SAULT STE. MARIE — The Soo Locks Visitor Center in Sault Ste. Marie opened May 1 for the 2025 season, welcoming visitors to learn about the historic locks located inside Soo Locks Canal Park.
On opening day, the Algoma Harvester freighter passed through the Poe Lock, providing a spectacle for visitors. Inside the visitor center, park rangers were on hand to answer questions and explain the workings of the locks.
“Coming in and seeing the ships is one thing and it’s great and it’s fun, but you are going to see so much more here and you are going to learn so much and it’s at your fingertips,” said Lori Baldwin, a park ranger at the center. “We have all the history hands-on for children and families alike.”
Last year, approximately 300,000 people visited Soo Locks Park to watch freighters pass through the locks. The visitor center offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and mechanics of the locks without any admission fee.
While the park remains open year-round, the visitor center will close for the winter season in late October, making the summer months the ideal time for families and history enthusiasts to visit.
The opening of the Soo Locks Visitor Center marks the beginning of another season of educational opportunities and maritime spectacles, attracting visitors from near and far to Sault Ste. Marie.