Experience Kalamazoo

Cyclists have plenty of options including bicycle routes and trails in and around Kalamazoo City, and mountain biking trails at Maple Hill Trail at Markin Glen Park, Al Sabo Land Preserve, and Fort Custer Recreation Area. Over 17 miles of shared-use trails and more than 35 miles of on-road bike lanes are located just next door on the Portage Bikeway.

Looking for day ride? Consider the Battle Creek Linear Park, running from Fort Custer National Cemetery to South Bedford Road, along the Kalamazoo River and looping around Battle Creek, approximately 20 miles. One of the best city bike trails looping through urban, manicured park, historical sights, neighborhoods, woods, and party stores – ride around waterfowl in Kolb Park, take on the beautiful hills of the Leila Arboretum.

For a longer adventure consider the Kal-Haven Trail State Park a (crushed limestone trail connecting Kalamazoo County to South Haven). Or ride the Vicksburg Quilt Trail (ask Innkeeper for map), or the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail.

For an even longer adventure, consider the Great Lake to Lake Trail connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron (South Haven to Port Huron).  Shuttle and logistical support available with advance notice and for a fee.  Call for details.

In September consider The Vineyard Classical Bicycle tour – part of the annual Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival. The tour travels past lush vineyards and orchards at the peak of harvest season. Cyclists pass by woodlands, rivers, lakes and neighboring villages and can choose from three different length routes (20, 40 or 60-mile distances). There will be SAG support with radio crew, route maps, road markings, first aid and refreshment stops provided. Helmets are required.

Whether you prefer to explore on water or on land, Hastings has a trail for you. Located one hour Northeast of Kalamazoo, the scenic Thornapple River is adjacent to downtown Hastings and is easily accessible from Bliss and Tyden parks. The Riverwalk Trail follows the Thornapple for three miles and is suitable for walking, biking, and sight-seeing. For those seeking more of a challenge, the recently completed Hammond Hill Trail offers 7-miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking and more. Avid cyclists may also test themselves on the permanently marked Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race courses (24, 32, and 64 miles) that take in some of the area’s most challenging trails and scenic back roads.

Supported Rides:  Sometimes a two-wheeled trip does better with some four-wheeled assistance.  We can pick you and your bike up in an emergency, or at a predetermined location.  We also provide shuttle services for you, your car, your luggage, or your bike.  Contact the Inn for pricing and details.

Need a bike?:  KazooSwift offers bike rentals.

Hikers can check out Awesome Mitten’s list of 6 Trails to Try for Real Adventure. Or consider All Trails for exploring the most popular trails near Kalamazoo with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers. Or check out this list of lesser known parks and trails put together by Discover Kalamazoo.

Urban Nature Park is a 4-acre natural area in the heart of downtown.  Once a railroad depot and coal yard, the park is still boarded by working rail lines.  The trail leads to an observation deck from which visitors can view nature reclaiming its own.

Hiking opportunities also abound at the Kalamazoo Nature Center featuring 14+ miles of hiking trails that wind through some of the most special habitats in Michigan.  In Spring The Beech Maple Trail features a riotous display of Spring wildflowers (Nature’s food for emerging pollinators).  Download a trail map.

Eliason Nature Trail is a 3.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. This is a paved walking trail near Kalamazoo that includes a combination of upland and wetland ecosystems and contains a large segment of Bishop’s Bog. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

Oshtemo Township Park is a 70-acre park, located behind the Township Hall at 7275 West Main Street, is a great place to walk, play, or gather with friends.  The recently renovated park features a playground, a paved loop walking trail, accessible restrooms, two picnic pavilions, tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, a wiffleball field, and an 18-hole disc golf course. The forested area of the park, with rolling hills and an overlook deck, features a network of unpaved Kalamazoo walking trails and is popular for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

The Fred McLinden Nature Trails consist of a 1.7-mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Comstock, Michigan that features a river and is good for all skill levels. In addition to walking trails, this Kalamazoo nature trail offers a number of activity options including fishing, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Wolf Tree Nature Preserve accessed at 8794 W Kl Ave, Kalamazoo, features two 3/4-mile loops of moderate trails that wind through forest and meadows, affording scenic vistas. “Wolf Tree” refers to old trees (frequently oaks) with low-spreading limbs – often with a gnarly and weathered appearance. These trees have round shapes and low-spreading limbs because they used to grow alone in wide open spaces like savannas and pastures. Several of these old wolf trees are present on the trail.

