Historic Downtown
A Guide to Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown
Downtown Medicine Hat is a prime spot for wandering the historic streets and avenues and visiting local businesses.
Downtown Medicine Hat is a prime spot for wandering the historic streets and avenues and visiting local businesses.
Live Music in Downtown Medicine Hat
In the historic hub with local eateries, an ultimate live music crawl is found. Follow the sound along streets and avenues to find live music in the heart of the city, starting at one of these four spots who host live music almost every weekend in the summer.
From home decor, to thrifted and curated clothing, to records and books, browse each shop opened by a local.
Find these vibrant events in the heart of the city.
Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown is ideally suited for wandering and exploring with a drink in hand. Take in all the special spots that make our downtown a must-see neighbourhood.
For a guided tour led by a local, join the Downtown Bakery Tour and the Indy Coffee Tour.
Find free street parking in Downtown Medicine Hat.
Find free parking in Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown
Find year-round annual events in Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown.
Various dates throughout the year
Indulge in a local food festival, live music and beer gardens on 3rd street, sidewalks sales and more in the heart of the city.
Find more details about Downtown Days.
July 2025
An early morning celebration of Medicine Hat and Western culture, filling the streets with vibrant floats, shiny vehicles, and talented performances.
Find Stampede Parade details here.
Various dates throughout the summer
Step back into the past as you’re guided through the tree lined boulevard by Sally (McGee) Sehn, who grew up on First Street.
Find dates for Historic Walking Tours here.
Various dates throughout the summer
A progressive coffee crawl into Medicine Hat’s caffeine culture. Visit with independent coffee shop owners, and discover the unique flavour and vibe of each place.
Find Indy Coffee Tour tickets here.
Various dates throughout the summer
Tour bakeries in downtown Medicine Hat, sampling sweet and savoury treats from each spot and visiting with the owners.
Find Bakery Tour tickets here.
A Medicine Hat classic Holidays event in the thick of winter. The community comes to downtown Medicine Hat for events, shopping, and more happening until midnight.
Find details about Midnight Madness here.
July 2025
Inviting local, national, and international artists to paint downtown walls each year, 2025's Mural Fest will add colour to the heart of the city throughout the summer.
Whether it's a restaurant, cafe, bakery, brewery, distillery, or outdoor eatery, food and beverage pairs well with Medicine Hat sunshine.
Restaurants owned by the locals in Medicine Hat, sharing their culinary skill and personal recipes with with every dish.
Whether dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, find a plate of food for you.
See where the magic happens in Medicine Hat's award-winning brewery rooms, and then enjoy a taste of it yourself.
The sweetest of tours in the heart of the city, all treats are made in-house along the historic streets.
Find Southeast Alberta-Grown Vegetables
Neighbour to Medicine Hat is the “Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies”, Redcliff, Alberta. This greenhouse hub features a handful of spots that have fresh vegetables and herbs grown right here in Southeast Alberta.
Start with the hot drinks and sweet treats, and then keep browsing the menu to find see if another creative items catches your eye.
A perfect summer experience, the ice cream tour features local businesses serving Alberta-made ice cream. And there might just be a butterfly house along the way.
Each with its own personality, the coffee shops in downtown Medicine Hat have cultivated a caffeine culture. And one spot roasts beans using a roaster from the 80s.
Visit one of the many city parks in Medicine Hat with a picnic basket filled with local ingredients. Enjoy lunch on the lush grass under the summer sun.
Food and beverage found only in Medicine Hat, whether indoors, outdoors, or in the country with the sunset.
Dog-Friendly Patios
Almost all patios in Medicine Hat are dog-friendly. Be sure to call beforehand to make a reservation and to include your pups in the total number of guests.
Only a 45 minute drive from Medicine Hat.
In Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Elkwater is the hub for nearby outdoor activities. Whether surrounded by lodgepole pine and aspen forest, or surrounded by calm waters of Elkwater Lake, connect with nature and soak in the sunshine in the rolling hills.
Bring a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board, and float the water of Elkwater Lake with the sunrise or into the sunset. In the late morning or afternoon, bask in the comfort of the heat.
A blanket of soft sand invites visitors to build sand castles, lay in the sun, swim in the water, and enjoy moments spent with loved ones or solo. With water that’s safe to swim in and a comfy beachside, the day can be energetic or relaxing.
Right near Elkwater Lake, find Swirls Ice Cream serving creamy treats on a warm, sunny day. This local spot is a favourite in Medicine Hat, so the owners brought the treats to Elkwater for everyone to enjoy.
Hiking, mountain biking, and leisure trails, and are found throughout Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and most are in close distance to the Elkwater Townsite. From family-friendly to challenging trails for hiking and biking, choose an adventure that best suits the day with information on page xx, or at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre.
Snug in the rolling hills, 12-34 Cafe serves a full menu of coffee, food, and baked desserts. Stop at this cabin-inspired coffee shop to start your day, or find a meal to refuel the energy spent enjoying the outdoors.
