25 BEST Things to Do in Kalamazoo, MI

Situated two hours to the west of Detroit, Kalamazoo seamlessly combines pure magnificence with cultural points of interest, making certain quite a lot of actions throughout all seasons!

The town boasts in depth biking trails, together with the Kalamazoo River Valley Path, good for outside fanatics. Households with kids will delight within the Binder Park Zoo, providing a memorable expertise. In case you desire indoor adventures, Kalamazoo has you coated with points of interest just like the Midwest Miniatures Museum, the Valley Museum, and the famend Gilmore Automobile Museum.

And for the adults that search the refreshing style of craft beer, quite a few native Michigan breweries await your exploration. The ethical of the story is there are many issues to do in Kalamazoo for all! Whether or not you’re drawn to outside adventures or indoor cultural experiences, Kalamazoo supplies a satisfying and various getaway.

The Finest Issues to Do in Kalamazoo

1. Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Deal with: 230 N Rose St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm,Sunday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Monday: Closed

Price of Admission: Free

The primary entry on our listing of greatest issues to do in Kalamazoo assures real healthful household enjoyable for all ages, and the perfect half is that admission is free. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum has fascinating reveals, artifacts, a space-themed exhibit, and a planetarium with common reveals.

One of many highlights is the Kids’s Panorama exhibit, an interactive, self-guided, hands-on expertise for preschoolers aged as much as 5. Themes change frequently, and there are numerous completely different points of interest to maintain each children and fogeys occupied, reminiscent of a spaceship and a college bus full of completely different interactive and sensory-filled actions.

2. Kalamazoo Nature Middle

Deal with: 7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00 pm

Price of Admission: Adults 18-54: $7.00, Adults 55+: $6.00, Ages 4-17: $4.00.3 & Beneath: Free

The Kalamazoo Nature Middle is a type of uncommon locations the place mountain climbing fanatics, ecological researchers, conservationists, and artwork lovers can all come collectively. The Middle options 15 miles of mountain climbing trails via completely different Michigan habitats, with some lovely spots and wonderful wildlife to identify alongside the way in which.

The Arboretum options lovely sculptures, and artwork lovers will even benefit from the quite a few artwork reveals and gala’s, workshops, and exhibitions on the Glen Vista Gallery. With a lot to do, and solely a $7 admission charge, you’re getting plenty of worth for cash and may take pleasure in a terrific time out with the household.

3. Kalamazoo State Theater

Deal with: 404 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Price of Admission: Per occasion ticket costs, examine right here.

This Spanish-styled atmospheric theater has been a fixture of downtown Kalamazoo since 1927. This historic theater stays in operation with common stay performances and traditional movie showings which might be a must-watch when in Kalamazoo.

The Theater is extra than simply for reveals and films, as it’s a historic constructing with notable structure, it has been listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 2021.

Visitors may even take guided excursions to study extra in regards to the structure, historical past, and general design of the Theater (together with the marvelous atmospheric sky), are alluring sufficient however the Theater’s historic organ and pipes put the icing on the cake. 

4. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Deal with: 314 S Park St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 11:00 am -5:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 am – 4:00 pm

Price of Admission: Adults $5 / College students $2, Free for members, kids via age 12, and lively army personnel

Artwork lovers rejoice, for this 80,000-square-foot non-profit artwork museum and college has rather a lot to supply. With 10 galleries and an 11000 sq. foot exhibition house, you’ll you should definitely catch an artwork present, exhibition, or seminar that can pique your curiosity.

There are nearly 15 exhibitions every year revolving round completely different subjects and artwork types. The everlasting assortment can be fairly spectacular, with greater than 4600 authentic works from many notable artists reminiscent of Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, and Andrew Wyeth.

The artwork college additionally gives many courses and seminars on quite a lot of artwork subjects together with portray, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, pictures, jewelry-making, weaving, and fiber arts.

5. Gilmore Automobile Museum

Deal with: 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Price of Admission: For ticket data, click on right here.

Kalamazoo entertains gearheads and grease monkeys as effectively, with the Gilmore Automobile Museum. Unfold throughout 90 acres, the Museum homes over 400 classic and uncommon cars from completely different eras, with common automobile meets and reveals.

With a lot to see you would make a day journey out of it, and seeing lovely vehicles isn’t the one factor on provide. Younger grease monkey devotees can make the most of “Gilmore Storage Works”, an after-school enrichment program with welding, portray, and fabrication courses. There are additionally lectures on Sunday afternoons on quite a lot of car-related subjects.

6. Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market

Deal with: 1204 Financial institution St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 am -1:00 pm, Saturday:7:00 am -2:00 pm

In case you’re trying to purchase native natural produce and artisanal gadgets, then the Kalamazoo Farmers Market is the place to be.

With greater than 120 farmers, meals companies, and artisans providing their items (together with alpaca socks!), you’ll have plenty of decisions. Inventory on each stall within the Market goes to be restricted so be sure to get there on time to get your arms on all the great things.

The Market is open on Saturdays from 7 AM to 2 PM, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 1 PM.

7. Kalamazoo River Valley Path

The Kalamazoo River Valley Path is a deliberate 35-mile non-motorized path (of which 24 miles have been accomplished) that’s asphalt-paved and 10 toes broad.

The Path runs via Kalamazoo County and gives cyclists and mountain climbing fanatics a terrific probability to immerse themselves within the native nature. It opens each day at 7 AM and closes at sundown.

You’ll be able to stroll the path or journey a bicycle, however that’s about it. No different automobiles are allowed, and pets should be saved on a leash and pet house owners ought to all the time clear up after their canines.

8. Kalamazoo Aviation Historical past Museum (Air Zoo)

Deal with: 6151 Portage Rd, Portage (GPS)

Hours: Monday- Saturday 9: 00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm -5:00 pm

Price of Admission: Grownup: $18.00, Youngster 5-17: $16.00, Senior: $15.00, Youngster 0-4: Free

Flight fanatics will take pleasure in this subsequent attraction in Kalamazoo, which consists of an aviation museum and an indoor amusement park – all rolled into one enjoyable vacation spot for all ages!

The Air Zoo, recognized initially because the Kalamazoo Aviation Historical past Museum, homes greater than 80 completely different plane, most of that are nonetheless airworthy. The amusement park can be plenty of enjoyable and has distinctive points of interest such because the 180-degree theater that reveals a simulation of a bombing mission by a B-17 throughout World Conflict 2. There’s even a simulation of a rocket journey to Mars.

9. The Henderson Fortress

Deal with: 100 Monroe St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

This huge 25-room manor is a must-see spot for those who’re visiting Kalamazoo. The sheer fantastic thing about the structure, design, and craftsmanship is sufficient to maintain you occupied.

If a tour of the Fortress isn’t sufficient, you may as well go to the vineyard for a wine tasting or add to your wine assortment with the Fortress’s signature pink, pinot grigio, chardonnay, riesling, and merlot wines.

If the vineyard and excursions of the Fortress don’t curiosity you, the Fortress additionally gives numerous eating choices such because the H Prime Chophouse, a wonderful excessive tea service, and a tremendous Sunday brunch.

The Fortress and its environment are so lovely that many make the most of the Fortress Inn and keep just a few nights within the many snug and fantastically embellished rooms.

10. Milham Park Golf Course

Deal with: 4200 Lovers Ln, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Kalamazoo additionally has rather a lot to supply to golfers with the Milham Park Golf Course. This famend 18-hole, par 72 golf course is as lovely as it’s difficult. A spherical of golf spent on this Course gained’t simply provide sightseeing, but in addition a passable recreation of golf.

The on-site professional store is so good that it’s gained awards, the apply services will assist anybody enhance their recreation, and the consuming choices are additionally simply as wonderful.

11. W.Okay. Kellogg Chook Sanctuary

Deal with: 12685 E C Ave, Augusta (GPS)

Hours: Wednesday- Sunday: 9: 00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Tuesday: Closed

Wildlife fanatics can even have a enjoyable time exploring the W.Okay. Kellogg Chook Sanctuary, with three miles of mountain climbing trails and many alternative habitats.

Situated 15 miles north of Kalamazoo and 12 miles northwest of Battle Creek, guests get to see the wildlife of Wintergreen Lake of their pure environment, together with waterfowl, raptors, and recreation birds.

Ensure you’re correctly dressed in line with the climate and put on footwear with grip. You must also maintain a water bottle useful, particularly when such an extended stroll is concerned in exploring all the Sanctuary.

12. Hike The Kal-Haven Path

Deal with: 4143 tenth St N, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Top-of-the-line issues to do in Kalamazoo is go for a hike! Michigan is understood for its nature and wildlife and one among its crown jewels is the Kal Haven Path. Considered one of Michigan State’s premier vacationer locations, the Kal-Haven Path is a 34-mile-long path connecting Kalamazoo to South Haven and has been licensed as a Pure Michigan Path.

