Kalamazoo is a city in West Central Michigan. The city is home to 76,000 people (2019), with 355,000 in the metropolitan area, which includes neighboring Battle Creek. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County.

The city has a strong higher education presence, being home to Western Michigan University (with 25,000 students), Kalamazoo College (a private, liberal arts institution), and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Because of the first downtown pedestrian mall in America, Kalamazoo got the nickname the "Mall City" in 1959. Kalamazoo also offers an interesting and walkable Downtown, with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport (AZO ^IATA). Serving Kalamazoo and the surrounding area, offers multiple daily flights from Chicago (on American Eagle) and Detroit (on Delta Connection). Delta also offers two daily flights from Minneapolis during the summer.  

By car

Kalamazoo lies on the I-94 roughly mid-way between Chicago and Detroit. US Highway 131 connects the city with Grand Rapids and resort areas further north.

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

The Detroit Amtrak station

• 2 Kalamazoo Transportation Center, 459 North Burdick Street. (updated Mar 2019)
  • Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Routes serving Kalamazoo:
    • Wolverine Service operates several times daily between Pontiac and Chicago including stops along the way in Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and New Buffalo.
    • Blue Water operates daily between Port Huron and Chicago including stops in Flint, East Lansing, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and New Buffalo.

By bus

The downtown train station also acts as a bus station. Major destinations include Grand Rapids, Chicago and Detroit.

Get around

• Metro Transit. Bus service is provided throughout Kalamazoo and its neighboring towns. (updated Dec 2019)

See

• 1 Western Michigan University (WMU), 1903 West Michigan Ave. (updated Nov 2019)
• 2 Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy Street.  
• 3 Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). (updated Nov 2019)
• 4 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 South Park Street.  
• 5 Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 North Rose Street, ☏ +1-269-373-7990, toll-free: +1-800-772-3370, museumstaff@kvcc.edu. 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. Free admission; planetarium, theater shows, and interactive space exhibit are extra. 0. (updated Nov 2019)
• 6 Kalamazoo Nature Center (Kalamazoo Nature Center Inc), 7000 N. Westnedge Ave, ☏ +1-269-381-1574, contact@naturecenter.org. (updated Nov 2019)
• Gail Sydnor Gallery, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 202, info@blackartskalamazoo.org. 1PM-5PM. (updated Dec 2019)

Parks

• 7 Bow in the Clouds Preserve, 2949 Nazareth Rd, ☏ +1 269 324-1600. 60 acres managed by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Hiking, snowshoeing, and nature. (updated Dec 2019)
• 8 Milham Park (John Milham Park), 774 E Kilgore Rd. 49-acre park with Portage Creek running through it. Playground, toilets, drinking fountain, and is accessible. (updated Dec 2019)
• 9 Bronson Park, 200 W South St. 3.5-acre park with fountains, sculptures, and memorials. Also is decorated for Halloween and December holidays. (updated Dec 2019)
• Mayors' Riverfront Park. 64 acres bordering the Kalamazoo River and containing part of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. (updated Dec 2019)
• 10 Spring Valley Park, 2606 Mt Olivet Rd. 186-acre park (updated Dec 2019)
• 11 Woods Lake Park, 2718 Oakland Dr. 6.47-acre park (updated Dec 2019)
• 12 Markin Glen County Park, 5300 North Westnedge Ave, ☏ +1 269 381-7570. (updated Dec 2019)

Nearby Kalamazoo

Nearby, you will find additional attractions.

• 13 Celery Flats Historic Area (Celery Flats), 7335 Garden Lane, Portage. 8AM-dusk. Explore the history of Portage. In this location a historical garden, small museum, house, Hayloft Theatre, barn, and church are available to tour. Free to walk around, check the City website for tour hours. Free. (updated Nov 2019)
• 14 Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Rd, Portage, ☏ +1 269 382-6555, toll-free: +1 866-524-7966. An aerospace museum with a large collection of rare historical planes. (updated Dec 2019)
• 15 Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, ☏ +1 269-671-5089. Prices differ summer and winter as well as those under 17. Active duty military with ID get in free. $15. (updated Nov 2019)

Do

Kalamazoo is full of great events, featuring everything from hot rods to pianos. Discover Kalamazoo has a fairly comprehensive list of annual happenings, but don't miss Super Saturday in June, New Year's Fest or the USTA Boys National Championship in August.

