You've probably heard the name "The Soo" and thought of steel mills and cold winters. Honestly, most people do. They picture a rugged industrial town perched on the edge of Lake Superior, a place you pass through on a cross-country road trip but rarely stop to actually see.
But here’s the thing: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario is undergoing a bit of a quiet revolution in 2026. It's moving past its reputation as just a "steel town" and becoming something much more interesting.
Sure, the smoke from Algoma Steel still hangs on the horizon, and yes, the 1,000 layoffs announced late last year sent a shockwave through the local economy. It’s a tough reality. But if you look closer at the streets of downtown or the rugged trails of the Hiawatha Highlands, you’ll find a city that is stubbornly reinventing itself as a hub for eco-tourism, Indigenous culture, and a surprisingly high-end food scene.
Why the Agawa Canyon Train is Only the Beginning
Most tourists come for one thing: the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. It’s a classic. You sit in a comfortable coach for 114 miles, watching the Canadian Shield blur past—granite cliffs, pristine lakes, and the kind of wild landscapes that inspired the Group of Seven.
In 2026, the train remains the biggest draw, with peak autumn tours booking up months in advance. But there’s a common mistake people make. They treat the Sault as a pit stop for the train and leave the next morning.
You’re missing out if you do that.
The real magic of Sault Ste. Marie right now is in the "slow travel" movement. Instead of just looking at the scenery from a train window, people are actually getting into it. We’re talking about fat biking on the Crimson Ridge trails or taking a guided "Gchi Jiimaan" (Big Canoe) tour with Métis guides.
These aren't your typical "history lectures" either. You’re on the water, learning about the St. Marys River and the "river lot" life of the Métis people while actually paddling the rapids. It’s visceral. It’s real. And it’s a far cry from a gift shop postcard.
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The 2026 Economic Reality: Steel and Students
Let’s be real for a second. The city is in a weird spot.
On one hand, the 2026 municipal budget just passed with a 3.87% tax hike. The Mayor, Matthew Shoemaker, has been open about the financial strain. The city is trying to "hold the line" on spending while roads and infrastructure remain underfunded.
But then you look at Algoma University.
While the steel industry is fluctuating, the university is exploding. It’s projected to hit an economic impact of over $200 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, aiming for 3,000 students on the Sault campus alone. You can feel this energy downtown. It’s younger. It’s more diverse. It’s the reason why you can now find authentic Vietnamese pho and vegan falafel bowls in a town that used to be strictly "steak and potatoes."
Where to Actually Eat (Beyond the Chains)
If you’re still eating at McDonald’s when you visit Sault Ste. Marie, you’re doing it wrong. Honestly.
- Burger Don: This place is famous for the "doughnut burger." It sounds like a heart attack on a plate—maple-glazed bacon and a beef patty between two honey-dipped doughnuts—but it works.
- The Boiler Room: Located in the historic Machine Shop, this is where you go for wood-fired pizza. They have a $15 pizza-and-pint special on certain weekdays that is basically the best deal in town.
- Vibe Eatery & Juice Co: For when you need a "digital detox" for your stomach. It’s mostly vegan and surprisingly popular even with the old-school locals.
The Canal and the Powerhouse: A Restoration Story
If you walk down to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site this year, you’ll see construction fences. Don't let that turn you off.
They are currently in the middle of a massive stabilization project for the Powerhouse. This building was cutting-edge technology 130 years ago—the first lock in the world to run on electricity. By summer 2026, the work will be in full swing.
You can actually peer through the fences to see the original gate valves and the new stainless steel penstock piping. It’s a weirdly cool mix of Victorian engineering and modern preservation.
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And if you’re there in the winter? The Bon Soo Winter Carnival (running Feb 13-21, 2026) is still the heart of the city. They’ve got snow sculptures, outdoor stages, and the "Polar Bear Swim" which is exactly as crazy as it sounds.
What Most Travel Guides Forget to Tell You
The Sault is a gateway, but not just to the bush.
It’s a border town. The relationship between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and its sister city in Michigan is... complicated but close. You’ve got people crossing the bridge daily for work, shopping, or just a different brand of beer.
In 2026, the "escape to the north" trend is real. People from southern Ontario are moving here because they’re priced out of Toronto or Barrie. They’re bringing a craving for amenities, which is clashing with the "old Sault" way of doing things.
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This tension is actually what makes the city interesting right now. It’s not a polished tourist bubble. It’s a living, breathing place trying to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip to Sault Ste. Marie Ontario this year, do it with a bit of strategy.
- Book the train, but stay for the trails. Use Hiawatha Highlands for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. New for 2026, Stokely Creek has added lighted night-snowshoeing trails.
- Check the events calendar. If you can time your visit for the Frozen Toe Fat Bike Race in February, you’ll see the "trail culture" at its peak.
- Support the local Métis tours. These are often small-group and provide a perspective you won't get from a museum plaque.
- Be mindful of the budget. Many local attractions have seasonal hours (mid-May to mid-October for the Canal), so check the Parks Canada site before you show up in November expecting a tour.
The Sault isn't trying to be Muskoka. It’s grittier, cheaper, and arguably more authentic. It’s a place where you can spend the morning in a world-class Nordic ski trail and the afternoon drinking a locally brewed IPA in a refurbished machine shop. Just don't call it a "stopover."
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the 2026 Agawa Canyon Train schedule early—dates for September and October usually sell out by June. If you're coming for the winter, look into the "Bon Soo" pass which covers most of the carnival events in February. For those interested in the industrial history, keep an eye on the Parks Canada bulletins for the Powerhouse restoration updates, as some restricted areas of the Canal site may reopen to the public by late summer 2026.