Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

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MEDICINE HAT

Mountain Biking | p. 43 Brewing & Distilling | p. 28 Full Day with Family | p. 60

Medicine Hat Summers

Land Acknowledgement At Tourism Medicine Hat we acknowledge that Southern Alberta is situated on tradi tional lands of the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (blood), Pikani (Peigan), Stoney-Nakoda, and Tsuut`ina (Sarcee) as well as the Cree, Sioux and the Saulteaux bands of the Ojibwa peoples. This region includes Metis Region 3. We are here, right now. We live on and benefit from these lands, and hold ourselves accountable to the laws, protocols and relationships of the people who have cared for this land. We seek to continue opening space for mindful dialogue and learning with those we partner with, work with and those we host in Southeastern Alberta. We will strive to learn continually, and in doing so we recognize that we will make mistakes. We commit to owning

those mistakes, taking responsibil ity for them and learning from them. Tourism Medicine Hat is committed to action and justice and as a shared endeavour, we aim to create a health ier, equitable, and just future.

Waterways | pages 75-79

Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown | pages 48-65

Table of Contents

Indigenous Spaces & Places 8-15 The Story Behind Medicine Hat's Name 8 Stories Behind the Land 10 Indigenous Inspiration 12 Indigenous Gatherings 13 Saamis Tepee 14 Medalta in the Historic Clay District 18

Food & Beverage

20-30

Events & Festivals

31-41

Keeping it Fresh

20 22 24 26 27 28 30

Songwriters, Stages, and Sunshine

32 34 36 37 38 40

This City’s Got You Covered

Family, Friends, and Festivals

Farm to Fork

Local Sports

Ice Cream Crawl Café & Market Tour Brewing & Distilling

Local Entertainment

Trail Running

Golf in the Coulees

Only in Medicine Hat Dining

S o u t h S a s k a t

c h e w a n

Echo Dale Regional Park

R i v e r

Echo Dale Campground

Between Gas City Campground and Echo Dale Regional Park, mountain bike trails weave through the coulees, bringing beautiful views of Medicine Hat’s natural landscape.

Echo Dale Rd SW

Sunshine Trolley

16-17

Cover Image: Victor Aerden . The 2025 Experience Medicine Hat Guide is produced and printed for free distribution in Canada by Tourism Medicine Hat. Tourism Medicine Hat is managed by the Medicine Hat Destination Marketing Organization under contract through the City of Medicine Hat. Partners of Tourism Medicine Hat provide information for this guide and every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of printing. Tourism Medicine Hat assumes no responsibility for any unpredictable errors, changes and/or omissions. Printed in Canada for free distribution

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Mountain Biking Medicine Hat & Redcliff

43-47

City Parks & Trails Echo Dale Regional Park

67-74

Southeast Alberta A Family Getaway Day Trip Destinations

80-89

44 46 47

68 70 72 74

80 82 84 86 87 88

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

City Parks

Mountain Bike Events

Trails

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Scenic Views

Winter in Elkwater Summer in Elkwater

Camping

Accommodations

90-93

Sunshine Stays

90 91 93

Accommodation Directory

Hotel Listings

Historic Downtown

48-65

Waterways

75-79

Pour en savoir plus sur la ville la plus ensoleillée du Canada

Indy Coffee Tour

50 51 54 56 58 60 62 65 66

Seven Persons Creek

76 77 78 79

Downtown Mural Tour

Ride the South Saskatchewan

Bakery Tour

Go With the Flow The Great Bigs

Découvre Medicine Hat

95

Historic Downtown Tour James Marshall Murals

Full Day with Family

Visitor Information Centre We provide travel help from our friendly team and a local gift shop featuring many local products.

94

Explore with Linda Hoang

Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

Highway 3 Ale Trail

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Medicine Hat's Name THE STORY BEHIND

Medicine Hat inherited its name from the Blackfoot word “Saamis”, which is loosely translated as “medicine man’s hat”. Several legends tell this story, one of which is beautifully depicted in a sculptured brick mural at City Hall. The legend tells of a winter with great famine and hardship for the Blackfoot Nation. The Elders of the Council chose a young man to save his tribe from starvation. After many arduous days, he made his way to the “breathing hole”, an opening in the ice of the South Saskatchewan River believed to be the place of the Great Spirit. The young hunter made camp and summoned the spirits who appeared in the form of a serpent.

The Great Spirit told the man to spend the night on the small island (Strathcona Island Park) and, “in the morning, when the sun lights the cut-banks, go to the base of the great cliffs and there you will find a bag containing medicines and a Saamis (holy bonnet)”. He was told the hat was to be only worn in war and would ensure victory to the wearer. Aided by the magic of his Saamis, the young hunter located the much-needed game, saved his people, and eventu ally became a great Medicine Man. Thus, the first “medicine hat”; a symbol of leadership, prowess, and mysti cism on the western plains, came into existence. The City was founded at the location of the ancient legend.

In 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) stopped to build a train bridge across the South Saskatchewan River. With the construction, a tent town was born taking the name from the numerous legends. A nearby hill was marked by the name Medicine Hat on a map of the Department of Interior the same year. In the CPR’s search for water, their drills accidentally struck natural gas west of town, heralding the exploration that mapped out one of the largest gas fields in North America, providing Medicine Hat with its moniker “The Gas City”.

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INDIGENOUS SPACES & PLACES

Stories Behind the Land

Saratoga Trail

Explore Medicine Hat’s Indigenous history with this self-guided tour, made by The Miywasin Friendship Centre and partners.