Or the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, located in Hickory Corners with numerous trails and other areas open to the public for walking and hiking. The grounds of the Kellogg Estate, which include the Kellogg Manor House, are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the estate and historic Manor House, and docent-led tours are available by reservation. The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, in nearby Augusta, offers several trails, some of which are paved and accessible to visitors using wheelchairs. Explore independently, or join one of many events that highlight the Sanctuary’s resident and wild birds.

The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery also has a nature trail system winding through the grounds, around a mixture of now-defunct and still-functioning ponds. Although unpaved, the trails are well-maintained enough to make pushing a stroller possible. The trails are quiet and peaceful and make a loop about a quarter-mile long. Wooded areas are perfect for shade on a hot day or for viewing the changing colors in the fall. Open areas provide welcome sunshine on a cool day and beautiful views across the ponds. At the beginning of the trail, next to the visitor’s center, is the hatchery’s show pond.

For strollers – Discover Kalamazoo has put together a Tasty Treats Downtown Walking Tour

Situated on 433 acres, Binder Park Zoo is not your typical Zoo and features a variety of rides and exhibits, like the award-winning Wild Africa. In Wild Africa, guests go on safari through a 50-acre African national park; including an 18-acre savannah hosting herds of impala, zebra, antelope, gazelle, and ostrich, and the Twiga Overlook where you can hand-feed one of the nation’s largest herds of giraffe! Upon your arrival back to the U.S., you are greeted by Mexican wolves, Chinese red pandas, kangaroos and a snow leopard! Don’t forget to stop by and see the three American black bears recently added to the Zoo.

Take a walk through Kalamazoo History at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Wander through the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts with a permanent collection of nearly 5000 works including American painting, European and American prints and photographs, and pre-Columbian gold; as well as a constant rotation of traveling and temporary exhibitions.

Take a day for the 90-acre historic campus at the Gilmore Car Museum. Cars – classics (and lots of them) but not just cars. The Museum tells the history of America through the automobile, fostering experiences that connect people with the history, heritage, and social impact of the automobile. Specialized shows (Corvette, Lincoln, English Sports Cars) scheduled throughout the summer. Something a little smaller, but no less classic – the Vicksburg Old Car Festival.

Consider a visit to the Kalamazoo Institute of Art for inspiration, then a workshop at the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center or Glass Art Kalamazoo. Other opportunities include: Painting with a Twist – a fun art studio for anyone interested in painting. Reservation fee includes apron, canvas, brushes, paints (acrylic) and step by step art instruction throughout the class. To join a class, view their on-line calendar, select a painting you like and register online. Art Bayou – offering pottery painting 6 days a week. Stamps, silk screens, stencils, Pinterest posts, and painted examples available for inspiration. Design Street Plainwell – offering classes in Photography, Glass, Calligraphy, Painting, Drawing, Collage/Mixed Media, INK/Dyes, Fiber, and more. Express Yourself Art Barn in Fennville offering all types of painting projects: ceramic, silk, glass and wood. Everything is easy, advice & examples are provided and ALL ages are welcome. $8 studio fee for spending the day creating; Projects begin at $2. Average customer spends $20-25; Pick up is next day after 4 (in most cases) or your work can be shipped; Advice & examples provided. Or gather a group and hit Happy Our Art Kalamazoo’s original social canvas painting and project experience.

