Traveling to Portage, Michigan and Its Various Tourists Attractions

Kalamazoo County is home to the town of Portage, which sits to the south of Kalamazoo city. The drug company Pfizer is located in Portage but recently the recession has hit the city and its businesses hard. Actually the whole state of Michigan has really been hit hard with the recession, there are foreclosures everywhere. A lot of people hit by the recession's layoffs and closures have been forced to move in with other members of their family in order to try and stay afloat. The unemployment rate in Michigan is the highest it has ever been and most of the companies in Michigan have laid off numerous employees causing many families to have to struggle to survive.

Portage has beautiful historic parks with winding bicycling and walking trails, as well as other recreational activities. The Portage Bike-way has expanded over the years however again with the recession many pathways are in need of repair. Portage is home to Kalamazoo Air Zoo. The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is a great fun family experience, the Air Zoo has rare aircraft exhibits, flight simulators and numerous amusement park rides, as well as many other activities. The Air Zoo is at the Battle Creek Kalamazoo Airport which is located between Kalamazoo and Portage. 269-382-6555.

Another attraction is the Train Barn which has a hobby shop and a museum. Enthusiasts of model trains can easily view a wide array of old historic replicated trains. The museum is open only on Saturdays from approximately 10am to 4pm and the store is open Wed-Fri from approximately 1pm until 7pm with Saturday open from 10am to around 5pm. For more information call 269-327-4016. Train Barn is located at 10234 East Shore Drive in Portage.

Portage has always been known as a laid back, affordable living family type town with relatively low crime and taxes. The town has always been full of quaint neighborhoods with well manicured lawns, however because of the recession and the loss of properties such as homes and businesses many of the areas have been vacated and are in need desperate need of up keep.

Portage Creek Bicentennial Park was made to protect the Celery Flats Interpretive Center and the Portage Creek area. The Park features many biking and hiking trails, an 1846 historic manor, an old 1856 schoolhouse and a grain elevator that dates back to the early 1930's. The Bicentennial Park is located at 7335 Garden Lane in Portage.

Portage's Bishop's Bog is the largest untouched bog preserve and is located in Southern Michigan at South Westhedge Avenue and Parkland Terrace in Portage. The bog features various animals and rare plants. Visitors to the preserve are asked to respect the bog inhabitants and to stay on the various trails.

References for this article include:

www.portagemi.gov/living/demographics.asp
www.portagemi.gov/living/park_descriptions.asp
www.portagemi.gov/living/nature_preserves.asp