Experience Medicine Hat

In southerneastern Alberta explore a vibrant new city rich with art, culture, history, and much more.

Are you making your way through the Canadian Badlands this summer? If your family is eager to learn about the uniqueness of the area, consider adding a few days to your itinerary to get acquainted with Medicine Hat.

“The Hat” is one of Alberta’s best kept secrets. It’s true. This gem of a city provides a fresh and enriching experience. It is especially true for first-timers! With several fun and inviting stops the whole family will enjoy, the kids won’t even notice that they are learning.

Extraordinary ‘foodie’ experiences may not be the first thing on the mind when you ponder the southeast corner of Alberta, but we assure you they’re out there, and a little digging can unearth gastronomic delights worthy of any city slicker!

Medicine Hat is stepping up the celebration of its local foodie culture with a new “Sunshine Skillet Culinary Festival” at the first farmer’s market in May. It will feature a top-chef style cooking competition. The city boasts a vibrant coffee culture, with 6 independent coffee shops with great names like the Zucchini Blossom, Mad Hatter Roastery and Heartwood Café.

Most are located in the downtown area and make for pleasant stops when walking. The maple-and-bacon-frosted ‘Big Elvis’ at McBride’s Bakery is worth lining up for, and Medicine Hat Meat Traders has an award-winning beef jerky, while Chai Connect is an new tea blender with an old world recipe.

If beer is more your style, a $33 Breweries Tour stops for beers and tours at Hells Basement Brewery, the Medicine Hat Brew Co, and an appetizer at Industry Pub where you can enjoy full glasses of the beers you just sampled. To book your tour call 1-800-481-2822.

Photo Courtesy of Windmill Garden Centre and Butterfly House

For flora and fauna, keep your eyes wide open around ‘The Gas City’ for groups of prairie antelope – yes, they really do roam wild! And everybody’s inner child will ‘ooo’ and ‘ahhh’ at the flying beauties in the Windmill Garden Centre. A Trip- Advisor reviewer says, “Inside the garden there is a butterfly house that was totally amazing.” Home to about 500 butterflies at any time, The Butterfly house is open May to October. The centre also offers a huge variety of roses. Mmm. Nose candy.

Medicine Hat – a feast for all your senses! Who knew? For more information on great things to do in Medicine Hat visit the tourism website at tourismmedicinehat.com.

By: Allen Gibson