Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in New Westminster

"Surrounded by unassuming low white walls in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden can be easy to miss. But trust us — you won’t want to. Described as an “urban oasis of tranquility and reflection,” it was named the best city garden in the world by National Geographic in 2011, and that’s an accolade that’s hard to argue."

"I just love the look of the Ming Dynasty-inspired architecture paired with lush green gardens. Entrance to Sun Yat-Sen Park is free, but tickets are required to enter the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. There’s a lot to see at Sun-Yat Sen Park in Vancouver, with tons of cute Instagrammable photo opps!"

"Vancouver’s Chinatown is quite small compared to many I’ve seen worldwide, but it’s home to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which is well worth a visit, time permitting. READ NEXT:The Ultimate Puerto Rico Road Trip"

"Built in on a former quarry 500 feet above sea level, the 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest vantage point in Vancouver, with extraordinary views that extend to the North Shore Mountains and beyond. But there’s more to Queen E, as locals call it, than just the vistas. With manicured lawns and impeccably groomed flowering plant beds, the gardens are the main draw."

"Home to the Bloedel Conservatory and Seasons in the Park, Queen Elizabeth Park in the Shaughnessy/Cambie area is a major Vancouver tourist attraction. And for that reason, isn’t my favourite place to photograph. It tends to be very busy through spring, fall and summer, especially on weekends and evenings."

"Queen Elizabeth Park and Gardens: A gorgeous place for a leisurely stroll, particularly during springtime. Cherry blossom hunting: Come to Vancouver in the springtime to catch beautiful blooms all over the city. There’s even a handy map."

"Located within Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium is a popular local attraction. As a non-profit organization, the aquarium is “dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through education, research and direct action.” Some of the animals include dolphins, sea otters, penguins, reef sharks, rays (which you can touch) and sealions."

"Be sure to also check out the Vancouver Aquarium, the famous Stanley Park, and the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. 20 Day 2: take a ferry over to Vancouver Island"

"Alas, Bard on the Beach is not to be this summer, but that’s no reason to stay away. Often with more geese than humans, this is one of the best places in Vancouver to fly a kite. It also offers splendid views of the West End’s Sunset Beach and of sailboats and other water craft heading to and from False Creek."

"Kitsilano's Vanier Park is a large expanse of waterfront grass (and beach) that is home to attractions such as the Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and events such as Bard on the Beach and the International Children's Festival."

"Vanier Park is another underrated favourite, with lots of space to lay and get lost in the clouds, or to sit and chat with friends while watching the sun go down behind the artwork."

"At the north end of Main Street, and just after Gastown turns into Railtown, we have a bridge to the port. This area boasts distinctive views of the city from an eastern viewpoint. Generally, tourists don’t flock as heavily to the east side so this a great option for those looking for photos of locations that aren’t as readily seen in an instagram feed."

"Some people say the Marine Building may be the most impressive example of Art Deco architecture in Canada. Completed in 1930, its interior and exterior both feature marine symbols in the stonework and brass fixtures. Its exterior, which resembles a tiered wedding cake, was also shown regularly in the hit TV series Smallville,as it symbolized the Daily Planet headquarters."

"Photo: https://forbiddenvancouver.ca   /2018/05/18/the-marine-building/. I consider the Marine Building to be one of the most exquisite examples of Art Deco today. This 22-storey construction is considered by many to be one of the most well-preserved and significant edifices from the 1920s."

"Named after a sign installation that was originally placed in the park as a prank, Dude Chilling Park is just as it sounds: a perfect park for chilling with friends. Formerly known as Guelph Park, the space is simple—a small stretch of trimmed grass that has become the centerpiece of community life in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Vancouver. The art installation that inspired the park's name resembles a person reclining on a slope of the park; it's often surrounded by crowds of people picnicking, drumming, singing, and straight chillin’."

"But "Dude Chilling Park," as it's known—yes, really—is without a doubt one of the most talked-about parks in Vancouver. In 1991, "Reclining Figure," a statue by Michael Dennis, was given a home in this East Van park. Though abstract, the figure—a dude—evoked the image of a person laying on his side, relaxing and, well, chilling."

