Vacation rentals in New Westminster

Sitting on the banks of Fraser River just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, New Westminster is Western Canada’s oldest city and was once the capital of British Columbia. Known by locals as New West, the city is full of historical buildings and is considered a hub of arts and culture, with many galleries, museums, and the historic Massey Theatre. Visitors flock to New Westminster for its vibrant food scene, shopping, and year-round calendar of events.

Downtown you’ll find vintage shops and modern restaurants alongside hip food trucks and public art installations. Wander along the scenic boardwalk at Westminster Quay to enjoy the river views, or hunker down in one of the many hammocks to watch paddle wheelers and tugboats pass by. New West’s oldest district, Sapperton, is home to popular pubs, eateries, and a craft brewery. The city is blessed with around 50 green spaces, including the popular Queen’s Park with its giant playground. Grimston Park has one of the few wading pools in the area, and at Westminster Pier Park, you can make your way around the boardwalk or chill out at the urban beach.

New Westminster experiences a mostly mild climate year-round, so anytime is a great time to secure a vacation rental in the city. Summer brings warm days with cooler evenings, so it’s a good idea to pack a jacket with your sunscreen. In July, the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest is one of Canada’s biggest food truck festivals, featuring dozens of vendors of international cuisine accompanied by live music.

Autumn and spring can be pleasant, with plenty of sunny days as well as rainstorms. In September, the city’s Mushtari Begum Festival is Canada’s premier Indian classical music and dance event. Winter in New Westminster is generally milder than most places in Canada, but it can still get quite cold, so make sure to pack layers. The Aurora Winter Festival in Vancouver’s Hastings Park features an ice rink, colourful light displays, a holiday market, and festive sculptures.

River Market

The River Market along Quayside Drive is a foodie’s paradise, with an abundance of restaurants and cafes serving an array of cuisines including Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican, and Thai, as well as dessert options like pastries and gelato. There’s a fresh produce market alongside arts and craft shops, unique jewellery, and gift stores. The market hosts events all year round and is open seven days a week.

Massey Theatre

British Columbia’s largest theatre opened in 1949 and is still a place for arts and culture in the city. The historic Massey Theatre hosts hundreds of shows a year and attracts big international artists as well as Canada’s finest performers. You can see musical theatre, international music and dance, orchestras, ballet, choirs, and children’s shows here.

Stanley Park

Head into Downtown Vancouver and explore this magnificent 1,000-acre park that boasts beaches, lush botanical gardens, and trails through cedar forest. You can meander, cycle, or skate along some of the 28 kilometres of Vancouver’s famous seawall. It was built to protect the city from erosion, and it’s one of the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront paths, offering spectacular views of the city and mountain ranges.