Saratoga Park This space was a Métis community

Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park Indigenous Military Service Thousands of Indigenous peoples have served in the Canadian Military, including all of the conflicts presented on Medicine Hat’s Cenotaph. In some cases many members of the same family went overseas to serve, sacrific ing much. Four Bliss brothers; Pat, Joe, Bill, and Tassie, served in the trenches of the First World War. Tassie was injured,

having his forearm amputated, and Bill struggled in his return to civilian life. Bill enlisted in 1915 at the age of 19 with the third CMR. Bill was wounded at Ypres in 1916 by shell in the trenches. He contracted influenza in 1917 and was discharged in 1919 at the age of 23. Explore the area: This park is located in Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown. Nearby is the Miywasin Friendship Centre , where gatherings

until the mid-2000s. It was recognized a Historic Designation in 2020, and a plaque was unveiled in 2021 that shares more information about the space and photos. Explore the area: Follow the paved

trail to the plaque and where the Métis community was once located. Continue on to see cliff-side views. You can also paddle Seven Persons Creek that runs through the park. Find page 76 for more details.

are often hosted to the public like drum circles and bannock & tea.

Indigenous Spaces & Places 10

Saamis Archaeological Site Located in the valley of Seven Persons Creek, this area was once used as a late winter, early spring buffalo meat processing site by early First Nations. The site dates back thousands of years, and archaeologists believe there are over 83 million artifacts buried in the valley. Visitors are reminded that no digging for artifacts is permit ted at the Provincial Historic Site. Explore the area: Follow the paved trail to stroll the natural area, and then head towards the Saamis Tepee — the World’s Tallest Tepee — to see the site from a bird’s eye view. Police Point Park Police Point Park offered sheltered camping with an abundance of firewood available for First Nations, and it was a safe crossing place for the South Saskatchewan River. The chokecherry bushes and buffalo ber ries were harvested by First Nations for many years. During winter, an ice-free section of the river was referred to as a breathing hole for the water spirits, and the distinctive cottonwood trees had ceremonial uses. Anecdotal sources said Police Point Park was also used historically as a location for tree burials. Explore the area: Police Point Park has an abundance of paved trails that bring beautiful views of the cliffs and South Saskatchewan River. Visit the Nature Centre to learn more about Indigenous history, the ecosystem, and wildlife in the park.

Strathcona Island Park Located along the South Saskatch ewan River, Strathcona Island Park was home to First Nations and Métis. The remains of some Métis home steads are on the south side of the spray park and camp kitchen, although obscured now by time and foliage. Explore the area: Strathcona Island Park also features a waterpark, playground, boat launch, paved trails, and picnic areas.

The Old Man Buffalo Stone, made by stone sculpture artist Stewart Steinhauer, was inspired by the Manitou Stone. This two-sided sculp ture was crafted to be a guardian watching over the buffalo herds.

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Indigenous Spaces & Places 11

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Indigenous Inspiration

@tianadaniellephotos

Brenda Mercer Good Sweetgrass Woman, Many Blessings Woman

JoLynn Parenteau Métis woman JoLynn Parenteau writes about Indigenous people, places, lan guage, and traditions, in a column with the Medicine Hat News. After two years of writing, Parenteau feels it’s time to encapsulate each article in a book: an anthology to preserve the true stories of historic and modern-day Indigenous life. “Those connections to culture really are soul-uplifting for all of us, and it’s so important through all heri tages,” says Parenteau. “Everyone is so multi-faceted. There’s never one single layer to a person. That’s what I enjoy discovering about people.” Along with writing, Paranteau has been invited to speak at events across Canada acknowledging Indigenous homeless ness, and in 2022 she launched the 90-minute financial budgeting course “Métis Money Moves”. Since then it has grown to a 10-hour, four class instruction.

Josie Saddleback White Bear Woman

Josie Saddleback, who’s Nehiyah Cree, was drawn to a beautiful jingle dress full of reds, turquoises, oranges, and yellows, with pockets that could hold her medicine and crystals. When the dress fit like a glove, she knew jingle dancing found her. “I feel very grounded and proud of who I am when I dance. Once I hear the down beat of the drum, the song takes over me. I feel close to my ancestors. I’m carrying their spirits with me, their presence, and I’m keeping their memories and cultural teachings alive, and making them proud.” The jingle dancer and jewelry artist started Saddleback Stones in 2020, after already beading for two years. She drives the prairie roads in the summer and stays in the city to attend mar kets and share her handmade rings, earrings, necklaces, and candles. Sad dleback also beads the edges of wide brim hats and along false eyelashes, to have the beads emulate eyeliner.

Brenda Mercer, who’s Dakota Sioux from Standing Buffalo Nation, has been bead ing for 51 years, since she was eight years old. Her non-Indigenous cousin taught her the daisy stitch, and Mercer was hooked. The artist always has earrings in her purse, to give to strangers and friends. When giving, she shares a bit about who she is and her story, “I tell them, ‘I made these for you with all my love and good intentions. I’ve had people come up to me a year later saying they wear them with pride and still feel the love.'” Mercer also hosts Sharing Stories at the Saamis Tepee, where she shares personal stories and Indigenous sto ries from the past, while she teaches an Indigenous craft to the group. Find more information on the facing page. Find Brenda Mercer’s jewelry, White Horse Rider Co., at the Visitor Information Centre, 330 Gehring Rd. SW.

Whether she is writing, speaking, or teaching, Parenteau has set her sights on helping people, through story-telling from her experience and stories shared by others.

