Westminster Pier Park

LoginSave

Sandwiched between railway tracks and the mighty Fraser River, this linear boardwalk park is an excellent New West addition. Join the locals for a breezy promenade stroll and check out the public art, water-facing seats (heron-sightings are common) and stepped wall of screen-printed photos detailing the city's past. There's also a seasonal concession stand serving ice-cream and more.

A clever transformation of what was long a grubby stretch of city shoreline, this brilliant park also has a busy playground, free-use hammocks and sandy volleyball courts. But the most popular selfies are shot around the amazing public artwork at one end: a jagged row of metal freight containers formed into a gravity-defying 'W' shape.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Colors of the autumn. Gorgeous sea walk in the park. Stanley Park in Vancouver. Canada.; Shutterstock ID 115945702; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Stanley Park

    12.55 MILES

    One of North America’s largest urban green spaces, Stanley Park is revered for its dramatic forest-and-mountain oceanfront views. But there’s more to this…

  • June 29, 2011: Visitors explore the Capilano Cliff Walk through rainforest vegetation. The cantilevered and suspended walkways jut out from the granite cliff face 230 metres above the Capilano River. 510655579 Deep, Hanging, Crossing Bridge, Walking, Tourist, Plant, Granite - Rock, Cliff Walk, Crossing, Anticipation, Travel, Vancouver - Canada, Valley, Bridge, Outdoors, Vancouver, Capilano, Park, Rainforest, Vacations, Forest, Rock, Canada, Adventure, North Vancouver, Woodland, Capilano Park, Suspension Bridge, Horizontal, Scenics - Nature, Bridge - Built Structure, Hill, Cliff, Tree, Suspended Bridge, District Of North Vancouver, Rock - Object, British Columbia, Bridge Crossing, Summer, Photography, Mountain, North America, Public Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge

    Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

    13.51 MILES

    As you inch gingerly across one of the world's longest (140m) and highest (70m) pedestrian suspension bridges, swaying gently over roiling Capilano Canyon…

  • Vancouver at night architecture, british columbia, british columbia canada, buildings night, canada, city, city night, city reflection, modern, modern architecture, modern buildings, reflection, science museum, science world, vancouver, vancouver british columbia, vancouver canada, vancouver night

    Science World

    10.26 MILES

    Under Vancouver's favorite geodesic dome (OK, it's only one), this ever-popular science showcase has tonnes of hands-on galleries and a cool outdoor park…

  • Roedde House Museum

    Roedde House Museum

    11.82 MILES

    For a glimpse of what the West End looked like before the apartment blocks, visit this handsome 1893 Queen Anne–style mansion, now a lovingly preserved…

  • Beautiful Laburnum (Golden Chain) blossoms in the mid of May at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, BC Canada.

    VanDusen Botanical Garden

    10.67 MILES

    This highly popular green-thumbed oasis is a 22-hectare, 255,000-plant idyll that offers a strollable web of pathways weaving through specialized garden…

  • Police Museum exterior

    Vancouver Police Museum & Archives

    10.37 MILES

    Illuminating Vancouver's crime-and-vice-addled history, this quirky museum has had a recent makeover, uncovering the former coroner's courtroom (spot the…

  • The Arbutus Greenway is transformed from historic rail corridor to a nature walkway for people to do cycling, rolling and strolling, in Vancouver BC Canada.

    Arbutus Greenway

    11.71 MILES

    A former disused urban rail line that's being transformed by the city into a cool linear park, this 8.5km-long flora-fringed walking and cycling route is…

  • A two red macaw parrots on branch in the tropical garden of Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, BC, Canada 1437521676 two, branch, vancouver, conservatory, bloedel, tropical, wood, lush, green, beautiful, exotic, avian, color, wildlife, plumage, background, dense, jungle, panorama, culture, colorful, foliage, park, flora, fauna

    Bloedel Conservatory

    9.89 MILES

    Cresting the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park, this domed conservatory is a delightful rainy-day warm-up. At Vancouver's best-value paid attraction, you'll…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Irving House

0.27 MILES

Dating from the 1860s – ancient history in BC years – but looking a bit lost among the modern hubbub, this handsome residence has gingerbread adornments,…

2. Fraser River Discovery Centre

0.42 MILES

Combining displays on pioneer and First Nations history as well as the wildlife that calls the river home, this interpretation center tells you all you…

3. New Media Gallery

0.43 MILES

With the right curators and a foresighted arts community, it’s amazing what you can do with 200 sq meters of space. This small gallery in New West’s super…

4. New Westminster Museum & Archives

0.43 MILES

On the 3rd floor of the swish Anvil Centre, this well-presented small museum illuminates New West's tumultuous history, from its First Nations origins and…

5. River Market

0.54 MILES

With shops and a small but pretty varied food court, this waterfront covered market also hosts some cool events throughout the year. Check their website…

6. Burnaby Village Museum

3.92 MILES

Colorfully re-creating a BC pioneer town, complete with replica homes, businesses and a handsome 1912 carousel (tickets $2.65), this family-friendly…

7. Deer Lake Park

3.94 MILES

Burnaby's favorite green space, complete with lakeside and forest walls. Paddleboating on the lake is de rigueur and in summer the banked grassy lawns…

8. SFU Gallery

5.15 MILES

A small but well-established gallery showcasing local, national and international contemporary art.