Top 11 Unique Things to do in New Westminster – For Every Traveller
Whether its summer or winter, whatever time you are travelling, there is a lot of things to do in New Westminster. However, this city is known for the fun that it offers travellers during Summer and you wouldn’t want to miss them.
Westminster has something special for everyone including travellers and residents. From the splendid art scenes to the beautiful parks, markets, bars, restaurants and activities that grace the city all year round. You must find something that suits your taste.
One good thing about these attractions and places in New Westminster is that many of them are free. So, you can actually have fun at no cost in this beautiful city. Hold on to see the things to do in New Westminster without spending a dime.
Where is New West Minster?
New Westminster is a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada. The city was founded by Major-General Richard Moody as the capital of the new-born Colony of British Columbia in 1858. It was a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. The city was the British Columbia Mainland’s largest city until the 29th century when Vancouver surpassed it.
It is located on the banks of the Fraser River as it turns southwest towards its estuary, on the southwest side of the Burrard Peninsula and roughly at the centre of the Greater Vancouver region. The city has a population of 82,866 in 2021.
Cities near New Westminster
The cities below are within reaching kilometres from New Westminster. Travellers and residents of the city normally visit these cities to get some fun from the top attractions in these cities. They include:
- Burnaby
- Port Coquitlam
- Coquitlam
- Surrey
- Delta
- Richmond
- North Vancouver
- Vancouver
- White Rock
- Maple Ridge
- West Vancouver
- Tsawwassen
- Langley
- Mission
How to get to New Westminster by Air or Road
If you are travelling to New Westminster by air, your best air to land is the Coal Harbour Spb (CXH) Airport which is 17.7 km away.
However, there are other nearby airports that you can use depending on your destination in the city. they include Vancouver (YVR) (19.7 km), Abbotsford (YXX) (43.7 km), Bellingham (BLI) (53.4 km) and Victoria (YYJ) (73.5 km).
However, there are better options for getting to New Westminster. The TransLink CA operates a vehicle from Burrard Station @ Platform 2 to New Westminster Station @ Platform 2 every 5 minutes.
Most importantly, the tickets cost between $3 – $5 and the journey takes about 27 min. You can as well use BC Ferries Connector – Wilson’s Group which operates a vehicle from Victoria, BC to Vancouver, BC twice daily. the journey takes about 4h 5m.
Top 7 LGBTQ+ Communities in CanadaTop 11 Unique Things to do in New Westminster
Already in New Westminster and looking for activities, attractions and places to go. There is a lot of them in town. In this wonderful city, you will have many things to do even without spending much. Look at our best picks:
#1. Spend some time at River Market.
You can not but love this gem on New West’s riverfront. The location alone has made it an attraction for all travellers. Moreover, it’s a foodie hub and a community gathering place where you expect something new every day.
Yes, you must experience something new in this market each day you go there. Above all. this ecstatic market has become one of the best places to hand out.
#2. Make a day of it at Queen’s Park.
This is a place for everyone: picnic shelters, barbecues, the rose garden, free performances at the bandshell, the water park, playgrounds for kids of all ages, a concession stand and, of course, the ever-popular petting farm.
Whatever you want, visit this park at the centre of New Westminster and you are in the right place. This also houses the arena, Arenac, Bernie Legge Theatre, tennis courts and a network of walking and running trails. On any given day, you must catch fun in Queen’s Park.
#3. Enjoy the waterfront at Westminster Pier Park.
Yes, we’ll give the next spot on the list to the above-mentioned shiny, sparkly new park, which has won all sorts of awards for the city – and most deservedly so. The setting on the Fraser River is simply unmatched for beauty, and the park’s design is proving that you can take an old piece of land and turn it into something appealing for all ages.
There’s a playground for the kids, benches and lounge chairs for relaxing, a picnic area for enjoying a meal, a concession stand (run by Wally’s Burgers!), sand courts for volleyball (bring your own ball) and, of course, a beautiful riverfront stroll to occupy your time.
#4. Browse, buy and eat at the Royal City Farmers Market.
The market is back for the summer season, running Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.in beautiful Tipperary Park. The market is everything a market ought to be, with all sorts of offerings of organic and conventional produce and prepared foods – from bread and baking to jams, jellies, cheese, meat and fish – plus jewellery, crafts, flowers and more. There are also plenty of options for eating and drinking on-site and weekly entertainment and fun for all ages.