It’s not a monotonous journey, because the Path passes via completely different settings together with farmlands, orchards, a glacial moraine, small villages, wetlands, and even some ghost cities.

When you’ve crossed the Path you gained’t be disenchanted both, because the Path ends at Lake Michigan; a picturesque finish to an thrilling journey.

13. Enjoyable For All on the Airway Enjoyable Middle

Deal with: 5626 Portage Rd, Portage (GPS)

Hours: Monday -Thursday: 10:00 am -11:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 am Sunday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

Price of Admission: For ticket data, click on right here.

In case you’re on the lookout for a single vacation spot that’s full of enjoyable video games, actions, and points of interest for all age teams, then the Airway Enjoyable Middle is the place to be.

With an extended listing of actions together with bowling, palladium, a climbing wall, go-karting, a gyroscope and coaster journey, laser tag, a laser maze, digital actuality, a rope course, and mini golf too, there’s lots to do.

The Airway Enjoyable Middle can be a good way for mother and pop to take a seat and relaxation whereas the youngsters run round taking part in.

14. Markin Glen County Park

Deal with: 5300 N Westnedge Ave Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 am- 9:00 pm

This 160-acre state park, which was as soon as a non-public property, is an outdoorsman’s paradise. With fishing, mountain climbing, and 38 fashionable campsites, Markin Glen County Park could make for a terrific tenting vacation.

The environment are extremely lovely and provide extraordinary views of the Michigan wilderness. The Park is residence to one among Kalamazoo’s highest peaks and likewise includes a mature beech-maple forest.

Every campsite features a picnic bench, a hearth ring, and hookups for electrical energy, water, and sewerage. The campgrounds even have clear fashionable restrooms and showers obtainable on-site.

15. Lawton Ridge Vineyard

Deal with: 8456 Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

The Lawton Ridge Winery was established in 1974, however their first in-house classic was in 2008, and the Vineyard launched wines reminiscent of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Traminette, Two-Handed Purple, and Cabernet Franc.

Whereas this Michigan vineyard could also be comparatively younger, the wines they produce are nonetheless of notable high quality whereas sustaining an reasonably priced worth vary.

The tasting room on the vineyard can be price a go to, costing solely $7 per individual, which features a tasting of 6 wines. The Vineyard additionally hosts common occasions and courses for its many guests.

16. The New Vic Theater

Deal with: 134 E Vine St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Price of Admission: For ticket data, click on right here.

Followers of stay stage performances and theatrics will discover the New Vic Theater to their liking. The Theater’s rendition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and the annual Christmas Live shows are all the time widespread points of interest, and welcome guests from throughout Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana.

These vacation performances have turn into a Christmas custom for a lot of locals and common patrons. The Theater was based by residents Ted & Mary Jo Kistler to present the inventive group an outlet and provide fellow residents healthful and complex leisure.

At present the Theater holds a really important place, even presenting some Broadway reveals earlier than they grew to become widespread in New York.

17. Exploring the Al Sabo Land Protect

Deal with: 6310 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm

Yet one more spot for the enthusiastic outdoorsman, the Al Sabo Land Protect gives 741 acres of pristine Michigan wilderness.

Regardless that the land was initially given protected standing for its underground water assets, the land above is what has attracted so many company. With various methods reminiscent of woods, wetlands, and open meadows, there’s rather a lot to discover.

There are a lot of mountain climbing trails as effectively, a few of which aren’t mapped out correctly. In case you do select to go on any unmarked trails, you should definitely take a map and a compass with you.

18. Glass Artwork Kalamazoo

Deal with: 326 W Kalamazoo Ave #100, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm,Sunday – Monday: Closed

Glass Artwork Kalamazoo, situated on the Park Trades Middle in downtown Kalamazoo, is a non-profit schooling heart specializing in glass arts.

Along with having a gallery and store that shows some lovely glass artwork, Glass Artwork Kalamazoo additionally gives courses for glass blowing, torchworking, kiln fusing, and chilly working.

There’s even a summer time camp for these trying to maintain their children occupied long-term in the course of the summer time holidays. In addition they host common occasions, permitting artists from all backgrounds to come back collectively and respect the artwork of glass working.

19. Gene The Pumpkin Man

Deal with: 22637 M-43, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Price of Admission: Free admission

One of many first issues guests will discover at this attraction is the various issues coloured orange. This place is orange and every part about it reminds you of pumpkins and Halloween, particularly throughout fall in Michigan.

