New Westminster Things to Do

Queen's Park is located on the site of a converted fairground and is as old as Stanley Park. Although not as large as Stanley Park, it features a number of similar attractions, including the province's first spray park, Rainbow Playland, a petting zoo, sports and picnicking facilities, and beautifully groomed gardens to wander through. Of course Queen's Park Arena is of historical importance as it is the home of the New Westminster Salmonbellies and is the last arena that lacrosse is played on a floor made of wood.

Westminster Quay Public Market opened in 1985 and was the catalyst for the redevelopment of the New Westminster's downtown. Inside the market you can find a few book stores, clothing stores, a travel agency, a food court, and various food stores. There is also the Paddlewheeler Pub which is a good place to just kick back on a sunny day. Westminster Quay is not that big but it is a good place just to walk along the river.

Docked just steps away from the Market is the Samson V floating museum. You can also take a cruise on the Fraser with Paddle Wheeler River Adventures, which includes a narrated historical account of the early days of New Westminster. go the other way to board the Royal City Star. It's a paddlewheeler that has been converted into a casino.

The Bug Lab is an Invertebrate Zoo, featuring over 25 different live and native invertebrate species housed in a safe and educational environment. View tarantulas, scorpions, leaf and stick insects, coakroaches and mantids, crickets, grasshoppers, centipedes and millipedes, and more. I went to high school with the owner and she is passionate about creepy crawly things. She knows how to keep things fun. Admission is $8, $6 for kids, and $24 for a family of four.

The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame was officially opened on May 17, 1967. The problem is that they hid it in the community centre. This place means something to you if you know your Canadian Lacrosse. Otherwise, it may be fairly disappointing. Both the Minto and Mann Cups are not labelled and the significance is not explained. The Minto Cup is presented to the top Junior team in Canada and the Mann Cup to the top Senior team in Canada. Accomplishments of specific players are not highlighted. Basically, it becomes a collection of trinkets and trophies. It would be great if this could be moved to nicer and more accessible facilities. However, it is still a must see as lacrosse is one of Canada's official sports.

The museum is free but there must be somebody at the Community Centre office there to open it for you.

Built in 1865 by Captain William Irving, this place offers visitors a chance to revisit to go back to the pioneer days. The house is about as old as houses get around here. There are fourteen furnished rooms housing Victorian era exhibits. These features include ornate ceiling plasterwork, the glow of original wallpaper and elaborate marble fireplaces. Costumed guides aid in the presentation.

Also at this location is the New Westminster Museum & Archives. People can explore the history of the province's first capital and the commercial hub of the Lower Mainland. It all started when the Royal Engineers founded the "Royal" City in 1859. They brought everything from bayonets to china teacups. An interesting display exists documenting New Westminster's May Day celebration, the oldest continuing event in the British Commonwealth, still held today. You can also view a red coach that was used by Governor General Lord Dufferin and Lady Dufferin in 1876.

Queen's Park Arena building was officially opened on September 19, 1930. It's has numerous claims to fame. It has been home to the New Westminster Salmonbellies lacrosse teams since that time. 16 Mann Cups have been won by New Westminster teams since the arena was built. Queen's Park Arena has the only wooden floor for lacrosse in the world.

Queen's Park Arena is also famous for the New Westminster Bruins and their Memorial Cup winning teams of the late 70s. The arena was known as the "most feared arena in hockey" and some of the games made the movie Slapshot seem tame.

What's a festival without a parade? It is the climax of Hyack Festival and you don't want to miss it! because it is British Columbia's largest parade and you?ll want to see it all ? more than 140 entries from British Columbia and the United States. With the colour, pageantry and music of championship marching bands, creative eye-catching floats, and mischievously comical clowns, the parade has all that needed to delight and enchant the young and the young-at-heart.

Located east of Vancouver in the city of New Westminster, Westminster Quay has a public market, a casino, a hotel and several restaurants located on the north bank of the Fraser River. It's a great little getaway if you're visiting Vancouver and want a change in scenery.