The City of New Westminster, BC, Canada is located on the Fraser River in British Columbia’s lower mainland. The Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are outlined on the map to the left.

New Westminster was the first capitol of the new Crown Colony of British Columbia and was named by Queen Victoria. That naming by the Queen gave the city the nickname, “The Royal City.” New Westminster was the first city in Western Canada.

New Westminster is located in the southeast corner of the Burnaby District of the Lower Mainland. Burnaby is shown in green on the map below, east of the City of Vancouver.

Before the construction of the Interstate System in the United States in the 1960’s and British Columbia’s extension of Interstate-5 at Blaine, Washington over a new freeway designated Highway-99, what is now Highway-99A (The King George Highway) was the only route into Vancouver, BC and the first city you came to when entering Canada from Blaine was New Westminster, by crossing the Pattullo Bridge.

Where is New Westminster?

New Westminster can be found by taking Highway-99 Exit 10, six miles (10 KM) north of the Canada/US border, onto Highway-99A (The King George Highway). Travel north for about 11 miles (17.7 KM) and you will find yourself on the Pattullo Bridge. In another mile just north of the bridge you will take the Royal Avenue exit and circle around to the east. Keep right to Royal Avenue westbound. Travel 1.2 miles (1.9 KM) west on Royal Avenue through downtown New Westminster. You are in the heart of the downtown area from Royal Avenue down the hill to Columbia Street which is the main street through the historic downtown area.

Where is Westminster Quay?

In 1.2 miles you will come to the west end of Royal Avenue (west end of the downtown area) where Royal Avenue ends. In front of you will be the railroad tracks and the elevated Skytrain tracks. The cross street is Columbia street. Turn left on Columbia Street and travel almost 0.5 miles (0.8 KM) to the right turn over the tracks to Quayside Drive. After you cross the railroad tracks the road will turn to the right and you will find a parking lot on the left. We have never failed to find parking in this lot. If this lot is full you can go back into downtown New Westminster and park in their parking garage and take the elevated walkway to the Quay.

The other ways to New Westminster.

About 9.5 mi. (16 KM) north of the Canada/US border at Blaine via BC-99 (the British Columbia portion of Interstate-5) is Exit 16 (Highway-91/ Annacis Island / New Westminster). This highway will take you over the north and south arms of the Fraser River crossing the south arm on the spectacular Alex Fraser Bridge. When you cross over the second bridge, the Queensborough Bridge take the New Westminster Exit and it will take you right onto Marine Way which will follow the Skytrain tracks right into New Westminster.

From Vancouver, BC

From Vancouver, BC take Highway-99 south for 8.5 mi. (13.6 KM) to the Highway-91 / Alderbridge Way / New Westminster Exit 37. This is the west end of Highway-91 and it will take you east up Lulu Island to Highway-91A which goes into New Westminster.

The other way from Vancouver

The other option from Vancouver is to go east to Main Street (in Chinatown) from downtown Vancouver and turn south. Main Street turns into Highway-99A (The King George Highway) and Highway-1A. I you want a real feel of the area this highway was the only way into Vancouver until the freeway was built.

The road has history. We often choose this route to travel as it lacks the sterile atmosphere of a freeway. It probably only takes a half hour to take this route but it always takes us longer because there are so many things to stop and see along the way. It is only 10.6 miles (17 KM) from the corner of Main Street and Broadway in the center of China Town to New Westminster.

Shopping in New Westminster

New Westminster has an interesting variety of places to shop from its historic downtown area along Royal Avenue to the Westminster Quay along the Fraser River.

A photo of the Public Market at Westminster Quay is loading...... Westminster Quay

When you visit New Westminster the first place to begin is the Quay. If you come over the Pattullo Bridge over the Fraser River you can see the Quay on the far bank of the Fraser to the left (west) of the bridge.

Public Market at the Quay.

The photo to the right is from the Quay’s web site.

The Quay is a nice to rest after a long ride. The walk along the river and the restaurants and shops there offer good food and interesting shopping. The Public Market at New Westminster Quay offers interesting inside shopping on a rainy day.

The entrance into the Quay isn’t very inviting because railroad tracks and the Skytrain elevated tracks are between Columbia Street and the Quay. There are signs for the Quay when traveling eastbound. For more information visit their web site: http://www.westminsterquay.com/

Downtown and its Downtown Vancouver Connection

Downtown New Westminster can be accessed by two different Skytrain Stations; New Westminster and Columbia. Columbia street is the core of the historic downtown.

New Westminster’s downtown offers tree lined streets that light up at night with old fashioned street lamps giving you a feel of the 1890’s. You will find sidewalk cafes, gourmet coffee houses, art boutiques, hobby shops, gift shops, and more among the beautiful architecture of this historic downtown area.