Patio Dining: The Cove Lakeside Bistro offers a huge patio overlooking West Lake off of Portage Road, with a varied and tasty fish menu.  Martini’s in the downtown Vine Neighborhood has a quaint patio with umbrellas and an Italian based menu.  A little further drive to Three Rivers and Fisher Lake Inn is worth a summer’s drive.

Fresh produce: From spring until late fall, Kalamazoo is ripe with fresh possibilities. Farmer’s Markets and Pick-Your-Own Orchards abound. Pick-your-own season starts in June with strawberries and goes through October with apples and pumpkins. If you’re lucky enough to visit in the fall, be sure to put a corn maze or hayride on your to-do list. Savor homemade cider and donuts alongside the changing landscape.

Bread/Cheese/Wine/Tea & Chocolate: Two women-owned bakeries, producing equally delicious breads and pastries, both worth a visit – Sarkozy’s Bakery and The Victorian Bakery.  Visit The Cheese Lady and add some artisanal cheese from goat to sheep to cow’s milk, from soft to firm, from Italy to France to the U.S. – cut fresh from the cheese wheel to your desired size. Pick up a beverage from Tiffany’s Wine & Spirits and round out your picnic with a selection of truffles and confections hand-crafted with Fair Trade Organic Chocolate from original recipes by chocolatier Dale Anderson of Confections with Conviction. Vegan and gluten-free options available. Heat getting to you? Try a scoop of any Plainwell Ice Cream – available in town at Spirit of Kalamazoo, and of course, in Plainwell.

Shades of Lavender: Check out a Lavender Farm where you can enjoy walking through the lavender fields and cut your own bundles to take home. Watch as they distill lavender essential oil in a copper still and then enjoy a bit of shopping.

GolfLink identifies 5 municipal courses in Kalamazoo with another 20 courses within 20 miles of Kalamazoo, including 17 public, 1 municipal and 2 private courses. The oldest course in the Kalamazoo area is the Kalamazoo Country Club which was designed by Tom Bendalow – the Johnny Appleseed of American Golf – and opened in 1909.

Ranked as the 63rd best disc golf destination in United States and 3rd in Michigan, Kalamazoo has 7 courses.  DG Course Review includes an interactive map identifying courses in and around Kalamazoo.

Indoor golf simulators at X-Golf Kalamazoo offer players accuracy and realism – even in bad weather. The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere makes it perfect for players of all ages and levels.

Revel and Roll West on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo will give you a night of fun, food, and competition. The good times will roll with over 30 bowling lanes and interactive bowling options, the only multi-level Avatar-themed laser tag arena in southwest Michigan, and an arcade. To top it all off, Revel and Roll has lane-side food service dishing up specialty Detroit-style pizzas and made-from-scratch comfort classics.

Firekeeper’s Casino – just 30 minutes east of Kalamazoo offers 2680 slots, 78 action-packed games, a 12-table poker room, and shopping and fine restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Half-way between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, on US 131 Exit 61, you’ll find Gun Lake Casino.

Hops: Whether you like to sit and savor your favorite brew while you drink in the atmosphere of your favorite pub, or whether you like to sample and compare a variety of brews from a variety of pubs. – Kalamazoo has what you’re looking for. Discover Kalamazoo is a good place to start exploring the breweries of Kalamazoo. For more information on Michigan Beers and Breweries check out Michigan Beer Guide. West Michigan Beer Tours offers bus, bike and walking tours of Kalamazoo’s breweries and offers unique experiences, such as brewer meet-and-greets, exclusive tastings, and perhaps even lending a hand in brewing or packaging. Kalamazoo Brew Bus offers you an ultimate Pub crawl experience. 5 breweries and 1 Distillery, 6 stops. Hop on Hop off any location for one Price. Stop at one brewery or stop at every single one on the route. Purchase your brew bus tickets here.

Ciders: Virtue Cider in Fennville offers farmhouse ciders from fresh heirloom apples and using traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive oak barrel-aging program. Sample ciders straight from the source, or take home some bottles for yourself from the Bottle Shop. For something closer to home, check out Soil Friends Market in Comstock, a first generation family farm, cider press, and Meadery. Even closer? Saugatuck Brewing Company (Kalamazoo) and Texas Corners Brewing offer a small but tasty selection of hard ciders.

