Fun Things to do in the Greater Kalamazoo Area!

Kalamazoo is a great place to enjoy family and friends! The Greater Kalamazoo community has lots going on. Kalamazoo is large enough to have sports, the arts and entertainment typically reserved for a big city, while small enough to allow for some "down home" festivals and community events.

HELP US OUT! We would love to post activities that YOU are aware of too! If you have a favorite place to spend time, or if your church or school or neighborhood is sponsoring an event, be sure to let us know the details and we will publish for our readers.

The Kalamazoo MI area is the home of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College which all bring exceptional sports and art events to the area.

There are a host of excellent schooling options for children in the area. The public school districts in the region do a great job of educating for success. There are top notch Kalamazoo Christian and Catholic school options, some charter school choices and the Kalamazoo Promise provides a COMPLETELY FREE college education for students who complete their education in the Kalamazoo Public Schools.

The worship opportunities in the Kalamazoo area are diverse. You will find the churches involved in serving the community, volunteering in the schools, offering opportunities for fellowship and with rich worship experiences.

Though we survive and thrive because of Kalamazoo real estate, you can see that there is lots mroe happening in the greater Kalamazoo area.

Downtown Kalamazoo - "Dig Your Downtown" Rewards Program Starts Today!
“Dig Your Downtown” rewards program started today. Turn your downtown receipts in to DOWNTOWN DOLLARS. Get up to $50 dollars over a four week period. Here's how it works: Bring in your downtown receipts to the Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. office (157 S. Kalamazoo Mall). Depending on how much you spend, you get Downtown Dollars. Receipts totaling up to $99 gets you $5; receipts totaling $101-200 gets you $10; receipts over $200 get you $25 in Downtown Dollars. These Downtown Dollars are as good as cash at participating downtown stores. You may redeem your receipts only once per redemption period. There are TWO redemption periods. We are in the DIG ONE period - which goes through September 5. Your receipts must be dated between these dates, and can be redeemed through Sept. 6. From September 6 - 19 DIG TWO, you can start all over again and start collecting receipts to earn up to $25 again. So, over a month, you could get up to $50 in Downtown Dollars. We're rewarding our customers for putting up with a little bit of orange. You know: construction orange. Work on South Street west of the Kalamazoo Mall continues, as Consumers Energy works toward installing a new power vault. It's not a major project; nor is it impacting access to any businesses or impeding through traffic. But orange is orange. And sometimes people freak out when they see it. So don't freak. Go where you planned on going. Shop where you were planning on shopping. Bring in your receipts, and get Downtown Dollars so you can shop some more. Orange never looked so good. SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY: Gas, hotel, professional and medical receipts are not accepted for this program. Downtown stores are defined as those that are within the Downtown Development Authority geographic boundaries. Please call the DKI office if you have any questions. 269-344-0795. ...

Explore the outdoors at the Kalamazoo Nature Center
Whether you plan to visit for an hour or for the day there is a trail waiting for you to explore. A visit to the Kalamazoo Nature Center offers 14 trails covering over 10 miles of varied habitats from ponds to prairies, fens and forest, and all things in between. THe Kalamazo Nature Center also has programs for children, families and adults. We have linked you to the calendar so that you can see the mosst up to date list of programs and activities at the Kalamazoo Nature Center read more...

Enjoy the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
In 2008 the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail became the seventh, and perhaps the most unique, Kalamazoo County Park. It started as a vision in 1991, and through a fund-raising campaign led by the Parks Foundation of Kalamazoo County it's becoming a reality. The trail is funded by private donations and matching enhancement grants from the Michigan Department of Transportation. The trail is free to use, and the entrance is up to you. Whether you're looking for a relaxing family stroll, an extensive workout or a bike route to work, the KRV Trail offers something for everyone. Currently the trail extends 4.8 miles from the Kal-Haven Trailhead at 10th Street, to Westnedge Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo. As property and funds become available, the trail will continue east-ward, linking numerous regional trail systems, including the Kal-Haven Trail, Battle Creek's Linear Park and the Bicentennial Park Trail in Portage. The end result will be 135 miles of connected trails from the Cereal City to the shores of Lake Michigan, and everything in between! You can find information about special events planned on the trail by clicking the read more link. read more...

