When Do Seasonal Businesses Open in Sault Ste. Marie?

Summer is near and the nice weather may have you wondering when seasonal restaurants and activities are opening up in Sault Ste. Marie. Well, we have out together a list that hopefully will help you out! 

Let's start with some ffood!

• Clyde's Drive-In

Clyde's is now open for the season so you can stop in, get a burger and watch the freighters pass by Rotary Park on the St. Marys River. If you are up for it, the Big C is the famous 3/4 burger. The regular burgers are great and don't forget a shake or a malt.

@mi_playground Clydes big C #miplayground #saultstemarie #stmarysriver ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• West Pier

Another popular seasonal restaurant is also open for the season. West Pier has great burgers and also is a popular place for subs. This is another fun spot for watching freighters enter and leave the Soo Locks from the upper St. Marys River side. FYI, West Pier is cash only so be prepared for that. 

@mi_playground Cylde’s vs West Pier #miplayground #saultstemarie #thesoo ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Zak & Mac's

Located across the street from the Soo Locks, Zak & Mac's is open and is a great spot for fudge and ice cream. Our recommendation is to do the buy 2 get the third free fudge and see what you like best. You also cant go wrong with ice cream in a waffle cone!

@mi_playground This seems like the right amount of fudge. #fudge #nationalfudgeday #michigancheck #miplayground ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Oh Crepe and Coffee

This is the last time this great spot will be on a seasonal list as it is now going to be open year round! Stop in for a delicious crepe and great coffee. The menu offers a variety of styles including "savory" crepes that might be best for lunch or dinner like the buffalo chicken and sweet crepes like the Nutella and fruit. They also have great branded merch!

@mi_playground Oh Crepe in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan #miplayground #saultstemarie #michiganfoodie ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Grillroom 1901

Located at the Sault Ste. Marie Country Club, you can have breakfast before a round of golf or lunch/dinner after a round. You can also just go to eat even if you don't want to golf. The restaurant and golf course are open to the public and not members only. 

• Cultured Pop

This specialty popcorn spot is now open for the season. We always get our go-to, truffle parm, and then try something new. Last time it was dragon lime. The popcorn was purple and it was unique and delicious! 

@mi_playground Dragon Lime and Truffle Parm popcorn. #saultstemarie #foodtok #upperpeninsula ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Sugar Daddy

If you are looking for some super fun shake creations, Sugar Daddy located on Portage is open for the season. Beyond the shakes, there are other bakery items and a new lineup of energy refreshers that we are looking forward to trying!

@mi_playground Great shakes / interesting name #miplayground #saultstemarie #thesoo #michiganfood ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Fudge du Locke

A classic in Sault Ste. Marie that has been around since 1964! It has a buy 2 get 1 free offer to get a variety of fudge. Beyond delicious fudge it is also fun to watch the fudge being made on the marble tables.

• Lockview Restaurant 

Opening May 9th, the Lockview Restaurant has just that, a view of the Soo Locks. It also has great food! Our recommendation is to go with anything that has whitefish in it. It is kind of their thing! Our go-to is the whitefish sandwich and the whitefish reuben. There are also models of the freighters all over this place so that is a cool bonus! 

@mi_playground Lunch with a view. #saultstemarie #foodtiktok #upperpeninsula #miplayground ♬ original sound - mi_playground

Let's move on from food and talk about things to do in the area!

• The Soo Locks and Soo Locks Visitors Center

The locks have been operating since March but the the visitors center is now open for the season has information about the Soo Locks including history and information about the daily schedule. When you visit the Locks, make sure to stop in the visitor center to round out your experience. it is open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 7 PM. The visitors center is free to enter. 

@mi_playground The captain of the Joseph L Block likes Pitbull #michiganlake #miplayground #soolocks #boatnerd ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• The Museum Ship Valley Camp

Opening on May 10th, this real life retired freighter was transformed into a museum and is a must visit while in the Soo. Tour the ship to see displays featuring Great Lakes shipping history including a life boat from the Edmund Fitzgerald. There are also great views of ship traffic along the river. 

@mi_playground Exploring a retired Great Lakes freighter #miplayground #michigan #greatlakes #greatlakes #michigancheck #upperpeninsula #detroit ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Tower of History 

The 201 foot tall Tower of History opens May 10th. An 360 degree observation platform at the top provides great views of the area. The lower level offers a museum. There is the ability to purchase a combo ticket that will be good for both the Tower of History and the Valley Camp.

@mi_playground The Tower of History in Sault Ste. Marie. #saultstemarie #upperpeninsula #michigan ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• The Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours

Opening on May 10th the, Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours will take you through the Soo Locks. Get up-close views of the freighters as you cruise the river. The cruise is usually around 90 minutes but can sometimes be longer based on marine traffic in the area. There are also specialty cruise options throughout the season. The cruises are also rain or shine.

@mi_playground The easiest way to experience the Soo Locks #saultstemarie #soolocks #miplayground ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• The Original Soo Locks Boat Tours

Opening on May 16th, the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours will take you on a cruise through the Soo Locks and the St. Marys River. Started in 1934 with a wooden vessel named the Bide-A-Wee, the third tour boat named Bide-A-Wee was built in 1955 and is still in operation today. Specialty cruises and private charters are also available. 

@mi_playground The Soo Locks Boat Tours is a staple of any good UP trip #miplayground #michigantravel #saultstemarie #boatnerd ♬ original sound - mi_playground

• Bird's Eye Outfitters Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals 

Rentals are available through Bird's Eye Outfitters that will help get you out on the river for your own adventure. Rent for anywhere from 1 hour to an entire week. They also offer guided tours of the river. Bird's Eye is also a restaurant, bar and coffee shop or as they say it "Coffee, Beer and Gear. 

@mi_playground Birds Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste Marie will guide you through the Soo Locks #saultstemarie #soolocks #thesoo #miplayground ♬ original sound - mi_playground

The point of this post was to talk about seasonal businesses in Sault Ste. Marie so you know what is open and when they open. Beyond the seasonal businesses, there are plenty of great businesses open year round including restaurants, shopping and things to do!