For the past two weeks we collaborated with the City of New Westminster to discover and uncover the best of what the Royal City has to offer. We explored the city in every aspect possible - from delicious eats, to hidden gems and educational sessions that in turn brought a lot of laughs - and shared on our BCisAwesome.com website.
My personal knowledge of New Westminster only extended to that of a family friend's home where would we go for occasional dinners, as well as The Old Spaghetti Factory. Other than that, I never really took the time to explore and get to know all of the hidden treasures and secrets of the city. This collaboration brought on the opportunity to not only discover some great attributes but to meet individuals who had some incredible stories to share. I was blown away by not only the amount of history that lays among the streets but also the knowledge that each person held. Everyone was so welcoming and so willing to share their stories and those of which represented their New Westminster. There's nothing greater than feeling at home in a foreign environment. If you have a chance, take your family, your friends or your loved ones and spend some time in the Royal City. Not sure where to start? Just use my guide below and indulge in a little history, delicious food and you're sure to make memories that will not only last but leave a permanent smile on your face.
New Westminster: Welcome to the Royal City
The 'walkability' as locals would put it, really proved itself when we made our way around the city. I personally don't drive so I really liked the fact that it was easy to get to where we needed to and that it didn't feel like the walks were endless and boring. Each block presented a different element of wonder and interest and kept us distracted from things like walking up a massive hill. It also helps that everyone we made eye contact with smiled and was genuinely so nice. Seriously, New West, you are too kind.
New Westminster: The Shops at New West Station
One of my favourite past-times is well, eating. If there's food involved, I'm there. The Spud Shack was probably the biggest find and surprise while we spent some time at the Shops at New West Station. The food was delicious and the variety of choices made me fall in love with the Shack. The sheer convenience of it being right off the platform makes it the perfect spot to grab that post-work/post-party bite. It helps that it's open late too.
New Westminster: Anny’s Dairy Bar
I can't get over how sweet Anny is. When we got to Anny's, we were pretty tired and ready to call it a day and ending it at the Dairy Bar was the best decision we could've made. Anny took care of us and made us feel right at home. The only difficult decision that you'll have to make at Anny's is what you're not going to eat. (It's a struggle.)
New Westminster: Hollywood North
I always knew that British Columbia had a thriving film industry but I wasn't aware of how many of these movies and shows are actually filmed in New Westminster. This was one of my favourite posts because I went back and watched about half of the movies mentioned just to see if I could recognize New West landmarks. It's the best kind of research.
New Westminster: New West Quay and River Market
The New West Quay and River Market is a new favourite of mine in New Westminster. As previously mentioned, I'm a huge foodie - and the selection of food combined with the stunning pier really made the Quay a special place. My friend and I spent hours just walking around looking at every little thing. It's the perfect way to spend a Sunday.
New Westminster: Antique Alley
I love to go thrifting - it has been a habit of mine long before the pop anthem had been released - and I always go after records. Looking for the albums that were once the soundtrack to someone else's life and one that I could discover a new favourite within. When we were walking through Front Street we noticed Antique Alley, and decided to browse through the stores. We ended up finding ourselves lost amongst not only the music and the pieces in the store but also the stories that we were told by owners and other customers.
It's incredible to think about the amount of history that lies within the Brewery District. I mean, imagine living in the district that was home to 1 of 2 breweries allowed to continue on through the prohibition. That's kind of a big deal! Should we grab a beer to cheers to that?
New Westminster: Let’s Take it Outside
We've been really lucky with the weather we've been having. If you get a chance, spend these last few sunny days at one of many parks surrounding New Westminster city. You may find yourself forgetting about everything else going on in life and get a chance to just let go of it all.
New Westminster: Fraser River Discovery Centre
The Fraser River Discovery Centre was the highlight of my entire adventure in New Westminster. It's funny because we really weren't expecting to enjoy it much but we had so much fun. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard, played with so many toys and actually learned something in the process. If anyone is planning on going over there anytime soon, give me a call.
New Westminster: On The Horizon
There are a lot of incredible developments taking place in New Westminster, and I can see why. Are you looking for a change? A chance to start fresh somewhere new? Then take a look at what's on the horizon: you never know where you may end up.
Be sure to take a LOOK and browse through our adventures around Western Canada's oldest city! A huge thank you to all parties that were involved in this collaboration as well as the City of New Westminster to welcoming us into the neighbourhood and for making us feel at home.