Take in the Kalamazoo County Musuem
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is located in downtown Kalamazoo and is a GREAT place to spend the day. The Kalamazoo County Museum is FREE of charge every day of the week....but it would be worth the visit even if the admission were $10 or $15 each. Museum Hours are Mondays - Saturdays: 9 am -5 pm, Sundays & Holidays: 1-5 pm. The museum is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Click the link below if you need to see a map to find out where the Kalamazoo Valley museum is located! The Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Challenger Learning Center (CLC) is an innovative educational facility complete with a 21st century Space Station and Mission Control. Part of an international network, Challenger Learning Centers are founded in memory of the Challenger 51-L crew to carry on its educational mission. The CLC is a hands-on, fun, learning experience, designed to complement science and math curriculum for middle school and up. Surround yourself with the sights and sounds of the past…Experiment with science and make surprising things happen…Explore the mysteries of weather, the human body, and an Egyptian mummy…Investigate the stories behind artifacts in the collection, and discover a treasure that brings back memories or reveals a new way of looking at history. In addition to hands-on exhibits for visitors of all ages, the KVM features a full schedule of seasonal special exhibitions that are sure to keep you coming back for more. read more...

Enjoy the Stars at the Planetarium
In addition to a fun educational cetner at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, there is also a newly upgraded Planetarium contained within the Museum. It is free to enter the Museum but there is a small $3 entrance charge to enjoy the Planetarium. The hours for the museum are: Mondays - Saturdays: 9 am -5 pm Sundays and Holidays: 1-5 pm Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The shows at the Planatarium change every couple of months. Click the link below if you need directions to the Planetarium. read more...

Hit the Slopes at Timber Ridge or Bittersweet
If you love skiiing. there are 2 resorts near Kalamazoo. While you will quickly realize that you are NOT in the Colorado Mountains, you will also realize that you can have lots of fun skiing in Kalamazoo! Both resorts are family friendly, yet both also have some "edgier" runs for the younger crowd, many of which come through school ski clubs. Timber Ridge also has a tubing area ass well. ...

The Kalamazoo AIR ZOO!
What would Kalamazoo be without a ZOO? Well, don't expect to see animals at Kalamazoo Air Zoo! The Air Zoo goes beyond anything you've ever seen. There's nothing else like the Air Zoo. WHAT DO YOU DO at the AIR ZOO???? It is more like what DON'T you do at the Air Zoo? First, of course.. . there is the Aircraft With over 50 aircraft on display, you can walk through history, from World War II bombers to the modern SR-71B Blackbird. Murals/Art At the Air Zoo, you'll be surrounded by awe-inspiring mural artwork from the floor up, including the World's Largest Indoor Mural. The Air Zoo is also home to a selection of fine artwork that celebrates air and space flight. Exhibits From a Women Airforce Service Pilots exhibit to collections of propellers and aero engines, the Air Zoo brings you intriguing flight exhibits. Activities for Kids The Air Zoo is a great place for kids to experience the excitement of air and space. Airplane Rides Fly high above the earth in a trainer or historic WWII aircraft! Paranormal Overnights Spend the night at the Air Zoo and conduct your very own paranormal investigation with Southern Michigan Paranormals professionals! Restoration Center Tours Take a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the nation's rarest aircraft are restored, in real time.... Full-Motion Flight Simulators You navigate a fighter plane,a truly hair-raising experience. 3-D Space Shuttle Ride You're the captain of the shuttle Hours of Operation Through Sept. 10 Main Campus - Monday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. FREE General Admission and reasonable (and unlimited) ride passes! Don't miss it! read more...

Take a visit to the Kellogg Dairy Farm
Learn how the cow can convert field crops (grown on site) into one of the most beneficial food products - MILK! Visit the modern milking parlor to see the cows being milked at 5 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. Tours take about one hour and fifteen minutes and are offered year round. Reserved tours are offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. For more information and reservations, please call (269) 671-2507 or email us. read more...

Visit the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
W. K. KELLOGG BIRD SANCTUARY Augusta, Michigan 49012 The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is one of the North America's pioneer wildlife conservation centers. Located 15 miles north of Kalamazoo and 12 miles NW of Battle Creek, the Sanctuary offers 180 acres of diverse habitats on the 40-acre Wintergreen lake. Sanctuary visitors can walk a 3/4-mile trail to see: hundreds of waterfowl in their natural habitat, including Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and a variety of duck species birds of prey enclosures feature both rare and common raptors, including a Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawks, Eastern Screech Owl and more read more...