Follow @ SaddlebackStones to find the artist at an upcoming market.

Indigenous Spaces & Places 12

Indigenous Gatherings

Miywasin Story Tour September 13, 2025

A conversational day spent outdoors with local storytellers from Miywasin Friendship Centre, in places Indigenous peoples called home, lived off the land,

Sharing Stories at the Saamis Tepee with Brenda Mercer Various Dates

The Hills Are Alive June 11-15, 2025

and started their traditions and storytelling. Ride the Sunshine

Trolley to two locations, and then join a hands-on Indigenous practice to take home near the end of the gathering. Walking History on Saratoga Trail Various Dates Pat Aaker and her daughter April guide a visit to Saratoga Park, which was once a Métis community until the early 2010s. The family lived in the commu nity for many years. The mother and daughter will share stories of their life, their neighbours, and what was once a vibrant community of friends and family. Book your spot for Miywasin Story Tour, Walking History, and Sharing Stories tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

Showcasing Métis and Indigenous culture, the gathering brings together talented musicians, dancers, and cultural teachers, in a traditional setting of tipi’s and trapper’s tents. The event features instrument workshops, from fiddle to Métis jigging, and artisans offer instruction in sash finger weaving, Métis beading, hand drum making, and smaller crafting. Activities and traditional games, Métis

Join Dakota Sioux artist and storyteller Brenda Mercer in learning about the land, medicine plants, and Indigenous peoples who lived and gathered on these lands for thousands of years. Discover new ways of knowing and connecting through personal stories and crafting at the Saamis Tepee. National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2025 A celebration of Indigenous culture and Powwow demonstration is hosted annually at Kin Park, with teepee dis plays, dancers and artisans, face paint ing, and food trucks. Delve into Indig enous traditions, live music, Powwow, and regalia at this community event.

history, Elder storytelling, and Michif lessons also take place during The Hills Are Alive.

Ómahksípiitaa (Big Eagle) Located at the Medicine Hat College, the Ómahksípiitaa hosts gatherings year-round that are open to the public, including artisan markets and craft circles.

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Saamis Tepee

The Saamis Tepee is a tribute to Indigenous heritage in Canada. It was originally constructed for the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. The late Amerigo “Rick” Nella Filanti, a prom inent Medicine Hat entrepreneur and philanthropist, purchased the Tepee from the City of Calgary in the hope to give the City a landmark with some allure. After being moved to Medicine Hat, erection and assembly of the major structural elements of the Saamis Tepee began Oct. 20, 1991, and was completed in less than one week. The Saamis Tepee has a foundation weight of 800 metric tons, and the dead load of the structure is 200 metric tons. The main masts of the Tepee measure 215 feet (equivalent to a 20 story building!) and 960 bolts hold it all together. Below the Saamis Tepee, in scenic Seven Persons coulee, lies one of the Northern Plains archaeological sites — the Saamis Archaeological Site. Take time to explore and pho tograph this area. It boasts one of the foremost import ant archaeological sites of the Northern Plains.

The Storyboards Within the circle of the Tepee, ten illustrated storyboards are visible. These boards were all hand-painted and represent a variety of influences and history of Indigenous heritage. The Legend: How Medicine Hat Got its Name

Interpretation and Painting by Joseph Hind Bull. The scene depicts the sadness that overcomes Eagle Birth and his new bride for the sacrifice of a fellow human to the merman. The merman is excited over his new meal.

The Tepee is the gift the otter man has given Eagle Birth to use on his Tepee design. The blue circle, where Eagle Birth and his woman are drawn in is our world and the little blue circle is the merman world. The green half of the picture is the colour of deep water. The yellow depicts the brightness of our own world. The Eagle feathers are the truths by which every man lives. The Blackfoot Confederacy Interpretation and Painting by Henry Standingalone. This scene depicts the things that are important to Blackfoot people yesterday and today. The Sun was worshiped for its life-giving source to the Blackfoot people. The buffalo skull represents the Power and Spirit of the traditional food source and the painted symbols on it

Indigenous Spaces & Places 14

Treaty #7

represent: Sun in the center, pairs of Sun Dogs on each side, Crescent Moon above, Morning Star below, and Hail Stones, or Thunder, all around. The Tepee represents the main household that was originally made from buffalo hides, The Seven Moons is a representation of the Legend of the Dipper and all the legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. Plains Cree Way of Life Interpretation and Painting by Nona Foster. In the center of this design is a late fall or early winter campsite, The trees are bare and it has snowed, the people are going about their business and preparing for colder days to come. Most of the tools shown are still primitive and most of the activities and skills shown are traditional and time-honoured. Around the bottom half of the border are traditional outfits. The top half of the border shows some of the animals that my ancestors shared the land with and used for food,clothing and shelter. Tobacco was used in many ceremonies and rituals. Plains Cree Ceremonies of prayer, or as part of a ritualistic cleansing prior to any cere mony such as the Sundance. In Cree culture, the peace pipe plays a very important role. A pipe is lit to call upon the spirit powers. The smoking of the peace pipe also symbolizes peace and friendship. The stone border has engraved Cree symbolic lettering, which says “Plains Cree Ceremonies.” The rock is strong and by having the title engraved in it shows that the strength of our culture will never be destroyed and is permanent in its ways. The Plains Indians Interpretation and Painting by Manybears. The relationship between man and nature’s survival. The symbol of the buffalo was our main source of surrendered his being to the Plains Indians. The eagle is our spiritual direction and symbolizes our creator. The eagle sees that man is aware of his values and surroundings. The circle represents the creation of the universe and unity. Our creator made man and woman to carry on our native culture and traditional way of life. The Tepee is our shelter and our birthplace Interpretation and Painting by Robert Anderson. This painting represents some of the many ceremonies in our Cree culture. The four ribbons are representative of the four directions. The sweet lodge can be used to ask for guidance from the spirit powers, for a time providing man with food, shelter, clothing and tools, As you see in the painting, the buffalo has no eyes. He

