Top Rated Parks to Visit in New Westminster

"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."

"Get down on one knee surrounded by the beautiful blossoming flowers in the VanDusen Botanical Garden. This is the perfect option for a nature lover as the garden covers an impressive 55 acres of land and is outfitted with flowers from all over the world. If you’d prefer an indoor venue, the Bloedel Conservatory (4600 Cambie Street) is just a hop, skip and a jump away and is equally gorgeous."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stan Shebs used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Botanical gardens are a wonderful way to enjoy the surrounding nature and VanDusen is no exception. As you walk hand in hand with your partner, be sure to check out some of the garden’s best features, including the Elizabethan Maze, the Stone Garden and the Scottish Shelter."

"Perched atop the city’s highest point are the lovely lush gardens and aviary of the Bloedel Conservatory. Located within Queen Elizabeth Park, its huge historic dome is a treat to explore with beautiful exotic plants, trees, and birds. Looking out over the city and its surroundings, the colossal conservatory was founded in 1969 and now contains three separate climatic zones and habitats."

"With trails that loop through the rainforest, along the seafront, and around the boardwalk that circles bird-filled Camosun Bog, Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a favorite spot for joggers, hikers and cyclists. Covering more than 750 hectares, this green expanse of unspoiled nature connects the University of British Columbia (UBC) with the city. Whether you’re looking for a short, leg-stretching stroll through the trees, or a three-hour trek to explore hidden corners, the park is a hiker’s paradise."

"This 750-hectare haven, the only GVRD park in city limits, is well-known to many and is a wonderful alternative to the trails of Stanley Park. It only takes a few steps in to feel far away from urban existence. The forested trails pass through land blanketed by ferns and shaded by towering cedars."

"If you have kids in tow, head to one of Vancouver’s splash-tastic free water parks. Granville Island Water Park, Vancouver's biggest and best water park, is conveniently located near Granville Island's Kids Market, which means you'll have the perfect lure for enticing your sprogs away from the toy shops. There's also a large pond nearby that's often filled with friendly ducks and geese."

"The Granville Island Water And Amusement Park is one of the great amusement parks in Vancouver. The best part is, the entry to this park is absolutely free."

"Just steps from the shopping corridor of Yaletown in downtown Vancouver, David Lam Park is a lovely green expanse that provides a taste of the great outdoors amidst the hustle of the city streets. Views over False Creek are framed by the glass condo towers that transformed the neighborhood in the 1990s. Grab a takeout from a local cafe for a picnic on the grass, and contemplate the journey this part of Vancouver has gone through since it was picked as the site for Expo ‘86."

"One of the best parks in Vancouver for dogs and kids is John Hendry Park, locally referred to as Trout Lake, in East Van, just south of Commercial Drive and within walking distance of the Commercial SkyTrain Station. Situated around Trout Lake, the park includes trails for walking/biking/pushing strollers around the lake, an off-leash dog park on the north side, and a sandy beach and playground on the south side. Plus it has lovely views of the northern mountains."

"If you ask for directions to John Hendry Park, you’ll get blank stares—it’s known to locals as "Trout Lake Park" after the body of water that's its centerpiece and focal point of this 67-acre former peat bog. The lake has a lovely freshwater beach; swimming is allowed, and from May to September there are lifeguards on duty. In winter, if the lake freezes solid enough to skate on—this has happened once in the past 20 years—it doubles as an outdoor rink."

"Home to a robust farmers’ market on Saturdays, a small lake for swimming on one end and canine shenanigans on the other, tennis courts, a still-closed indoor ice rink and activity center, it’s got a healthy tie-dye/kilt/pierced body parts quotient and the air is often freshly scented with BC bud. People-watch and get ideas for your next—or first—tattoo, even if it’s a temporary decal."

"Ganache, as the name suggests, offers a little bit of Parisian elegance in the heart of Yaletown. Visit this talented team of artisans to enjoy eye-catching desserts that are pretty enough to provide a wow factor, and delicious enough to keep you coming back. Individual strawberry and rhubarb cheesecakes taste like a fresh summer’s day; these enchanting edibles feature an almond biscotti base, a tart strawberry balsamic glaze and a white chocolate garnish."

