4 Surprises That Shattered My Calgary Expectations! 🏇🏾

“Lonestar” | 21

So, I just got back from Calgary, and wow, was I in for a surprise! I went in thinking it's all about the oil sands, beef, and the Stampede, but what I discovered is a city bursting with a vibrant food scene, cool neighbourhoods, and unexpected natural adventures and wonders, all within the city limits.

BTW, I got you Your Complete Guide to Visiting Calgary: Attractions, Restaurants, Hotels, and Things to Do, along with a video documenting my four-day boys’ trip. It was incredible!

In the mean time get ready to have your Calgary expectations turned upside down as I bust some myths and share what I learned, plus tips, tricks, gear, and even some flight deals

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Unveiling Calgary: More Than Meets the Rib Eye

My biggest myth-busting moment in Calgary? I'd always pictured it as a city solely defined by its rich Western heritage and, let's be honest, its reputation for incredible beef. And yes, that heritage is a big part of the story! The Calgary Stampede draws in over a million visitors every year, a testament to its enduring appeal.

But the Blue Sky City quickly proved it has so much more to offer. One day, I was cruising through the city streets in a vintage-style sidecar, feeling the wind in my dreads and the sun on my face, and the next day, I was out on the Bow River fly fishing like a seasoned angler.

I was doing what I do best...peeling back the layers of a city eager to move beyond expectations. A place where cowboy boots and culinary innovation coexist, where you can explore the history of the Stampede at the SAM Centre and then soar above the skyline in a helicopter. It completely shattered my expectations in the best possible way.

Travel Tips & Tricks (aka 4 Myths Busted):

Calgary is *Only* About the Beef: My Friends, it's time to elevate your expectations of the local food scene!

The myth? Calgary is *just* about the beef. While its steakhouses are legendary (and for good reason!), the culinary scene is so much more diverse. That said, when Calgary does beef, it does *not* f**k around! It's a staple here!

• Caesar's Steak House & Lounge: This institution, a city staple since 1972, was founded by Greek immigrant Con Giannoulis. They're famous for their secret house-made steak spice, and they've used the same Alberta beef supplier since day one. The meat? Aged a minimum of 28 days and cooked over an open flame right in the dining room!

  

• Class Clown Hamburgers: Don't let the name fool you. They're all about top-quality local ingredients—like beef from the fourth-generation Benchmark Angus ranch—while still embracing the joy of fun, no-frills comfort food.

  

• BUT, forget steak…just for a second. Calgary's culinary scene is on fire! I savoured Mediterranean flavours at Orchard, Latin American dishes at Fortuna's Row, and the fresh, Levantine-inspired fare at Park by Sidewalk Citizen. Outstanding food and breathtaking décor with incredible details.

  

Calgary is *Only* Cowboys and Oil: Embracing Modernity and Diversity

The myth? Calgary is just cowboys and oil, a conservative city lacking in diversity and open-mindedness. I HATE the divisiveness of politics, so I won't generalize about the entire province or anyone else's experience. But in Calgary itself, I found an incredibly welcoming group of people who are friendly, fun, passionate, giving, proud, and steeped in traditions. Yet, not afraid to be a modern, evolving city with a diverse population and a growing sense of its own unique identity.

• A great yet powerful example of this is the Calgary Stampede's long-standing commitment to including Treaty 7 Indigenous peoples. Even during a time when the Indian Act was still in effect, the Stampede made efforts to showcase and celebrate Indigenous culture. This inclusion is evident in the Stampede's opening ceremonies, which feature a procession of Treaty 7 First Nations members, the Elbow River Camp and the high-octane competitions like the Relay Race!
  Check out the Highway Highlights episode HERE👇🏾

Calgary is *Only* the Stampede: A City of Year-Round Attractions

The myth? Calgary is *just* the Stampede. Speaking of the Stampede, while this event is HUGE (and for good reason). Often called 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' , this massive annual event celebrates Western heritage with rodeos, chuckwagon races, agricultural shows, and more. But Calgary is so much more!

• For example, I went fly fishing with Out Fly Fishing, and I couldn't believe how close those stunning Blue Ribbon sections of the Bow River are! This river holds some of the biggest and strongest river-run Rainbow and Brown trout you will ever hope to hook (and release), all within Calgary’s city limits.