From tent to RV camping, or comfort cabin glamping, to booking a stay at Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort, there are accommodations that suit all needs in Elkwater.
Pack the gear, because Elkwater Lake has fish to catch. Choose a spot and fish from the dock, on a boat, or in a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board. A fishing license is required.
The Cypress Hills Visitor Centre has informative counsellors for any inquiries about specific activities and things to do. Displays and exhibits can be wandered as well, to learn more about the wildlife and nature in the area, and a gift shop is available for souvenirs.
Race through the beautiful 190+ kilometre trail system and many city parks.
Being one of Medicine Hat’s largest races located in the beautiful, tree-filled Kin Coulee Park, over 400 racers of all levels take part each year. The race is seven-kilometres with 28 obstacles, like rope climbs and monkey bars, to challenge and encourage growth for the next race.
Take in the comforting fall colours during this race, beginning in Echo Dale Regional Park. The trail winds through the coulees, with views of the South Saskatchewan River from above, and Medicine Hat’s city centre in the far distance.
5KM, 10KM, or 21.1KM | unionraces.ca
A family-friendly race hosted in October, where families and friends dress in costumes to celebrate Halloween. Surrounded by 300-year-old cottonwood trees in Police Point Park, with up-close glimpses of the admired cliffs facing the South Saskatchewan River, the natural beauty and wildlife is a treat.
Run or walk this trail, which starts and finishes on Medicine Hat College's main campus. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to get in on the fun. People with strollers and wheelchairs are encouraged to participate.
Union Trail is hosted the day after Conquer the Coulee in Kin Coulee Park, which is a mix of paved and cross-country trails, with no obstacles. It’s a perfect race to end the weekend, and a great race for all abilities and ages.
For 38 years, the YMCA River Run brings people through Lions Park, Strathcona Island Park, Saratoga Park, and Police Point Park, with a view of the South Saskatchewan River. A race for people of all ages and mobility levels.
5KM, 10KM, or 21.1KM | medicinehatymca.ca
Runners reach the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador (1,466 metres) during this 50-kilometre and ultra race, held in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Given 13 hours to finish, people are surrounded by beautiful, Canadian landscapes, with lodgepole pine and aspen trees.
hiddenoasisultra.com | June 8, 2024
Starting before sunrise at 4:00a.m., hike, bike, kayak, and bushwhack your way to each checkpoint with only a map and compass to guide you, throughout Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Massacre Lite is a shorter race designed for anyone wanting to get a taste of adventure racing. Massacre Lite starts at 8:30a.m.
Local restaurants that feature Southern Alberta farmers, ranchers, and greenhouses on their chef-curated menu.
Owner Carmen has a passion for creating wholesome and nutritious dishes, with sustainability at top of mind. There is a list of creamy soups, panini-pressed sandwiches, and fresh salads made with Alberta-farm chickpeas, like the chickpea dill salad, locally-grown produce, and the high-quality oils and balsamics featured in the Tuscany-themed taproom.
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 Southern Alberta beef from Mike’s Meats with the steak fajitas. For an appetizer, try the salsa flight and pair with the tequila flight.
Owners Chris Orchard and Sandee Anderson are fully focused on serving Southern-sourced dishes. Chef Chris has offered a culinary menu that features local ranchers and greenhouses for over 20 years. Chris drives two hours for elk from North Fork Ranch and drives over two hours for lamb from Ewenique Farms. Front of House Manager Sandee has curated the ultimate cocktail menu. Along with the farm to fork produce, absolutely everything on the menu is made from scratch.
Owners Mario and Yasmin serve a menu full of authentic Mexican cuisine. From a salsa bar, to enchiladas, tacos, and burritos, you’ll also find locally-sourced ingredients featured in the dishes, like the Quesotaco with beef from Deerview Meats.
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 and local ingredients, from Seven Persons Sausage and Deluxe Meats + Seafood, to local craft beer and locally-grown vegetables.
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 ingredients are sprinkled throughout the seasonal menu, to pair with a premium cocktail and mocktail list and local craft beer.
Hot drinks, sweet treats, and local markets.
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
Located on the Southwest Hill, this neighbourhood brunch and bakery spot celebrates 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 Ave. SW
Zucchini Blossom Market & Café
For two decades, this market and café has prepared bright-coloured meals that feature Southern-sourced ingredients, and is located in one of Medicine Hat’s most historic neighbourhoods.
50 3 St. NE
An all-season market, featuring over 60 Alberta-based vendors, from many creative and culinary worlds. Within the market is a cafe 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
Sunshine Cafe & Market Guided Tour
Hop on the Sunshine Trolley to visit all four cafés and markets in Medicine Hat. Sip curated beverages, sample sweet and savoury treats, meet the owners, and shop along the way.
