Private tour in Mackinaw city Mike F

Sault Ste. Marie and Soo Locks Half Day Tour

5.0

(4) reviews

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Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Mike F.

5.0

Guide rating

20

Reviews

Tours delivered

7 hrs

Avg. response time

I am the original tour guide in the Straits of Mackinac region! Since 1992, I have provided guided tours of the most beautiful areas of Northern Michigan. Known for assisting tour bus operators with fascinating local knowledge of the Straits of Mackinac region, I serve North America's leading motorcoach lines, senior tours and school groups with entertaining step-on guided tours. I'm your guide for the best, unusual behind-the-scene experiences at locations in Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, St. Ignace, Sault St. Marie and the Upper Peninsula. A member of the Historical Society of Michigan, my specialty is in providing customized tours for the most discriminating visitors to my area. The author of five books about area attractions, I will give you personal insights about the Mackinac Bridge, the original U. S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw and the new Mackinaw, its new replacement icebreaker, Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel and the Edmund Fitzgerald. I will take you behind the scenes, to places no one else does! May I customize a tour for you, your family or group in the Straits Area? I offer entertaining tours from 20 minutes to all day! I am fully licensed by the county of Cheboygan, Michigan. An award-winning author of five titles about local history, my book about all the things that have happened on the Mackinac Bridge was named a Michigan Notable Book by the Michigan Library Association. I am a member of the Historical Society of Michigan, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, the Mackinac State Historical Parks Associates, and an Associate member of the Michigan Sheriff's Association. No restrictions. I am COVID-19 compliant.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Mike F.

Overview of your Mackinaw City tour

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is the spot where the voyageurs portaged their trade canoes around the rapids, and the place that today's fishermen still catch "the big ones" as they attempt to jump the rocky ladder from the St. Mary's river into the waters of Lake Superior. The Soo Locks are the centerpiece of any visit to this border community. With a combined population of nearly 100, 000 residents, the "Twin Saults" comprise the Ontario and Michigan cities that guard the locks and its equally important border crossing between the United States and Canada. The Locks Information and Visitors Center has clean restrooms and a 20-minute video about construction of the locks. I will take you to a covered viewing platform to watch the freighters as they pass through the locks. Optional visits are available to the Museum Ship Valley Camp*, a 1920s era freighter, and the Tower of History Museum* that provides a panoramic view of the area. *Separate entrance or admission required.

Your Mackinaw City tour itinerary

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is about a 45-minute drive from the Mackinac Bridge. Depending on shipping traffic, in the summer season it is likely that a ship will pass through the locks within a couple of hours during our visit. In the meantime, lunch is served at several downtown eateries and just 5 minutes away we can visit the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Reservation. Plan on about 60-90 minutes to visit the locks once we determine the shipping schedule.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv

Transportation is an air-conditioned, 2023 GMC Acadia that comfortably seats 5 passengers. Once we arrive at the locks, minimal walking is required to tour the Information Canter and the Viewing Platform.

What's included
Other: Mackinac Bridge Tolls
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Optional admissions: Museum Ship Valley Camp - $15 Adults, $8 17 under Tower of History - $8 Adults, $4 17 under
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Mackinaw City, Michigan, 49701, United States

Airport: Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) or Chippewa County Regional Airport (CIU),Cruise: ,ByGuide: Mackinaw Crossings, Michigan Travel Information Center, your hotel, Shepler's ferry dock, Star Line ferry dock, Sault Carbide Dock.

  • You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
Day Trip
City Highlights
Layover
History
Tour reference number
807553
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
5.0

Traveller reviews for this private tour in Mackinaw city

4 reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who is this private tour in Mackinaw City best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who want to explore the historical and cultural highlights of Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Locks with the convenience of private transportation. It's ideal for families, including those with kids, as well as seniors or anyone with mobility concerns, thanks to its minimal walking requirements and wheelchair accessibility. If you're looking to connect with a local guide for deeper insights, Mike F. will provide a personalized experience.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Mackinaw City be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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