02 The story
From industrial riverfront to boardwalk
For most of the city’s history, the Fraser River waterfront below Columbia Street was industrial, with warehouses, rail lines, fish plants and freighters. In the 1980s, with SkyTrain arriving in 1985 and Expo 86 on the horizon, the area was redeveloped as Westminster Quay. A riverside boardwalk replaced the docks, and residential towers followed.
Today the Quay is a quiet, walkable neighbourhood where the main activity is strolling along the water. The Fraser is still a working river, so you will see tugboats pulling log booms and barges, and you can look across to the Pattullo Bridge, the rail bridge and the Surrey shoreline.
What to see
The River Market is the Quay’s anchor, a large public market building beside the boardwalk with food vendors, shops and space for events. Nearby, the Fraser River Discovery Centre focuses on the river’s history, ecology and importance to the region, with programs for families and school groups.
To the east, Westminster Pier Park stretches along the river toward downtown. A fire in 2020 destroyed the park’s older eastern timber wharf, but the western section on newer pilings reopened in 2021 and remains a pleasant spot for lawns, a playground and river views. The city has not yet set a timeline for rebuilding the damaged section.
From the waterfront, the Q to Q Ferry crosses to Queensborough, which makes a fun short trip for walkers and cyclists.
The Quay suits couples, retirees and families looking for a calm base close to SkyTrain. Bring a jacket, as the river breeze can be cool even on sunny days.