"Uniquely designed and handcrafted by a team of pastry chefs, the menu at Ganache is inspired by the seasons and changes regularly. The one consistent theme at Ganache is French technique with subtle Asian influences running throughout each of their incredible delicious pastries."

"Similar to my complaints about JJ Bean's croissant being too buttery, the almond croissant at Ganache was too sweet for me. The almond paste was extra moist and each bite felt more doughy than flaky. Almost no rise to speak of here, either, which is too many red flags for $5."

"Known for their cheesecake, this 18-year old Kitsilano bakery uses real ingredients (no artificial stabilizers, colours or flavours) that are sourced locally when possible. Sweet Obsession is essentially zero waste with an on-site composter. Customization of cakes, which range from 10” to 16”, is quite simple (extra fruit, different masking), but a personalized message can be added at no charge."

"Seriously, we cannot be expected to pick just one–not when the selections include Hedgehog (hazelnut and chocolate with Frangelico), Chocolate Obsession (chocolate truffle), Carrot cake with roasted hazelnuts, or Roasted Coconut Chiffon…just to name a few. Address: 2611 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver. Instagram: @trafalgars_sweetobsession"

"Venturing out to the west side of Vancouver, this almond croissant was the cheapest non-Starbucks variant, but it came at a price. Rise was probably the best point of this croissant with just a few gaps in layering. Look closely though, and notice the lack of almond paste either on top or within the croissant."

"If you’re in the mood to get together with a few close friends, or just want to hang out alone with a steaming cup of your favored drink, a creamy slice of cake, some rich chewy cookies, or a super buttery croissant, then Mount Pleasant‘s Trafiq Cafe & Bakery is the place for you. This delightful spot is a haven for tea and coffee lovers, and especially those who enjoy a little sweet treat on the side. When you visit Trafiq, be sure to sample their signature Schnecken Buns for some gooey goodness (take some home for breakfast the next day,) and also a slice of Salted Caramel Cake."

"They serve breakfast and lunch, pastries and cakes in their spacious shop on Main St. Everything that is served is made in the bakery. They believe in hands on experience plus an eager willingness to continue learning. Peak inside their bakery windows and watch their dedicated professional team whisking up sumptuous creations."

"A post shared by Alana Yee (@yvreats) on Feb 25, 2018 at 8:35pm PST. Trafiq’s multi-layered cakes are loved by Vancouverites and they come in a variety of flavours. Try their signature salted caramel, drizzled with homemade caramel sauc,e or the carrot cake, which is iced with a decadent cream cheese frosting."

"Commercial Drive’s latest Asian fusion eatery features Vietnamese-meets-West Coast flavours. If its 5-star ratings on Google reviews are any indication, customers love B House’s affordable and delicious food, including its daily brunch. Try the classic benny (beer-braised pork belly, spicy aioli, truffle hollandaise, and duck-fat fried potato hashbrowns), the beef hash (sliced AAA top sirloin beef, roasted mushroom, and two poached eggs), the surf ‘n turf breakfast bowl, or the cinnamon French toasts."

"People watch along The Drive while digging into delicious Asian fusion cuisine at this spot. Where: 2270 Commercial Drive, Vancouver"

"Earlier this year, popular purveyor MrBeast Burger finally arrived in select Canadian cities, and it looks like Vancouver is the next lucky location to get these handhelds. The burger concept is brought to us by MrBeast, a YouTube star with 62.7 million subscribers (to date)."

"Fantastic food, genuinely welcoming customer service, open impressively late, and the greatest slogan in all of food - if not marketing - history, “You ..."

"A post shared by Kin Kao – Thai | Wine | Beer (@kinkaokitchen). Authentic Thai eats purveyor Kin Kao has announced it will be opening a new Vancouver location. The concept will be setting up shop at 317 E Broadway (the former location of The Black Lodge) this summer, according to its social accounts."

"In Thai cuisine, the often bold flavours are anything but simple. At Kin Kao ('eat rice'), we narrow our menu selection and present it in the simplest form possible. True to our philosophy, less is more and authenticity should never be"

"Owners who claim their business can update listing details, add photos, and more by contacting us. Last updated: October 17, 2020"

"The worst customer service i have ever experienced in my life by this staff. Not recommending to anyone to go there."