The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site sits at the western edge of downtown, where the St. Marys River connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The lock itself is still operational for recreational boaters, and the Parks Canada site includes the original powerhouse, swing bridge, and superintendent's house from the 1890s.
The canalside path makes for a pleasant walk with views of the river traffic. The American Soo Locks, busier and larger, are visible across the water. Interpretive displays explain how canal-building shaped the city and why controlling this shipping route mattered so much to both countries.