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

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We've compiled the best of the best in St. John River Valley - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement

Fodor's choice

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.

Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery

This lively gallery hosts an eclectic series of exhibitions each year, showcasing Atlantic Canadian artists working in traditional and experimental media, as well as art and craft workshops, seasonal festivals, and children's events.

Connell House

A fine example of Greek Revival architecture, this is the former home of Honorable Charles Connell (1810–73), a politician active in many areas of public life, but perhaps best remembered for putting his own image on the five-cent stamp instead of that of the Queen when he was Postmaster General. The largely restored house, home to the Carleton County Historical Society, contains fine furniture, artifacts, musical instruments, and the Tappan Adney Room, honoring the man who is credited with saving the birch-bark canoe. His grave is in the Upper Woodstock Cemetery. Temporary exhibitions and occasional concerts are added attractions, and a Victorian High Tea buffet (C$20) is served from 11:30 am to 2 pm every Thursday in July and August.

128 Connell St., Woodstock, NB, E7M 1L5, Canada
506-328–9706
Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$5, Closed Sun. and Mon.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Gorge Walk

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.

25 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls, NB, E3Y 1A2, Canada
506-475–7769 ext 2-information center
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Walk free; steps to wells C$5; guided walks C$10, Closed early Oct.–May

Grand Falls Museum

Pioneer and early Victorian artifacts are the basis of a collection that includes memorabilia of Ron Turcotte, the jockey who rode Secretariat to Triple Crown victory in 1973, a wedding cake made in 1940, and the balance beam used by daredevil Van Morrell, who crossed the falls on a tightrope in 1904.

68 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls, NB, E3Y 1C6, Canada
506-473–5265
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; donations accepted, Closed Sept.–May

Longest Covered Bridge

New Brunswick has its fair share of superlatives, but this Hartland attraction may be the most surprising. In what is otherwise a rather sleepy little town, the St. John River is spanned by the longest covered bridge in the world—1,282 feet long. A national and provincial historic site, the bridge opened in 1901 and is still used by traffic crossing the river between Routes 103 and 105---maximum vehicle height is 13 feet 9 inches; maximum weight 10 tons. Through the openings in the side walls, passengers can enjoy nice river views in both directions. There also is a safely separated walkway that you can walk across. A fun fact is that of the total 131 covered bridges in Canada, New Brunswick has 58.

There's only room for traffic going one way at a time across the bridge, and there are no traffic lights; so stop and check whether there's anything coming the other way and wait your turn if necessary, then turn on your headlights before driving across.

Hartland Bridge Rd., Hartland, NB, Canada

Mactaquac Provincial Park

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.

1265 Rte. 105, Mactaquac, NB, E6L 1B5, Canada
506-363--4747
Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$10 per vehicle, mid-May–mid-Oct.; no entrance fee in winter

Mount Carleton Provincial Park

The most remote of New Brunswick's nine provincial parks is a vast area of unspoiled wilderness. It is centered on Mount Carleton, at 2,690 feet the highest point in all of the Maritimes. From its summit you can look out over 10 million trees, and it is particularly worth the climb in the fall for the dazzling patchwork of colors below. Rich in wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer, lynx, marten, and porcupines, the park is also a Dark Sky Preserve, so an overnight camping trip on a clear night would be well rewarded. Most people come to hike the trails or mountain-bike on old logging roads, and there's canoeing on several lakes. Check out guided hikes and other park events

7612 Rte. 385, Saint-Quentin, NB, Canada
800-561–0123
Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$10 per vehicle

Nackawic

For a quick stop for something quirky, from Woodstock you can take Route 105 along the St. John River toward Nackawic---known as the Forestry Capital of Canada---to see "the world's biggest axe." The 60-foot-tall axe is lodged in a concrete stump in a small park by the river.

New Brunswick Botanical Garden

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.

15 boulevard Isidore-Boucher, St-Jacques, Edmundston, NB, E7B 1A3, Canada
506-737–4444
Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$18, C$10 for phasmids exhibit only, Closed Oct.–early June.

Old County Court House

Dating from 1833, this splendid galleried former court house was restored after years of neglect and misuse and was opened to the public by H.R.H. Princess Anne in 1986. Guided tours are available in summer, and occasional special events include an annual Christmas concert.

19 Court St., Woodstock, NB, Canada
506-328–9706
Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$2 donation requested, Closed Sept.–June and Mon., Thurs., and Sun. July and Aug.

Open Sky Adventures

This outfitter operates a pontoon boat at the lower end of the gorge, offering a fascinating perspective of the cliffs and wells, from May through October; rides are C$50. Zip-lining, rappelling, deepelling (like rappelling only you are facing downward), and kayaking are also offered.

Potato World

In the "French Fry Capital of the World" (aka the location of McCain's HQ) it's hardly surprising that this humble vegetable, which fills fields for miles around and keeps many folks employed hereabouts, is celebrated—but you may be surprised by how interesting it is. Run by the community as a nonprofit enterprise, Potato World has some fascinating displays related to the history, industry, and science of the potato, plus hands-on exhibits; and, when the café is open, you'll have the chance to munch on some hot fries.
385 Centreville Rd., Florenceville-Bristol, NB, E7L 3K5, Canada
506-392–1955
Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$5, Closed early Oct.–May and weekends June and Sept.

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