What To Do in Moose Jaw, Canada
This City in Saskatchewan Has History and a Luxury Mineral Spa
Jun 16, 2008
Mostly known as a small town, it now boasts an impressive luxury accommodation called the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort Hotel. The top notch attraction worth a trip in and of itself is the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, tours that take you underground to hear the stories of Chinese immigrants and bootleggers (possibly even Al Capone!) that made Moose Jaw, Canada their home.
Travellers driving along the Trans-Canada Highway are likely to remember passing “Mac the Moose,” the prairie city's welcoming mascot at the Tourist Information Centre (Trans-Canada Highway at Thatcher Drive, 1-866-693-8097). Other attractions include the Mae Wilson Theatre (217 Main Street, 306-693-4700), the Western Development Museum (50 Diefenbaker Drive, 306-693-5989), and the Moose Jaw Trolley Company (May through October, 306-693-8537).
Temple Gardens Mineral Spa
24 Fairford Street East
Reservations: 1-800-718-SPAS (7727)
Opened in 1996, this Moose Jaw mineral spa entices vacationers all year round. Soaking in the part-indoor and part-outdoor geo-thermal therapeutic water is just as appealing if the sun is setting or snow is falling down around you. For the least crowded times, plan to stay between Sunday and Thursday.
Accommodations range from standard rooms for two people to deluxe suites with mineral water Jacuzzis. Some also have relaxing views and balconies overlooking the adjacent Crescent Park. Location is also key, as a block away is the bustling Main Street lined with early 20th century buildings, shops and places to eat.
What makes the mineral spa even more unique is the story behind its formation. After sitting vacant in 1995 once the Harwood Hotel had become decrepit, a few residents each put in $25 to build a new facility. This optimistic act, along with the other 1,000 shareholders who invested in the project, paid off when they agreed to sell the company for $20 million after 10 years. A long list of the original stakeholders is commemorated in a plaque in the lobby.
The Tunnels of Moose Jaw
18 Main Street
Reservations: (306) 693-5261
Tickets: $13 CDN (one tour, adult) or $21 CDN (both tours, adult)
For a completely different experience, walk the four and a half blocks to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. Daily tours take visitors through two different stories: that of the Chinese immigrants in the late 1800’s, and the bootlegging of the roaring 20’s that includes buying booze during prohibition and the infamous gangsters, like Al Capone, who were a part of the scene.
The definite highlight is the Passage to Fortune tour. A costumed interpreter gives out the role of “coolies,” or low paid workers, to visitors taking the tour. As you travel back in time, you see tiny bunk beds that illustrate the crowded environment and utter disregard of these immigrants.
The tour ends with a round up of how far society has come today towards valuing immigrants to Canada, as well as a lovely photo gallery of the people who lived through those difficult times.
On the other hand, the Al Capone-themed tour is full of more action and impressive special effects. The pulse is kept high as the saloon owner rushes the group through secret doors, on the run from the cops who want to bust you for selling liquor to Al Capone.
Subtle play on the guide’s part allows hidden doors to suddenly open and sound effects to go off. The storyline in this one is less, though, as there’s fewer real pieces of documentation that Al Capone was even in Moose Jaw.
The highly entertaining tours are good for all ages and make for an interactive way of learning. Lasting 45 minutes each, they pack a punch and can be taken one after the other or each on its own.
For more information on travelling through this region, contact Tourism Saskatchewan at (1-877-237-2273).
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