Welcome to the land of rolling hills, sparkling clear lakes, stellar recreation, and stunning entertainment. With a diverse and rich community culture, Kalamazoo is an ideal destination offering attractions, lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping for every preference and budget.
Recreation & Parks
Four Seasons Recreation | Auto Racing/Race Tracks | Winter Activities |Skiing | Ice Skating | Cross Country Skiing | Snowmobiling | Bowling | Parks | Other | Campgrounds
Area Events
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Art Hop
Year-round on the first Friday of the month starting at 5:00 pm Kalamazoo's art galleries and businesses open up to highlight a wide variety of different artists. Many locations offer hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Visitors can hop from one exhibit to another and learn, enjoy and purchase art directly from the artists.
Mixer on the Mall
Every Wednesday during the summer months from 5 – 7 pm the North mall downtown comes alive with music, libations and festivities. Join locals for one of Kalamazoo 's most enjoyable warm weather mid-week events.
Sundays at the Stage
Free outdoor concert featuring local performers every Sunday during the summer months at 4 pm, Rotary Club Stage, Bronson Park, Downtown Kalamazoo. Rain site is First Baptist Church .
Summer Entertainment Series
During the summer months, City of Portage has a variety of entertainment options at various locations, call (269) 324-9200.
January
Great Winter Adventure
(269) 388-2830
Downtown Kalamazoo becomes a winter wonderland as artists turn ice into amazing sculptures.
Snow C ross Conquest
(269) 694-9449, www.timberridgeski.com
Snow boarders and downhill skiers compete for awards and prizes as they conquer the slopes.
February
Annual Vicksburg Showboat
(269) 321-1192
An entire community brings its entertainment resources together to delight audiences with a musical revue.
Winter Fest Fun
(269) 694-9449, www.timberridgeski.com
A day full of crazy winter games, including the cardboard classic, dummy downhill, drag race and more.
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March
Annual Gold Company Invitational Vocal Jazz Festival
(269) 387-4667, www.wmich.edu/music
Sit back and listen to jazz vocals from the award-winning Gold Company at Miller Auditorium.
Living History Show
(269) 327-4557, www.kalamazooshow.com
The largest, nationally recognized , juried show in the Midwest devoted to Pre-1890 original or reproduction living history
supplies & related crafts.
Maple Sugar Festival
(269) 381-1574, www.naturecenter.org
Enjoy the sweetest festival around and learn how to make homemade maple syrup at the Kalamazoo Nature Center .
St. Patrick's Day Parade
(269) 343-1255, www.central-city.net
Join in the fun on the downtown mall with plenty of costumes and music.
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April
Gilmore International Keyboard Festival
(269) 342-1166, www.gilmore.org
A biennial (even years) celebration of classical and modern keyboard music. Musicians have included Van Cliburn, Harry Connick Jr., Chick Corea, Diana Krall, Peter Cincotti, Peter Nero, Alfred Brendel and Michael Feinstein.
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May
International Congress on Medieval Studies
(269) 387-8745, www.wmich.edu/medieval
Scholars from around the world come to Kalamazoo for an intellectual exchange on medieval research and topics, such as “Relics, Swords and the Stories They Tell.”
Kalamazoo Animation Festival International
(269) 373-7883, www.kafi.kvcc.edu
A biennial (odd years) event bringing the best of the world's animation and artist's together for competition, seminars,
retrospectives and screenings.
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June
Dionysos Greekfest
(269) 345-1830
Celebration of Greek heritage and culture with Greek foods and spirits.
Annual Art Fair
(269) 349-7775, www.kiarts.org
Held in Bronson Park , the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts' annual juried Art Fair attracts 50,000 attendees and 200 artists from around the country.
Do-Dah Parade
(269) 388-2830
The Do-Dah Parade, where anything goes in the name of fun.
Vicksburg Old Car Festival
(269) 649-1312, www.vicksburgoldcarfestival.com
Take a step back in time and learn about the evolution of the automobile.
Island Fest
(269) 385-6200, www.islandfestkalamazoo.com
Enjoy the Caribbean style and join 10,000 reggae fans for an eclectic mix of acts such as Toots and Maytals, Eek-A-Mouse and Kanda Bongo Man.
