Sault Sainte Marie, MI

Sault Ste. Marie sits at the eastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, in Chippewa County, where the St. Marys River flows out of Lake Superior. With a population of roughly 14,000, it is the oldest city in Michigan and serves as the principal urban hub for the region's far northern reaches. The community has a working-port feel shaped by its maritime industry, its border position directly across the river from its Canadian twin city, and the steady flow of visitors drawn to its waterfront. It functions as a natural gateway to the Upper Peninsula's outdoor destinations, particularly the vast stretches of Lake Superior shoreline and the forested country to the west and north. The nearest major U.S. city is Detroit, roughly 300 miles to the south and about a five-hour drive, while smaller hubs like Green Bay and Traverse City lie somewhat closer in driving time.

The headline attraction is the Soo Locks, the system of parallel chambers that lifts and lowers vessels between the higher waters of Lake Superior and the lower level of Lake Huron. From the adjacent observation platforms and visitor center along the waterfront, onlookers can watch 1,000-foot freighters thread through the locks just a few hundred feet away, an experience that draws summer crowds throughout the shipping season. The historic Soo Locks are essentially in the downtown core, within walking distance of most hotels and rental properties.

Moored along the same riverfront is the Valley Camp, a retired 1913 lake freighter that now operates as a museum ship. Visitors can tour its engine room, crew quarters, and cargo holds, which include exhibits on Great Lakes shipping, shipwrecks, and a notable collection of Edmund Fitzgerald memorabilia. The ship is a short walk from the locks and is part of the broader Sault Ste. Marie waterfront complex that hosts festivals and maritime events.

A short drive west brings visitors to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, home to one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern United States. The Upper Falls, a broad, tannin-stained cascade, is the centerpiece, while the smaller Lower Falls offer a more intimate setting with walking bridges and riverside trails. The park entrance is approximately 60 miles from the city, or just under two hours by car, and is a major day-trip destination for guests staying in the Sault. Information on the park is available through Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

About 40 miles north of the city, near the tip of the Upper Peninsula, Whitefish Point is the site of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and a memorial to the Edmund Fitzgerald. The lighthouse, the museum's exhibits on Lake Superior shipwrecks, and the rugged beach have made it a destination for maritime-history travelers and a frequent pairing with the Tahquamenon trip in a single longer day or overnight loop.

Sault Ste. Marie pairs a walkable, attraction-rich downtown with surprisingly easy access to some of the Midwest's most striking natural scenery, giving short-term rental owners a base that appeals to both heritage-minded travelers and outdoor adventurers passing through the Upper Peninsula.