Amanda MacKay

Amanda is mum to two fun and lively kids. Together with her entrepreneur husband, she loves seeing the world through her kids’ eyes, introducing them to new experiences and adventures and, when they are finally asleep, tucking into bed with a good book. Visit Amanda on Instagram at Food + Country.
* Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) member

Free Fun in the Summer Sunshine: Must-Visit Calgary Playgrounds

Amanda MacKay News & Reviews, Parks & Pathways, Playgrounds

May 28, 2020: See HERE for the latest Calgary playground reopening news. I have many fond memories of my childhood summers… long bright days, loads of free time, seemingly endless weeks of freedom from the regular school routine. But now, as a parent, I realize ...Read More

Get Your Family Moving! Guide to Family-Friendly Recreation Facilities in Calgary & Area

Amanda MacKay Indoor Pools, Indoor Skating Rinks, News & Reviews, Recreation Centres

Recreation centres are great places for families to stay fit and have fun together. Work out with weights or cardio machines and go for a swim or a skate . . . there are lots of different options in the city, and that’s especially ...Read More

Planning Family Adventures, But Don’t Have All the Gear? Where to Rent Sporting & Outdoor Equipment in Calgary!

Amanda MacKay Cheapies & Freebies, Local Stories and Adventures

Sometimes family adventures call for some specialized equipment, but there’s no point in investing big bucks in stuff you’ll only use once. Gear rentals save you money, storage space and can also let you ‘try before you buy’. They’re also great for your out-of-town ...Read More

Refreshing Ways to Beat the Summer Heat in Calgary

Amanda MacKay News & Reviews

With summer here, we can all use some ideas on staying cool during hot weather. Even if you’re lucky enough to have air conditioning at home, staying in all the time is bound to make the kids restless and you irritable. (And if you don’t have ...Read More

Need a Mini Vacation? Put a Little Français Into Your Day… at Vélo Café!

Amanda MacKay Food & Drink, News & Reviews

On Calgary’s 17th Avenue SW, about a dozen blocks west of ‘restaurant mile’, there exists a foodie mecca and the perfect spot for a quick getaway from everyday reality. The Casel building is home to upscale French eatery Cassis Bistro, her little sister Vélo Café, ...Read More

Make Merry in Your Own City – Explore Downtown Calgary During the Holidays!

Amanda MacKay News & Reviews, Weekend Getaways

Traveling during the holiday season can be tough. With crowded airports, the already-challenging suitcase packing complicated by bulky gifts and the higher than usual chance of encountering delayed flights or snowy roads… it can all add up to frayed nerves and some less-than-festive feelings. Some families choose to forego ...Read More

Make Friday Nights Family Night – At Home or Out on the Town!

Amanda MacKay News & Reviews

  Say “How are you?” to any parent these days and there’s a very good chance that their answer will include the word “busy”. Between work, school, chores, extracurricular activities and friends, modern family life certainly is busy! Families may, in fact, start to feel like ships passing ...Read More

5 Fantastic Places to Picnic With Your Family in Calgary

Amanda MacKay News & Reviews, Parks & Pathways

  Nothing says summer quite like a tasty meal eaten outdoors. When your own back deck gets repetitive, a picnic in a nearby park is a perfect choice! Parents can relax, kids can run around in the fresh air and enjoy amenities like wading pools, playgrounds, ...Read More

Climbing the Walls (Well, Running Up Them) is Part of the Fun at Breathe Parkour Birthday Parties!

Amanda MacKay Birthday Parties, Local Stories and Adventures, News & Reviews

A few months ago, my son attended a friend’s birthday party at a gym I’d never heard of, which teaches a sport I’d only just barely heard of. He came home raving about the fantastic party and absolutely positive that he wanted to hold his own birthday ...Read More

Happy Birthday! Get FREE Treats on Your Special Day – Calgary Edition

Amanda MacKay Birthday Parties, Cheapies & Freebies, News & Reviews

Celebrating your birthday? Kids get so excited, but we grown-ups sometimes grumble; those mounting years can start to get a little concerning! But we’ve found a great way to keep the kids’ fun going and/or cheer you up on your special day – FREE ...Read More