Interpretation and Painting by Henry Standingalone. In the fall of 1877, Treaty #7 was signed at the Blackfoot crossing between the Blackfoot and the Queen‘s government. The five Chiefs depicted in the picture are: Chief Crowfoot (Siksika Tribe), Chief Red

Crow (Blood Tribe), Chief Bears Paw (Stony Tribe), Chief Eagle Tail (Peigan Tribe), and Chief Bull Head (Tsuu Tina tribe). Sharing the Pipe Ceremony represents peace between two parties. The promises in the treaty were that the Blackfoot would be ensured of their survival and a continued way of life for as long as the sun shines, grasses grow and the rivers flow. The Métis of the Plains

Interpretation and Painting by Nona Foster. The Métis people came from a meeting of two powerful human cultures and the emergence of a new and distinct people; this is shown by the native woman and the pale skin man. The Métis sash originated in Quebec

and was worn by the French Voyagers. The thistle represents the Scots, and the yarrow shows that these people still need plants in their medicines. The “North West Half Breed Commis sion'' paper is shown because the signing of the scrip gave the native people a small amount of cash and took away their treaty rights. First Peoples Today

Interpretation and Painting by Marilyn Fraser—King. Even though there is a passing of our Native culture from the old world into the new, we have kept our songs and sang them. To this day we still pass on the feather, we still sing, we still hear the stories, we still

listen to the wind, and we still feel the power of the Northern Lights. It is a time to walk a path of treasure and enlightenment. This painting depicts the acceptance of both worlds and their challenges. Circle of Unity – Multiculturalism Interpretation and Painting by Nona Foster. This is set on a dark and stormy sky, but there are breaks in the clouds and the life giving sun is shining through. Pointing towards the sun and bright light, the native warrior holds his peace pipe invoking the wisdom of the Great Spirit. The pipe represents the unity of all people and all things in the universe. The crossed circle is one of the very earliest forms inscribed by humans to express the cosmos, life has no beginning or end, and it is a symbol of unity. The cross pieces represent the directions. The different races of people are portrayed here by different coloured hands.

to continue the generations of life. Arrival of the Europeans

Interpretation and Painting by Marilyn Fraser-King. The original human settlers of the Americas wel comed these new people with open arms. Within these arms held trust, kindness and wonder. Little did native people know that these explorers would

initiate a transformation that revolutionized the First People‘s civilization. No more was there the spirit of freedom that man belonged to the land.

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Sunshine Trolley Sunshine Trolley Loop Tours Hop on Medicine Hat’s Sunshine Trolley for an in-depth, guided tour from a long-time Hatter. See the most prominent landmarks in Canada’s Sunniest City, with an invite to hop off and briefly explore the areas.

Start your Sunshine Trolley Loop Tour at the Visitor Information Centre, 330 Gehring Rd. SW. Wheelchair Friendly: The Sunshine Trolley can assist those with wheelchairs, walkers, and any other mobility needs for getting in and out of the Sunshine Trolley. There is an option to note this when reserving seats.

Purchase tickets in advance to ensure your seat is reserved for the scheduled Sunshine Trolley tour. Children 12 and under ride free. For tickets, visit: tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

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Guided Tours Come to know Medicine Hat through story-telling and conversation with Guided Specialty Tours, led by the locals. Join the Medicine Hat Breweries Tour , Sunshine Café & Market Tour , or A Taste of Paradise & The Supermoon .

Miller’s Haunted Tours Join Tamara Miller on the Sunshine Trolley as she tells eerie and mysterious stories about historic buildings, cemeteries, and more haunting encounters and events throughout Medicine Hat. facebook.com/InnerSight11

Cocktails & Constellations Start the evening with a tour at Grit City Distillery from owner and master distiller Jen, before heading to the tasting room for a cocktail flight and personal pizza. Then, onwards to Eagle Butte Observatory for a night sky presentation by owner and amateur astronomer Rod DeVries. Connect to the dark sky wonders that are above, and the constellations visible through Rod’s expert knowledge and world-class telescopes. Experience offered from September to April.

Walking History on the Saratoga Trail Pat Aaker and her daughter April guide a visit to Saratoga Park, which was once a Métis community until the early 2010s. The family lived in the community for many years. The mother and daughter will share stories of their life, their neighbours, and what was once a vibrant community of friends and family.

