If the two buildings, the Old Stone House and the Blockhouse, could talk, they would tell stories steeped in adventure and intrigue about the rich and turbulent times of the fur trade; the aches and pains of early pioneer life and the development of industry along the St. Marys River.
Visit the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site to take a trip back in time over 200 years. See how some of the earliest European settlers in Sault Ste. Marie lived. Learn about the war of 1812 through interactive displays. Take part in some great events throughout the year that will bring these historic buildings to life. Enjoy an interactive audio tour to help guide you through the site or sit in the 50-seat theatre to watch a 25 minute movie that introduces visitors to the history of the area, the historic on-site buildings and the people that lived in them.
Learn more about Sault Ste. Marie’s rich history on a tour of the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site.
The Ermatinger Old Stone House has been fully restored to depict the domestic and professional life of Charles Oakes Ermatinger, a prominent business man who lived in Sault Ste. Marie from 1812 – 1828. Visitors can step back in time by walking through rooms recreated to resemble life 200 years ago. Fascinating pieces of information along the way will enhance the experience, such as learning about how, in the years after Charles Ermatinger had left, the house became a hotel, later a courtroom and also boarding house!
This iconic building dates back to 1819 when it was first build and used as a powder magazine. Later, at the turn of the century, Francis Hector Clergue added an upper level and converted it into a house with two bedrooms, a large living space, and the first indoor washroom. Visitors can tour through the building’s two levels getting another sample of historic Sault Ste. Marie life while learning more about Francis H. Clergue himself.
The War of 1812 was a 32-month long conflict between the United States and Great Britain fought in Upper Canada and Lower Canada. The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site contains a fantastic, interactive gallery of the war that shaped the North America we know today. Learn why the war was fought, what was the outcome, what were the key battles, and who were the famous faces. Read about famous naval skirmishes, and check out the uniforms worn during the war.
A superb selection of souvenirs are available at the gift shop. This includes souvenirs from Sault Ste. Marie and Canada as a whole, a selection of Group of Seven merchandise and work by local artists including local Indigenous artists. The gift shop also sells seeds and produce from the garden! Come and check it out, you’ll find a variety of things and everything special about Algoma.
12 events are planned throughout the year. In June there is the fantastic Lilac and Lavender festival and Poutine Feast – 4 days of Poutine from 8 different vendors with live music and kids entertainments! This is followed by the Strawberry Festival in July, Blueberry Festival in August. September is a big month for events with Fall Rendezvous which in 2023 will include a harvest festival and well as the traditional reenactors on the front lawn. Other events are planned for October including Halloween House and Halloween on Queen. Check out our events page here or follow the Ermatinger Facebook page here for all the latest info!
The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site is open year round! Come and see for yourself!
Looking for some fun things to do with the family? We’ve got you covered. Plan a weekend adventure or come for the whole week! Sault Ste. Marie has something for everyone. Here are some fun ideas for you and your family.
The Bushplane Museum is one of the Ontario’s top attractions. It features a myriad of attractions that suit all types of visitor. Aviation enthusiasts will love the collection of vintage aircraft, families will find an educational and safe environment for their children to play and explore while an array of offerings is sure to entertain with something for everybody.
From March 4th until May 14th check the The Science of Guinness World Records Northern Tour. Go behind the scenes and see what it takes. Hear the stories of those who set out to break new ground and succeeded. Learn the secrets, then try it yourself. Challenge your friends, your family, your foes, your classmates, or even other visitors.
You’ll have to check out Entomica Insectarium, an instant favourite in the museum. Kids have the opportunity to handle some exotic insects under the supervision of their knowledgeable “bug wrangler” staff.
We’ve had a great winter for snow and our resorts are open over March break! Hiawatha Highlands, Stokely Creek Lodge are great places for cross-country skiing. Searchmont Resort, with one of the highest verticals in Ontario, is your perfect downhill destination. Each resort has rentals as well as a variety of trails for all skill levels. Check opening times and local conditions on their websites before visiting.
The museums and attractions here in Sault Ste. Marie are happy to welcome back visitors! They are offering a new way to experience these sites through the Cultural Corridor Connection Pass! During this March Break (March 14-19), for $25.00, families can gain access to six sites and participate in fun-filled activities! Passes can be purchased online using the link below, or at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and the Public Library.
Register here at: https://saultstemarie.ca/ECNHSevents
Warmer days, sun, and yet still snow and ice to enjoy! Come for an outdoor skate on any of our beautiful trails. There’s the waterside skate downtown at Clergue Park, or head to a beautiful woodland trail at Crimson Ridge.
