Experience Medicine Hat

Making your way through Alberta’s Badlands? If you’re eager to learn about the uniqueness of the area, consider lingering for a few days in Medicine Hat. Truly one of the province’s best-kept secrets, this hidden gem offers a fresh and enriching experience. With several fun stops the whole family will enjoy, the kids won’t even notice that they are learning!

Mad Hatters Coffee Roasters

Courtesy of Travel Alberta

First up: The Visitor Information Centre on Gehring Road. Come check out their Free-to-Rent bikes. They have 10 bikes that you can borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. They even have a few helmets, just bring your photo I.D. and have the bike back before we close. This is a great way to explore the city’s 115 km of trails!

The Saamis Tepee was originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The main masts measure 215 feet (equivalent to a 20-story building!). The diameter of the tepee is 160 feet. There are 960 bolts holding it all together and the foundation weight is remarkable 800 metric tons. Make sure you check out the ten hand-painted storyboards that illustrate the history of First Nations heritage.

Worlds Largest Tepee

Courtesy of Brendan Van Son @brendanvanson

Another popular attraction is John’s Butterfly House. Walk through the doors of this tropical oasis, see the lush greenery and watch the multi-coloured butterfly soar through the air. It is truly a magical time, and so much fun to explore.

The Esplanade Museum opened in Riverside Park on July 4, 1951. Today it is home to more than 25,000 artefacts which chronicle the lives, and values, of the people who built and shaped the community. While you are here, grab a brochure and take a self-guided Historic Walking Tour. Learn about some of the first buildings in Medicine Hat and many of the businesses that filled them through their lifetime.

Historic Medalta Building

Courtesy of Travel Alberta

Medalta is a community hub, innovative industrial museum, contemporary ceramics facility, and art gallery. Located within a converted century-old building, it has become an exciting place where cutting edge technologies, historic restoration and archaeology come together. They host many experiences for tourists and locals, including the ‘Beehive Kilns & Factory Tour’, ‘The Bricks that Built the Badlands Tour’, ‘Play in the Mud Experience’, and more.

Courtesy of Travel Alberta