There are lots of great places to golf
Here's a list of the courses in Kalamazooo. Follow the lnik below to see the courses that are nearby Kalamazoo as well as some Tee time special offers! Crestview Golf Club, Inc., 900 W D Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, (269)349-1111, Public, 18 hole, yds, Par , CR-N/A, S-N/A Eastern Hills Golf Club, 6075 E G Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49004, (269)385-8175, 27 holes West (Red) Course, Municipal, 9 hole, 2,641 yds, Par 35, CR-67.6, S-112 Eighteen Course, Municipal, 18 hole, 6,448 yds, Par 72, CR-69.8, S-116 Grand Prairie Golf Course, 3620 Grand Prairie Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, (269)388-4447, Municipal, 9 hole, yds, Par , CR-N/A, S-N/A Kalamazoo Country Club, 1609 Whites Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, (269)344-0752, 27 holes Short Course, Private, 9 hole, 2,000 yds, Par 30, CR-N/A, S-N/A Big Course, Private, 18 hole, 6,180 yds, Par 72, CR-70.4, S-123 Milham Park, 4200 Lovers Ln, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, (269)344-7639, Municipal, 18 hole, 6,578 yds, Par 72, CR-71.6, S-130 Prairies, The, 5303 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, (269)343-3906, Public, 18 hole, yds, Par , CR-N/A, S-N/A Red Arrow Golf Course, 1041 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, (269)345-8329, Municipal, 9 hole, yds, Par , CR-N/A, S-N/A Ridgeview Golf Course, 10360 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, (269)375-8821, Public, 18 hole, 6,385 yds, Par 71, CR-70.8, S-113 Thornapple Creek Golf Club, 6415 W F Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, (269)344-0040, Public, 18 hole, 6,595 yds, Par 72, CR-72.3, S-133 read more...

Neighboring Van Buren County has lots of opportunites too!
Van Buren County has some great places to visit too! Here is a quick list....we will try to get more details about some of these places soon! Lake Michigan (beaches, marinas, parks, camping, and public access facilities); Van Buren State Park, (Lake Michigan access, beaches, camping, hiking, and cross country skiing). 34 mile Kal-Haven Trial, Timber Ridge Ski Resort, golf, fishing, dunes, and inland lakes. Wineries— St. Julian Winery, Paw Paw, 269-657-5568 Warner Vineyards, Paw Paw, 269-657-3165 Arts— Village Gallery of Arts & Crafts in Lawton South Haven Center for the Arts Museums: Liberty Hyde Bailey, South Haven, 269-637-3251 Michigan Maritime, South Haven, 269-637-8078 Van Buren County Museum, Hartford, 269-621-2188 Festivals— Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival Bangor Apples Festival Hartford Strawberry Festival South Haven Blueberry Festival Black Arts Fair South Haven Harbor Festival Lodging—hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns. Paw Paw — www.pawpaw.net South Haven — www.southhavenmi.com Van Buren County Website: www.co.van-buren.mi.us read more...

Enjoy the day at the Kalamazoo County Parks
OUR SIX COUNTY PARKS There are six county parks in Kalamazoo. Follow the read more lnik to get to the website where you can learn more about each of the parks offerings! ! Cold Brook 14467 East "MN" Ave., Climax MI Kalamazoo River Valley Trail Markin Glen 5300 North Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo MI Prairie View 899 East "U" Ave., Vicksburg MI River Oaks 9202 East Michigan Ave (M-96), Galesburg MI Scotts Mill 8451 South 35th Street, Scotts MI FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 269.383.8778 $5.00 daily vehicle admission $25.00 annual vehicle pass $20.00 senior/discount annual vehicle pass read more...

Check out the Lakes in Kalamazoo!
There are a number of great Lakes in Kalamazoo and we found a great blog where you can find out more about the lakes AND share your knowledge about the lakes...So if you are a fisherman or boater.....be sure to check out the site. Austin Lake Barton Lake Eagle Lake (Charleston Twp) Eagle Lake Gull Lake Hogset-Gourdneck Lakes LeFevre Lake Long Lake Morrow Lake Paw Paw Lake Pickerel Lake Portage, Blue & long Lakes Sherman Lake Sugarloaf Lakes Sunset Lake Whitford-Lawler Lakes read more...

Fun Things to do in the Greater Kalamazoo Area!

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