Crimson Ridge offers a March Break pass for all their winter activities for $15. Skate, fat bike, snowshoe, bum-slide and ski, all week long! There is a Cabana that will be open with beverages, bbq, and snacks!
It’ll soon be maple syrup season and Hogan’s Homestead are getting ready! Come for a visit and enjoy guided hikes with Blaq Bear Eco Adventure Routes, bum slides or products from their gift shop.
Stay in one of our six hotels with pools and let the kids burn off some energy! Visit our hotels page and filter ‘pool’ for a complete list!
Spend a fun afternoon at Soo Blaster! From pool to Air FX Hockey to pinball, there is bound to be a BLAST for every age! Experience the Ultimate Simulation Game; play golf, hockey, basketball, soccer, rugby, cricket, zombie dodgeball, carnival and more.
From a Syrian Shawarma to spicy Indian, delicious Italian or sizzling steak, the Sault has so many great restaurants to choose from!
By Tourism Sault Ste. Marie
Looking for a family-friendly bike ride in Sault Ste. Marie? The 22.5-km John Rowswell Hub Trail stretches like a ribbon through the city’s residential neighbourhoods, commercial districts and urban greenspace, with minimal hills and a paved surface for easy bike trips for the family. This non-motorized trail is your gateway to family friendly cycling in Sault Ste. Marie.
Riding the entire Hub Trail is an excellent half-day trip for adventurous families looking to cover some distance. An interactive map is available online to help identify starting points around the city, plan your route and discover all the sights along the way. Or, if you prefer a shorter family cycling tour, focus on these shorter sections of trail. A dedicated website here has maps and info to help you enjoy your day!
Fort Creek is a natural oasis in Sault Ste. Marie, the perfect destination for a family bike ride along a 3-km (one-way) forested path. Access the trailhead on Second Line West, a short drive from The Water Tower Inn. The great Northern Ontario wilderness is closer than you think on this easy ride suitable for all types of bicycles.
You may see herons, eagles, hawks and monarch butterflies along this section of Hub Trail, with the potential of spotting beaver hard at work in wetland areas as well. The trail features two stunning bridges spanning deep valleys cut by meandering streams. Mature trees along the trail provide natural air conditioning on even the hottest days.
The historic Sault Ste. Marie Canal is located a short side trip west of the downtown Hub Trail. Leave your car at the Machine Shop, a great spot for a post-ride coffee and gelato (Italian ice cream). Ride along Canal Drive to the stately sandstone Parks Canada buildings commemorating what was the world’s longest lock when it was built in 1895. Today, the lock is used by recreational boaters travelling between Great Lakes Superior and Huron in the summer months.
It’s easy to spend a half-day at the canal: Sign up for a tour with a Parks Canada interpreter, explore the Visitor Centre, or enjoy Victorian tea at the Superintendent’s Residence. Cycle to the end of the pier, watching for vessels navigating the canal along the way. Or, you can rent a fat bike (adult and youth sizes are available) and explore the easy gravel trails of South St. Marys and Whitefish islands, rolling alongside vast wetlands and beneath the monstrous International Bridge.
Check out the Hub Trail along the downtown waterfront for an easy family-friendly bike ride in Sault Ste. Marie.
The broad river is the centre of attention, with passing freighters and great views of whitewater rapids cascading along the international border. Allow your spirit to fall back in time as you retrace this ancient pilgrimage to Bawating, the community’s Indigenous Anishnaabe namesake meaning “place by the rapids.”
Bring your camera for a pretty sunset bike ride, with dining options along the way (check out Fluid Boardwalk Patio + Grill at the Delta Hotel). Head east away from the muted roar of the St. Marys Rapids and ride 2.6km towards the Historic District along a smooth asphalt path and wooden boardwalk that’s suitable for any type of bicycle. Go past the Clergue Park (near the Sleep Inn on Bay Street), and end up at the iconic Canadian Heritage Bushplane Museum, one of Sault Ste. Marie’s top attractions. A happy day with the family can be spent looking at these iconic planes and exhibitions. Complete your family’s itinerary with a visit to the fascinating Entomic Insectarium too.
Located adjacent to the east end section of the Hub Trail, Bellevue Park is Sault Ste. Marie’s largest park featuring 2.4 km of paved paths. Towering trees and cool breezes off the St. Mary’s River make this 17-ha greenspace a great refuge on hot summer days. Combine a family bike ride with stops at Bellevue Park’s multiple playgrounds, picnic areas and splash pad. Post-ride, Sandro’s Family Restaurant, also located in the city’s east end, is a wonderful place to introduce your kids to tasty and authentic Italian cuisine in a casual dining setting.
Need a bike? No problem. Fat bike rentals at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. Bikes are also available for rent from the Roberta Bonda Marina during summer months.