Grapes: Looking for a place to sit and sip? Consider Stamped Robin a wine and cocktail lounge serving 20 different wines on tap; For a late night big city feel in the heart of Kalamazoo, The WL Socialhouse is the perfect place to enjoy a wine tasting, and sometimes even meet the wine makers.

Want to bottle your own? Try Tempo Vino Winery in the heart of downtown. A unique experience for all wine lovers, from the curious novice to the seasoned connoisseur. Make your own private label wine.

Check out our wineries. Lawton Ridge Winery has been growing their wine grapes at their vineyard in Lawton, Michigan since 1974, and opened a production facility and tasting room on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo in 2008. All of the wine they produce comes from grapes grown either in their vineyard or in neighboring vineyards in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA (American Viticultural Area). While Lawton Ridge makes a variety of wines, they strive for well balanced, food-friendly wines ranging from elegant, dry reds to dessert wines, many of which are award-winning.

St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw is the state’s oldest, continually-operating winery, and they were recently awarded seven Double Gold and seven Gold Medals, as well as the 2017 Most Gold Medals trophy during the 30th Annual International Wine Judging competition. Try some of their awarding-winning wines at their tasting room when you stop by.

The Kalamazoo Stillhouse boasts Kalamazoo’s first federally licensed artisan distillery since prohibition. Located in the River’s Edge District they mash, ferment, distill, and bottle handmade spirits on site, including vodka, gin, aged whisk(e)ys, and brandy.

Grains: At The Grand Traverse Distillery – Kalamazoo Tasting Room at 224 E. Michigan Ave. in the Haymarket District you can sample craft spirits using agriculture from Northern Michigan that would not only rival foreign imports, but raise the bar and create a truly hand crafted spirit focusing on quality above all else.

Click here for recap of  local hard ciders, wineries, breweries and distilleries.

Guests will find plenty of reading materials at the Stuart Avenue Inn. And for those who are still thirsty for more, we recommend the following locally owned bookstores.

KAZOO BOOKS – Hands-down this is our favorite. Owner Gloria Tiller opened her first Kazoo Books location in 1988 which she described as “a simple little paperback used bookstore.” The original store was expanded in 1999 and the Parkview location added four years later to keep up with growing demand for new and used books. Tiller orders directly from publishers and distributors, and still sells used books. A knowledgeable staff, large inventory and personal service are all components that contribute to the longevity of Kazoo Books.

MICHIGAN NEWS AGENCY – O.k. this is not a traditional bookstore – but it is a tradition in Kalamazoo. This downtown Kalamazoo icon has been “Bringing the World to You Since ’47.” Operating 7am to 6pm 365 days a year, this store stocks 6,500 different magazine titles, 16,000 paperback books and about eight different newspapers. A trip to Kalamazoo is not complete without a trip to the Michigan News. BONUS: less than a mile from Stuart Avenue Inn – really – you can walk there!

KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS BOOKSTORE – How can you not love a bookstore with the motto – “Gently Used Books, Very Gently Priced.” Located in the lower level of the downtown library, this store sells used books with proceeds supporting the library and promoting literacy and reading in the community. If you go, be sure to check out their weekly specials.

THIS IS A BOOKSTORE & BOOKBUG is a full-service independent bookstore featuring the best in new books and book-related events. Bookbug has a special emphasis on and expertise in children’s and young adult literature, while “This is a Bookstore,” has a curated selection of adult literary fiction, nonfiction, and graphics.

As Theater Kalamazoo says – So much theater, so little time. Luckily, they’ve collected information on the theaters in Kalamazoo, links to their sites, a calendar displaying productions by date, a listing of sensory friendly performances, and information on their Annual Theater Kalamazoo New Playfest that takes place in February.