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July
Blues Fest
(269) 381-6514, www.kvba.org
Local and national musicians perform at Blues Fest, which earn ed an honorable mention in “Blues for Dummies” as one of the top festivals to watch.
Kindleberger Summer Festival
(269) 349-9504, www.kindleberger.org
From an art & crafts fair to a car show, 5K run/walk, a city-street dance, symphony music to a children's petting zoo and much more.
Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire
(269) 343-9090, www.silverleafrenfaire.org
Join the merriment and journey back to times of yore. Knights and maidens re-create the customs and dress of medieval times.
Taste of Kalamazoo
(269) 385-6200, www.tasteofkalamazoo.com
Eat, drink and be merry as local restaurants, breweries and wineries serve up their finest.
New Orleans Festival
(269) 324-9200, www.portagemi.com
Great entertainment and Cajun recipes tempt your taste buds. Located at the Celery Flats Historical Area Events in Portage .
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August
Ribfest
(269) 388-2830
You be the judge as national and local rib vendors compete in rib and sauce cook-offs. These ribs will set mouths on fire, but great beers from local brewers cool them down.
Big League Softball World Series
(269) 345-3123
www.softballworldseries.org
Ten teams compete for the title of Big League World Champions, including squads from Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America and five U.S. regions.
Black Arts Festival
(269) 349-1035
The Black Arts & Cultural Center promotes minority artists with seven days of free art shows and community events.
Family Festival
(269) 329-4522, www.portagemi.com
The Family Festival is an activity pack ed festival held at the Celery Flats Historical area, Portage . Come enjoy a day fill ed with excitement.
Kalamazoo County Fair
(269) 383-8761, www.kalamazoocountyfair.com
The Kalamazoo County Fair is an annual fair that promotes local agriculture & creates a positive experience for families attending through exhibits, rides, family activities, entertainment & much more.
Kalamazoo Scottish Festival
(269) 323-8893, www.kalamazooscottishfestival.org
You don't have to be Scottish to enjoy the kilt-swishing, caber-tossing, border-collie barking and bag piping fun.
U.S.T.A. Boys' 18 & 16 National Tennis Championships
(269) 337-7343, www.ustaboys.com
This is the premier junior tennis tournament in America , held in Kalamazoo for 61 years and draws the top 400 finest players in the nation. Tennis greats such as Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Arthur Ashe all play ed in Kalamazoo as part of their junior careers.
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September
Michigan Wine & Harvest Festival
(269) 655-1111
Sample wines from local vineyards and far beyond, enjoy live entertainment and join the grape stomping.
Street Rod Nationals North
(269) 381-4003, www.nsra-usa.com
More than 3,400 pre-1949 street rods from all over North Central America and farther attend this super automotive extravaganza at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds.
Historic Homes Tour
(269) 344-7432, www.stuart-historic.org
Visitors can view the restored grandeur of structures built more than a century ago during a tour of stately neighborhoods and buildings in the Kalamazoo area.
Irish Festival
(269) 372-7332
Enjoy music, dance, history and lore of the Emerald Isle.
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October
Harvest Festival
(269) 626-8503
Enjoy Mother Nature's harvest as the fall leaves change colors at Scotts Mill County Park .
Coming Out Proud Film Festival
(269) 349-4234, www.kglrc.org
Come out proud to celebrate diversity with an award-winning selection of international films present ed by the Kalamazo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center .
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November
Kalamazoo Holiday Parade
(269) 388-2830, www.central-city.net
Beautiful floats, marching bands and even Santa Claus will wind through downtown Kalamazoo , with elves passing out candy and prizes along the parade route.
Festival of Trees
(269) 342-5562, www.JLKalamazoo.org
Celebrate the holidays and browse through the decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, and shop in the Festival Gift Shop.
Festival of Sacred Music
(800) 228-9858, www.michfest-sacredmusic.org
A biennial (odd years) event with religious entertainment from around the world performing at various churches and other unique venues throughout Kalamazoo .
