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As one of BC's urban centres, New Westminster offers a wealth of arts, culture, entertainment and shopping opportunities. The city has a gold-rush past, and much of this history is reflected in New Westminster's many museums, which include the New Westminster Museum and Archives, the Irving House Historic Centre and the New Westminster Police Museum. Choose from one of several walking tours to explore the city's heritage past, or take a paddlewheeler riverboat tour along the historic Fraser River. Downtown's Columbia and Front streets are centres for antiques and bridal shopping, with gourmet foods as well as fresh produce are available at the Westminster Quay Public Market also located in the city's historic waterfront district.
New Westminster is a museum lover’s paradise. History buffs can explore the New Westminster Museum and Archives; artifacts on display include bayonets and china teacups brought by the UK's Royal Engineers, who founded the city. Heritage house aficionados are always delighted by magnificent Irving House Historic Centre, built in 1865. Head over to the New Westminster Police Museum to learn about the history of policing and have your picture taken in jail. Samson V was the last steam-powered paddlewheeler to operate on the Fraser River; retired in 1980, it is now a fascinating exhibit that includes a photographic display of its history. The world-class Fraser River Discovery Centre focuses on the economic, environmental, cultural and historical importance of the mighty Fraser River. The Museum of the Royal Westminster Regiment traces the illustrious military history of this regiment.
New Westminster is famed for its heritage buildings. The downtown and Queens Park neighbourhoods of the city in particular are home to many buildings dating from the mid-to-late 1800s to the early 1900s. Walking tours are an ideal way to see these buildings. There are four established tours: Historic Residential Walking Tour, Historic Columbia Walking Tour, Esplanade Walking Tour and Upper New Westminster Walking Tour. Pick up a brochure at the New Westminster Museum.
Art is also on display throughout the city. The Arts Council Gallery in Queens Park exhibits works by emerging and established artists. The community is also home to several private galleries, including the Van Dop Gallery, which showcases the work of
Climb aboard the M.V. Native for a paddlewheeler riverboat tour along the historic Fraser River. It leaves from the waterfront, next to the Westminster Quay Public Market. On board you’ll learn about the explorer Simon Fraser's historic journey down the river in 1808, the area's First Nations culture and New Westminster’s gold-rush history. Trips are also offered to Fort Langley, where you can visit the original Hudson's Bay Company trading post, and to the mouth of the Fraser River at the historic fishing village of Steveston. Take a break from sightseeing in one of New Westminster’s charming small parks. Queens Park offers trails, gardens (including a restored 19th-century rose garden) and a petting farm. Friendship Gardens, next to City Hall, commemorates the historic sister-city relationship formed in 1962 between Moriguchi, Japan and New Westminster.
New Westminster has a thriving arts community. The city sponsors its own symphony orchestra. The Raymond Burr Performing Arts Centre was once the Columbia Theatre, a cinema and vaudeville house built in 1927; it was extensively restored and re-opened in 2000 as a live-theatre venue named in honour of the New Westminster-born actor. The Bernie Legge Theatre is home to the artistically acclaimed Vagabond Players, while musical and theatre events are also held at the Douglas College Performing Arts Theatre. The New Westminster Hyack Festival Association organizes a number of annual community events. The largest of these is the Hyack Festival, which starts on the Victoria Day weekend in May. There are dozens of events, including live entertainment, fireworks, sporting events, rides, carnival games and one of the province's biggest parades.
New Westminster won’t disappoint shopping enthusiasts, either: the Westminster Quay Public Market by the Fraser River offers everything from produce and seafood to books and jewellery, with stunning waterfront views to boot. Front and Columbia streets are home to shops selling items from the Victorian era to collectibles from the 50s. Tree-lined Columbia Street is also famed for its character buildings and many bridal shops. Another area to shop for antiques is on 12th Street along Vintage Row. Here you can find all kinds of unique items such as period lighting and turn-of-the-century plumbing accessories. For those interested in Lady Luck, the Royal City Star Riverboat Casino is docked by the Westminster Quay Public Market.
New Westminster is just over a 60-minute drive to the North Shore Mountains’ three renowned ski areas: Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour. All boast spectacular views of Greater Vancouver, the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver Island; are blessed by abundant snowfalls; and offer numerous winter activities that include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow-tubing and cross-country skiing. The Whistler/Blackcomb ski area is just a 2-1/2-hour drive along Highways 1 and 99. North America’s largest ski resort with over 3,306 ha (8,171 ac) of terrain and more than 200 marked runs, Whistler/Blackcomb is consistently ranked among the top winter resorts on the continent. Whistler will host many alpine, Nordic and sliding events in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
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