Any performance at The Barn Theater in nearby Augusta is worth a summer’s evening. Show’s run June through August. But be sure to get tickets and stay after for the Bar Show in the Rehearsal Shed.

Music options include contemporary, rock ‘n roll, blues, bluegrass, folk, jazz, big band, classical, open mic jams, live recordings, and festivals. Performance venues range from classic pub venues like Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, O’Duffy’s Irish Pub, to concert halls Kalamazoo State Theatre, Chenery or Miller auditorium, and even Wings Event Center and Firekeeper’s Casino.

Music Festivals include Gilmore Keyboard Festival (even years), Cooper’s Glenn Music Festival, Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival, Stulberg International String Competition, Kalamazoo Bach Festival, Kalamazoo Blues Fest, Bronson Park Summer Concert Series, and Kindleberger Summer Arts Festival – just to name a few.

Planes – Check out the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Experience – a multi-sensory aviation and science museum with over 100 historic and rare aircraft and spacecraft, interactive exhibits, and don’t miss the restoration of two WWII aircraft recovered from Lake Michigan: The Douglas Dauntless SBD-2P and FM-2 Wildcat.

Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Battle Creek Air Show and Balloon Fest. Or take a ride anytime (weather permitting) in a hot air balloon.

Trains – Check out the BO Tower built in 1915, and responsible still today for switching trains between tracks (corner of Pitcher and Willard). The Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek offers a miniature train ride on a loop that goes through a tunnel and along the creek. The Little River Railroad an hour away in Coldwater offers rides on an authentic 100-year-old steam engine train. A little further and you can find the New Buffalo Railroad Museum, located on the grounds of what was once the largest train yard in Southwest Michigan. Home to exhibits and collections recalling New Buffalo’s proud heritage as a railroad hub for both the Pere Marquette and Chesapeake & Ohio (also known as the Chessie System).

Visitors can stroll through the Chessie Box Car and Troop Pullman Sleeper Car, and operate the hand-crafted model train layout. Free Guided Tours

Every Fall on the last Sunday in October the Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society hold a Train Show & Sale at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, featuring over 150 vendor tables, along with door prizes, free how-to clinics and a food concession stand. Operating layouts in G, HO, and N scales are present.

Every Christmas Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids has a Railway Garden, complete with model trains that weave around holiday-themed horticulture and 30 iconic Grand Rapids miniature landmarks.

Venture to Owosso and hop aboard a train departing from the Steam Railroad Institute. During winter months, ride its Polar Express taking passengers on a Christmas-themed journey to an annual holiday festival in the Village of Ashley.

Or – you can always hop the Amtrak from Chicago or Detroit, book a room at the Stuart Avenue Inn, and an Innkeeper will meet you at the station.

Automobiles – Take a day for the 90-acre historic campus at the Gilmore Car Museum. Cars (and lots of them) but not just cars. The Museum tells the history of America through the automobile, fostering experiences that connect people with the history, heritage, and social impact of the automobile. Specialized shows (Corvette, Lincoln, English Sports Cars) are scheduled throughout the summer. Something a little smaller, but no less classic – the Vicksburg Old Car Festival, usually in June.

Streetrod Nationals North in September brings in over 2000 Street Rods, Street Machines, Custom Cars, Trucks and Specialty Vehicles all 1989 & earlier, plus Commercial Vendors with parts for sale all weekend.

Like your cars a bit faster? Check out Kalamazoo Speedway and the Kalamazoo Klash named one of the top five short-track racing events in the nation, or nearby Galesburg Speedway and US 131 Motorsports Park (hosting the Funny Car Nationals).

Options for river trips in Kalamazoo County are plentiful. The Black River from Bangor to South Haven, The Dowagiac River, the Paw Paw River, the Thornapple River, and of course the Kalamazoo River offer varied river experiences.

Have your own gear? Southwest Michigan Paddling has a map of access points.

