If you are looking for a family-friendly attraction, start your trip at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The museum offers free admission (donations accepted), and offers a great atmosphere for children of all ages. Younger kids will enjoy the puppet show and exploration area, as well as a number of other hands-on exhibits. Parents and children alike will be wowed by the museum’s planetarium, which offers different shows depending on the season.
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is a great way to experience the visual arts. Recent rotating exhibits have highlighted the work of local artists, as well as bamboo sculpture work. The Institute of Arts also has an impressive permanent collection, including works from famous artists like Rodin, Gaugin, Picasso, and many more. If you are feeling inspired, take one of the drawing or painting classes offered here. Be sure not to miss this impressive collection of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photos and more.
If you are looking to get outdoors, the Kalamazoo Nature Center offers a total of 14 scenic, preserved trails for hiking and walking alongside rivers, ponds and streams. Take a guided walk with a knowledgeable staff member, or head out on your own. No matter the season, the Nature Center offers a great way to take a break from the outside world. Next, explore what Kalamazoo’s farmers and artisans have to offer at the Bank Street Farmer’s Market. Open every Saturday, the market offers the latest in seasonal produce from local growers as well as snacks and gifts from local businesses and entrepreneurs. Stroll from vendor to vendor to learn about fruits and vegetables from the farmers who grew them, sample local treats, and find homemade novelty items like beer soap (yes, really) to bring back from your trip.
If you are a wine aficionado, be sure to visit the Lawton Ridge Winery while in town. The winery gives you the chance to learn more about local wines in a comfortable, intimate setting. You can tour the winery and learn about the winemaking process, sample local favorites as part of a wine tasting or just browse and enjoy a nice glass. Craft beer fans cannot afford to miss out on a Western Michigan Beer Tour. Sign up for this bus tour to see what Western Michigan’s community of microbreweries has to offer. You can tour the facilities of each brewery to learn about the brewing process from its owners, and then sample some of their handiwork at each stop’s tasting. The tour’s guides know how to make sure everyone has a good time, and you will have the option to purchase some of your new favorite beers at each stop.
With so much to do in Kalamazoo, you need a clean and comfortable room to come back to after a full day’s worth of activities. Check out our Kalamazoo hotels below and book today! We look forward to providing the hospitality and guidance you need to make your trip memorable.