New Westminster (population 60,000) is Canada's oldest incorporated city west of the Great Lakes. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2009, this tight-knit, friendly community is best known for its historic and heritage sites, annual festivals, shopping opportunities, diverse neighbourhoods and handy proximity to Vancouver.
In fact, New Westminster sits at the geographic centre of Metro Vancouver on a hillside overlooking the Fraser River. In 1859, Queen Victoria of England named New Westminster after the City of Westminster in England, and it's still known as the "Royal City."
Originally designed and constructed by the British Army's Royal Engineers, the former colonial capital is easy to access nowadays by road or the SkyTrain rapid transit link from downtown Vancouver. Surrounded by striking river and mountain scenery, New Westminster attracts visitors seeking a taste of British Columbia's rich heritage.
Visit Irving House, a lovingly restored heritage home that belonged to a 19th-century paddlewheeler boat captain, and the adjacent New Westminster Museum and Archives. Or shop amid historic architecture on downtown's Columbia Street, take a paddlewheeler boat cruise along the Fraser River, or enjoy a self-guided walking tour of local heritage sites with maps and directions by Tourism New Westminster.
New Westminster Neighbourhoods
Within just 18 sq km/7 sq miles, New Westminster boasts 13 distinctive neighbourhoods. Some highlights include the thrift stores and ethnic eats of 12th Street, the children's shops of Sapperton, and the stunning Fraser River views along the boardwalk at Westminster Quay.
Local Festivals and Events
Festivals are a big part of New Westminster's diverse cultural landscape. The week-long Hyack Festival (May) and the May Day celebrations offers family fun with a parade, carnival rides, an antique fair, and fireworks. FraserFest (July) celebrates the city's riverside history with a tugboat procession, theatre performances about the Fraser River, and local food vendors. The Urban Farmers' Fall Fair (September) brings locally grown fruits and vegetables, live entertainment, and a petting zoo to Queensborough each year.
For culture lovers and sports fans alike, New Westminster is a great destination and offers many different things to do. Savour Greek, Italian, or Malaysian cuisine on Sixth Avenue's uptown "Restaurant Row," or admire 19th-century Victorian heritage homes near Queen's Park, the largest of the city's 48 parks. Alternatively, watch the New Westminster Salmonbellies compete in lacrosse, Canada's national summer sport, at Queen's Park Arena, or catch live TV sports at Schanks, BC's biggest sports bar, at the Starlight Casino.
For more information about activities, directions, and availability in New Westminster, here's where to go:
Visit the Tourism New Westminster booth at the Fraser River Discovery Centre (788 Quayside Drive). Staff are on hand daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm in July and August. In other months, it's a self-run visitor centre.
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