- The city is nicknamed the Royal City after Queen Victoria selected the name in 1859.
- It contains the first public library established in British Columbia.
- The city's downtown core sits on a steep slope, leading to the creation of unique elevated pedestrian bridges known as overpasses that connect higher streets to the waterfront.
- It is the only city in Metro Vancouver that maintains an independent municipal electrical utility.
- Due to its role as a colonial capital, the city was once the primary site for government infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest before the capital moved to Victoria.
About New Westminster
New Westminster, the oldest city in Western Canada, served as the initial capital of the Colony of British Columbia in 1858. Situated on the north bank of the Fraser River, it functions as a primary transit hub for the Metro Vancouver region. Visitors can explore the historic greenery of Queen's Park or enjoy the modern waterfront infrastructure at Westminster Pier Park. The area retains significant cultural depth, anchored by community landmarks such as the nearby Burnaby Village Museum.
Highlights of New Westminster
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This Victorian-era park features mature gardens and extensive sports facilities within a historic residential setting.
Parks
A revitalized waterfront space offering a floating walkway and panoramic views of the Fraser River.
Museums
An open-air museum that replicates a 1920s village, complete with a working carousel and historical demonstrations.
Top things to do in New Westminster
The 97 highest-rated places in New Westminster, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
The Peace Arch is a bi-national monument straddling the international boundary between Surrey, British Columbia, and Bla...
2
Parks
Deer Lake Park is a sprawling municipal park in Burnaby that centers on a glacial lake and serves as a primary cultural...
3
Parks
Central Park in Burnaby is a 90-hectare urban park featuring a mix of mature forest trails and managed recreational faci...
4
Museums
Burnaby Village Museum is an open-air living history site featuring over 30 heritage buildings relocated to a 10-acre pa...
5
Parks
Blackie Spit is a prominent 40-hectare park located at the southern tip of the Serpentine River as it flows into Boundar...
6
Places of interest
The White Rock Pier is a 470-meter-long wooden structure extending into Semiahmoo Bay, recognized as the longest of its...
7
Parks
Burnaby Mountain Park is a 26-hectare conservation area situated atop a mountain in Burnaby, British Columbia, offering...
8
Parks
Queen's Park is a 75-acre municipal park serving as the primary recreational hub for New Westminster. The grounds featur...
9
Temples
Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar is a prominent Sikh place of worship located in Surrey, British Columbia, serving as a hub...
10
Parks
Barnet Marine Park is situated on the Burrard Inlet in Burnaby, BC, occupying a historic industrial site that was once a...
11
Temples
Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple is a prominent Sikh place of worship located in Richmond, British Columbia. The temple...
12
Beaches and ponds
Crescent Beach is a seaside community located along the shores of Boundary Bay in South Surrey. The area features a mix...
13
Parks
Campbell Valley Regional Park is a 535-hectare protected area in Langley, British Columbia, featuring diverse ecosystems...
14
Parks
Hawthorne Rotary Park is a 3.6-hectare municipal green space located in the Whalley neighborhood of Surrey, British Colu...
15
Parks
Westminster Pier Park is a 3.8-hectare waterfront public space built on a former industrial brownfield site along the Fr...
16
Temples
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir is a prominent Hindu temple located in the Newton area of Surrey, British Columbia, serving...
17
Temples
Masjid Al-Salaam, operated by the British Columbia Muslim Association, serves as a primary community hub for Muslims in...
18
Parks
Unwin Park is a 14.5-hectare municipal park in Surrey, British Columbia, known for housing one of the city's largest out...
19
Museums
The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre serves as the primary repository for the history and heritage of Japanese C...
20
Parks
Blue Mountain Park is a major community green space in Coquitlam, BC, distinct for its mature evergreen tree canopy and...
21
Parks
Quayside Park is a waterfront green space located along the Fraser River in New Westminster, British Columbia. The park...
22
Museums
The Museum of Surrey serves as the primary cultural institution for the City of Surrey, focusing on regional heritage an...
23
Venues
The Michael J. Fox Theatre is a professional-grade performing arts venue located within Burnaby South Secondary School i...
24
Parks
Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park spans 41 hectares of reclaimed industrial land along the northern bank of the Fraser River...
25
Amusement parks
Extreme Air Park in New Westminster is a large-scale indoor trampoline facility featuring interconnected floor-to-ceilin...
26
Parks
Semiahmoo Park is a 1.2-mile long spit of land extending into Semiahmoo Bay, separating it from Drayton Harbor. The park...
27
Parks
Mackin Park is a primary athletic and recreational hub located in the Maillardville neighbourhood of Coquitlam. The park...
28
Parks
Robert Burnaby Park is a 46-hectare forested municipal park located in the eastern section of Burnaby, British Columbia....
29
Venues
Blaine Marine Park-Amphitheater serves as a primary outdoor community gathering space located on the shores of Drayton H...
30
Parks
Elgin Heritage Park is a 33-hectare site located along the Nicomekl River in South Surrey, British Columbia. The park se...
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
New Westminster on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to New Westminster
Late spring through early autumn, as the temperate climate is most suitable for exploring the Fraser River waterfront and outdoor municipal parks.
2 days, which provides sufficient time to tour the historic downtown, the riverfront parks, and nearby cultural museums.
The city is served by the SkyTrain Expo Line, providing direct rapid transit access to Vancouver and Surrey, complemented by a walkable historic downtown.
Stay in the Downtown area for proximity to the SkyTrain stations and riverfront views, or choose the Uptown district for access to retail and historic residential architecture.
Mid-range; while accommodation is generally more affordable than downtown Vancouver, local service costs remain consistent with the regional average.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 97 curated attractions in and around New Westminster, ranked by traveller ratings.
Peace Arch is the highest-rated place to visit in New Westminster right now.
The largest category is parks, with 66 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toronto, Montreal, North Vancouver (city).
Explore more of Canada
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.