Kellogg Manor House
Holiday Walk Tours
(269) 671-2416
Kellogg Manor on beautiful Gull Lake , the former home of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg, is beautifully decorated for the holiday season and opens for tours on the weekends through December.
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December
New Year's Fest
(269) 388-2830
New Year's Eve celebration featuring dozens of entertainment acts in venues throughout downtown Kalamazoo with fireworks at midnight in Bronson Park .
Recreation & Parks (LINK)
Outdoor activities are plentiful in Kalamazoo , no matter what time of year. Fish, swim, waterski, sail or boat in one of Kalamazoo's 83 lakes or visit the sandy shores of Lake Michigan—just a 40-minute drive or three-hour bike ride away on the Kal-Haven Trail. Around every corner in Kalamazoo , there is a park or trail with areas for picnics, biking, hiking or horseback riding. When snow starts falling in late November, Kalamazoo becomes a winter wonderland. People flock to the local ski resorts and toboggan runs or head to the trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. There are six sheets of hockey-siz ed ice in Kalamazoo along with several skating ponds. The ski resorts offer beginner hills and challenging slopes for skiers and snow boarders.
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Four Season Recreation
Fort Custer
Recreation Area
M-96, east of Augusta
(269) 731-4200
Areas for biking, swimming, fishing, hiking, cross -country skiing, hunting, horseback riding and camping.
Kalamazoo River
(269) 383-8778
This 135-mile river has 27 riverfront developments, parks and access sites, offering opportunities for fishing, canoeing, boating and other aquatic sports. For canoeing or trail information call the Kalamazoo County Parks office.
Kal-Haven Trail
Kalamazoo to South Haven
(269) 637-2788 www.kalhaventrail.org
The former Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad track b ed has been convert ed to a biking/hiking/snowmobile/cross -country skiing trail, running 34 miles from an old caboose on Kalamazoo's west side to the Lake Michigan shoreline city of South Haven.
Mayors' Riverfront Park
200 Mills Street, Kalamazoo
(269) 337-8191
Community park equipped with a baseball and football/soccer field and playground, as well as a canoe launch and fish dock.
Yankee Springs
Recreation Area
Barry County
(269) 795-9081
This expansive, rural recreation area north of Kalamazoo features nine lakes including Gun Lake which offers hiking, swimming and boating opportunities, as well as a 200-site modern family campground, open spring through fall.
Boating
Whether you're sailing in silence or roaring over the waves, water sports abound in southern Michigan with more than 83 lakes with public access. Lake Michigan is 37 miles to the west and Gull Lake , 15 miles to the east, offers crystal clear water and beaches.
Fishing
From sport fishing on the big lake to trolling for trout on a quiet stream, there are many beautiful places to cast your line. Try charter fishing on Lake Michigan from Saugatuck, South Haven and other ports, or fish in one of the 83 public-access lakes around this water wonderland.
Tennis
Kalamazoo County offers more than 100 public outdoor tennis courts. Among the largest court complexes are: Kalamazoo College 's Stowe Stadium, the Sorensen Courts at Western Michigan University , the courts in Kalamazoo 's Upjohn Park and those at Kalamazoo Valley
Community College .
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Auto Racing/Race Tracks
GingerMan Raceway
61414 Phoenix Rd.,
South Haven
(269) 253-4445
U.S. 131 Dragway
Martin
(269) 672-7800
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Kalamazoo Speedway
7656 Ravine Road , Kalamazoo
(269) 349-3978
www.kalamazoospeedway.com
Galesburg Michigan Speedway
573 S. 38th St. , Galesburg
(269) 665-4600
www.galesburgspeedway.com |
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Winter Activities
Echo Valley Winter Sports Park
8495 E. H Ave. , Kalamazoo
(269) 349-3291
www.echovalleyfun.com
Want a winter thrill? Try Echo Valley 's 60 mph-toboggan runs, a 500-ft. inner-tube sliding hill, 43,000 square-foot outdoor skating rink, 2400 square-foot warming lodge and viewing deck.
Skiing
Timber Ridge Ski Area
Off D Ave., Gobles
(269) 694-9449
www.timberridgeski.com
Fifteen runs, naturally wood ed terrain, a 250-foot vertical drop, four chair lifts, four tow ropes and 100 percent snowmaking, plus a snowboard terrain park.
