"British Columbia's oldest city" New Westminster by Carmanah

New Westminster Travel Guide: 40 reviews and 46 photos

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Location: 49° 12' North, 122° 54' West
Population: 58,549 (2006 Census)
Incorporated: 1860

New Wesminster ("New West" to locals) is the oldest incorporated city in British Columbia. Located east of Vancouver and Burnaby where the Fraser River splits into its north and south arms, New West has a lot of history and past grandeur, despite being overlooked as a Vancouver "suburb" by many.

But it was in the 1860's when Queen Victoria named New Westminster after her favourite neighbourhood in London, and the city became the capital of the British colony of British Columbia. Built out of the wilderness, New West became a city 16 years before Vancouver did.

However, 6 years later the colony of British Columbia merged with the British colony of Vancouver Island, and while the name "British Columbia" was the name for the merged colonies, New Westminster lost its designation of capital city, and Victoria - the capital city of Vancouver Island, thus became the capital for the newly designated colony of British Columbia.

5 years later, the colony of British Columbia then decided (after considering joining up with the USA), to join distant Canada - then only a collection of 4 confederated British colonies thousands of miles east, and other than its British foundation, it had nothing in common with Canada, but everything in common with its neighbours California, Oregon (and eventually Washington) to the south.

But there's the historical legacy in what many see as a rough-around-the-edges "suburb". Its name, The Royal City exists for a reason, even if it's overlooked.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Easy to get to, great shopping, authentic downtown, lots of heritage, unique atmosphere
Cons:A little bit down-trodden, industrial sites line the riverfront in places
In a nutshell:A historic town vs. Vancouver suburb

Last visit to New Westminster: Sep 2006
Intro Updated Oct 7, 2007
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (9)

The Fraser River waterfront by Westminster Quay - New Westminster

Fraser River waterfront Favorites (4)

Take a walk around the waterfront at the Westminster Quay. During my last visit to Westminster Quay in August 2001,... more travel advice

New Wesminster's Columbia Street - New Westminster

Columbia Street Favorites (4)

Columbia is New Westminster's main downtown street, home to various little shops, cafes and bars. If you're into second... more travel advice

Antique stores at "Antique Alley" on Front Street - New Westminster

Go to Antique Alley! Favorites (4)

If you're into looking at antiques, retro collectables, old toys from the 70's and 80's, medievil furnature and... more travel advice

The skytrain - photo taken by Chris - New Westminster

SkyTrain Transportation (1)

New West is easily accessable from downtown Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. You can get there by taking the skytrain... more travel advice

Restaurants (2)
See All The Old Spaghetti Factory

Things to Do (2)
See All Westminster Quay

Comments (53)

Reply
- Report abuse
FugitiveUnknown Sep 24, 2007 at 6:23 PM

The Old Spaghetti Factory is easily the most overrated resturant I've ever eaten at. The pasta tastes cheap and the sauces are incredibly bland. It's got some atmosphere and stuff for kids, but it's food is subpar.
Reply
- Report abuse
rwlittle Jan 22, 2005 at 5:52 PM

Great tips for my old home town, thanks!
Reply
- Report abuse
morgr Dec 17, 2004 at 12:11 PM

I have my company x-mas party in New West tomorrow night. Now I know everything I need to know about the place :-) Thanks!
Reply
- Report abuse
MURRA Aug 10, 2004 at 12:02 PM

GOOD WORK ON NEW WESTMINSTER ,PEOPLE HERE THINK IS VANCOUVER SUBURB
Reply
- Report abuse
CdnJane Apr 20, 2004 at 8:30 PM

You have a wonderful writing style and terrific pictures. So much information to absorb - this is going to take me a while.
Reply
- Report abuse
Mike25 Mar 14, 2003 at 7:00 PM

Agraichen, I feel the same way.
Reply
- Report abuse
crazyguitar Jan 12, 2003 at 3:32 AM

Great page!! Cool tips! I should visit this place!
Reply
- Report abuse
Agraichen Jan 3, 2003 at 12:28 PM

If it serves Guinness, it has to be great.
Reply
- Report abuse
frankcanfly Aug 19, 2002 at 7:33 PM

I wanna ride the Skytrain!! ;-)
Reply
- Report abuse
Tolik Jul 1, 2002 at 5:40 PM

Happy Canada Day!!