Fly from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie to trade in views of the Atlantic for riverside strolls and outdoor fun in this gateway to Ontario’s natural wonders.
From this waterfront city you can venture over to the historic curiosities of Whitefish Island, or hike the trails of Fort Creek Conservation Area where you’ll find beautiful scenery along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest and wetlands. Lots of outdoor fun also awaits along the tropical-looking shores of Pancake Bay Provincial Park.
For free activities within the city, you can take leisurely strolls through history. As you walk along the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, you’ll spot 19th-century structures that once served as administrative buildings during the area’s trading post prime. During the spring and summer months, recreational boats are available for you to explore the canal right from the water.
Once you’ve surveyed some local history, get your creative juices flowing at the Art Gallery of Algoma. Since 1975, this artistic institution has truly been “a gem in the wilderness.” The gallery includes inspiring artwork by the Group of Seven, a sculpture park, installation pieces, and many more exciting exhibits.
Sault Ste. Marie also has some noteworthy city centre attractions. The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, on the shores of St. Marys River, keeps visitors of all ages entertained with authentic aircraft and hands-on exhibits. The Children’s Centre is particularly popular for its engaging 3D movies and arcade-style flight simulators.
In and around downtown Sault Ste. Marie, farmers markets, galleries, and coffee houses add to the city’s local charm and beauty. For some epic views, take a trip on the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, which departs from the downtown area. The train travels through the canyon, which was formed by rock fractures over 1.2 billion years ago, giving you a breathtaking view into the past.
This scenic train trip is an absolute must for anyone visiting from St. John’s, as it tours the glorious untouched wilderness of Northern Ontario. You’ll even have a chance to stop off, take pictures, explore, and enjoy a picnic lunch all while surrounded by endless natural wonders.
Fly from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie for endless adventures and chances to discover the natural wonders of Northern Ontario.
When you fly from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie, cap off a great Ontario vacation with a trip to Gros Cap Conservation Area. Just 20 minutes from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Gros Cap covers an impressive 106 acres, and a long strip of Lake Superior’s shoreline.
Climb up to the Gros Cap Bluffs and take in some superior views of Lake Superior and Whitefish Bay below. The area is home to some of Sault Ste. Marie’s most significant historical areas where voyageurs embarked on early exploration of the upper Great Lakes.
Along with its interesting history, this popular Sault Ste. Marie attraction also has some fascinating geology. The bluffs sit on a batholith, a large rock formation created by cooling magma under the Earth’s surface. This feature makes the beauty of the Gros Cap Bluffs rare and distinct.
Gros Cap is a true hiker’s paradise, with an extensive group of long trails. These paths wind through mixed forests and past cliffs, stone beaches, and waterfalls. Throughout your hikes, you’ll have countless chances to study the area’s unique and diverse plant life including some extremely rare wildflowers.
During the winter, snowshoe enthusiasts flock to the trails. Whether you’re visiting Gros Cap under cover of snow or on a hot summer day, be sure to spend some time on the Voyageur Trail System. This trail system runs through Gros Cap and into the Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area, another noteworthy attraction in Sault Ste. Marie’s surrounding region.
Fly from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie for breathtaking hikes and great views overlooking the largest of the Great Lakes.
Fly from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie for a trip up to Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area.
About 15 minutes from the city, this Sault Ste. Marie attraction is a real winter wonderland. Nordic skiers of all levels can enjoy the Hiawatha Highlands Trails. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular. If you’ve never attempted these wintry ways of getting around, Hiawatha also offers beginner lessons in both.
In warmer months, visitors come up to the Hiawatha Highlands for its 35 km of hiking trails and breathtaking waterfall views. Extensive paths winding through forests and past creeks, wetlands, and lakes, make a trip to this park an extraordinary outing for any nature lover. Bird watchers will also be flying high with the Highland’s 70 bird species.
Once you’ve had a good glimpse of the area’s wildlife and landscapes, round up your kin for a family outing at Kinsmen Park, right next to Hiawatha. The highlight of this area is Crystal Creek Falls. Easily accessible, the falls are a picnic perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon with the whole family.
Photographers and other artists will also appreciate this area’s inspiring natural beauty. Picturesque views are accessible via a wooden walkway running parallel to Crystal Creek. You’ll find platforms at the bottom, next to, and above Crystal Creek Falls. From here, you can embark on more hikes around the pond or alongside the creek.
Fly from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie for family fun and outdoor recreation in every season.
Fly from St. John’s International Airport (YYT) to Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM), with connections in Halifax, and Toronto, and a stop in Ottawa. St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie flight time is 5 hours and 20 minutes on average. Connection times vary. The distance from St. John’s to Sault Ste. Marie is around 2700 km / 1680 mi.
Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks along the way.
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area.
St. John’s International Airport (YYT) is about 10 km / 6 mi from downtown St. John’s.
Taxis from downtown cost about $25 CAD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) is about 19 km / 12 mi from downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Car rental services are available at Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM).
Taxi and car service to downtown costs about $45 CAD.