Founded in 1859, and named by Queen Victoria, "the
Royal City", New Westminster was British Columbia's
first capital city (1860 to 1868). Nestled on the banks
of the Fraser River, the city retains its old time charm,
and quaint homey atmosphere, with numerous homes from the
1890's on tree lined heritage streets.
Situated on a hillside overlooking the Fraser River, New
Westminster views the Golden Ears Mountains to the East,
Mount Baker to the southeast and the Fraser River Estuary
to the southwest.
Stroll
along the Fraser River and behold the working and pleasure
vessels or take a ride on the last steam paddlewheeler to
operate on the Fraser River, then stop to browse through
the Westminster Quay Public market or spend some time in
the Royal Star riverboat casino. Take a walk through the
historic neighbourhoods or enjoy a few hours at one of the
museums, art galleries, or parks.
Visitors to New Westminster can take a variety of day trips
to take advantage of the closeness of many outdoor recreational
experiences in the nearby mountains and rivers; from hiking,
biking, swimming, fishing to skiing and sightseeing. For
boaters, the Fraser River connects you with the whole West
Coast, Indian Arm and the Queen Charlotte Islands. New Westminster
is also connected to Burnaby and Vancouver through a bike
system that runs under and beside the Skytrain guideway.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
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City
Information
Accommodations:
New Westminster offers tourist services including hotels,
motels, as well as numerous cozy bed and breakfasts. There
are also RV parks nearby in surrounding communities.
Population:
53,782 (1999)
Climate:
Temperatures during the summer will range from 13 - 23 degrees
celsius, and from 0 - 10 degrees in the winter. The annual
rainfall is 1581 mm Access:
Located in the centre of British Columbia's Lower Mainland,
New Westminster is easily accessible by transit, several
major highways, rail and water. It is only a short SkyTrain
ride away from Vancouver (25 km/16 mi.). It is adjacent
to the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the Alex Fraser
Bridge. Situated within 32 km (20 mi.) of the U.S. border,
the ferry terminal to Vancouver Island, passenger rail stations
and the Vancouver International Airport, New Westminster
is very easy to get to. There is also local and long distance
bus service available.
Recreation
Facilities & Activities:
246 acres of parks including Moody Park (named for Colonel
Richard Clement Moody of the Royal Engineers who founded
New Westminster in 1859), Poplar Island nature reserve,
sightseeing, historical tours, river tours, shopping, lacrosse
games, softball diamonds and games, walking tours, spraypool
water park, Canada Games pool, skating/curling rinks, children's
petting farm.
Local
Attractions:
Historical Society Programs, Fraser River Discovery
Centre, Burr Theatre, Library, Westminster Quay Public Market,
Irving House Museum and Archives (built in 1865), Friendship
Gardens (city hall), Art Gallery in Queens Park, Rose Garden,
Samson V Maritime Museum, Museum of the Royal Westminster
Regiment, and the Canadian Lacrosse Museum. The City of New
Westminster offers a variety of fine period architecture,
five world-class museums, three live performance theatres
(Douglas College with 350 seats, The Massey Theatre with 1252
seats on Eighth Ave and the smaller Vagabond Playhouse in
Queens Park), numerous festivals and celebrations, as well
as a host of shopping opportunities including Westminster
Quay Public Market.
February
- Heritage week April - Antique Car Easter Parade May - Hyack Festival June - Art In The Park (Moody Park), Philippine Festival July - Canada Day Celebrations, FraserFest, Royal
City Show and Shine August - Royal City Jazz Festival September - Royal City Jazz Festival., Urban Farmers
Fall Fair November - Victorian Christmas at Irving House, Royal
Christmas Festival December - Santa Claus Parade and Festival of Lights,
Royal Christmas Festival, Victorian Christmas at Irving
House.
For
Information:
New Westminster
Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Centre
601 Queens Avenue
New Westminster, BC V3M 1L1
Phone: (604) 521-7781
Fax: (604) 521-0057
Vancouver
Coast & Mountains Tourism Region
1651 Commercial Drive #270,
Vancouver, British Columbia V5L 3Y3
Tel: (604) 739-9011
Toll Free: 1-800-667-3306
Fax: (604) 739-0153
Email: info@vcmbc.com
Pride
in the Past - Building on the Future.
Stroll
along the Fraser River and behold the working and pleasure
vessels or take a ride on the last steam paddlewheeler to
operate on the Fraser River, then stop to browse through
the Westminster Quay Public market or spend some time in
the Royal Star riverboat casino. Take a walk through the
historic neighbourhoods or enjoy a few hours at one of the
museums, art galleries, or parks.
Access:
Local
Attractions: 
February
- Heritage week
For
Information: