What to Do in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo(and suburb Portage) is located along a stretch of I-94, almost directly a halfway point between Detroit and Chicago. If your travels takes you through this part of Michigan, take some time and discover the great things to do in Kalamazoo. In this article, I will cover some of the well known, and a few off the beaten path, places and things to explore.

First, we will cover our shopping. Crossroads mall is located about a mile south of I-94 on Westnedge avenue. It has everything any mall would have, plus the local flavor of Kalamazoo all over. Whatever your interest, there is at least one store in the mall for you. If you would like more information on the mall and all it has to offer, visit www.crossroadsmall.com.

As you traverse Westnedge avenue, it will seem like a hodge podge of everything. Well, it is! That is the "main drag" and you will find pretty much everything you could imagine along this stretch of road running from downtown Kalamazoo, all the way to southern Portage.

We have one really good metaphysical shop, called The Vine. It is on Burdick, located between Kilgore Rd. and Cork St. They have all your metaphysical needs, and if they don't have your item in stock, they know how to get it! Very nice people own it, and are very helpful.

Downtown we have a pedestrian mall. appropriately named Kalamazoo Mall Dr. A few of the local favorites include Earthly Delights, Kalamazoo Antique Market, and Terrapin. For the more upscale person, the Radisson just down the road has some more shops, restaurants and luxurious accomodations for the weary traveler. A favorite event of the area is the Art Hop. Local artists put their work on display all over the downtown area shops. For more information on all the dowtown area shopping and events visit www.central-city.net/.

Kalamazoo has all the different eateries that you would expect in any city. The more upscale restaurants include Webster's and The Black Swan. Other local favorites include Old Burdicks Bar and Grill, Monaco Bay, and Bell's Kalamazoo Brewing Co. There are so many good restaurants all over the Kalamazoo area, I couldn't list them all. Your best bet is to come discover one for yourself! You won't be disappointed.

Some family attractions include several of the area parks. Milham Park is the biggest area park, with pavilions, picnic areas, a children's play area, and a small creek flowing aimlessly throughout the park. Watch out for the resident geese and ducks though! Bronson park is a good park to sit and read a book, enjoy lunch while walking around downtown, or just watch the hustle of the city in action. A favorite festival place is Arcadia Park. There is something going on down there every weekend from Spring through Fall. Bronson park is set beautifully in color during the holidays in the winter. It is a sight to see for sure.

Other family friendly attractions are the shows at the state and civic theatres, Celery Flats Interpretive Center, and the famous Air Zoo, where they have vintage war planes and history of aviation displays. It is fun for the whole family! For more information on all the area family attractions, visit www.kalamazoomi.com/entertai.htm.

The nightlife! We have quite a variety of things to keep the action going through the nighttime. Club Soda, one of the areas premiere concert venues. I couldn't possibly go into all the events happening there, so visit www.theclubsoda.com/ to see for yourself what is going on there nightly. Arie's London Grill is alive on weekends with live Celtic bands performing while you down some Boddington's or Whitbread Draught. Bell's Brewery is always a great place to unwind. Weekends include live music of any and all genres. Olde Peninsula Brewpub is a local favorite, with live music most of the week and into the weekend. Stop by and have one of our local favorite Pumpkin Ale or Midnight Stout. Good stuff! The Wayside West(know as just "the Wayside" to us "Kalamazooers" is THE place to be. It is the area's largest entertainment complex. Shakespeare's dowtown is one of the hot spots on the weekend too...complete with Gary Fields comedy club downstairs! My favorite is Kraftbrau Brewery. There you will find ecclectic music, good beer, great people, and open mic nights!

So as you can see, there is something for everyone here in Kalamazoo. As you travel through and explore southern Michigan, do not miss out on all the great happenings right here in Kalamazoo. Yes, there really IS a Kalamazoo!