• 1 Airborne Adventure Park, 5103 Portage Rd, ☏ +1 269-459-9243. 
• 2 Climb Kalamazoo, 136 S. Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269-385-9891, climbkalamazoo@gmail.com. Indoor rock climbing and bouldering. Good for groups. (updated Nov 2019)
• 3 Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Dr, ☏ +1 269 345-1125. Catch a hockey game, go ice skating, watch a performance. (updated Dec 2019)
• 4 Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St, ☏ +1 269 383-8778. Fairgrounds holding various events throughout the year. (updated Dec 2019)
• Art Hop. Monthly first Friday event to highlight local art and music at different venues throughout the city. (updated Dec 2019)
• Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival (The Gilmore), 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269 342-1166. (updated Dec 2019)
• 5 Homer Stryker Field, 251 Mills St, ☏ +1 269 492-7413. Catch a baseball game with the Kalamazoo Growlers. (updated Dec 2019)
• Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO). (updated Dec 2019)
• Fontana, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 200, ☏ +1 269 382-7774. Performing arts ensemble. (updated Dec 2019)

Theater

Keep up to date with upcoming theater performances with * Theatre Kalamazoo. 

• 6 The New Vic Theatre, 134 E. Vine Street, ☏ +1-260-381-3328, newvicinc@gmail.com. (updated Nov 2019)
• 7 Miller Auditorium, 1903 West Michigan, ☏ +1-269-387-2300. (updated Nov 2019)
• 8 The Kalamazoo Civic (The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre), 329 South Park Street, ☏ +1-269-343-2280. (updated Nov 2019)
• 9 State Theater, 404 South Burdick, ☏ +1 269 345-6500. Popular concert venue.  
• 10 Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, ☏ +1 269 343-2727, info@farmersalleytheatre.com. (updated Dec 2019)
• 11 Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave, ☏ +1 269 337-0424. (updated Dec 2019)

Golf

• 12 Eastern Hills Golf Course, 6075 East G Ave. (updated Dec 2019)
• 13 Milham Park Golf Course, 4200 Lovers Ln. (updated Dec 2019)
• 14 Red Arrow Golf Course, 1041 King Hwy. Traditional golf and disc golf. (updated Dec 2019)
• 15 The Prairies Golf Course, 5303 West Main, ☏ +1 269 343-3906, info@prairiesgolf.com. (updated Dec 2019)
• 16 Crestview Golf Club, 900 West D Ave, ☏ +1 269 349-1111. (updated Dec 2019)
• 17 Grand Prairie Golf Course, 3620 Grand Prairie Rd. (updated Dec 2019)

Trails

• 18 Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. Paved-asphalt trail 10 feet wide. 22 of the 35 miles are completed. (updated Dec 2019)

Buy

• 1 Maple Hill Pavilion, West Main Street (take US-131 to the West Main Exit (Head Eastbound Into Kalamazoo), go down West Main a little ways, mall is on your left). A formerly enclosed shopping mall, now a strip mall. Features many big-box retailers, anchored by Target.  
• South Westnedge Shopping District, Westnedge Ave. from Cork to Shaver (Exit 76 off I-94). Starting at Cork Street in Kalamazoo all the way through Shaver Road, more than 1000 retailers in numerous strip malls: big box retailers, specialty shops, restaurants, bars, and bakeries. (updated Jun 2018)
• 2 Kalamazoo Farmers' Market, 1204 Bank St. Open outside Saturday's May through November. From June to October also open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check the website for the hour variation. Open across the street at 1157 Bank Street for a Winter Market on Saturdays from Late November to April. (updated Dec 2019)
• Kalamazoo Mall. The first pedestrian mall in the United States with a variety of shopping and dining locations in the center of Kalamazoo. (updated Dec 2019)
• Friends Bookstore, 315 S. Rose St, ☏ +1 269 553-7820. In the lower level of the Central Library. (updated Dec 2019)

Nearby Kalamazoo

• 3 Crossroads Mall, 6650 S. Westnedge (Take I-94 to Exit 76 Southbound. Continue down Westnedge, go through many sets of lights, turn right when you see signs for THE CROSSROADS). More than 100 stores in a two-story regional shopping center featuring Sears, Macy's, JCPenney, and Burlington Coat Factory, traditional mall chains, and specialty retailers. Also features a food court with numerous restaurants.  
• 4 Southland Mall, Corner of Westnedge and Milham (from I-94, take exit 76 southbound, head south until you hit Milham Ave., mall is on right). A major strip mall over 1 mile long featuring major clothing and specialty stores. Retailers include Old Navy, Kohls, TJMaxx, Charter One Bank, Tuesday Morning, Barnes & Noble, ULTA, OfficeMax, MC Sports, Petco, Hallmark, and numerous bars and restaurants.  