Bittersweet Ski Resort
600 River Road, Otsego
(269) 694-2820
www.skibittersweet.com
Seventeen runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, 350-foot vertical drop, quad-chair lift and 100 percent snowmaking.
Swiss Valley Ski Lodge
Patterson Hill Road,
Three Rivers
(269) 244-8016
www.skiswissvalley.com
Eleven ski runs, two quad chairs, one triple chair, night skiing and 100 percent snowmaking coverage.
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Ice Skating
Arcadia Creek Festival Place
Skating Rink
Downtown Kalamazoo
(269) 344-0795
Free ice skating, weather
permitting.
Celery Flats
Historical Area
7335 Garden Lane, Portage
(269) 329-4410
Two ice-skating ponds, open ice conditions, weather permitting.
Lawson Ice Arena
Howard St. on WMU
campus, Kalamazoo
(269) 387-3046
www.wmich.edu/~icearena
Indoor ice rink offers public skating and group lessons. |
The Ice Rink at
Millennium Park
280 Romence Rd. , Portage
(269) 324-9200
State-of-the-art facility features a glassy skating surface, warming house, restrooms and food concessions.
Twin Star Ice Arena
5053 Sports Drive, Oshtemo
(269) 544-7000
www.twinstar-icearena.com
Kalamazoo's newest skating facility features spacious locker rooms, sports bar & grill, pro shop, open skating and drop-in hockey.
Wings Stadium/
The Annex/The Cube
3600 Van Rick Dr. , Kalamazoo
(269) 345-227
www.wingsstadium.com
Three indoor regulation hockey rinks are available for public use or private rental. |
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Cross Country Skiing
Bishop's Bog Preserve
Connects Schrier Park and West Lake Nature Preserve, Portage
(269) 329-4522
Features 1-1/2-miles of
wood ed and wetland trails.
Gourdneck State
Game Area
South of Portage
(269) 685-6851
Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo
(269) 381-1574
www.NatureCenter.org
Includes 8 miles of ungroomed cross -country trails with maps available.
Kellogg Forest
7060 N. 42nd, Augusta
(269) 671-2356
50 miles of trails, skiing 8 a.m. until dusk. |
Portage South Central Greenway
Kalamazoo
(269) 329-4522
Five miles of informal, mark ed but ungroomed trails.
Schrier Park
850 W. Osterhout Road , Portage
(269) 329-4522
Two miles of cross -country trails (groom ed , weather permitting) and rolling, wood ed terrain.
West Lake Nature Preserve
S. Westnedge at South
Shore Dr. , Kalamazoo
(269) 329-4522
1-1/2-mile trail overlooks
West Lake . |
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Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling in Michigan requires a permit for all public trails. Michigan Trail Permits are $25 per sled and can be purchased at any hunting and fishing and snowmobiling dealers.
General Information for SW Michigan
(800)246-0260
West Michigan District Snowmobiling Council Trail Condition Hotline
(616)752-7879
Local Conditions and Trail Maps
www.fishweb.com/recreation/snowmobile/trails/trails1.html
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_14824---,00.html
Staging Areas
- Corner of M-40 & M-43.
- Kal-Haven Trail on 10th Street , just west of US 131 with full access to all the trails off of the Kal-Haven Trail (4” base required for this trail).
Bowling
Airway Lanes
5626 Portage Rd.,
Kalamazoo
(269) 327-7061
AMF Harpo's Lanes
4500 Stadium Dr.,
Kalamazoo
(269) 375-1378
Continental Lanes
3645 Van Rick Dr. ,
Kalamazoo
(269) 343-2626 |
Eastland Bowl
5570 Gull Rd. ,
Kalamazoo
(269) 382-4077
Holiday Lanes
2747 S. 11th St. ,
Kalamazoo
(269) 375-6100 |
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Other Activities
Lazer Land
8302 Portage Road , Kalamazoo
(269) 324-8129
www.lazerland.20m.com
Lazer tag; minigolf; arcade.