Gene’s farm is even colloquially generally known as the land of orange and the individuals who work listed below are known as ‘pumpkin folks’.

The pumpkin mailbox, the six toes broad orange play pumpkin, the orange barns, tractors, vehicles, and vehicles all add to the attraction of Gene the Pumpkin Man. Gene is considerably of an area movie star and the farm grows high quality pumpkins, winter squash, Indian corn, gourds, and honey.

There’s even a pumpkin cookbook! Visiting is dependent upon the season, and the farm is barely accessible to guests from mid-September to November, from 10 AM to eight PM.

20. Farmers Alley Theater

Deal with: 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Kalamazoo nonetheless has extra to supply to the followers of the stage and the Farmers Alley Theater supplies high quality stage performances for Kalamazoo’s locals and different residents of the larger surrounding space.

Within the coronary heart of Farmers Alley, the Theater largely places on performances by up-and-coming writers and artists, however there are nonetheless some mainstream performs and reveals being carried out occasionally.

Probably the most notable characteristic of the Theater is that it’s a non-profit enterprise. So, for those who go to and revel in your time and need to help the Theater, don’t overlook to donate.

21. VerHage Fruit Farm & Cider Mill

Deal with: 8619 West ML Ave Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Thursday – Friday: 9:00 am -5:30 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

In case you’re a fan of natural selfmade meals items, then be sure that to cease on the VerHage Fruit Farm & Cider Mill. Right here you should purchase recent produce, baked items, reminiscent of pies, donuts, cupcakes, bread, and pastries.

The Farm’s apple cider vinegar is notable, and lots of guests purchase a number of bottles to take again residence. There are additionally different recent natural merchandise obtainable, reminiscent of honey and maple syrup. You’ll be able to even take a bunch tour of the cider mill, and, throughout Christmas time, you could find stay timber and wreaths on the market.

22. Lillian Anderson Arboretum

Deal with: 7787 W Primary St, Kalamazoo (GPS)

This 140-acre facility, owned by Kalamazoo Faculty, includes marshes, meadows, and pine and second-growth deciduous forests. The Faculty’s aim is to protect the Arboretum in its pure state and suffice it to say they’ve performed an excellent job to this point. Mountain climbing via the Arboretum is an absolute delight and likewise provides chicken watchers rather a lot to do with the thriving native wildlife.

In the course of the winter, there’s additionally cross-country working and snowboarding, making a visit right here among the best issues to do in Kalamazoo within the winter.

23. Confections with Convictions

Deal with: 116 W Crosstown Pkwy #101, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Closed: Sunday – Monday

These with a candy tooth ought to make it some extent to go to Confections with Convictions, an artisanal confectionary that makes pleasant chocolate treats. Their treats embody truffles, caramels, barks, chocolate bites, and even some vegan choices.

The scrumptious treats however, what units this place aside is that they make use of honest commerce practices and rent folks with a felony document, giving them a second probability to construct their lives.

Confections with Convictions additionally do wholesale and bulk orders for any occasions that you just might need throughout your go to to Kalamazoo.

24. Miller Auditorium

Deal with: 1341 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo (GPS)

Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Situated on the campus of Western Michigan College, the Miller Auditorium is taken into account the premier performing arts venue in West Michigan and the Auditorium has lived as much as its popularity.

The Auditorium’s aim is to reinforce the cultural lifetime of the Area with the usage of stay theater. Over time the Auditorium has hosted quite a lot of occasions together with touring Broadway productions, concert events, stand-up comedy, and household reveals.

The College continues to work on the Auditorium periodically making certain that it has state-of-the-art services. Along with being a patron, you may as well donate to the Auditorium to assist them additional their mission.

25. West Michigan Beer Excursions

Deal with: 8619 W Ml Ave, Kalamazoo,(GPS)

Hours: 24 hours

In case you’re a beer lover, then the West Michigan Beer Excursions are positive to give you some enjoyable leisure. This firm gives excursions, each private and non-private, which take guests on a visit to a number of beer/spirit breweries and wineries.

Guests even have the choice of a strolling tour or to go to websites on a bus. One of many extra widespread excursions is Kalamazoo’s Beer Path, which consists of 14 completely different stops the place vacationers can style the native craft beer. Be sure you tempo your self and never overdrink. Additionally, maintain consuming water to maintain your self hydrated!

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