The Vancouver Connection

If you want to visit Downtown Vancouver on of the best ways to do it is park in the parking garage in downtown New Westminster and take the Skytrain. Plan your trip so that you don’t miss the opportunities downtown New Westminster offers. You can visit downtown Vancouver, miss all the traffic and parking problems, and then come back and have dinner on the banks of the Fraser River.

Antique Alley

Across the railroad tracks from Westminster Quay Public Market is Antique Alley. It is made up of ten antique shops that stock a wide variety of inventory. You could spend a whole day just browsing through these interesting shops.

Royal City Center

In Uptown New Westminster, at 6^th Avenue and 8^th Street, you will find Royal City Centre. This is the city’s newest and largest shopping area. You will find a food court, a full service restaurant, a variety of small shops, Zellers, and Safeway in this shopping center.

Columbia Square Plaza

Located at the west end of the downtown area, Columbia Square is a neighborhood shopping center with a drug store, several specialty stores, several restaurants, and a grocery supermarket.

Royal Square Mall

McBride is the road the King George Highway travels over north of the Pattullo Bridge. At 8^th Avenue you will find Royal Square Mall. It is a convenient stop for RVers to stop with plenty of parking and easily found. You will find a Safeway store and several other shops in the mall.

12^th Street – Vintage Row

You aren’t limited to the antiques you will find at Antique Alley because there are more antique shops on 12^th street. Antiques are the feature along 12^th street with such things as antique lighting fixtures, plumbing accessories, and architectural pieces can be found in the six antique shops on 12^th Street.

Recommended Attractions

Restaurants

Lodging

Attractions

Museums
Irving House Historic Center 302 Royal Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada 604-527-4640 Built in 1865 this home is filled with 19^th century atmosphere. Visit during December and it is transformed into a Victorian Christmas scene.	Historical Picture Gallery New Westminster Museum and Archives. 302 Royal Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada 604-527-4640 Located directly behind the Irving House.
New Westminster Police Museum 555 Columbia Street New Westminster, BC, Canada 604-525-5411 Located in the federal building at 6^th & Columbia, it has 125 years of police history in artifacts and photos. Kids can have their picture taken “in Jail” and there is a 1958 Harley police motorcycle among other police memorabilia.	Samson V Maritime Museum On the Waterfront at Westminster Quay 604-527-4640 or 604-522-6894 This paddle wheeler pulled snags from the Fraser River from 1937, when it was built, until 1980 when it was retired. It features photographic displays of both its predecessors and itself working on the river. Much of the interior is original showing life working on the river.
Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame 65 E 6^th Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada 604-527-4640 Located in the Community Centre. This national Hall of Fame features photographs and information about its inductees. It also has trophies, jerseys, equipment, and other displays.	Museum of the Royal Westminster Regiment 530 Queens Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada 604-526-5116 The museum is located in the gun room of the historic Armory of the Regiment. The Museum traces the history of the regiment from when it laid out the City of New Westminster through the first and second world wars.
	Fraser River Discovery Center At Westminster Quay 604-521-8401 The Fraser River Discovery Center is a world class interpretive center with exhibits on the historic importance of the Fraser River.
Art Galleries
Amelia Douglas Art Gallery Douglas College 604-527-5723 Gallery web page. When a display is showing this gallery is open M-F 10a to 7:30p, Sat 11a – 4p. Closed between showings. See site or call for information. Admission is free.	Public Library Gallery 716 6^th Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada 604-527-4660 The gallery is on the library’s second floor. It features exhibitions by local artists. Open M-F 10a to 9p Sat 10a to 5p, and Sun 1 to 5p.
Arts Council Gallery in Queen’s Park Centennial Lodge building in Queens Park PO Box 16003 New Westminster, BC, Canada V3M 6W6 604-525-3244 http://www.artscouncilnewwest.org/ The “Heartbeat” of the arts in New Westminster. Open 1 to 5p Tuesday thru Sunday
Parks & Gardens
Queen’s Park First Street and Third Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada Built in 1886, this 75 acre park is the centerpiece of New Westminster’s parks. It has Rainbow Playland with a petting farm, spray park, and TREATS concession. There is also a rose garden.	Friendship Gardens 4^th Street and Royal Avenue Located next to City Hall. This park offers a waterfall and pond, walking paths with benches, and a totem pole.
Visitor Information
Tourism New Westminster Fraser River Discovery Center 788 Quayside Drive New Westminster, BC, Canada http://www.tourismnewwestminster.com/	City of New Westminster 511 Royal Avenue New Westminster, BC, Canada V3L 1H9 604-521-3711 http://www.newwestcity.ca/ Map of New Westminster PDF format Map Map of Greater Vancouver PDF map of Greater Vancouver You can zoom in on areas using this map. Using print options of print screen and fit image to margins you can print area maps.

Listed Attractions

We have not necessarily visited or recommend listed establishments