Things To Do In Kalamazoo
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You won’t run out of fun things to do in Kalamazoo. Plan your itinerary with a wide range of outdoor activities, live theater productions, museums, and everything in between. Kalamazoo has become the epicenter of romance and fun. And the Kalamazoo House is the sole luxury hotel alternative that puts it all within reach.
Beers, Wineries, Distilleries, and Beer Tours!
As the center of the origin of Michigan’s legendary microbrewery scene, let’s start with BEERs!
Breweries in Kalamazoo-to name a few
- Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
- Brite Eyes Brewing Co.
- Final Gravity Brewing Company – Kalamazoo
- Latitude 42 Brewing Company
- One Well Brewing
- Paw Paw Brewing Company – Paw Paw
- Saugatuck Brewing – Kalamazoo
- The Beer Exchange
- Texas Corners Brewing Company
- Wax Wings Brewing Co. – curbside pickup only
For the love of wine! Kalamazoo has a few wineries too.
- Lawton Ridge Winery
- Tempo Vino Winery – downtown Kalamazoo
- St. Julian Winery & Distillery – Paw Paw
- Cody Kresta Vineyard and Winery
Let’s not forget Kalamazoo’s Distilleries!
Popular Spots in Downtown Kalamazoo
From festivals to hot music, and more, Kalamazoo is pretty amazing. Check out some of the these cool spots:
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe (easy 10 min walk)
Shakespeare’s Pub (easy 10 min walk)
Green Top Tavern, (easy 9 min walk)
Louie’s Trophy House (local dive, just a 5 minute drive)
Stamped Robin (Jazzy atmosphere, and just a 9 min walk)
WL SocialHouse aka Wine Loft (easy 9 min walk)
Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, (easy 9 min walk)
Lunchtime Live! and Concerts in Bronson Park. Held every Friday in the summer (June-August)
Other Things To Do In Kalamazoo
Shopping
The Kalamazoo Mall area is loaded with great boutiques, eateries, music, and fun. Here is a listing resource for shopping: https://downtownkalamazoo.org/downtown-dollars/.
Dine at Kalamazoo Local Restaurants
Enjoy some of the best dining Kalamazoo has to offer! Follow along in our restaurant guide and try a variety of food. Call or check their website if reservations are required.
Arts & Culture & Leisure
Hard to believe that a city can have it all, but the arts community in Kalamazoo is far more robust than you would ever imagine for a city of its size.
- Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Next door from us. Its impressive Dale Chihuly sculpture is visible from the window of our Kalamazoo Suite
- Historic Kalamazoo State Theatre, just 3 blocks away. Tour this 1927 “picture palace” featuring a ceiling that resembles the night sky.
- Kalamazoo Valley Museum, an 8 minute walk. Discover the rich stories of our past, the scientific wonders of the future, and everything in between.
- Air Zoo Air and Space Experience. An easy 13 minute drive. A Smithsonian-affiliated; they feature more than 50 historic aircrafts and exhibits, a fantastic experience for sure.
- The Gilmore Car Museum, Scenic 25 minute drive. A collection several museums on a 90-acre campus. They’re more than 300 vintage cars, from an 1899 steam-powered runabout to 1930s taxicabs to muscle cars, motorcycles, concept cars and much, much more.
- A’vie Health Salon Spa. A lovely 20 minute drive. Let them pamper you from head to toe! Book online for massages, facials, pedicures, and manicures. Call directly for Couple Massages at 269-374-4400.
- Revel & Roll West. A 9 minute drive. Make a day or night of it with a variety of activities: bowling, axe throwing, billiards, ping-pong, arcade, and laser tag. Laugh, eat, drink, and play.
- Escapology of Portage, A live escape game that is 11 minutes away. Enjoy a private adventure in a locked room, racing against time to crack the code and ‘escape’. It’s a fav of ours.
- FireKeepers Casino The property features a 111,700-square foot gaming floor with 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, multiple restaurants and lounges, a live poker room and bingo room. A straight shot east, a 32 minute drive on 94.
- Gun Lake Casino The best gaming with 2500 slots, table games, and poker. Head north on 131, easy 30 minute drive.
Outdoor Activities
- Milham Park Golf Course; this a challenging 18-hole, par 72 layout located on 130 acres adjacent to beautiful Milham Park on the southern edge of Kalamazoo.
- Altitude Endeavors, Inc Hot Air Balloon rides, book your flight at 888-933-5964.
- Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market– This American Farmer’s Market runs annually from mid-June 21 to mid-September 19 and showcases the local farmers, ranchers, gardeners, bakers, and more.
- Gull Meadows Farms, A favorite West Michigan destination. In late summer is their annual Kalamazoo Balloon Fest, it is a MUST SEE. September through mid-October pick your own apples. Mid October, take a wagon ride to the farm’s pumpkin patch, and select your own pumpkin.
- Audubon Society of Kalamazoo. Bird watching.
- Al Sabo Preserve, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, the famous Kal-Haven Trail, Maple Hill Trail, and Fort Custer State Recreation Area. For trails, hiking, walking, or biking.
- KJC ATV Rentals and Trail of South Haven ATVs rentals, a 45 minute drive.
- Woods Lake Park has a sandy beach, changing area, picnic pavilion, restrooms, and a fishing pier that are all fresh and modern. Its warm water is perfect for swimming and standup paddle-boarding.
- Kalamazoo River has about 50 access sites along 123 miles for all level of paddlers.
- Bittersweet Skiing and Snowboard Resort – 25 minute drive.
- Timber Ridge Ski Area Ski, Snowboard, and Tubing – 21 minute drive.
- Echo Valley Winter Sports Park Tobogganing and Tubing – 15 minute drive.
