5 Best Sights in St. John River Valley, New Brunswick

When the Mactaquac Dam was created in the 1960s, a number of historically important buildings were saved and moved to a new shore, later to be joined by more rescued buildings from elsewhere in New Brunswick. Restored and furnished, they created a living-history museum in the form of a typical Loyalist settlement of 1790 to 1900. The winding country lanes and meticulously restored homes reflect the society and lifestyles of the era. It's interesting to compare the life of the wealthy owner of the sawmill to that of an immigrant farmer. Hearty meals and heritage ales are served at the Kings Head Inn.

Starting at the Malabeam Tourist Information Center, the walk covers the full length of the gorge and is dotted with interpretive panels and monuments. Nearby, you can descend the nearly 250 steps to the wells, holes worn in the rocks by the swirling water. Guided walking tours are also available. According to native legend, a young woman named Malabeam led her Mohawk captors to their deaths over the foaming cataract rather than guide them to her village. The bodies of the Mohawks were found the following day, but Malabeam was not found. The view over the gorge from the center is breathtaking, particularly at snowmelt time or after heavy rain.

Surrounding the giant pond created by the Mactaquac Hydroelectric Dam on the St. John River is Mactaquac Provincial Park. Its facilities include an 18-hole championship golf course, two beaches, two marinas (one for powerboats and one for sailboats), supervised crafts activities, myriad nature and hiking trails, and a restaurant. There are also guided walks on summer Wednesdays through a nature reserve to beaver ponds. Reservations are advised for the more than 300 campsites in summer. Winter is fun, too, with trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and sleigh rides are available by appointment (506/328--7030). The toboggan hills and skating/ice hockey ponds are even lighted in the evening. There's a TreeGO attraction ( 877/707--4646;  www.treegomactaquac.ca) in the adjacent Centennial Park.

In the Edmunston suburb of St-Jacques, roses, rhododendrons, alpine flowers, medicinal plants, and dozens of other annuals and perennials bloom in 10 gardens. Khronos: The Celestial Garden has an astronomical theme, complete with a contemporary stone circle. The music of Mozart, Handel, Bach, and Vivaldi often plays in the background. Two arboretums have coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. Mosaiculture plantings on metal frames placed throughout the gardens illustrate legends and cultural themes. Children (and adults) enjoy the phasmids (stick insects) and beekeeping exhibits.