Discover New Westminster

Get to know New Westminster through two distinctive themes: the Fraser River and the city’s history. The Waterfront Esplanade, parks, historic homes, and museums offer different starting points for planning your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in New Westminster, these places offer concrete clues as to whether the city suits your interests.

Waterfront and the Fraser River

The Waterfront Esplanade is 1.3 kilometres long and covers 7.6 acres. A walk along the waterfront promenade offers views of the Fraser River, viewpoints, interpretive signage, and public art. These measurements describe two aspects of the site: 1.3 kilometres is the length of the Esplanade, while 7.6 acres is the area it covers.

Westminster Pier Park also brings together its waterfront setting, views, and art. The park features a 325-metre-long waterfront promenade, elevated viewpoints, public art, and a play area. The Esplanade and the Pier Park promenade differ in length; views and art are part of the description of both, while the play area is another specific feature of Pier Park.

Historic homes and heritage

In the centre of New Westminster stands Irving House, a Gothic Revival-style colonial home built in 1865. It is one of the oldest community heritage sites in British Columbia. Visitors can tour its 14 furnished rooms. The house offers a glimpse into history through a specific building and its interiors.

The Memory Band in Westminster Pier Park offers a different perspective: this public artwork highlights people, places, and businesses that are significant to New Westminster’s history. While Irving House showcases a single historic home, the Memory Band focuses on people and places connected to the city’s history.

Museums and river history

The permanent exhibition at the Anvil Centre traces more than 10,000 years of New Westminster’s history, ending in 2010. The Fraser River Discovery Centre has its own focus: its 17,000-square-foot interpretation centre on the waterfront houses exhibits, educational programs, and events. Its two floors of exhibition space feature regularly changing exhibits and views of the Fraser River.

New Westminster’s museums and archives operate at three locations: the Anvil Centre, Irving House, and Samson V Museum. Since operations at individual locations may change, it’s best to check the latest information before your visit. Samson V is the last surviving wooden, steam-powered sternwheeler built for the Canadian federal Department of Public Works as an icebreaker on the Fraser River. This adds a specific aspect of river navigation to the art, architecture, and exhibition history.

Parks, homes, and pathways

Queen’s Park is New Westminster’s 75-acre flagship park. The Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area is part of its historic setting. Its purpose is to preserve the neighbourhood’s existing heritage values while managing change. Queen’s Park is also home to some of the oldest historic houses in British Columbia.

Tourism New Westminster offers a self-guided tour of the historic homes in Queen’s Park. All the homes along the tour are private residences, so please respect residents’ privacy and property. New Westminster also has a network of greenways, bike routes, and walking trails. Alongside the waterfront, parks, and museums, these different routes offer another aspect of the destination to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Surrey, Delta, Port Coquitlam, Richmond, North Vancouver, Tsawwassen, Maple Ridge, Langley.

For the broader travel overview: Metro Vancouver.