So, COVID-19 has squashed many of your vacation plans.
Can we interest you in a staycation?
There’s no better place to be than in New Westminster, a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct vibe and character.
WDowntown New West is the centre of many festivals that have sadly been put on hold by the current situation, but there’s still plenty to do. And the City of New Westminster is closing Front Street to traffic on weekends all summer to let people stroll.
hen you hear the locals talk about “Sixth and Sixth,” this is where they mean: the corner of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street that’s the heart of Uptown. It’s one of the city’s favourite neighbourhoods for a reason, what with its mix of tree-lined streets, shops and places to eat – not to mention some of the liveliest events in the city. Meander our streets and discover this little gem of a neighbourhood.
RoyAl CiTy CeNTRe
When it comes to feeding your inner fashionista or, for that matter, any shopping urge, this mall, with more than 50 shops and services, has been the city’s main shopping destination for more than two decades. Royal City Centre is easily accessible by public transportation and private vehicles with plenty of free parking.
Sapperton
Sapperton is a neighbourhood rich in history and strong with community connections, with all the trademarks of a village and a distinct identity to match. It’s also home to the site of the former Labatt’s Brewery, where from 1880 beer flowed freely. Today, you’ll discover the Brewery District on that bustling site (200 block of East Columbia Street) and find all kinds of great restaurants and businesses worth checking out.
Shops At New West
The New Westminster SkyTrain station is unlike others in the area, as it’s become a real centre of activity where you can get your groceries and buy a new outfit at the same time. No longer just a place to pass through, it’s a destination where you can grab a bite, have a cup of java, shop, get your hair cut, do your banking and even watch a movie.
Welcome to the Shops at New West, fittingly situated at the New Westminster SkyTrain station. Anchored by Safeway, the Landmark Cinema, and Shopper’s Drug Mart, the complex offers a great mix of national and local retailers, restaurants and entertainment, making this the shopping hub of this active neighbourhood.
The station was the first in Canada in 2012 to have a direct connection to a shopping centre at the platform level, and today, it’s completely integrated into the bustling community.
Next time you are waiting for a train, give yourself time to check out the Shops at New West.
Approximately 250,000 people pass through the New Westminster SkyTrain station daily
• The shops connect to the Millennium and Expo lines
Neighbourhoods
HISTORY & CULTURE
Western Canada’s Oldest City
Incorporated on July 16, 1860, New Westminster retains a sense of an era gone by.
Some of the city’s unique architecture dates back to before the Great Fire of 1898. For everyone interested in the past – most notably the Victorian period – our oldest structures include the colonial Irving House (302 Royal Ave.), circa 1865, the Burr Block (now The Met hotel located at 411 Columbia St.), which dates back to 1895, as well as the Old St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (317 Carnarvon St.), built in 1888/89 in the Carpenter Gothic Revival style.
Head to our city’s website for a list of neighbourhood heritage walking tours around town. Maps and interesting tidbits about the history of each building/home are available here: https:// www.newwestcity.ca/heritage/heritageresearch.
Visit the New Westminster Museum and Archives on the third floor of the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) for a free and fun history lesson.
For Maritime enthusiasts, head to the Fraser River Discovery Centre to explore the stories of the Fraser River and its contribution to the life, history and future of British Columbia. Learn all about the mighty Fraser and the men and women who worked it through interactive exhibits. www.fraserriverdiscovery.org.
AMAZING ATTRACTIONS
Queen’s Park
Considered the city’s “crown jewel” of parks, Queen’s Park is home to a petting farm (hosting all sorts of animals from Victoria Day to Labour Day), a spray park, playgrounds, walking trails and picnic areas. You can make use of the park’s many sports facilities, including fields, tennis courts and the city’s new skate park, take in some of the action inside Queen’s Park Arena or enjoy cultural offerings at the Bernie Legge Theatre or The Gallery at Queen’s Park. P.S. Don’t forget your furry four-legged friend – there’s also an off-leash dog area.
AMAZING ATTRACTIONS
Irving House
Built in 1865 for Captain William Irving, today’s Irving House plays host to a number of guided tours and special programs. As the oldest community heritage site in the province, this heritage gem at 302 Royal Ave. transports you back in time.
Now is the time to stay close to home and rediscover your community from a new perspective. Whether you’re looking for amazing views on your morning run, a quiet spot to relax and read or a fun afternoon at the playground, we invite you to explore our parks in New Westminster. Stay active and stay safe. Share your park moments with us online using #activenewwest.
Samson V Maritime Museum
Have you ever wondered about what life on a working riverboat was like? Step aboard the 1937 Samson V, a wooden, steam-powered sternwheeler that’s been converted into a museum, and explore the galley, mess, cabins and engine area while uncovering some fascinating facts from the friendly tour guides. It’s docked on the river, just down from River Market (810 Quayside Dr.)
LCanadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame
acrosse is Canada’s national summer sport. Step into this hall for a walk down memory lane while you discover some of its most famous players, its rich history, tour exhibits and more. It’s open daily in Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Info: www.clhof.org.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Market Life
There’s no better place to get to know a city than a market. There’s even something almost charmed about a public market – the aromas, the energy and smiles from friendly merchants. If you’re looking for that market experience, New West has options.
River Market at Westminster Quay embodies that quintessential market experience – simple yet impressive, indulgent yet wholesome.