#5. Get dancing in the square
Get your whole family or a group of friends together and head on down to Hyack Square for some Friday night dancing fun. TGIF Dancing in the Square is back, running Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Each Friday through July and August features a different (free) dance night – you can try your hand (er, feet) at Zumba, ballroom, Latin, Egyptian belly dance, jive and more. Bring your own lawn chair. Keep an eye on the weather, and check out www.dancewithmenewwest.com on event day to be sure it’s still running.
#6. What about a movie under the stars?
Why not go for the out movies at Queen’s Park Stadium where you have many movies to choose from. The City of New Westminster has partnered with Derrick Thornhill of Park Georgia Realty and the G&F Financial Group to offer the movie series which runs Friday nights (July 11, 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29). The movie nights kick off with Frozen and continue with a variety of family favourites both old and new. By the way, you don’t have to pay to watch a movie here.
#7. Visit the parks.
You can visit any of the parks around for entertainment throughout the summer at both the Queen’s Park bandshell and Ryall Park. At Queen’s Park, you can enjoy free Sunday afternoon concerts (Sundays at 2 p.m.) and free Poetry in the Park sessions on Wednesday evenings. Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company is also bringing its Shakespeare in the Park back to the Queen’s Park stage. In Ryall Park, you can enjoy a family-friendly series of performances on Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
#8. Experience Pecha Kucha New West
Most of this list is made up of ongoing events and experiences, not one-time events, but we’re willing to make an exception for Pecha Kucha. Pecha Kucha, a concept that started in Tokyo in 2003, was brought to New West by Melinda and Neal Michael. Pecha Kucha events feature 10 to 12 presenters who live, work or play in the city, showing 20 slides for 20 seconds each.
The summer Pecha Kucha night is a special edition at Westminster Pier Park on July 19 (starting at 4 p.m.) that will feature food, DJs and a beer garden – and as many as 500 attendees. Why not be one of them and experience it for yourself?
#9. Attend a summer festival
There are plenty of festivals to enjoy in New Westminster. You can start with the Key West Ford Show and Shine on July 13, the 12th Street Music Festival on July 27, the New West Cultural Crawl on Aug. 9 and 10, the eighth annual Quayside Community Boardwalk Festival and Sale and the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest on Aug. 23.
These can get you started but not all. The one festival that we wouldn’t want you to miss is the New West Pride. The festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year from Aug. 8 to 16.
#10. Go hiking
Yes, though New Westminster is small in size there is a lot of natural beauty. if you just want a short stroll, you can visit the beautiful scene of Sapperton Landing along the river. For a longer river walk, check out the waterfront from Westminster Pier Park past the Fraser River Discovery Centre and River Market. What about Queensborough?
We wouldn’t believe that you miss it. – there are several sections of the trail that offer beautiful views from the “other” side of the river. You can as well try the trails in Queen’s Park, Glenbrook Ravine, Victoria Hill and Glenbrook Drive.
#11: Visit Starlight Casino
Located in the heart of Queensborough, Starlight Casino just gives travellers a taste of Old Vegas where visitors feel like stars. Why not enjoy the glitz, glamour and vintage Vegas charm with an exciting variety of slot machines, popular table games, and best-in-class VIP gaming. This sets it uniquely apart from any other casino, except perhaps in Vegas. This is a great place to spend your evening in the city.
Special things to do in New West Minster
Looking for special things to do in New West Minster on special days, definitely, you must find. You can attend summer festivals and events like Key West Ford Show and Shine, Street Music Festival, the New West Cultural Crawl, the eighth annual Quayside Community Boardwalk Festival and Sale and the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest. All these festivals offer you such entertainment that you long for them every summer.
Things to do in New Westminster today
The list below shows the things that you can do in New Westminster every day. They include:
- Visit Queen’s Park
- New Westminster Quay
- Westminster Pier Park
- Go to Quayside Esplanade & Boardwalk
- Visit Anvil Centre
- Go to a bar
- Visit a farm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit New Westminster?
The very warmest time to visit New Westminster, the hottest months are August, July, and then June. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 79.1°F (26.2°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 50.9°F (10.5°C) at night. You can also attend many summer festivals during this time in the city.
What is New Westminster BC famous for?
This city is known for the manufacture of forest products. Other industries include food processing (fruit and vegetables), distilling, brewing, shipbuilding, and oil refining.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a list of things to do in New West Minster for travellers and residents. You can choose from the list and visit any of these places. We are ready to assist you any time for your information about Canada.
