa County and is the only city within the county. With a recorded population of 13,337 from the 2020 census, it is the second-most populated city in the Upper Peninsula, behind Marquette.
From the Wikipedia article Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do5
Lake Superior State University
School · 1.2 mi
Public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, United States
Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company
Bridge · 2.2 mi
International railroad bridge
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge
Bridge · 2.2 mi
Bridge connecting Canada and the United States
Sault Ste. Marie International Railroad Bridge
Bridge · 2.2 mi
Bridge connecting Canada and the United States
Museums and landmarks41
John Johnston House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Historic house in Michigan, United States
SS Valley Camp
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Lake freighter built in 1917
Adams Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Commercial building in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Chippewa County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
County courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, United States of America
Elmwood
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Frame house located at 435 East Water Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Gowan Block
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Built as a commercial building and meeting hall located at 416 Ashmun Street in Sault Ste
Old Federal Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic building in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, United States
Sault Ste. Marie Historic Commercial District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Historic district in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA
Soo Lock Visitors Center
Monument and historic site · 2.0 mi
312 West Portage Avenue, Sault Ste Marie
Mo-Su,PH 10:00-19:00
Soo Locks
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Dam in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, United States of America
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Fort Brady
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
29 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds42
George Kemp Downtown Marina
Marina and boat launch · 2.3 mi
485 East Water Street, Sault Sainte Marie
30 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes41
Superior Coffee Roasters
Cafe · Bagel, Coffee Shop, Sandwich · 2.0 mi
215 West Portage Avenue
Mo-Fr 06:00-17:00; Sa-Su 08:00-15:00
Biggby Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.8 mi
2505 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste Marie
China Cate
Restaurant · Chinese · 2.0 mi
226 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste Marie
Frank's Place
Diner · American · 2.0 mi
123 West Portage Avenue, Sault Ste Marie
Superior Coffee Roasting Co. Cafe
Cafe · Sandwich, Coffee Shop · 2.0 mi
107 East Portage Avenue, Sault Ste Marie
West Pier Drive-in
Restaurant · Burger · 1.7 mi
849 West Pier Drive-in, Sault Ste Marie
1668 Winery and Lockside Brewery
Brewery and winery · 2.0 mi
100 West Portage Avenue, Sault Ste Marie
Asian Buffet
Restaurant · Chicken · 0.7 mi
2644 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Sainte Marie
Cup of the Day
Cafe · 1.9 mi
406 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste Marie
Savory Bar
Bar and pub · 2.0 mi
117 West Portage Avenue, Sault Ste Marie
29 more on the map.
History
For centuries, Oc̣eṭi Ṡakowiƞ (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda), or Sioux, people lived in the area.
In 1668, French missionaries Claude Dablon and Jacques Marquette founded a Jesuit mission at this site. Sault Ste. Marie developed as one of oldest European cities in the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains, and the oldest permanent European settlement in Michigan. On June 4, 1671, Simon-François Daumont de Saint-Lusson, a colonial agent, was dispatched from Quebec to the distant tribes, proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of St. Mary between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Trader Nicolas Perrot helped attract the principal chiefs, and representatives of 14 Indigenous nations were invited for the elaborate ceremony. The French officials proclaimed France's appropriation of the immense territory surrounding Lake Superior in the name of King Louis XIV.
