(906) 632-3658 326 E. Portage, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.saulthistoricsites.com/tower-of-history-4 Another cool thing to check out in town is The Tower of History. It’s a 210-foot observation tower that gives you an absolutely spectacular view of the Soo Locks and the entire city. It was cool to look down and see all the places we’d been that day with …
S.S. Valley Camp
(906) 632-3658 Corner of Johnston & Water, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.thevalleycamp.com If you’ve always wanted to go aboard a Great Lakes freighter, check out the S.S. Valley Camp. It’s a five-hundred-foot freighter that sailed the Great Lakes for over fifty years. Now it’s a floating maritime museum, and it’s an outstanding experience. Up on deck you really get …
Soo Locks
(906) 632-6301 P.O. Box 739, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.soolocks.com While you’re in Sault Ste. Marie, be sure to go see the Soo Locks in action. It’s fascinating to get up close and watch these gigantic ships from all around the world go through. They pull in and are either raised or lowered twenty-one feet. If they go up, …
Riverstone Gallery
(906) 635-6033 321 W. Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783 www.riverstonegallery.net If you’re fond of the old expression, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” you’ll totally love the next place we found. It’s called Riverstone Gallery, and not only do they feature incredible, one-of-a-kind local art, photography and jewelry, they also have some very unique vintage recycled treasures. …
Karl’s Cuisine
(906) 253-1900 447 W. Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.karlscuisine.com We stopped and had lunch at a great place called Karl’s Cuisine. It’s a gourmet restaurant that the locals absolutely swear by. Karl and Paula Nelson have put their heart and soul into this place, and you can really taste it. They serve comfort food that’s good for …
Dave Thuemmel
(989) 738-8772 2090 Grindstone Rd., Port Austin, MI 48467 www.woodbowls.homestead.com thumbstudiotour.com/DaveT1.html When I was in seventh grade I made a cutting board in woodshop, and it lasted almost a year. I was very proud of that cutting board, until I met Dave Thuemmel. Dave is an incredibly talented artist and wood turner who takes scrap, fallen or just plain useless …
Joe’s Pizzeria American and Italian Restaurant
(989) 738-8711 8725 Lake St., Port Austin, MI 48467 After a long day of extreme kayaking, there’s nothing like an Italian pizza, hand tossed by an authentic Italian. So we went straight to Joe’s Pizzeria American and Italian Restaurant. It’s casual, comfortable and a lot of fun. Owner Sal Cucchiara is the real deal. He came to Port Austin thirty …
Port Austin Kayak and Bike Shop
(989) 550-6651 119 E. Spring St., Port Austin, MI 48467 www.portaustinkayak.com Port Austin is quickly becoming one of the best places to kayak in the Midwest, so I met up with the man who could show me why. Chris Boyle owns the Port Austin Kayak and Bike Shop, and he rents everything from beginner kayaks to some pretty cool state-of-the …
Little Yellow Cottages
(248) 760-7696 114 Union St., Port Austin, MI 48467 www.portaustincottages.com If the cottage life is more your style, you’ll want to stay at the Little Yellow Cottages. This place is a Port Austin favorite. They’re five little cottages all in a row, located right downtown just a block from the beach and public park. You can rent just one or …
Lake Street Manor, The
(989) 738-7720 8569 Lake St., Port Austin, MI 48467 www.lakestreetmanor.com If bed and breakfasts are the way you like to stay, try the Lake Street Manor. The rooms are very nice and the backyard has a great place to sit, relax and reflect. The location rocks, as does the owner.