Book your ticket to tour Canada's Sunniest City

Follow us to stay updated about Sunshine Trolley tours

Reach out to us to book a private Sunshine Trolley tour

tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

@sunshine.trolleys

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Medalta IN THE HISTORIC CLAY DISTRICT

In the early 1900s, Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District distributed one-third of all clay in Canada. It withstood many misfortunes during its rebirth, including two fires and a flood, but there was always a group of passionate people there to pick up and rebuild the broken pieces. The Friends of Medalta Society were instrumental in transforming Medalta into the National Historic Site it is today. Originally established as a bustling factory, Medalta's journey has been marked by resilience since its revital ization as a non-profit organization. Medalta in the Historic Clay District stands not only as a testament to the city’s industrial past but also as a centre for creative expression and commu nity engagement, with human stories hidden in every brick, every piece of machinery and every piece of Medi cine Hat-made pottery found today. medalta.org 403.529.1070 713 Medalta Ave. SE

Beehive Kilns Over 14,000 bricks create the iconic structure of the Beehive Kilns, relying completely on gravity to keep the over head domes together. The kilns fired one-third of all clay being distributed in Canada in the early 1900s. Pottery was fired day and night for 7 to 8 days, and then cooled for 1 to 2 days. The high heat evaporated a penny. The Beehive Kilns can be toured during the muse um’s opening hours, and culinary and cultural events are hosted throughout the year inside the historic structures. Pottery Classes & Workshops What was once a hub for constant clay and pottery production now hosts begin ner adult lessons and children programs, along with in-depth workshops for pot tery artists. Try a Saturday Sampler, plan an evening with the Date Night Pottery Class, or book a multi-week course and be introduced to Medicine Hat’s clay culture.

The entire campus is the result of a dedicated restoration effort supported by the local community and all three levels of government. The result is a stunning context for dynamic experiences inside a National Historic Site.

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Museum Tours With or without a guide, touring the National Historic Site highlights true stories about real people who worked day in and day out to produce pottery being distributed nation-wide. Historic pottery and machinery remain on display, including The Collectors’ Gallery ft. Tony Schlachter Collection. In 2008 Schlach ter donated 2,500 pieces that represent nearly every factory that operated in Medicine Hat. It all began with a nonde script chicken waterer that Tony found on his farm in 1954. There are stories to tell, to be heard, and to remember in a place that continues to have a prominent role in Medicine Hat’s creative community. Artists in Residence Grow as an artist, polish skills, and live alongside ceramic artists from around the world for one month or one year. The artists live on-site at IXL Indus tries, which is said to be Alberta’s oldest industrial site. And then they learn, create, and teach inside Medalta,

Special Events Throughout the year, Medalta hosts public events from seasonal markets featuring local vendors, to food and drink tastings, dance workshops, and yoga in the historic kiln. Stay tuned with upcoming events at medalta.org/community/events. Private Bookings Conferences, concerts, ceremonies, and weddings have all been hosted inside the National Historic Site. Host your event inside Medalta in the Historic District at medalta.org/contact.

while having access to their own studio space, kilns, and materials. Solange is a ceramic artist living and creating alongside other national and international artists.

The pottery found at the gift shop today is still made by artists using historic techniques, moulds, glazes, and machinery originally used back in 1912 at Medalta Potteries.

“It’s really nice to have the space, time, and resources to let my creativity be free, alongside the art community in the residence,” says Solange Roy, who is a francophone and Indigenous ceramic artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. “What the Artists in Residence program does well is taking inspiration from the past while also being a strong foundation for emerging and upcoming contemporary artists.”

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Keeping

it Fresh

Kristine Dalzell, owner of Zucchini Blossom Market & Café, is one of many food and drink owners who source vegetables from the greenhouse hub for menu items — soups, salads, sandwiches, and as a side to compli ment the main course.

Neighbouring Medicine Hat is the Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies, the town of Redcliff.

A hub of greenhouses live within blocks of each other and the doors are open to community members, visitors, and restaurant owners to enjoy fresh vegeta bles grown right in Southeast Alberta. While driving the Trans-Canada Highway, here’s where you can find tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers…and the list goes on. All are family owned. Some are self-serve with the honour rule. Be sure to have cash on hand, as some don’t take payment by card.

Ruben’s Veggies 703 Broadway Ave. W Westland Fresh Produce 22-6 St. NW Huber’s Farm Market 860 Broadway Ave. W Greenhouse Growers 8 6 St. SW Redcliff Greenhouse Tour

Shop local produce grown in Southern Alberta. tourismmedicinehat.com

Food & Beverage 20

FOOD & BEVERAGE

The Yard Patio & Eatery

This City’s Got You Covered Casa Amigos Cantina

The Yard Patio & Eatery A seasonal family-friendly patio that serves locally crafted beverages, finger foods to full on meals, and is a hub for local art and live music. Have a seat under the sun, and enjoy this outdoor eatery in Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown. 619 3 St. SE d’Carlo Pasta House Chef Carlos’ love for cooking started at a young age when growing up in Guatemala. This date night spot has a “build your own” style menu. The Caesar salad is a must order as an appetizer, and pairs nicely with the complementary freshly baked bread. 501A 4 Ave. SE

For those on the lookout for live music, this bustling spot has a stage that hosts local and traveling bands, spanning the genres. The flavourful food menu features South ern Alberta beef from Mike’s Meats with the steak fajitas. For an appetizer, try the salsa flight and pair with the tequila flight. 1-480 3 St. SE Sabai Infusion Restaurant Authentic Thai cuisine is served on a bed of rice or noodles at this beautiful downtown eatery. From curry bowls to pad thai, your tastebuds will come

alive with each and every bite of a perfectly saucy and seasoned dish. 638 2 St. SE

