Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada: A trip for Train Trippers any time of year

Riding the Agawa Rails

From the moment I boarded life seemed a lot less stressful. Once we cleared the industrial area of the city I left the world behind me. Within an hour we were traveling through a rich boreal forest of deciduous trees that can handle the cold, like maple, birch, alder and mountain ash. We were surrounded by giant granite formations of North America’s oldest mountain range -- the Canadian Shield. As we rode the rails we heard an expert gripping live narrative.

One thing I learned is the Shield is over 2.5 billion years old and it was the first part of the continent to be permanently elevated above sea level. The train twisted and turned past cascading waterfalls and ravishingly glacier blue lakes. On the edge of some of these remote lakes were small cottages where nature lovers came to step back to a slower time and connect to nature. It was a wildly beautiful place.

Photographers will go nuts. Everywhere you turn there’s an award winning picture. One of the many “money-shots” is at Mile 92 where the train curves slowly above the Montreal River on a trestle 130 feet above the river. Quick now, move to both sides of the car for spectacular views.

When it was time to eat I visited the nostalgic 1938 dining car that once traveled the Colorado Grand Canyon. Catering Manager, Lisa May, who has been working the car for 25 years, gave me a few tips about eating and drinking on a train. She said, Never leave your spoon in your cup of coffee and learn to move with the flow. Nearby, cook Randy St. Onge said with a smile, the size of your pancake depends on how long a curve we’re going around.

When we reached the canyon we weren’t disappointed. It was so peaceful. We were given an hour and a half to explore the many nature trails. A few had picnic baskets and teased the rest of us by laying out their magnificent spreads on picnic tables. I could feel the remoteness of the area. Forests, mountains and lakes surrounded us that have existed as they have for millions of years.

The return trip gave us a chance to take in views from the opposite side of the coach.

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train also operates during the winter when it becomes the Snow Train. You can't go wrong with this adventure.

Other Sault Ste. Marie Attractions

This vibrant city of 80,000 feels like small town. Sault Ste. Marie is located at the half-way point of the Trans-Canada highway. Check out the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre dedicated to the history of Bush Flying and Forest Fire Management. Right across the road is the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site.

Costumed interpreters bring the era of the early 1800s to life. The Sault Ste Marie Museum was the original post office built in 1902. Ten years later a Tower Clock designed in England was installed. The Art Gallery of Algoma has a new director, Dr. Curtiss Collins who has brought new life to the gallery. These are just a few of the attractions to explore. One more reason to stay an extra day is to travel the Trans Canada Highway north and follow the coastline of Lake Superior to Wawa. It’s listed as one of the ten prettiest drives in North America. See cobblestone beaches, roadside sand dunes and a stop at Lake Superior Provincial Park offers information on the lake and surrounding area. One must stop is the Agawa Pictographs where you’ll find ancient rock paintings. Be careful, I almost fell in the lake trying to get the perfect photograph of these paintings.

If You Go

Where to Stay
I chose the Algoma Water Tower Inn. It was a good choice. This inn makes a statement about style and class and is a cut above the rest. If you’re here on a Wednesday evening visit The Pub right inside the inn. A Money saving Tip You can purchase an Agawa Train Tour Holiday Package from all hotels which offer significant savings on area attractions.