Trailing through history
Fly from Québec City to Sault Ste. Marie and discover its cultural locales and beautiful green spaces.
Hop on the John Rowswell Hub Trail for one of the best routes to explore Sault Ste. Marie. Traversing the city, it includes stops in the historic waterfront district and Fort Creek Conservation Area. On this 25 km trail, opt for a quiet stroll along the St. Marys River or a scenic bike ride away from the downtown core.
You’ll find plenty of things to do in Sault Ste. Marie by the waterfront. The hub trail winds past notable sites including the Art Gallery of Algoma, home to 4,000 pieces of visual art. Nearby, history is revisited at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.
At the Ermatinger Old Stone House, costumed guides give riveting portrayals of life in the 19th century. Among the characters is Charles Oakes Ermatinger, the early settler who completed the building in 1814. Next door, is the Clergue Blockhouse, former home of Francis Hector Clergue.
Clergue led Sault Ste. Marie’s transition from logging and paper mills to a bustling transportation hub. Clergue’s Blockhouse was relocated to its current location in 1996. Get immersed in other facets of the city’s industrial heritage with a short walk over to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.
The unique aviation history of Sault Ste. Marie is lodged at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. Take off in the museum’s flight simulator that recreates the roar of the engine and exhilarating landings. You can even climb into the cockpit of some of the museum’s vintage airplanes.
Move from the busy urban core towards the Fort Creek Conservation Area. On a trek through the park, you’ll come across monarch butterflies, great blue herons, and beavers. Cross the many steel and wooden bridges over deep ravines into 191 acres of lush forests and wetlands.
Visit these urban wonders with flights from Québec City to Sault Ste. Marie.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Stacks up to one great adventure
Touch down on the shores of Pancake Bay Provincial Park with flights from Québec City to Sault Ste. Marie.
The provincial park on the coast of Lake Superior has long been a favourite summer destination for locals. During the fur trading era, voyageurs travelling to Sault Ste. Marie often stopped overnight at this site. The explorers, running low on supplies, would rustle up pancakes before heading into town – leading to the bay’s moniker.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park boasts 3 km of sandy beaches and pristine blue waters. Gently push off the beach in a canoe and follow the historic route of the fur traders along the coastline. The waters are known to get quite rough, but the somewhat shielded Pancake Bay and Batchawana Bay offer a slightly easier paddling experience.
Consider pitching a tent at the Hilltop Campground and enjoy a spectacular view of the lake. Nearby, the Pancake Bay Nature Trail roves through the forests. Highlights on the trail include a million year old boulder moved by melting glaciers and a wooden boardwalk winding across the park’s wetlands.
Pancake Bay’s diverse wildlife is a common sight along the trails. Catch glimpses of cedar waxwings drifting through the leafy canopy, or bald eagles soaring overhead. Wander beyond the campgrounds and you may encounter larger mammals like the moose and red fox.
On the Lookout Trail, watch the foliage change from tall pines along the shoreline to yellow birch and sugar maples in the forest. Climb up to the lookout which reveals a scenic vista of Whitefish Point across Lake Superior. Head back to the beach for the stunning sunsets reflected across the water.
Delight in a picturesque trip to Pancake Bay Provincial Park when you fly from Québec City to Sault Ste. Marie.
Whitefish Island
It’s a real catch
Get hooked on an outdoor adventure to Whitefish Island with flights from Québec City to Sault Ste. Marie. Whitefish Island offers visitors a quiet retreat from the bustle of downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
The Anishinaabe people were the first known settlers of Whitefish Island. With the arrival of Europeans, the island became a popular stop on voyageur fur trading routes. It would eventually play an even greater role for ships navigating the St. Marys River in the early 20th century.
Bordering the island is the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. Built in 1895, the canal’s lock system helped tame the mighty river rapids. While no longer in use, it offers a scenic paddle over to Whitefish Island. Enjoy views of the incredible marine heritage buildings, whose red sandstone exteriors were mined during the canal’s construction.
An alternative route to Whitefish Island involves a trek across the Attikamek Trail. The 2.5 km loop will take you over wetlands and past the nautical-themed buildings to this secluded island oasis. Once you arrive, keep an eye out for ducks, beavers, and foxes among the diverse wildlife.
The Batchewana Band who maintains the island have also blended their culture into the landscape. Birch bark structures, including a longhouse and lodge, pay homage to the island’s old-age use as an aboriginal fishing spot. Today, the nearby rapids serve as a sanctuary for rainbow trout, salmon, and the island’s namesake whitefish.
Fly from Québec City to Sault Ste. Marie and reel in your visit with a trip to Whitefish Island.
How to get to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area.
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is about 16 km / 10 mi from downtown Québec City.
Transportation to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
Take the Réseau de Transport de la Capitale 78 bus to the airport stop. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxis from downtown cost about $35 CAD. Car service costs about $85 CAD.
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport Parking
Driving to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport? There are options to choose from. InParq multi-level parkings cots $2.50 per 15 minutes, for a maxium of $24.50 for 24 hours or $147 for the week. ProxiParq outdoors parking has rates of $19.50 for 24 hours and $97.50 for one week.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Landing in Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) is about 19 km / 12 mi from downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Transportation
Car rental services are available at Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM).
Taxi and car service to downtown costs about $45 CAD.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
