We’ve developed a fondness for short escapes to small towns in our province we’ve never explored. When W asked for another trip after school wrapped, we packed the car and headed to Medicine Hat on a hot Friday afternoon. With temperatures forecast above 30°C — in fact, the weekend ranged from about 34–38°C in southern Alberta — it felt ideal to check into a hotel with air conditioning and a water slide. Even better: there was no cooking, no dishes and no laundry for a couple of days.
To cool off we tried Tino’s Drive-In (the burgers are thin and funny, but people rave about the chili fries; the ice cream was perfect) and stopped for treats at Swirls Ice Cream. It was a simple, relaxed start to the weekend.
As a committed coffee snob, I went hunting for a proper cappuccino while Mike grabbed Tim Horton’s across the street. The Station Coffee Co., in downtown Medicine Hat, brews Fratello beans, offers dense cinnamon buns and squares, and sits beside a lovely garden centre framed by a weathered brick wall — one of many charming brick facades around town. Note: it’s closed on Sundays, which I learned the hard way. Still, their coffee was worth the trip.
Cross the river — I’m always a fan of towns with bridges — and you’ll find Zucchini Blossom Café, a cozy spot in an attractive old block filled with independent shops. They serve soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza and a tempting array of baked goods. I grabbed a cold slice of vegetable pizza and an apple-rhubarb crumble to enjoy in the car; both were bright and well balanced.
A few doors down, Skinny’s Smokehouse turns out hickory-smoked pulled pork, ribs, chicken and some of the best brisket I’ve tasted. They serve drinks in glass bottles, put rolls of paper towel on the tables (always a good sign) and even keep Mad magazine on hand for reading. You can buy meats by the pound or pick up their barbecue sauces.
Everything at Skinny’s comes with a side. We sampled dill-heavy potato salad, chili-spiced baked beans and a truly excellent coleslaw — rare perfection. I also fell for their paper-thin quick pickles and finished the bowl they brought to our table. If you’re feeling indulgent, try a Porkzilla: pulled pork, bacon and sausage on a soft bun.
Medicine Hat has a surprising love for Thai food. Thanks to a recommendation, we found the Thai Orchid Room tucked at the back of a quiet strip mall by the highway. The setting is unassuming, but the curry and pad Thai ranked among the best I’ve had. I also discovered a refreshing cocktail there — gin with pomegranate juice topped with champagne or prosecco — a bubbly, tart drink I half-jokingly thought should be called an Alberta Summer (perhaps with rhubarb added).
On Sunday morning we learned that much of downtown Medicine Hat closes on Sundays, so we detoured to the 1912 Medalta Potteries, a national historic site in the city’s clay district. Even in the 37°C heat it was worth the visit. Medalta combines a living ceramic studio with artists in residence and a preserved factory space that shows how the early 20th-century operation produced ceramic urns, jugs and dishes for shipment around the world.
For centuries, the South Saskatchewan River deposited alluvial silt along its banks, creating rich clay deposits ideal for ceramic and brick production. Coupled with local natural gas resources, Medicine Hat became an industrial hub. At Medalta you can walk among enormous beehive kilns, explore workshop spaces and see both restored factory equipment and contemporary artists at work.
One highlight for me: Medalta’s history includes practical items like bean pots, used in early Canadian kitchens where cooking happened in a central fireplace. These heavy pots were set in the coals to simmer beans slowly for hours, a method that produced rich flavor and made durable pots that were passed down through generations.
When we exited the exhibit into the gift shop and found actual Medalta bean pots for sale, I bought one. Each pot came with Medalta’s baked bean recipe tucked inside. I made a pot at home the same day, despite the warm weather, because slow-simmered beans are worth it. If you don’t own a bean pot, you can use any heavy baking dish or a slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours to avoid heating up your house.
This post was sponsored by Travel Alberta — a fitting partnership for showcasing the province. As always, all thoughts and words are my own.