Interesting sites along the way

Question

After staying in Mackinaw Island, we are catching the Ferry back to Mackinaw City and then driving to Sault St. Marie. We will try to do the 3:30 Soo Locks tour, but is there anything else we should stop at on the way? The next day we are driving to Marquette and stopping by the Falls and shipwreck museum. Should we attempt one of those on the way instead?

Answer

Good questions — yes, there *are* a number of worthwhile stops if you drive from Mackinaw City (after the ferry) up to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and beyond, before you head on to Marquette. Depending on how much time you want to spend “sight-seeing vs driving,” you can do a full-on detour or just a few quick highlights. Below are my recommendations for interesting places to visit along the way and near Sault Ste. Marie — plus a sense whether your plan to do the 3:30 PM locks tour or detour to other attractions makes sense.

### 🚗 On the drive from Mackinaw City to Sault Ste. Marie (or shortly thereafter)

Mackinac Bridge — Just after you leave the ferry and head north, you’ll cross this famous suspension bridge linking Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Even if you’ve crossed before, it’s a neat historic/engineering landmark and a good photo op.
Fort Michilimackinac State Park / Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (if time allows — slightly south of the ferry drop-off) — If you’ve not yet visited on this trip, this reconstructed 18th-century French/British fort and the vintage lighthouse museum are right near Mackinaw City and make for a nice historical stop before you head north.
Small local flavor stop — For example, there are local specialty shops like smoked fish stores a bit north of St. Ignace / along the way to the Soo — good if you want a quick break from driving, stretch your legs, and pick up some regional goodies.

### 🛑 In/near Sault Ste. Marie — good “base day” stops

Soo Locks — Locks tour or just lock-watching — You already plan to do the 3:30 PM lock tour, which is a great choice. Watching the freighters traverse between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes is a unique experience in the U.S. and a highlight of the region.
Museum Ship Valley Camp (freighter-turned-museum) — A historic Great Lakes freighter moored in Sault Ste. Marie, now a maritime museum with more than 100 exhibits (including lifeboats from the famed Edmund Fitzgerald). If maritime history interests you, this is a great indoor stop.
Tower of History — observation tower & local-history museum — This 210-ft tower offers panoramic views over the Soo Locks, St. Mary’s River, and even into Canadian wilderness on a clear day; there’s also a small local-history museum at its base. It’s a good complement to a locks tour, and especially nice if you like a big-picture view without hiking.

### 🌲 If you were to detour instead of heading straight to Marquette — other recommended attractions (with possible extra driving) before or after Sault Ste. Marie

Whitefish Point Light Station + Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (near Paradise / Whitefish Point) — If you head north a bit after Sault or take a detour along M-123 toward Whitefish Point, this area is famous for its maritime history: shipwreck stories, lighthouse, and exhibits about the many wrecks on Lake Superior.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Upper and Lower Falls) — A bit farther from the direct route, but if you have time (or if you want a nature detour) the Upper Falls — one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi — is a scenic, memorable stop. The Lower Falls area is also lovely, and there’s even a small brewery on-site for a relaxing break after the walk.
Scenic Up-Peninsula shorelines or lesser-known natural spots — Especially if you like a relaxed, slightly off-the-beaten-path vibe: there are forested drives, Lake Superior shoreline viewpoints, and small towns or roadside shops that give a feel for local life in the Upper Peninsula.

### ✅ What I’d Do If I Were You (given your plan and schedule)

If I were you and the main anchor is the 3:30 PM Locks tour, I’d plan for a “half-day in the Soo” once I arrive, doing the locks tour + maybe the Valley Camp museum or Tower of History. That gives you a nice, relaxed afternoon/evening in Sault Ste. Marie without overdoing driving too much that day.

If you have another half-day or extra morning before heading to Marquette — I’d seriously consider detouring to Whitefish Point & the Shipwreck Museum, or even going for a short excursion out to Tahquamenon Falls if you don’t mind a bit of extra driving. The falls are especially worthwhile if you love nature and dramatic scenery. The lighthouse/shipwreck-museum route is ideal if you prefer history and lake-side culture.

### ⚠️ What to watch out for / plan carefully

Some of the more remote detours (Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls) will add extra hours of driving, so make sure you have good daylight ahead — especially if you arrive in Sault late or plan to leave early for Marquette.
If you want to tour the Museum Ship Valley Camp or Tower of History — check their opening dates/times, since some seasonal sites in the U.P. may have limited hours depending on the time of year.
Weather and road conditions: depending on the season you travel (and time of year), Lake Superior shorelines can be chilly or windy — bring layers, and give yourself buffer time for travel if you chase detours.

### 🎯 My Recommendation Given Your Original Plan

Yes — go ahead with the 3:30 PM locks tour once you reach Sault Ste. Marie. Use that as your base stop. If you have extra time and interest, either the Whitefish Point / Shipwreck Museum route or a visit to Tahquamenon Falls makes a nice “bonus detour” on the way to Marquette (or even as a side-trip if your schedule allows). Both are big hits — choose based on whether you prefer maritime history & lakeshore mood, or natural scenery & waterfalls.