Affectionately called the “Linchpin of the Great Lakes” by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Soo Locks are an engineering marvel with roots dating back to the mid-1800s. Each year it’s estimated that 500,000 people visit these iconic locks that connect Lakes Superior and Huron.

Thanks to the Soo Locks, freighters over 1,000 feet in length can traverse freely along the St. Marys River all the way from Duluth, Minnesota outward into the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. Roughly 7,000 vessels pass through the Locks yearly hauling nearly 86 million tons of cargo.

Most ships utilize the Poe Lock (1,200 feet) which was rebuilt in 1968 to accommodate larger and more modern ships. The MacArthur Lock (800 feet), constructed in 1943, is still in operation as well. It is the lock closest to Sault Ste. Marie, which the observation deck in the Soo Locks Park overlooks and was named after General Douglas MacArthur. The Davis and Sabin Locks were built in 1914 and 1919 respectively. Currently, only the Poe and MacArthur Locks are in operation.

The Soo Locks Area has easy access to three Great Lakes. Within 40 minutes you can see and touch Lakes Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan by starting your trip in Sault Ste. Marie. This helps make the Soo a water lover’s dream.

Tahquamenon Falls

One of Michigan’s true treasures, Tahquamenon Falls, has captivated visitors for generations. Whether you’re visiting to see leaves changing colors, the gushing spring runoff or to witness a winter wonderland in January, Tahquamenon is a must-see attraction. With unbeatable sights and sounds, the falls are one of the Eastern Upper Peninsula’s most popular destinations.

The Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses a total of 46,179 acres of land making it Michigan’s second-largest state park. It trails only the robust Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park’s 59,020 acres, but is more than four times as large as the Wolverine State’s third-largest state park, Emmet County’s Wilderness State Park.

There are many things do to inside the park depending on which season it is. In spring and summer, most activities include hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching, sightseeing, and camping. The fall season is picturesque. The color change among the trees creates the perfect scenery for photography. Come wintertime, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. If you enjoy the idea of hiking, take the four-mile trail down to the lower falls.

Paradise

Paradise, Michigan was founded in 1925 and is situated on the western shores of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay just north of the Tahquamenon River mouth. After a major fire stormed the Whitefish Point area in 1922, blueberries moved in and became a staple for locals and visitors alike. Today, Paradise is the Wild Blueberry Capital of Michigan and the gateway to the Tahquamenon Falls State Parks and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Paradise offers something for everyone in every season. It is a magnet for rock hounds, beach walkers, maritime enthusiasts, bikers, hikers, bird watchers, snowmobilers, four-wheelers, fishers, boaters, campers, canoeists, kayakers, photographers, nature lovers, young and old alike. In every season, wouldn't you rather be in Paradise?