Kalamazoo, located at the bottom left of Michigan’s mitten, has plenty of things to do for all types of travelers. You can spend your days exploring museums and art institutions, or hopping from brewery to brewery, stopping at Bell’s Eccentric Café, a major player in Michigan’s craft beer movement. Shop at the oldest pedestrian mall in the United States, or go hiking, kayaking, or swimming at any of Kalamazoo’s nature reserves and parks. To round out your experience, plan your trip around popular annual events like Bell’s Oberon Day and JumpstART Weekend.
The best time to visit Kalamazoo is between spring and fall before the city gets heavy with snow and it’s too cold for exploring. In March, Kalamazoo's very own Bell's Brewery celebrates Oberon Day, a summer camp-inspired festival complete with campfires, crafts, and a DJ. Summer brings JumpstART Weekend, a 2-day art fair where 100-plus artists sell ceramics, jewelry, and more. In the fall, head into nature for hiking, biking, kayaking, or horseback riding among the vibrant foliage.
It’s easy to get to Kalamazoo: You can fly into Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport or arrive via Greyhound bus or Amtrak. Once you arrive, the city's public transit system, Kalamazoo Metro, offers bus routes all through Kalamazoo that are cheap, safe, convenient, and reliable. However, they have limited daily hours and don’t run on Sundays. You can also rent a car or download Kalamazoo Metro's Metro Link app for ridesharing services.
When the weather is warm, the beaches in and around Kalamazoo spring to life. Markin Glen Park is a family-friendly option with accessible access to its lake, but if you want a bigger beach, don’t forget that Lake Michigan is about an hour from Kalamazoo. Head to South Haven to swim, participate in water sports, and soak up the sun.
