Greater Vancouver, BC Tourism Guide with hotels, events and attraction in the historic city of New Westminster.
Relax at the Quay
At one time, the waterfront of New Westminster was definitely not a place for the public to visit. This area was completely industrial with warehouses, mills, industries, rail lines, cold storage buildings, fish plants, shipping, and ocean-going freighters at the dock. It’s hard to imagine all that now, since the Quay is an attractive and bustling, people-friendly neighbourhood with modern condominiums, flowers, beautiful walkways, market, restaurants, shops, boat cruises, museums and park areas.
Today many residents and businesses call the Quay home. Walkers take their daily stroll along the Quay boardwalk and fresh breads, produce and meats are purchased at the public market.
Tucked into the Quayside neighbourhood is well-loved Angelina's Café (960 Quayside Drive.) Angelina's is a quaint location for breakfast or lunch. Enjoy delicious Panekoek (a Dutch version of pancakes) and Eggs Benedict, but be warned they are packed on the weekends. You're best trying your luck on a weekday before 2pm. Next door to Angelina's is Essence Home Décor (118-960 Quayside Drive) where you'll find wonderful gifts and unique home adornments.
Nestled between Angelina’s and the Westminster Quay is New Westminster’s premier hotel: the Inn at Westminster Quay (900 Quayside Drive.) All 126 guestrooms feature water views of the Fraser River, most with private balconies. At the foot of the hotel you’ll discover New Westminster’s Boathouse Restaurant which serves up an extensive seafood menu, excellent service and lovely waterside ambiance.
Just behind the hotel you’ll find the Quay boardwalk: the perfect path for a leisurely stroll. Enjoy the view of the busy Fraser and afterwards, step aboard a moored heritage vessel to learn more of the history of this active waterway. The Samson V Maritime Museum is located aboard a moored riverboat: the last steam paddle wheeler to service Western Canada, located just outside the Westminster Quay Public Market.
Next door to the museum you’ll see the dock for the Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours. The River Tour is a great way to explore the Fraser River. You’ll find the bookings office just inside the Public Market. To learn more about the living, working Fraser River visit the Fraser River Discovery Centre, on the east side of the Public Market. This river museum’s mission is to ‘stimulate passion, education and enlightenment’ about the mighty Fraser.
The Westminster Quay Public Market is home to a number of market-style eateries and full-service restaurants including the Paddlewheeler Pub, Top Gun Sushi and Laguna Blu Italian Restaurant. Inside you will also find fresh produce, seafood, bakery goods, flowers, home decorations, and a number of services on the second floor.
Visit Farm Cottage Baking Co. for mouth-watering pies, Cheese Please for specialty salamis and cheese, A Touch of Africa for specialty African items, and for unique gifts and home amenities visit Tranquility Home Decor.
The Quay is an excellent location to visit as a family, a couple, or simply out on your own. The neighbourhood has seen a lot of change since it was built to coincide with Skytrain launch of Expo ’86, with its lasting riverside appeal the Quay neighbourhood will continue to play an important part of Royal City life.
