Soo Locks

Address:Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Maritime and architect buffs will love visiting Soo Locks, the world's biggest and busiest locking system, on the American/Canadian border at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Locks enable large ocean-going vessels to pass from Lake Superior to the remaining Great Lakes without falling to their doom in the 21-foot waterfall between the levels of the St. Mary's River and the lakes. Soo Locks has a great visitors' center, an international tour of the Locks, nearby campgrounds, a unique park and plenty of shopping. You will be searched by security before going into the locks so do your shopping afterward for a hassle free entrance. Visiting Soo Locks is free, and there's plenty of parking.

Here's how the locks work: Lake Superior is 21 feet higher than the other Great Lakes. As a boat locks in from Lake Superior, the gates at each end of the locks close and a valve opens to let the Lake Superior water in the lock flow out to the lower water level of the St Mary's Canal and Lakes Huron and Michigan. When the water drops to the lower level, the lock gate at the south end opens and the boat goes out of the locks into the St Mary's Canal. The north gate stays closed, holding back the waters of Lake Superior. The upper viewing area in front of the visitors' center enables you to look down onto the vessels' main deck as they lock through. Other areas enable you to stand close enough to the vessels so you can almost touch them. If you have kids with you, keep your hands close to their ears. Freighters often blast their horns as they come through the locks, which can scare the kids, especially when you're standing very close. Expect to wait a while to see a big boat pass through the locks. One big cargo ship comes through the locks every hour and a half on average, although ships sometimes back up because of bad weather. If you can't wait an hour and a half for a ship to pass you can plan your visit for a ship's arrival. The visitors' center has a schedule of arriving vessels and general information on the ships size, cargo and destination. There are TV's so you can watch the vessels approaching the Sault St. Marie Locks from the St. Mary's River. Serious nautical fans will enjoy the charts and maps in the visitors' center as well as the artifacts, photographs, movie, and a working model of the locks. The visitors' center is open from mid May through November.

Once you've seen how the locks work, take a memorable, one hour narrated train tour across international borders to Canada's locking system. Get a bird's eye view of the Soo Locks as you ride the International Bridge into Canada. From the bridge, you can see ten miles up-river and see ships locking through all five of the American and Canadian locks. You also pass right over the St. Mary's rapids. You don't need your passport. The Soo Locks Train tours are open from Memorial Day weekend until October 17th.

When you need a break but don't want to leave the area, relax alongside the locks at Soo Locks Park. The park extends east to the ends of the Poe and MacArthur locks, giving a beautiful view of the huge gates opening and closing around the ship locking through. The park is very beautiful in the evening. Colored lights illuminate the trees and a fountain dances to recorded music. If you want to stay overnight to see the freighters again the next day you can camp out at Soo Locks Campground on St. Mary's River, a short distance from the locks. If camping isn't for you, there are hotels nearby. The campgrounds and hotels are close to downtown and food, making Soo Locks a great overnight trip.

For an interesting family shopping experience, head over to Moc's Du Locke/Fudge Du Lock on West Portage. Only open in summer, this shopping area is nicknamed Fudgie Lane for the fudge stores sprinkled on the street. Besides fudge, the area has a good selection of toys, trinkets, and souvenirs. If you get hungry for real food, there are a few restaurants on West Portage, including a Subway.

Soo Locks operates most of the year, but is closed from Jan 15 to March 25 for maintenance. The locks are closed longer in severe weather. To get to Soo Locks take either I-75 Business Loop exit and get on Ashmun Street, which is downtown. At the T intersection, turn left (west) onto Portage, and you will see Soo Locks within one block.