"It’s in the name, and even if you go just to take a picture with the sign, Dude Chilling Park near Main Street is definitely the place to sit back, relax and unwind. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Indish Food Truck (@indishfoodtruck)"

"Exhibiting views of the entire area, the Vancouver Lookout is the perfect way to see firsthand the entire wonder of Vancouver, right from the heart of the city. As you are whisked skyward on the outside of the building aboard a glass-walled elevator your views will begin to open up. Once at the top of the observation deck prepare yourself for the breathtaking 360-degree views, complete with a guided tour of Vancouver's most iconic landmarks and fascinating facts."

"Technically located in West Vancouver, this place gives you an unparalleled top down view of the Vancouver skyline. It is a particularly magical spot to watch the sunrise as warm golden hues bathe the city in morning light. If it’s a cloudy or crisp day, a morning photo expedition might reward you with low fog which often covers the lowest portions of the city, allowing the skyscrapers to pop through, making it look like a supernatural place."

"Gaze at the panoramic views of Vancouver from 30 storeys high. While tickets for the Vancouver Lookout are a little pricy for what it is, your ticket grants you admission all-day long."

"Halfway along Water Street, the oddly popular Steam Clock is a tourist magnet that lures the cameras with its tooting steam whistle. Built in 1977, the clock's mechanism is actually driven by electricity; only the pipes on top are steam fueled (reveal that to the patiently waiting tourists and you might cause a riot). It sounds every 15 minutes and marks each hour with little whistling symphonies."

"Don’t miss the iconic Gastown Steam Clock, where pretty much every tourist has to take a photo (myself included). Continue wandering until you arrive in Chinatown. Vancouver’s Chinatown is quite small compared to many I’ve seen worldwide, but it’s home to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which is well worth a visit, time permitting."

"Our final stop, near our dinner location, was the famous, still functional, Clock Tower. According to the panel underneath it, it is the first steam powered clock in the world."

"Want to feel like you've turned the corner and landed in Paris?. Seek out this little cafe right in the middle of the French Cultural Center and your wallet will thank you in more ways than one; no airfare for starters, and a great value on well-prepared dishes. You'll need a rudimentary knowledge of French to make a selection from a menu that includes classics such as carnard confit and lapin grille entrees and for dessert creme brulée du jour or decadent gâteau ganache."

"If there’s anything about Salade de Fruits Cafe that’s more than enough to bowl me over, it’s the fact that even if it’s quite a small cafe, it offers good food and great ambiance. So, since it’s pretty small and quaint, it might be a good idea to get your reservations ahead of time. We tried their most popular dish: the moules frites."

"The delightful Café Salade de Fruits, owned by Antoine Bonard and Balendran Rameshan, is wonderfully French, with their rotating selection of table d’hote (chef’s choice) and a la carte items, like salade de saumon fumé and poisson du jour. Location: 1551 W 7th Ave."

"Not your average sushi rolls, but the ingredients they use and the way they use them make for a great dining experience. Be prepared to wait and dine 10 inches away from the next table, it’s a tight squeeze, but worth it. Service could be more attentive."

"Having launched in the fall of last year, MILA has quickly become a must-know name in the city. The latest venture from the folks behind Virtuous Pie, MILA tends to focus on Asian cuisines. So, that means everything from Dan Dan Noodles to Mango Satay Slaw and Agedashi Tofu."

"Mila Plant Based is a newer vegan restaurant in Vancouver that opened in 2020. Located in Chinatown near Virtuous Pie, the restaurant has an elevated but still casual feel. The dishes are on the pricier side, but I think it’s worth it!"

"Jericho Beach is one of the more active of Vancouver beaches, but if you are up for some fun activities then it is a great spot to visit. With the Jericho sailing centre right there, this beach is the perfect place for sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing. If you’d rather stay on dry land, there are long stretches of sandy beaches to sit, relax, and build sand castles on!"

"Located west of Kitsilano, Jericho Beach is well liked by swimmers and sailors. The beach’s east side caters to beachgoers, while its west side is for sailboats and windsurfers. Besides swimming, picnicking and enjoying the Vancouver views, there are a lot of fun recreational activities to enjoy at Jericho Beach, including soccer, volleyball, tennis and baseball."

"Located just west of Kitsilano, Jericho Beach is a well-used sandy beach and grassy park in Vancouver. It's a great place for a picnic overlooking the water and watching sail boats in the waters of English Bay from the local Sailing Centre. The beach is named after Jeremiah Rogers who ran a logging camp… read more »"