For rentals and support check out Plainwell Kayak Company offering lake and river options (1, 2, and 3 hours).  A little further north is Watertrail Ventures Kayak Rental specializing in guided tours on the Kalamazoo River, rentals, and concierge services. Located on the tranquil St. Joseph River, En Gedi Canoe Livery is just a half hour from Kalamazoo. Canoe livery season opens Memorial Day weekend. Offering canoe, kayak (single or tandem) and tube. A little further out, U-Rent-Em Canoe Livery an hour north of Kalamazoo in Hastings, MI offers full-service canoe, kayak and tube rentals on the scenic Thornapple River.

Check out the reptiles who have found a comfortable home at the Alligator Sanctuary offering guided tours and animal interactions. Visit the Pasture Dairy Center, part of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station established by the cereal titan to explore how modern technology could meet the needs of the agriculture industry. Check out the laser scanning used by the robotic milking machines that adjust exactly fit onto a waiting cow’s udder

Checkout Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery and see lake sturgeon, Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, northern pike, northern muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass and a variety of sunfish! The Hatchery also has a nature trail system winding through the grounds, around a mixture of now-defunct and still-functioning ponds. Although unpaved, the trails are well-maintained enough to make pushing a stroller possible. The trails are quiet and peaceful and make a loop about a quarter-mile long. Wooded areas are perfect for shade on a hot day or for viewing the changing colors in the fall. Open areas provide welcome sunshine on a cool day and beautiful views across the ponds. At the beginning of the trail, next to the visitor’s center, is the hatchery’s show pond.

Try your hand(s) at indoor rock climbing at Climb Kalamazoo, or at the nearby Allegan Event Center with its Sky Trail® + Sky Rail™, Clip ’n Climb®, and Sky Tykes® + Sky Rail™

Revel and Roll West will give you a night of fun, food, and competition. The good times will roll with over 30 bowling lanes and interactive bowling options, the only multi-level Avatar-themed laser tag arena in southwest Michigan, and an arcade. To top it all off, Revel and Roll has lane-side food service dishing up specialty Detroit-style pizzas and made-from-scratch comfort classics.

Looking for an outdoor adventure? Soar above Kalamazoo in a Hot Air Balloon. Too high for you? The Allegan Zip Line has two 600-ft. zip lines spanning the Kalamazoo River, plus, an outdoor QUICKjump free-fall simulation. Guests zip across the river and back for an exciting round-trip experience that lasts around 20 minutes. Or consider something a bit higher up with SkyDive Allegan

Horseback Riding for riders of all levels at Wild West Ranch in Allegan.

Allegan Antiques Market the last Sunday of the Month April – September. 200 dealers inside, 200 dealers outside. The show exhibitors carry a large variety of antiques and collectibles as well as some who specialize in glass, pottery, china, primitives, advertising, vintage jewelry, sport & fishing, furniture, and much more.

Check out a Lavender Farm where you can You can enjoy walking through the lavender fields and cut your own bundles to take home, watch as they distill lavender essential oil in a copper still and then enjoy a bit of shopping.

Like aromas?  You can make your own candles at Kalamazoo Candle Company; make your own wine at Tempo Vino; and make your own fragrance at The Aroma Labs – a unique, creative, gender neutral experience that allows you to develop your own custom fragrances.  The process takes 40-60 minutes and you can add it to your choice of high quality, locally sourced, small batched body care products. (lotions, scrubs, gels, room sprays, car sprays, etc) Product costs: $20-$55

The Kalamazoo Growlers are a proud member of one of the top developmental leagues for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League – the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind.

Western Michigan’s Bronco’s – NCAA Division 1 football team play home games complete with canon and horse a short walk from the Inn.

United States Tennis Association Boys’ 18s & 16s National Championships overtake Kalamazoo for ten days each September. This is the single most important event of the tennis year for the nearly 500 outstanding junior boys who arrive from all parts of the United States. Each of the ultimate winners in singles and doubles earn the cherished title of United States National Champion. And as a testament to the incredible tennis played here, the 18s Champions in Singles and Doubles receive an automatic bid to the main draw of the U.S. Open Tournament.