Sault Ste. Marie

As Northern Ontario’s premier sports and entertainment facility, the GFL Memorial Gardens provides a topnotch home to the Soo Greyhounds (Ontario Hockey League), serves as a multi-sporting complex, venue for entertainment, tradeshows, conferences and much more. Take a guided tour of all three levels and explore displays, VIP suite, the Soo Greyhounds trophy case, meeting rooms, ice level and more.

The rapids at the mouth of the Saint Mary's River have been the key factor in Sault Ste. Marie's history. The city was named after them, too ("sault" is the 17th-century French word for "rapids"). For Digital Doors Open, choose from one of four online tours — or do them all — Sault Rapids, Stroll down Queen Street, Downtown Murals or Waterfront Attractions. You can find them all here. Or you can download the app (from the App Store or Google Play) and take actual walking tours in your own time, at your own speed. However you do them, have fun exploring Sault Ste. Marie! This OnThisSpot project is a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.

Constructed as Sault Ste. Marie’s centennial project, the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library marked the beginning of the city’s waterfront redevelopment program. Come and explore behind the scenes and discover the history of the stacks. Special guest Frank Sarlo will open the event with a reading from his most recent book, The West End: A Magical Place Created by Giants.

Explore the Sault Ste. Marie Armoury, home to the 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery and the 33 Service Battalion. Today, army reserve and cadet units use the facility for military drills and training. Visit the Lest We Forget Remembrance and History Library and Last Post Museum. Learn about anti-aircraft guns and the Howitzer artillery gun outside.

Step inside The Memorial Tower — an iconic structure and symbol of the sacrifices made by local men and women in the service of their country and the world. Artwork depicts action from five military conflicts dating back to the War of 1812. Representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 will be onsite.

Come and explore the new home of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 — complete with a museum where you can learn about the Sault’s miliary service over the years. Part of their new home is also an award-winning residential facility. In addition to museum artifacts, more military artifacts and exhibits will be available in the adjacent meeting rooms. (Photo: SalDan Construction Group)

The location of the former Wawanosh Indian Residential School is now a place of quiet reflection. The school began in 1887 and closed in 1901 when the girls were moved to the Shingwauk Residential School. The intent of this sacred space is to create visibility and curiosity for passersby to help create awareness of the history of Residential Schools. (Photo: City of Sault Ste. Marie)

The Anishinaabek Discovery Centre was completed in 2019 as the new home of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig — the centre of excellence in Anishinaabe post-secondary education. The design was inspired by Chief Shingwauk's vision of a “teaching wigwam." The 7.3-metre (24-foot) barrel-vault timber roof is crafted of spruce and the dome structure mimics that of a traditional Anishinaabe lodge.

Built at the turn of the 19th century, this building served as The Consolidated Lake Superior Company General Office Building – one of the finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Ontario. It was designated in 1993 and is now home to the Algoma Conservatory of Music, a regional centre for music education, performance and recording.

Discover the haunted history of downtown Sault Ste. Marie on this heritage ghost walking tour. Explore eerie tales, hidden alleys and historical buildings as local legends come to life. Perfect for thrill-seekers and history buffs alike, this spine-tingling stroll will reveal the Soo’s spirited secrets after dark. Dare to walk where the past still lingers!

Francis H. Clergue arrived in the Sault in 1894 and established the Lake Superior Power Company and the Sault Ste. Marie Pulp and Paper Company Limited, building his own machine shop and foundry to create the machines he needed to run the businesses. Today, the property features pubs, restaurants, event spaces, The Rink and the train station.

This site is crucial to understanding the history of residential schools and reconciliation in Canada. The Shingwauk Residential School, which operated here from 1874-1970, is now home to Algoma University, which offers cross-cultural education, healing and learning. Visitors can also explore the award-winning Reclaiming Shingwauk Hall exhibition that tells the site's history within the larger history of colonialism and reconciliation.

Located in a former church, the Métis Heritage Centre opened in 2025 as a cultural and spiritual centre for the Sault Ste. Marie Métis community. Come and tour exhibits and learn more about the history of the community, its connection to the city’s origins and their unique culture. Engage in free family activities or browse the gift shop.

Nestled among mature trees in a quiet, park-like setting, Bishophurst is one of Sault Ste. Marie’s architectural treasures. Built in 1876 from red sandstone, this gracious neo-Georgian residence has served as the home of the Anglican Bishop of Algoma for nearly 150 years. Highlights include the elegant front entrance framed by a classic columned portico and the beautiful Lady Chapel.

The Bishop Fauquier Memorial Chapel is the only remaining building from the original Shingwauk Indian Residential School, built in 1883 by staff and students. Today, it hosts educational tours that delve into the complex history between the Anglican Church and Canada’s Indigenous peoples. Visitors are invited to experience the chapel's distinctive architecture and updated stained-glass windows.

The Art Gallery of Algoma opened in 1980 not just as an art gallery but also a “people centre.” It currently houses work from the Group of Seven along with prominent Inuit, Indigenous and Canadian artists. Their extensive collection includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, installation works and decorative arts. Don’t miss their shop, with Group of Seven- and Indigenous-inspired products.

The North West Company Lock is located at the foot of Huron Street. It is actually two structures built almost 100 years apart. The stone replica lock seen today was built in 1896 and lies over the floor and framework of the original lock built in 1797. The lock was built to help laden canoes and boats navigate the rapids.

Come and tour the Ontario Forest Research Institute — one of the most beautifully designed buildings in Sault Ste. Marie. They focus on helping forests adapt to climate change, maintaining the genetic diversity of Ontario’s forests, studying forest diseases and invasive insects, and more. Constructed of local maple and glass, the building offers a work environment with plenty of natural light.

The Clergue Blockhouse stands today as a reminder of two important periods in Sault Ste. Marie's history. The base of the blockhouse contains exhibits on the city and the fur trade while the top floor showcases exhibits on the early industrialization of Sault Ste. Marie and the man who made it happen — Francis H. Clergue.

Built in 1812-14 by Charles Oakes Ermatinger, the Ermatinger Old Stone House is one of the oldest stone buildings west of Toronto. It has served many purposes over the years — as a hotel, a sheriff's residence and, prior to being abandoned, apartments. Restored in 1967, the building is now a historical site and museum.

The North Branch of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library opened in 2019 — including a new storage space for the library’s archives (with some records that date back to 1822). During Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie, the Archive Technician will facilitate a tour of the spaces as well as show items from the archives. Come and enjoy this rare opportunity!