• Calgary offers year-round attractions like the fascinating SAM Centre, which brings the Stampede's 112-year history to life, and Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, where you can explore the story of music in Canada.

From exploring the city's history to enjoying its vibrant arts and culture scene, Calgary has something to offer visitors in every season.

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Travel Gear Review

Capture Crystal-Clear Audio on Your Adventures with the DJI Mic

Want to elevate your travel vlogs with professional-sounding audio? On my recent Calgary trip, I relied on the DJI Mic, and it made a huge difference! This wireless microphone system is a game-changer for capturing clear, crisp audio, even in bustling city environments

Here's a pro-tip: My DJI Osmo Pocket 3 came with a microphone, so I bought another DJI Mic. Both mics use the Osmo Pocket 3 as the receiver, which is incredibly useful for conducting interviews on the fly, on the go, or when the opportunity presents itself. For example, as you can see in the image from the SAM Centre in Calgary, I was able to place a mic on my guest while holding the other mic myself!

Pros:

• Amazing sound: The audio quality is truly impressive. Capture clear, crisp audio with effective noise cancellation.

• Wireless and convenient: Freedom from tangled cables is a must when you're on the go! Compact and portable: Easy to pack and carry, taking up minimal space in your travel bag.

• Long battery life: Records for up to 15 hours, so you can capture a full day of adventures.

• Internal memory: The mic has internal memory, so you can record directly on the mic itself, providing a backup or alternative recording option."

• Versatile interview setup: Using two mics with the Osmo Pocket 3 / Osmo Action 4 receiver allows for seamless on-the-spot interviews."

Cons:

• Price: It's an investment, but the audio quality justifies it for serious content creators.

Who's it for?

If you're passionate about creating high-quality travel vlogs and want to enhance your audio, the DJI Mic is a fantastic choice. It's ideal for on-camera interviews, capturing ambient sounds, and providing clear commentary while exploring a destination. The ability to use two mics simultaneously makes it perfect for those who conduct interviews during their travels.

You can find it here:

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Unpacked Travel Insider

☀️ Sun's Out, Fun's Out! Orlando Flight Deals! ☀️ 🌴

Ready for some sunshine, theme park thrills, and Florida fun? We've found some fantastic deals on round-trip flights to Orlando (MCO, SFB)! Normally around $400 USD, you can snag these flights if you book within the next 2-3 weeks for travel between June and September.

From the US, find deals starting from: Albuquerque ($291), Asheville ($74*), Atlanta ($58*), Baltimore ($56*), Boston ($58*), Charleston ($88*), Charlotte ($98*), Chicago ($98*), Cincinnati ($78*), Cleveland ($58*), Dallas ($108*), Denver ($88*), Detroit ($108*), Fort Lauderdale ($64*), Hartford ($118*), Houston ($98*), Indianapolis ($74*), Jacksonville ($238), Kansas City ($108*), Las Vegas ($198*), Los Angeles ($239*), Louisville ($86*), Miami ($159*), Minneapolis ($109*), Nashville ($90*), New Jersey (EWR) ($93*), New Orleans ($60*), New York (JFK) ($87*), New York (LGA) ($106*), Oklahoma City ($147), Omaha ($198*), Orlando ($78*), Philadelphia ($109*), Phoenix ($148*), Pittsburgh ($88*), Portland ($237*), Raleigh ($98*), Richmond ($98*), Sacramento ($238), St. Louis ($73*), Salt Lake City ($179*), San Antonio ($108*), San Diego ($275*), San Francisco ($387*), San Jose ($198), Seattle ($348*), Tampa ($138), Washington DC (DCA) ($187*), and Washington DC (IAD) ($187*). (* denotes nonstop flights)

From Canadian Cities: Calgary (YYC) - $340 CAD Montreal (YUL) - $384 CAD Toronto (YYZ) - $241 CAD Vancouver (YVR) - $294 CAD

Airlines: Expect to fly with United, Delta, American, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant, Spirit, Southwest, or Breeze.

Ready for some magical memories in Orlando?