Food & Beverage 22

The Whiskey District Familiar dishes served fine dining style on the third floor of the Badlands View Building, complemented by a one of-a-kind view of the World’s Tallest Tepee, Saamis Tepee. The details are in the dishes, and with an inviting open concept kitchen you can visit with the makers of your meal Chef Aaron, Sous Chef Michael and the team. 12 Gehring Road SE R Kitchen This refined local restaurant is located inside the Medicine Hat Lodge, and specializes in premium-cooked steaks, scallops, crab, salmon, ribeye, sirloin, and lobster tail. R Kitchen serves an exquisite dinner experience with premium plating. 1051 Ross Glen Dr. SE Sammy’s Kitchen + Bar Chef for over 30 years, owner Sammy learned from the best throughout her years while cooking in India and Calgary. Sammy has developed her culinary skill and now serves the Med icine Hat community fine dining. 1731 Dunmore Rd. SE

Takumi Japanese Restaurant Chef SeHo specializes in steaming ramen, fresh sushi, and so much more. Over 27 years, he’s cooked in Seoul, San Francisco, Tokyo, and then he opened his restaurant in Medicine Hat in 2012. 23 8 St. NW The Clubhouse at Paradise Valley From splendid appetizers, light meals, fresh salads and sandwiches, and premium entrees, The Clubhouse at Paradise Valley satisfies cravings for tasteful food with a beautiful view of the coulees and Saamis Tepee. 90 Gehring Rd. SE

Find allergy-friendly eateries in Medicine Hat tourismmedicinehat.com

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Food & Beverage 23

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south canadian rockies

medicine hat

taber

lethbridge

Celebrate Southeast Alberta crafted food and drink with us. From November 1-21, restaurants, breweries, bakeries, cafés, and distilleries feature menu items that highlight ingredients sourced right here in Southern Alberta. From bison burgers, to Southern Alberta sirloin steaks, and greenhouse veggie filled soups and sandwiches, dive into meals and drinks prepared wholeheartedly by the locals. Try as many feature dishes as your tastebuds desire during the 3-week culinary festival at over 50 eateries in Medicine Hat, Taber, Lethbridge, and South Canadian Rockies. From the farm to your fork, Savour Alberta’s South highlights culinary partnerships between restaurant owners and local producers, to bring guests a taste of their homeland.

Experience the food-focused festival

along Highway 3 in Southern Alberta. savouralbertassouth.ca

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Farm

FROM THE

Fork

TO YOUR

Silver Buckle Sports Bar Chef Alex has cooked incredible food for the Medicine Hat community for years, and he’s brought his expertise to The Silver Buckle’s new kitchen. The fresh, new menu serves twists on favourite dishes and seasonal specialties, per fectly paired with a curated beverage. Local ingredients are sourced, from Alberta beef to local vegetables. 687 S Railway St. The Hat’s Olive Tap Owner Carmen has a passion for cre ating wholesome and nutritious dishes, with sustainability at top of mind. There is a list of creamy soups, pani ni-pressed sandwiches, and fresh salads made with Alberta-farm chick peas, locally-grown produce, and the high-quality oils and balsamics featured in the Tuscany-themed taproom. 519 2 St. SE The Mexican Hat Owners Mario and Yasmin serve a menu full of authentic Mexican cuisine. From a salsa bar, to enchiladas, tacos, and burri tos, you’ll also find locally-sourced ingre dients featured in the dishes, like the Que sotaco with beef from Deerview Meats. 70 8 St. NW

Hometown Chef Adam and General Manager Jen opened Hometown on historic North Railway Street, bringing a beautiful view of the Canadian Pacific Railway. A familiar place emulating a welcoming home, and serving upscale comfort dishes, elevated brunch, and a blind menu for Sunday Dinner Feature. Alberta-sourced ingredi ents are sprinkled throughout the sea sonal menu, to pair with a premium cock tail and mocktail list and local craft beer. 435 North Railway Street SE Rustic Kitchen + Bar Owners Chris Orchard and Sandee Anderson are fully focused on serving Southern-sourced dishes. Chef Chris has offered a culinary menu that fea tures local ranchers and greenhouses for over 20 years, and Front of House Manager Sandee has curated the ulti mate cocktail menu. Along with the farm to fork produce, absolutely everything on the menu is made from scratch. 619 3 St. SE note: A cozy eatery serving soups, sandwiches, salads, and shareables inside the historic site Hargrave-Sissons Block. Owners Miranda and Bryton want guests to feel at home and feature local artists, local ingredients, and a comfortable space to spend time in downtown Medicine Hat. 675 2 St. SE

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Ice Cream Crawl Windmill Garden Centre Seasonal Before visiting the butterflies, tur tles, and goats at the adjoining John’s

Annegret’s Fine European Chocolates Dairy-Free Available | Seasonal Owner Annegret mixes and molds silky chocolate using her very own recipe year-round, and in the summer she adds 10 gelato flavours to the mix. annegretschocolates.com Camp Ice Cream Dairy-Free Available | Year-Round

Butterfly House, grab a scoop of Foothills Creamery ice cream and explore the beautiful garden centre. windmill-gardencentre.com

Swirls Dairy-Free Available | Seasonal A classic ice cream spot since 1984, Swirls is a place where you park and stroll up to the window and order. With 75 flavours to choose from, you’re sure to find a nostalgic favourite or the excitement to try a new one. swirlsicecream.ca RJ’s Convenience Store Dairy-Free Available | Year-Round Alberta-made ice cream from Foot hills Creamery is served at this con venience store. Order a classic scoop with a cone, or add it to your slushie. rjscandy.com

Serving annual and seasonal fla vours handcrafted in-house, you can order by the scoop with a waffle cone, or fill up on a pint. campicecream.ca

Book your tickets for the Ice Cream Crawl on the Sunshine Trolley tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

