Kalamazoo – Small-town Midwestern creativity and recreation at its best

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Arcadia Creek bridge in downtown Kalamazoo, with spring trees in bloom

Kalamazoo

Tiny-town The greatest of Midwesterner inventiveness and recreation
Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, Kalamazoo invites exploration. Explore the 83 lakes by boat, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, or paddling the Kalamazoo River. Explore more than 120 kilometers of paved bike trails or venture onto some of the roughest mountain bike routes in Michigan. There’s a park or path with spaces for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and family picnics around every corner. Visit the nearby ski areas and toboggan slopes as the snow starts to fly, or engage in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Culture of Kalamazoo
Discover the vibrant downtown of Kalamazoo, which is home to a variety of stores, eateries, and theaters. See significant architectural structures and discover the history of the region by seeing five historic districts. Visit the W.K. Kellogg Manor House, the former house of the breakfast cereal tycoon turned conference center and bird sanctuary, and the Dr. Nathan Thomas House, one of the most well-known Underground Railroad sites in the state. There’s the Gilmore Car Museum for those who enjoy history. One of the top five car museums in the nation, it houses about 400 vehicles in historic structures.

 

Creating Greatness
Try the food and drink scene in Kalamazoo to get a true sense of the city. With 450 eateries and increasing options for farm-fresh, locally sourced meals, Kalamazoo is becoming well-known for its food. Craft beer has captured the hearts and minds of Michigan in particular, and the romance began in Kalamazoo. Bell’s Brewery holds the distinction of being the oldest and biggest microbrewery in the state, with a global cult-like following for its beers. As to Ratebeer.com, Bell’s Two Hearted has been ranked as the world’s top India Pale Ale. Join the Give A Craft Beer Trail for a beer-aventure that will reward you with swag at the end of your journey and allow you to visit all the nearby breweries.

 

Infectious Curiosity and Creativity
Kalamazoo is a haven for the arts, with ten live performance theaters, an internationally renowned art museum, multiple art and design colleges, quirky galleries, and a bustling bimonthly Art Hop. Visit the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts for a day to see the permanent collection of contemporary art as well as exciting exhibitions, movies, and other events. After becoming inspired at the aviation museum Air Zoo, which has mind-blowing interactive displays and rides, visit the Kalamazoo Nature Center to explore the natural world via a variety of paths and the center’s DeLano Homestead Farmyard.