Start your weekend off in one of the city’s most beautiful parks. Nestled amongst the trees, the Gallery at Queen’s Park hosts exhibitions featuring the works of emerging and local professional artists. Stroll past the Welcome to the Zoo outdoor installation before making your way to the New Westminster Public Library. The second floor of the library features diverse two-dimensional media exhibits throughout the year. Make your way down the hill to spend an art-filled afternoon Downtown. Before you get to the bottom, stop and shop for some local handmade goods at Hand and Sew and Good Omen.

Fuel up at Old Crow Coffee Co. while taking in the local art on the walls. Spend some time walking along Front Street, keeping your eyes open for various public art pieces. Your next stop is full of cultural discoveries. Anvil Centre is home to a Community Art Gallery, New Westminster Museums and Archives, and the New Media Gallery – a contemporary gallery that features inspiring and provocative new media art from around the world. Make the River Market your final stop of the day. Explore their diverse culinary offerings before heading upstairs to Pottery Works (or if you’re lucky, you might even catch New West Craft).

After dinner at El Santo, take in a late show at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy before resting up for another day of cultural exploration.

Start your morning off by grabbing your caffeine fix at Flavour Balance. Order some of their delicious pastries to go before browsing the artwork on the walls on your way out. Pop by the home studio of local jeweler The Pirate and the Gypsy before making your way to Irving House, one of BC’s oldest community heritage sites (plan ahead and pre-book these two stops). If you’re a more spontaneous adventurer, stop by Cap’s Bicycle Shop & Original Bike Museum in Sapperton – home to one of the greatest collections of vintage bikes. 

Grab some lunch at Kozak Ukraїnian Eatery before venturing into the hills of Victory Heights for a one-of-a-kind gallery experience at Van Dop Gallery. Browse over 80 New West and Canadian artists set in a contemporary New West home. 

Wrap up your day with dinner to go from Yianni’s Greek Taverna, and spend the rest of the evening listening to the ArtsNW Podcast.