Medicine Hat sits astride the wide and winding South Saskatchewan River in the southeast corner of Alberta. Home to the world’s tallest teepee, the Saamis Tepee, it began as a railway town when the country was opening the west by building the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Medicine Hat at a Glance
- Population 65,203
- Median Family Income $97,780
- Unemployment Rate 10%
- Residential Vacancy Rate 2.4%
- Life Stress 20.2%
- Sense of Belonging 72%
Statistics source: Government of Alberta
The city enjoys a semi-arid climate and is known as the sunniest place in Canada. Averaging 2,544 hours of sunshine each year, Medicine Hat attracts everyone from retirees to cycling enthusiasts seeking new trails. The city is well known as the home of Medalta ceramics, an innovative, industrial non-profit museum, contemporary ceramic arts facility, art gallery and community hub.
On the culinary front, visitors to Medicine Hat can enjoy a wide range of fare from sumptuous home-cooked meals to great world cuisine.
The Thai Orchid Room features a menu based on traditional family recipes from northern Thailand. Choose from classic pad thai, ginger beef stir fry, peanut curry, papaya salad and mahi-mahi. Wash it down with Singha beer and finish the meal off with coconut creme brûlée or mango berry cheesecake.
Rustic Kitchen and Bar emphasizes fresh and local. Enjoy braised Alberta beef short rib or slow-cooked leg of lamb from local farms. The wine list is also exceptional.
And the Grit City Distillery, a family-owned spot known for making several types of liqueurs and gin, including cranberry spice and forbidden fruit, is a local favourite. The menu is something special, too, featuring burgers and pizzas, including the kimchi and bacon option.