New Westminster

Queen Victoria herself gave the city of New Westminster its name. When British Columbia was just a dream in the hearts of pioneers and gold miners, this was its capital city — the cosmopolitan centre of the brash young province.

The neighbourhoods that sprang up around the turn of the twentieth century still remain — a charming souvenir of another age — easily accessible through walking tours. And the views of the Golden Ears Mountains, Mount Baker and the Strait of Georgia that gave the city its magnificent setting above the Fraser River still captivate.

Today, New Westminster is renowned throughout the region for the quality, creativity and innovation of its recreational programs, parks and garden displays and emerging cultural and heritage attractions.

Adjacent to major Highway systems, convenient to the Alex Fraser, Patullo and Port Mann bridges, and directly on the SkyTrain line, New Westminster is truly the centre of the Lower Mainland. No matter your age, or interests, this delightful city has something for every visitor. We invite you to visit BC’s “Royal City” and take in all our hospitality has to offer.

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.