Situated on a south-facing hillside overlooking the Fraser River, Downtown New Westminster is unique due to among Regional Town Centres with its collection of heritage buildings, steep and narrow streets, and sweeping views of the Fraser River. As the former first capital city of British Columbia, the town centre is organized along a traditional main street (Columbia Street) framed by a wide assortment of heritage buildings, some of which dateing from the late-nineteenth century. With its steep hills, numerous heritage buildings, and expansive water views of the Fraser River and coast mountains, New Westminster continues to be a popular place to live and visit, reminding some people of San Francisco.

The Fraser Valley’s former mercantile centre, New Westminster’s historic district still provides a variety of shops and services, while its central location makes it a regional transportation hub with excellent road and transit links. For example, the City contains five SkyTrain stations as well as the western intersection of the Millenium SkyTrain Line with the Expo SkyTrain Line. Unlike many town centres, Downtown New Westminster does not have a shopping mall, instead maintaining its ‘main street’ feel. Over the past 20 years, waterfront industries have given way to residential and commercial developments, including New Westminster Public Quay, a food market on the shores of the Fraser River.