A Guide to Swift Current
Surrounded by rolling fields beneath Saskatchewan’s big prairie skies, the city of Swift Current has a long history linked to the railway and ranching.
Prior to its establishment in 1883, the area and its namesake creek were used for centuries as a camp by the Indigenous groups in the region. Today, as the largest city in southwest Saskatchewan, Swift Current is a central hub and the place to go for travellers when it comes to shopping, dining, and the arts.
Activities & Shopping in Swift Current
Fondly referred to as “Speedy Creek” by locals, the city of Swift Current retains its small-town feel and charm while offering plenty to see, do, and explore.
Market Square
Every Saturday throughout the summer months, the downtown area at Market Square is packed with shoppers and vendors. More than 40 food artisans and farmers sell various goods while musical talent takes the stage to entertain. The market is a family-friendly place that offers events and activities like bead workshops, bouncy castles, and an annual Show n’ Shine at the end of the season.
The Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre is a community space that has called Swift Current home since 1912. Originally built to host Vaudeville shows and silent movies, it became a film theatre and then a nightclub in the early 1980s. In 2000, it launched a literary series and returned to theatre in 2006 where live performances and events routinely sell out. This year, the theatre is undergoing renovations with plans to reopen soon.
OLEA & Oil Vinegar Tasting Room
A unique and flavourful shopping experience for food lovers, OLEA & Oil Vinegar Tasting Room has more than 50 types of premium oils and vinegars available on tap, as well as a selection of salts, spices, sauces, and specialty foods for any recipe. OLEA & Oil Vinegar also carries a variety of goods from local producers including honey, coffee, and mustard all grown and made here in Saskatchewan.
The Sputtergotch Toy Company
It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or a kid-at-heart, the Sputtergotch Toy Company has a selection of toys, books, puzzles, and candy for everyone in the family. For those with a sweet tooth, they source artisan treats – like handmade gourmet marshmallows – from small shops across Canada.Their games library has more than 1500 titles in stock to inspire anyone’s imagination and creativity.
Art Gallery of Swift Current
The Art Gallery of Swift Current is a must-visit for art lovers. A cultural hub in the community, the gallery is dedicated to profiling contemporary art from Saskatchewan and Canadian artists. There is a rotating display of visual art exhibitions and galleries to take in, plus, budding artists can attend classes, workshops, and talks throughout the year.
Windscape Kite Festival & Long Days Night Music Festival
Every June thousands of people descend on the city of Swift Current to take in the Windscape Kite Festival and attend the Long Days Night Music Festival. Hundreds of brightly coloured kites swoop and dance as professional kite flyers and amateur kiters take to the skies in a celebration of community and culture. It’s a family-friendly event during the day and at night, festival goers can enjoy an excellent musical line-up while celebrating the summer solstice.
Read our guide to the Windscape Kite Festival here.
Where to Eat in Swift Current
Swift Current’s dining and craft beer scene continues to evolve with a blend of global and local establishments plating up the freshest regional ingredients, all created by some of Saskatchewan’s best chefs and food artisans.
Black Bridge Brewery
Fill a growler or grab a pint in the taproom of Black Bridge Brewery. Taking its name from the iron bridge only a few kilometres south of Swift Current, this micropub has been a pillar in the Saskatchewan craft beer scene since 2014. Black Bridge has racked up numerous awards recognizing their commitment to quality and flavour.
Urban Ground Coffeehouse
A community staple for nearly 20 years, Urban Ground Coffeehouse provides specialty coffee and baked goods alongside light lunch options. Everything is made from scratch and prepared fresh in-house.
Dairy King
One of the sweetest stops in town is also a local favourite. The seasonally run Dairy King serves up ice cream confections from sundaes and twisters to waffle cones and milkshakes. Lit up by twinkle nights in the evenings, there’s plenty of space to enjoy it all on the outdoor patio. There’s also a 17-hole mini-golf course perfect for families or a fun date night out.
Nightjar Diner
Local, seasonal ingredients are paired with traditional cooking methods to create interesting and unique flavours at Nightjar Diner. This minimalist restaurant specializes in new-prairie cuisine and a contemporary take on old favourites. Dishes include hearty eats like Meat and Potatoes and Chicken & Waffles served up on antique dinnerware donated by the community.
Raccolto
Chef Garret “Rusty” and Kristy Thienes of the award-winning Harvest Eatery restaurant in Shaunavon are opening their second restaurant this summer in Swift Current. Raccolto is a Florencian-inspired steakhouse centred around Tuscan cuisine. The menu will be focused on sharing plates and family-style meals, with a highlight being the Bistecca alla Fioretian, a 3-4” thick porterhouse steak showstopper.
Akropol
A long-established restaurant in downtown Swift Current, Akropol Family Restaurant has been serving up Greek and Canadian cuisine since 1962. Their top seller is the spinach pizza which was inspired from their traditional Greek spanakopita recipe – give or take a few extra (secret) ingredients.
Where to Stay in Swift Current
Whether you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay or relaxing at the spa, Swift Current has the perfect accommodation for everyone.
Home Inn & Suites Swift Current
With their sumptuous d3H bedding, a night at Home Inn & Suites feels like a luxurious getaway. In fact, their sheets are so soft and cozy you can purchase them to take home with you. Not only is there an indoor pool, fitness centre, spa, and complimentary hot breakfast at this centrally located hotel along the #1 Highway, but there’s also a BBQ area and onsite market.
Motel 6 Swift Current
Motel 6’s bright contemporary design offers modern accommodation with all the amenities. The hotel provides pet friendly accommodation at no extra fee and has a guest launderette on-site. Motel 6 is located close to the Living Sky Casino and the Swift Current Museum along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Swift Current
Whether travelling for work or leisure, Holiday Inn Express Swift Current provides spacious and comfortable rooms. There’s a business centre, heated indoor pool and hot tub, and access to a 24-hour fitness centre. Only 4 kilometres from downtown Swift Current, Holiday Inn provides a great place for travellers wanting to get out and explore the city.
Ashlyn George is the award-winning travel writer, photographer, and creator behind The Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World.