Exploring New West by SkyTrain!

You don't need your own vehicle to enjoy New West. Local transit can can take you to many of the sights and sounds the city has to offer.

While there are some limitations—there is no SkyTrain stop in Queensborough or Uptown—you can still hop on a bus or a community shuttle for a visit. Getting on a TransLink bus between New West and Richmond also comes with its own little tour of the gorgeous Queensborough homes.

Braid

Braid is more than just the Amazon warehouse, folks! This stop is steps away from the Braid StrEAT festival, which will pop-up from time to time. We recommend scrolling to the bottom of the group’s page and signing up for their newsletter to stay in the know about upcoming Braid StrEAT events.

If you’re able to make your way across the train tracks, there is a lovely restaurant nestled away among all the industrial spots: The Babs Kitchen at 15 Braid St. has a solid selection of breakfast and lunch options, including sandwiches, burgers, sushi, and Korean food.

Sapperton

One of the coolest things about the Sapperton stop is the view from the station: pause a minute after exiting the Compass gates to enjoy the breathtaking skies. I have watched some fantastic sunrises here, and I’m sure the sunsets are just as lovely.

This station also sits on one of those famous New West hills. Get your heart rate going as you make your way uphill to some pretty cool destinations: Sushi Heaven or Ikoi Sushi both make fantastic lunchtime stops, or head over to Gino’s, a New West staple that serves comforting Greek and American fare.

If you go downhill, grab a bite at the popular Greens and Beans deli. Yes, this is the same Greens and Beans where the soup nazi from Seinfeld has come by to serve customers. A local favourite, any one of their soups and sandwiches is sure to fill you up. After lunch is done, head next door to the Holland Shopping Centre for some treats.

Columbia

A stop at Columbia must include a stroll at Pier Park, preferably with an ice cream or popsicle if it’s a sunny day and the concession stand is open. You’ll have to take a bit of a detour as the walk along the pier currently doesn’t connect from the 4th Street side to River Market (I miss that walk) due to construction.

If you don’t want to walk along the pier, Columbia Street has some great stops between it and New West station: Right after exiting Columbia Station from the Columbia exit, there’s a Marven’s Falafel cart. The falafel makes a great snack after a few hours of travelling. The Columbia Street Sandwich Company is also a popular choice, and it offers a small seating area outside. Keep an eye out for a number of gorgeous murals as you continue walking between Columbia and New West station.

If you want to spruce up your wardrobe, Mila + Paige and Found Boutique can help you out. For thrifters, there is also a Salvation Army location closer to New West Station—it’s in one of the city’s oldest buildings. If shopping isn’t your thing, take a moment to admire the landmark the Salvation Army is in: the BC Electric Railway Company building. This piece of New West history was built in 1911, and used to hold the dispatch offices for the BC Electric Railway Company.

For a deep dive, take the 103 Victoria Hill community shuttle from the 4th Street exit. Get off at Royal and McBride and stop in at L’Onore Pizza, which specializes in thin sourdough crusts. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I recommend the pizza with orange slices. Victoria Hill is also home to Caffe Mira, which had its soft opening at the end of July. Scenic Queen’s Park is a 15-minute jaunt from Victoria Hill.

New Westminster

One of the busiest hubs in Metro Vancouver, New Westminster Station plays host to many shops and amenities, including Landmark Cinemas. It is also home to Whatafood, a Brazilian food stop that started off as a cart. Its massive pastels, a large, light, flaky handpie, will fill you right up! There are a variety of fillings to choose from, including meat and vegan options.

If you have some time, take the 105 Uptown. It’s not as direct as the 106 route, but you’ll get a little tour of areas near Queen’s Park. Once Uptown, stop for lunch at spots like Yianni’s, Sushi Well, or the historic Waffle House.

There is also another connection point to Queensborough here: the Q2Q ferry. Single tickets and multi-use punch cards can be purchased online ahead of time. Exact cash is also accepted if you’re boarding, and the vessel can take up to four bikes per trip (no extra charge for the bikes). There is also room for wheelchairs and strollers! Bonus: the ride is only five minutes, which can be quicker than Queensborough Bridge traffic.

22nd Street

22nd Street may be your connection to Queensborough and Richmond, but there are some wonderful experiences not far from the station, too. Grimston Park is a 10-minute walk, and has everything you need to relax and unwind; bring a picnic basket and blanket with you to take in the beauty of this green space. The Grimston Park wading pool is also a welcome reprieve on a warm summer day.

If you choose to connect to Queensborough from here, buses like the 340 Scottsdale and the 410 Richmond/Brighouse can get you from a to b, and also provide a fantastic tour of the residential areas of Queensborough.