Formula K Family
Fun Park
54358 North Main , Mattawan
(269)668-4070;
www.formulakfamilyfunpark.com
Go karts; bumper boats; mini-golf.
Putter's Family
Fun Center
7206 S. Westnedge, Portage
(269)323-0100
www.puttersfamilyfuncenter.com
Minigolf, batting cages, arcade.
Climb Kalamazoo
136 South Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo
(269)382-989
www.climbkalamazoo.com
Deer Forest
I-94 to exit 39, turn right and follow the signs to “The Animal Wonderland”
(269) 468-4961
www.deerforest.com |
RS Paintball
6071 West D Ave. , Kalamazoo
(269)553-6896;
www.rspaintball.net
Knollwood Disc (Frisbee) Golf Park
Near WMU – end of Greenwood off Michigan Avenue
Contact Kalamazoo County Parks Dept.: (269) 383-8761
Kazoo Skate Zoo Indoor/ Outdoor Skatepark
1502 Ravine Road , Kalamazoo
(269) 345-9550
Rollerworld
7491 Stadium Dr. , Kalamazoo
(269) 375-4609;
www.rollerworld.net |
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Parks
City of Kalamazoo
(269) 337-8193
www.kalamazoocity.org
Enjoy 64 public parks with year-round family recreation, team sports, picnicking, playground activities, walking, fishing, swimming, boating and cross -country skiing.
Kalamazoo County Parks
(269) 383-8778 www.kalcounty.com/parks
Recreation and picnic opportunities abound in Kalamazoo County 's park system. Open year round 7 a.m. - sunset.
- Cold Brook Park
Located between Galesburg & Climax and features a swimming beach, boat ramp with access to 3 lakes (Blue, Portage & Long), improved and rustic campgrounds, Championship disc golf course, scenic trails and picnic sites.
14467 East “MN” Avenue
Climax , MI 49034
(269) 383-8778
www.kalcounty.com/parks
- Markin Glen Park
Located in Northern Kalamazoo County and features a swimming beach,
tennis courts, state-of-the-art campground, scenic trails and picnic sites.
5333 North Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo , MI 49004
(269) 383-8778
www.kalcounty.com/parks
- Prairie View Park
Located between Portage , Schoolcraft & Vicksburg and features a swimming beach, boat ramp with access to 2 lakes (Gourdneck & Hogsett), scenic trails and several picnic sites.
899 East “U” Avenue
Vicksburg , MI 49097
(269) 383-8778
www.kalcounty.com/parks
- River Oaks Park
Located between Comstock & Galesburg and features several soccer and
softball fields, boat ramp with access to Morrow Lake , scenic trails and
picnic sites.
9050 East Michigan Avenue
Galesburg , MI 49043
(269) 383-8778
www.kalcounty.com/parks
- Scotts Mill Park
Located in the Southeastern corner of Kalamazoo County just west of the Village of Scotts and features the preservation of Agriculture & History with the 1870's grist mill also being a popular wedding site, fishing pond, scenic trails and picnic sites.
8451 South 35th Street
Scotts, MI 49088
(269) 383-8778
www.kalcounty.com/parks
City of Portage
(269) 329-4522
Enjoy 14 public parks with year-round recreation, sports, picnicking, playground activities, musical entertainment, boating, walking, canoeing, biking and skating.
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Campgrounds
Markin Glen Park
(269) 381-7570
5300 North Westnedge
Kalamazoo , MI 49007
Coldbrook County Park
14467 East "MN" Avenue
Climax , MI 49034
(269) 383-8776
Fort Custer Recreation Park
(269) 731-4200
5163 W. Fort Custer Dr.
Augusta, MI 49012
Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds
(269) 383-8776
2900 Lake Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001 (Located off Business I-94)
www.kalcounty.com/parks/fairground/index.htm |
Oak Shores Resort Campground - Vicksburg
13496 28th Street
Vicksburg , MI 49097
(269) 649-4689
Shady Bend Park
15320 E. Augusta Drive
Augusta , MI 49012
(269) 731-4503
Timberlake Campground
7250 S. 40th Street
Climax , MI 49034
(269) 746-4101 |