Nestled along the mighty Fraser River, the market is a treasure trove full of independent vendors selling the highest quality local produce, prepared foods, international teas, flowers and handmade crafts as well as some culinary gems. Visit www.rivermarket.ca for more details.
And who doesn’t love a farmers’ market? The New West Farmers’ Market is a great place to purchase seasonal favourites like farm-fresh, sustainable produce, plants, quality crafts from local artists and artisans, and gourmet prepared foods, while enjoying live entertainment. It’s held at Tipperary Park (315 Queens Ave.), and runs every Thursday from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Our Parks And Art
Meander along Sapperton Landing Park, a serene one-kilometre walk along the Fraser River that includes bridges and trees – and close-up view of the vessels, barges and tug boats passing by.
You can do pretty much everything at Hume Park, a family-friendly space that includes playgrounds, a swimming pool, trails, a picnic area, a water park, tennis courts, fields and an off-leash dog area. A few blocks away you’ll find Sapperton Park, which features one of the city’s newest adventure playgrounds and spray park, picnic areas and sports field.
Westminster Pier Park:This award-winning riverfront park boasts a boardwalk, festival lawn, concession, gardens, public art, playgrounds, beach volleyball courts, and the list goes on. Better yet, you are within a short distance to other popular attractions like Samson V Maritime Museum, Fraser River Discovery Centre, River Market and much more.
New Westminster is home to a wide variety of public art pieces, from the eye-catching WOW Westminster “W” at Pier Park to the captivating Wait For Me Daddy sculpture in Hyack Square (Columbia and Eighth streets). Don’t forget the cute little Puddle Jumper at Toronto Place Park (111
Eighth St.), the Ab Ovo (The Fertile Nest) sculpture in Glenbrook Ravine (76 Jamieson Ct.) and, of course, the World’s Largest Tin Soldier outside River Market on the waterfront. Keep an eye open for Birds on a Branch, larger than life on the Front Street Parkade, and the interactive Floralume on Front Street. Check out www.newwestcity.ca/public-art for a full listing.
More room to walk downtown
Front Street will be off-limits to vehicles throughout the summer.
Downtown, the City of New Westminster is moving forward on plans to close Front Street to vehicle traffic on weekends so there is more space for people to walk, wheel and bike this summer.
“Opening Front Street to walking, wheeling and biking offers the community an exciting opportunity to experience a connected riverfront all the way from Begbie Street to Sapperton Landing,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said. “Local businesses are open to serve visitors, and it will
be the ideal spot for both staying active, or taking in the sights of historic Front Street.”
The city is prohibiting motor vehicle traffic, including trucks, from being on Front Street between East Columbia and Begbie streets from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday and holiday until Labour Day. Vehicle access to Front Street businesses remains open via Front Street Frontage Road. In collaboration with the city, the Uptown Business Association is also creating a pedestrian zone for Uptown New West on four Saturdays in July, with the two-block stretch of Sixth Street, from Fifth Avenue to Sixth Avenue, and the half-block portion of Belmont Street, between Sixth Street and the alley, will be blocked to all vehicle traffic, transit and parking from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Elevate Your Expectations
Elevate Your Expectations
Waterfront Hotel
Waterfront Hotel
Waterfront Hotel
Unparalleled spaces overlooking the Fraser River make this waterfront hotel in New Westminster the perfect retreat destination. The short distance to travel from surrounding city centres means more time for your journey of renewal.
Event Spaces
Event Spaces
Waterfront Hotel
Unparalleled spaces this waterfront hotel destination. The short centres means more
Unparalleled spaces overlooking the this waterfront hotel in New Westminster destination. The short distance to travel centres means more time for your journey
Unparalleled spaces overlooking the Fraser River make this waterfront hotel in New Westminster the perfect retreat destination. The short distance to travel from surrounding city centres means more time for your journey of renewal.
Four perfectly appointed spaces inspire creative thinking for groups. Floor to ceiling windows invite energy and vibrancy into event spaces, bringing insight and clarity to those in attendance. Breakout rooms on the same level make for effortless transition between meetings. Elevate your event space experience with outstanding selections from a special catering menu created by The Boathouse.
Unparalleled spaces overlooking the Fraser River make this waterfront hotel in New Westminster the perfect retreat destination. The short distance to travel from surrounding centres means more time for your journey of renewal.
Four perfectly appointed groups of up to 200. and vibrancy into to those in attendance. make for effortless event space experience special catering menu
Four perfectly appointed spaces inspire groups of up to 200. Floor to ceiling and vibrancy into event spaces, bringing to those in attendance. Breakout rooms make for effortless transition between event space experience with outstanding special catering menu created by
Four perfectly appointed spaces inspire creative thinking for groups of up to 200. Floor to ceiling windows invite energy and vibrancy into event spaces, bringing insight and clarity to those in attendance. Breakout rooms on the same level make for effortless transition between meetings. Elevate your event space experience with outstanding selections from a special catering menu created by The Boathouse.
For Reservations/Inquires call 1-800-663-2001 or book online at innatthequay.com
Four perfectly appointed spaces inspire creative thinking groups of up to 200. Floor to ceiling windows invite energy and vibrancy into event spaces, bringing insight and clarity to those in attendance. Breakout rooms on the same level make for effortless transition between meetings. Elevate event space experience with outstanding selections from special catering menu created by The Boathouse.
