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Welcome to Medicine Hat! We hope that you will enjoy yourself as you explore our beautiful city. For more in-depth information please call toll free: 1-800-481-2822 or e-mail us at: info@tourismmedicinehat.com .
The knowledgeable staff at the Visitor Centre can arrange for a personal guide to give you or your group an in-depth tour of the city at a nominal cost. Specialty tours such as bird watching or canoe trips can also be arranged with prior notice.
Special Places
Here is a small selection of some less-known but very pleasant locations in the
area.
ONE TO TWO HOURS
With just a short time available, you could get some take-out food, and have a picnic at the Cultural Centre pond, pictured at right. This location is close to the highway, but private and peaceful. The free art gallery often has interesting work by both local and regional artists. Check out the small gift shop for that "special someone" at home.
The McCutcheon Drive Trail gives spectacular views across the South Saskatchewan River to the older part of Medicine Hat. Particularly colourful in the fall, the one kilometre stroll is also an excellent place for spring wildflowers in May and June. And every evening, a great prairie sunset stretches across the western sky!
Medicine Hat Public Library on The Esplanade (First Street Southeast) is much more than books! It often has a small art display in the lobby, and the free internet connection is a chance to stay in touch with family and friends at home. Just outside, you can relax in a garden overlooking the river or walk along the paved riverside trail. A giant outdoor chess set has become quite popular, so you can likely find a game to renew your almost-forgotten skills. As you approach the library, notice the historic court house next door and the Ewart-Duggan House (the oldest remaining brick house in Alberta!) across the street.
Do you enjoy finding a bargain? Why not go "garage saling"? What a great way to meet our friendly residents, even if you don't find the item you need! The Medicine Hat News has a list of the locations, the Visitor Centre has a map, and Medicine Hat is easy to get around in. You can also check out the antique and second hand stores on North Railway Street.
HALF DAY
The Eagle Butte Road offers a leisurely approach to the Cypress Hills, about 80 km one way. This paved but less-used road lets you experience the area's farms and ranches with the scenic hills in the distance. You will pass Bullshead Reservoir, where you can fish for rainbow trout or walk among the wildflowers on the surrounding prairie. Just beyond is the historic and beautifully restored St. Margaret's Church, which is always open for visitors. The last ten kilometres of the road is gravel, as it winds up through a partially wooded coulee to Highway 41. Admire the distant Sweetgrass Hills in Montana, then turn left (north) to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and back to Medicine Hat.
Rattlesnake Reservoir is an excellent place for boating and fishing. Located about 25 km west of the Medicine Hat airport (watch for signs), it has a boat launch, campsite and picnic shelter.
 FULL DAY
The Village of Empress has grown into an arts community, featuring top-quality hand-crafted willow furniture and jewelry. Dean Francis has an art gallery a few kilometres away, just past the U-pick saskatoon orchard. Several coffee shops can provide lunch. As you drive through the grassland, notice the variety of ducks on the small ponds, and the hawks circling overhead or perched on fence posts. The shady campsite at Sandy Point on the South Saskatchewan River is a great place for a picnic. It is south-east Alberta's best kept camping secret! To get to Empress, take the Trans Canada Highway east about 10 km, and then turn north on Highway 41. Empress is about 120 km from Medicine Hat, so make sure your gas tank is full!
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