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Cafe & Market Tour

Café Verve As you walk towards the baked goods, admire the local art gallery on the walls. Time is taken to steep tea, blend lattes, brew coffee, layer sandwiches, simmer soups, and bake treats at this modern café. 1775 Dunmore Rd. SE Homestead Market An all-season market, featuring over 60 Alberta-based vendors, from many creative and culinary worlds. Within the market is a café with a drive-thru. This local spot is ready to serve, whether there’s time to stop or only time for to-go while driving Highway 3. 1750 Gershaw Dr. SW

Zucchini Blossom Market & Café

For two decades, this market and café has prepared bright-coloured meals that feature Southern Alberta-sourced ingre dients, and is located in one of Medicine Hat’s most historic neighbourhoods. 50 3 St. NE

MT Nest Café & Market Located on the Southwest Hill, this neigh bourhood brunch and bakery spot cele brates the magic of being human, whether seated in the colourful indoors surrounded by local art, or on the beautiful sunny patio with a crafted beverage in hand. #104 266 4 St. SW Book your tickets for the Café & Market Tour on the Sunshine Trolley tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

In November, sip several creative cups of hot chocolate during Hot

Chocolate Fest YXH and receive a stamp from each spot for the chance to win a grand prize. $1 from each cup is donated to the Medicine Hat Santa Claus Fund.

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Brewing & Distilling

Travois Ale Works Indulge in everything beer — slushies, cocktails, canned, bottled, and on tap. Revolutionary American and traditional European ales with a twist are brewed in small batches inside the historic building in downtown Medicine Hat. Try their nachos of the month or a dish on their new chef-curated menu. Check their events webpage to join a Name that Tune Bingo, Trivia Night, or Taproom Dinner Series. 612 3 St. SE

Grit City Distillery A tiki-style small batch craft distillery, producing a variety of vodka, gin, rums, absinthe, and whiskeys; using traditional botanicals and locally sourced ingre dients. Next door is the Tasting Room, where a trivia game is often hosted, and outdoors is the Patio Playground. Pair a creative cocktail with a savoury meal, and visit on a Friday to try an extravagant feature fishbowl. 680 South Railway St.

Book your tickets for the Breweries Tour on the Sunshine Trolley tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

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Medicine Hat Brewing Company In 1912, the Medicine Hat Brewing

Company began serving old fashioned lager, ale, and stout to our City’s early, thirsty residents. When the Temperance Movement picked up, this popular brewery was forced to close. Over a century later, the Medicine Hat Brewing Company name was dusted off and again serves pristine and tasteful house-brewed beer with an impressive food menu, com pletely curated by the chef himself. 1366 Brier Park Dr. NW Hell’s Basement Brewery The name is inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s famous quote from the 1800s about Med icine Hat having, “all Hell for a basement”, due to the abundance of natural gas found under the City. Framed beer bottle labels line the walls, a cupboard of board games invites a friendly game, and the many taps serve beer, vodka seltzers, and their non-alcoholic drink, Heck-of-a-Root Beer. For a snack, local small bites are avail able from Medicine Hat Meat Traders. #102 552 18 St. SW

Your Preference Kombucha Find fermented beverages filled with healthy probiotics, vitamins, and minerals from this nano-brewery in Medicine Hat. With community collaborations, try olive oil infused kombucha from The Hat’s Olive Tap, and exclusive flavours

at Nosh. Your Prefer ence Kombucha also makes water kefir and kombucha gummies.

All spots often host events, including trivia, crib nights, pop-up chef appearances, and name that tune bingo. Follow them on social media to know what’s happening during your visit.

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Only in Medicine Hat Dining Patio Dinner Club

From May to September, The Yard Patio & Eatery will host a dinner club for 30 people, prepared by a new local chef each evening. The menu will showcase the chef's specialties and skill. Each dinner is paired with live entertainment, excep tional wine, and a locally-sourced cocktail. theyard-downtown.com Whiskey District Pods During the winter months, dine a delicious curated menu inside the patio pods at The Whiskey District in the winter. Located on the third floor of the Badlands Building, overlooking the World’s Tallest Tepee, Saamis Tepee, this elevated experience serves a breathtaking winter dinner. whiskeydistrict.ca Cocktails & Constellations Tour Grit City’s distillery with owner and master distiller Jen, then sip a cocktail flight and fill up on a personal pizza. Next stop is under the stars at Eagle Butte Observatory with Rod DeVries, to connect to the dark sky wonders that are above and the visible constellations in the sky. tickets.tourismmedicinehat.com

Dinner in the Kiln A five-course dinner prepared by local chefs and served inside the historic beehive kiln at Medalta in the Historic Clay District. The beehive kilns were used to fire clay for seven to eight days, and then cooled for one to two days. medalta.org Brewmasters Dinner Inside the Charles V. Drazen room at Medicine Hat Brewing Company. Guests are guided through a themed five-course dinner, with beer pairings for each serving. medicinehatbrewingcompany.ca Hometown Featuring a themed, monthly Sunday Dinner, Chef Adam and his team use as many local ingredients as possi ble to highlight creative and exclusive menus for guests. Dishes are paired with curated cocktails and mocktails. Follow Hometown to see what they'll serve at their next Sunday Dinner. hometownmh.com

Taproom Dinner Series Once a month, Chef Jordan Abbot serves a themed, three-course dinner inside Travois Ale Works. The dishes are paired with beer from the brewery room, with Brewer Brady hosting the evening. travoisbeer.com