From the History section of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay20
Super 8 by Wyndham Sault Ste. Marie
Motel and hotel · 0.6 mi
3525 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Sainte Marie
Long Ships Motel
Motel and hotel · 1.9 mi
427 West Portage Avenue, Sault Ste Marie
Days Inn by Wyndham Sault Ste Marie MI
Motel and hotel · 0.7 mi
3651 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Sainte Marie
Lockview Motel
Motel and hotel · 2.0 mi
327 West Portage Avenue, Sault Sainte Marie
Mid-City Motel
Motel and hotel · 2.1 mi
304 East Portage Avenue, Sault Sainte Marie
Churches and places of worship30
Central United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Saint James' Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
First United Presbyterian Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Holy Name of Mary Pro-Cathedral
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
Church · Greek Orthodox · 1.8 mi
511 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie Seventh-day Adventist Church
Church · Seventh Day Adventist · 1.2 mi
501 West Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie
Shopping18
Lock City Home Center
Hardware store · 1.7 mi
499 Spruce Street West, Sault Ste Marie
Gas and EV charging15
Schools, colleges and libraries18
Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe Academy
School · 2.0 mi
1301 Marquette Avenue, Sault Sainte Marie
Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe School
School · 1.9 mi
1301 Marquette Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie
Healthcare8
Edna M. Youngs Student Health Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.1 mi
621 West Easterday Avenue, Sault Sainte Marie
Chippewa Medical Associates
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.8 mi
510 Ashmun Street, Sault Sainte Marie
Map of Sault Ste. Marie
238 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24°F | 8°F | 2.2 in | 30.3 in |
| Feb | 26°F | 9°F | 1.5 in | 20.7 in |
| Mar | 36°F | 18°F | 1.8 in | 13.0 in |
| Apr | 48°F | 30°F | 2.6 in | 7.6 in |
| May | 63°F | 41°F | 2.6 in | 0.4 in |
| Jun | 72°F | 50°F | 2.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 77°F | 55°F | 3.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 76°F | 55°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 68°F | 49°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 54°F | 38°F | 4.4 in | 1.7 in |
| Nov | 41°F | 28°F | 3.4 in | 16.0 in |
| Dec | 30°F | 17°F | 2.8 in | 30.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Fld 72734 (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Chippewa County has had 3 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Sault Sainte Marie Municipal Airport (SSM) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 0 miles away.
- Brimley 11 mi southwest, about 18 min by car
- Kincheloe 15 mi south, about 24 min by car
- St. Ignace 44 mi southwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Mackinac Island 44 mi south, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Mackinaw City 51 mi south, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Newberry 55 mi west, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Soo Michigan skyline, P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Exit 394 on I-75, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Imzadi1979, CC BY-SA 4.0
- US Border Control in Sault Ste. Marie - Inspección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos - panoramio, Bohao Zhao, CC BY 3.0
- Greetings from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - Large Letter Postcard (5728482896), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Greetings from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - Large Letter Postcard (4481422222), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA - panoramio, Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lift bridge, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (32304564941), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridges 2025r, Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sault Ste. Marie International Rail and Highway Bridges Michigan (30328545563), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridges 2025t, Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridges 2025u, Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridges 2025s, Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 19970722 14 Sault Ste. Marie, MI (5889027906), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 19970722 13 Sault Ste. Marie, MI (5888459697), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridges 2025v, Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JOSEPH H. THOMPSON in lock at Sault Ste. Marie (1978), Gary Todd, CC0
- CentralMethodistEpiscopal-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- StJamesChurch-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- SS Valley Camp bow, Cason at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- JohnJohnsonHouse-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2009-0618-Soo-RiverofHistoryM, Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- SaintMarysCathedral-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- First United Presbyterian Church Sault Ste Marie 1983, Resource Analysts Inc, Public domain
- Ship in Soo Locks USGS image, USGS, Public domain
- AdamsBuilding-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- GowanBlock-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2009-0618-Soo-ChippewaCtyCt, Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Elmwood-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Art Gallery of Algoma, West, Fungus Guy, Public domain
- OldFortBrady-SaultSteMarieMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Tower of History, P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2009-0618-LSSU-SouthHall, Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Precious Blood Cathedral 15, Fungus Guy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fishing weir at Whitefish Island 2, Fungus Guy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- SSM Bushplane Museum, P199, Public domain
- Sault Ste Marie Museum 13, Fungus Guy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ermatinger-Clergue Heritage Discovery Centre 1, Fungus Guy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- TracerGS, SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0
- LastGenCentury, SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0
- GrandAmGTSedan, SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0
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