Savour the Sweet Scoop at Swirl’s Ice Cream in Medicine Hat

When the summer sun is shining and you’re craving something cool, there’s only one place in Medicine Hat that does it right every time—Swirl’s Ice Cream! Proudly serving the community for an incredible 41 seasons, Swirl’s is much more than a local ice cream shop. It’s a Medicine Hat institution, beloved by generations who keep coming back for signature Arctic Swirls, homemade waffle cones, and new flavour creations that redefine what dessert can be.

Swirl’s Ice Cream began its story in 1984, winning hearts one cone at a time from its original street-facing serving windows. Still family-owned and operated, they’ve perfected the art of combining nostalgia with innovation. Signature offerings like creamy vanilla-chocolate swirls, 21 unique ice cream flavours, and whimsical parlour parfaits keep customers of all ages delighted. Visitors often recount how their childhood visits have turned into multi-generational traditions. Today, Swirl’s is a Medicine Hat landmark that continues its sweet legacy of happiness and quality. Want to know more about their story? Check it out here.

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Swirl’s is all about variety and creativity. Their menu boasts an impressive array of hard and soft ice cream options, Arctic Swirls, milkshakes, sundaes, specialty parfaits, and dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options aiming to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Some customer faves include the Turtle Tango parfait, Nerds Arctic Swirl, and the sinfully rich Fudge Brownie Glacier.

Seasonal specialties bring new twists to classic treats, like Pumpkin Pie Arctic Swirls in autumn and Lucky Charms flavours for spring. Can’t decide what to try? Go for their decadent Dirt Sundae, where rich chocolate ice cream meets Oreo crumb “dirt” and gummy worms. With over 40 topping combinations, you might never have the same thing twice! Explore their expansive menu here and get excited about all the new flavours to try!

Swirl’s isn’t confined to its iconic Medicine Hat location. They know ice cream belongs wherever the fun happens!

• Mobile Truck: Perfect for Medicine Hat Mavericks games, community events, or even private celebrations.
• Ice Cream Cart: A charming addition to weddings, parties, or corporate events.
• Seasonal Locations: You’ll find Swirl’s dishing out deliciousness at Elkwater Beach and Co-op Place during Tigers games.

What’s ice cream without a little fun trivia to go with it? Did you know ice cream-esque desserts date back to 200 BC in China? Early versions were made by mixing milk with rice and snow.

Thomas Jefferson loved ice cream so much he penned one of the first vanilla ice cream recipes documented in America. Squid ink ice cream in Japan, anyone? While Swirl’s menu sticks to more traditional magic, their creativity in blending toppings ensures endless surprising combinations!

There’s no denying it. Swirl’s Ice Cream isn’t just a dessert stop; it’s an adventure. Whether you’re planning a nostalgic visit to their original Medicine Hat store for a creamy cone, meeting friends at their mobile truck during a game, or enjoying a beachside treat at Elkwater, Swirl’s has you covered. Plus, their commitment to quality—from their homemade waffle cones to their community-centred service—is why they’ve stood the test of time.

Get the scoop (literally!) and make Swirl’s Ice Cream part of your summer memories. Stop by their locations or explore what they have to offer online. One thing’s for sure—with Swirl’s, every summer day tastes like happiness.

Nerissa McNaughton is a freelance writer and a contributor to Alberta Newspaper Group. This story was written for the Alberta Newspaper Groups  Summer Escapes Guide advertising feature. Summer Escapes is a special feature about things to do in Alberta this summer. Activities like, staycations, road trips, camping, and other adventures including local attractions, events and  food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.