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

MOV E T O MEDICINEHAT . C A

Songwriters, Stages, and Sunshine

photo: Joan Kennedy

Medicine Hat JazzFest June 17-22, 2025

PorchFest August 2025 PorchFest is a free outdoor event hosted in one of Medicine Hat’s most historic neighbourhoods and invites local musicians to perform on front lawns and porches on the Southeast Hill. The quaint neighborhood is full of century-old homes and beautiful bou levards, where people can stroll from home to home to bask in the fresh air and watch the live, local performances. @porchfestmh

Medicine Hat JazzFest invites artists from all over the world to perform and has been for almost three decades. Symphonies are performed inside the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre and on its outdoor rooftop terrace. An exclu sive finale show presents a Jazz band inside the Medicine Hat Regional Airport Hangar. Dancing guests and the live band are backlit with a sunset and airplanes. A sight to see and experience first-hand. medicinehatjazzfest.com

photo: Joan Kennedy

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Quonset Days July 18-19, 2025 Quonset Days presents Mackenzie

Porter, Jess Moskaluke, Matt Lang, Owen Reigling, and more Canadian artists in a Southeast Alberta farmland setting. A full weekend of live music, food trucks, beer gardens, and classic Quonset Days food, like the “Quonset Dog”. All profits are donated towards ALS Society of Alberta. quonsetdays.com

Coulchella May 30-31, 2025

Coulchella takes place during the fam ily-friendly event Spectrum Festival . During the day there are festivities for all ages, and into the evening on both Friday and Saturday, local and visit ing performers take the stage in Kin Coulee Park, surrounded by Medicine Hat’s familiar coulee landscape. spectrumfestival.ca

Alternative Waves Music Festival June 13-14, 2025

Alternative Waves Music Festival hosts metal, punk, and rock bands on one of Medicine Hat’s most his toric streets, across the street from the historic CP Railway Station. The Mainliner Pub has indoor and outdoor stages where up to 200 musicians perform throughout the weekend. @altwavesmusicfest

Tongue on the Post Folk Music Festival January 2026

Tongue on the Post Folk Music Festival hosts local and Canadian musicians inside the monumental National Historic Site, Medalta in the Historic Clay District. Watch soulful performances inside a beehive kiln that fired pottery in the early 1900s, or surrounded by brick that was stacked in 1913 in the Yuill Family Gallery and Turning Room. mhfolkmusic.com

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Family, Friends, and Festivals

Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival May 22-25, 2025 Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival will launch up to 30 eye-catching hot air balloons in Medicine Hat this spring. The weekend will bring seven flights as the sun rises and sets. Two balloon glows will take place the evening of Friday and Saturday in Kin Coulee Park, where half the hot air balloons will be inflated, illuminated, and tethered to the ground while the other half lift off into the Medicine Hat sky. Saturday also brings a free Community Day in Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown. “Everything is planned around our values of community, connection and hope. We see that throughout the whole weekend and it’s great to see it all come together,” says Willy Taillon, hot air balloon pilot and co-host of the event. “I love when we hear everybody say how happy it makes them and how much they look forward to the festi val. No matter the age, people love to see the balloons float by,” says Cindy Taillon, co-host of the event. Our Collective Journey is an addiction and mental health non-for-profit organization that hosts the event in part nership with balloon pilots Willy and Cindy. ourcollectivejourney.ca/rise-up/welcome

Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede July 23-26, 2025 Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede is a fami ly-friendly, three-day event in July that originated in 1887. It’s a celebration of western culture and heri tage with exciting rodeos, a pop-up amusement park, and offers both free and ticketed entertainment. “You can spend the whole day and not see the same thing twice. Rodeo is our history and culture, and at the level we’re at people are seeing the best in North America — the best stock and the best cowboys,” says Ron Edwards, gen eral manager of the Medicine Hat Stampede & Exhibition. More events throughout the year outside of the Stam pede are Indian Relay Racing, Farm & Ranch Agri culture Show, Cars & Guitars, and more. mhstampede.com

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Beat the Heat July 1, 2025 Beat the Heat is Canada’s Largest Amateur Skate Competition, hosted by Medicine Hat Skate board Association (MHSA) since 2007. The thrilling categories have skateboarders from across Canada showcase their skills and speed at the Canada Skateboard sanctioned event. “We’ve heard it’s the skateboarder's favourite competi tion to go to every year, because there are tons of people cheering for them. The atmosphere is unreal,” says Davie James, who's been part of MHSA for over a decade, and currently sits on the society for the non-profit. “We get some of the best skateboarders in the country coming to Medicine Hat on July 1 to do what they love to do. To see our team from Medicine Hat making an impact on the national skateboard stage is huge,” says Terence Kowal chuk, who joined alongside the MHSA leadership in 2005. medhatskate.ca

photo: @lens_of_blizz photo: Buckin' Photographer

photo: Buckin' Photographer photo: Buckin' Photographer

Heritage Gather July 4-6, 2025 The Heritage Gather showcases Indigenous cul ture and Western heritage through Open Rodeo, Indian Relay Racing, Ranch Scramble, Powwow Demon strations, Buffalo Riding Cowboy, cultural craft work shops, artisan market, live music, and so much more. With exceptional contestants and spectators, the inclusive family-focused event provides an experi ence that inspires people to honour and celebrate Indigenous, Albertan, and Canadian heritage. “To me, the blending of Western and Indigenous cultures reflects who we have been for hundreds of years. Host ing events like this introduces people to new traditions and sports, creating an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate,” says Catherine Schnell, member and volunteer of the Dunmore Equestrian Society. dunmoreequestrian.com

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