New Westminster Museum🏛 museum
Museum in a heritage building on the Fraser River in New Westminster.
🌐 newwestcity.ca🕒 Fr-We 10:00-17:00; Th 10:00-20:00
Plizio Visual Lab
New Westminster
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — New Westminster
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The city is built on a very steep hill; prepare for a serious leg workout if you walk north from the riverfront.
- Take the SkyTrain to arrive; both New Westminster and Columbia stations drop you right into the historic areas.
- Walk the boardwalk along the Fraser River to see active tugboats and the city's working waterfront.
- If you love vintage items, Front Street is famously known as 'Antique Alley' and is often used as a film set.
🍽 Food
🍽
River Market Food Hall
Grab a quick, high-quality bite from local vendors offering everything from artisan sandwiches to authentic Asian noodles.
🍽
Heritage Cafes
Enjoy coffee in beautiful 19th-century brick buildings along Columbia Street.
🍽
Brewery District
Head to the Sapperton neighborhood for excellent craft beers rooted in the city's long brewing history.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Antique Alley
Spend hours browsing the fascinating antique and vintage shops clustered along Front Street.
🛍
River Market Artisans
Find locally crafted goods, soap, and specialty foods right on the waterfront.
🧘
Westminster Pier Park
A beautiful, award-winning park built on piers over the water, offering a peaceful walking path.
🧘
Queen's Park
Escape the city buzz in this massive historic park filled with tall trees, gardens, and quiet trails.
Water temperature…
New Westminster is located on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia and is historically recognized as Western Canada's first city. Founded in 1858, it served as the first capital of the Colony of British Columbia from 1859 until 1866, when the capital was moved to Victoria. Queen Victoria personally chose the city's name after her favorite part of London, earning it the nickname 'The Royal City.' Geographically situated at the center of the Metro Vancouver region, the city has transitioned from an early industrial hub of sawmills and canneries to a contemporary residential and service-oriented urban center. The historic downtown core along Columbia Street features architecture dating back to the late 19th century, preserving its colonial heritage. Today, New Westminster is a key transportation node integrated with the SkyTrain system and features a lively waterfront development known as the River Market. The city also hosts major regional institutions, including the Royal Columbian Hospital.
- Location: Canada
- Top sights: New Westminster Museum · The Samson V Museum · Archery Museum
- Nearby: Burnaby (5 km)
- Population: ~78.916 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 194 | 103 | 142 | 87 | 60 | 46 | 26 | 33 | 71 | 140 | 206 | 177 |
Geography
Facts
- New Westminster was officially incorporated as a city on July 16, 1860.
- It served as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia from 1859 to 1866.
- The Great Fire of 1898 destroyed most of the city's commercial district.
- It is the smallest municipality by land area in the Metro Vancouver region.
- The Royal Columbian Hospital was established here in 1862.
- The city is connected to Vancouver by five SkyTrain rapid transit stations.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town New Westminster (15)
Frequently asked questions
What is New Westminster?
The former capital of British Columbia, known for its historic charm on the Fraser River.
What does the River Market offer?
Local food, artisan crafts, and a great view of the river and passing trains.
Is New Westminster accessible by SkyTrain?
Yes, it is perfectly connected to Vancouver; the trip takes only about 25-30 minutes.
What is Westminster Pier Park?
An award-winning waterfront park with trails, playgrounds, and hammocks for relaxing.
Are there any historic buildings?
Yes, neighborhoods like Queen's Park feature many magnificent Victorian homes.
New Westminster: where is it located?
New Westminster is located in Canada.
New Westminster: what is there to see?
Highlights include New Westminster Museum, The Samson V Museum, Archery Museum.
New Westminster: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
New Westminster: why is it worth visiting?
New Westminster is located on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia and is historically recognized as Western Canada's first city.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in North America
More places in Canada →
Nearby cities
Surrey
A large, fast-growing city in the Metro Vancouver region.
Burnaby
A city east of Vancouver known for its parks and Simon Fraser University.
Richmond
An island city south of Vancouver, home to Vancouver International Airport.
Coquitlam
A suburban city in Metro Vancouver, surrounded by mountains.
Kelowna
The largest city in the Okanagan Valley, known for wine and fruit.
Abbotsford
The largest municipality in the Fraser Valley, near the US border.
Langley (City)
An urban centre within the larger Township of Langley.
Saanich
The largest municipality in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island, characterized by parks, rural charm, and a diverse coastline.
Kamloops
A city at the confluence of two branches of the Thompson River in British Columbia.
Delta
A municipality in Metro Vancouver, composed of three distinct communities.
Chilliwack
Chilliwack lies in the eastern Fraser Valley of British Columbia, surrounded by mountains and farmland.
Nanaimo
A port city on Vancouver Island, famous for the Nanaimo bar dessert.
North Vancouver (City)
A dense urban centre on the north shore of Burrard Inlet.
Maple Ridge
A municipality in Metro Vancouver, located between the Fraser River and the Golden Ears mountains.
Prince George
The largest city in northern British Columbia, a major transportation hub.