Eat

• Rasa Ria, 1921 W Main St, ☏ +1 269 381-0788. The only Malaysian and Indonesian restaurant in Michigan. In fact, it is one of the few ethnic restaurants in Kalamazoo. Reasonably priced and the 'nasi goreng kampung' is a must try. 
• Saffron, 1710 West Main St, ☏ +1 269 381-9898. M-Sa 11:30AM-2PM, 5-9:15PM. Indian cuisine, in a relaxed atmosphere. 
• 1 Sweetwater's Donut Mill, 3333 Stadium Drive, ☏ +1 269 372-3636. 24 hours. Often voted as one of the best donut shops in America and it's open 24 hours a day! (updated Aug 2015)
• Taco Bob's, 4121 Portage St, ☏ +1 269 344-3422. Local Mexican restaurant, also at 1502 S. Westnedge and 248 S. Kalamazoo Mall. (updated Dec 2019)
• 600 Kitchen & Bar, 600 E Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 269 443-2401. (updated Dec 2019)
• The Wine Loft, 161 East Michigan, ☏ +1 269 343-9227. (updated Dec 2019)
• Martell's, 3501 Greenleaf Blvd, ☏ +1 269 375-2105. (updated Dec 2019)
• Old Burdick's Bar & Grill, 100 W. Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 269 343-0032. also at 5076 Sports Dr (updated Dec 2019)
• Harvey's on the Mall, 416 S Burdick St, ☏ +1 269 492-7506. (updated Dec 2019)
• Papa Pete's Pizza, 502 South Burdick. (updated Dec 2019)
• Rustica, 236 S. Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269 492-0247. (updated Dec 2019)
• Principle, 230 S Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269 743-6563. (updated Dec 2019)
• Artisan Sandwich Co, 348 S. Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269 220-5665. (updated Dec 2019)
• Cafe Casa, 128 S. Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269 385-1026. (updated Dec 2019)

Drink

• 1 Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, 211 East Water Street, ☏ +1 269 532-1188. A bar with many taps and prices are decided like a stock market based on demand. Occasionally there is a "market crash" and all beers are available for their lowest price. (updated Aug 2015)
• 2 Shakespeare's Pub, 241 E Kalamazoo Ave. A very popular local pub featuring a lively atmosphere, wide selection of beers and typical bar fare. 

• Central City Tap House, ​359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, ☏ +1 269 492-0100. (updated Dec 2019)
• Green Top Tavern, 250 E Michigan Ave. (updated Dec 2019)
• HopCat, 300 E. Water St, ☏ +1 269 210-0075. (updated Dec 2019)
• LFG (Liquor. Food. Gaming.), 116 Portage St, ☏ +1 269 365-0112. LFG is a video game bar with food, video games, and drinks. (updated Dec 2019)
• 3 Old Dog Tavern, 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave, ☏ +1 269 381-5677. (updated Dec 2019)
• Ruggers Up and Under (Up & Under Sports Bar), 711 W Michigan, ☏ +1 269 373-1412, eric@theuandu.com. (updated Dec 2019)
• Lawton Ridge Winery, 8456 Stadium Dr, ☏ +1 269 372-9463. (updated Jan 2020)

Nightlife and clubs

• gimora, 314 E Michigan Ave #201. Dance floor. +1 269-290-1900

Breweries and brewpubs

• 4 Bell's Brewery / Eccentric Café & Beer Garden, 355 East Kalamazoo Avenue, ☏ +1-269 382-2338. Local brews, live music. Bell's was one of the first "micro-breweries" east of the Rockies in the 1980s, and their popular line of ales and stouts are also available in many local bars. 
• 5 Saugatuck Brewing Kalamazoo Pub, 140 South Westnedge Ave, ☏ +1 269-382-1905, info@sbrewing.com. Gonzo's Bigg Dogg Brewing merged with Saugatuck Brewing. (updated Nov 2019)
• 6 Wax Wings Brewing Co, 3480 Gull Road, ☏ +1 269-459-9494, waxwingsbrewing@gmail.com. (updated Nov 2019)
• Final Gravity Brewing Company, 246 N. Burdick, ☏ +1 269-350-5136, finalgravitybrewing@gmail.com. (updated Nov 2019)
• Brite Eyes Brewing Co., 1156 S Burdick St, ☏ +1 269-220-5001. (updated Nov 2019)
• 7 One Well Brewing, 4213 Portage St, ☏ +1 269 459-9240. (updated Dec 2019)

Sleep

Bed and Breakfast

• 1 Henderson Castle. One of Kalamazoo's most notable landmarks.  
• 2 The Kalamazoo House Bed & Breakfast, 447 West South St, ☏ +1 269 382-0880, info@thekalamazoohouse.com. A restored Victorian-era hotel built in 1878 full of history. Free high-speed WiFi, in-room HDTV/DVD, free parking. Romantic rooms with fireplace and double whirlpool, or rooms for the business traveler. (updated Dec 2019)
• Stuart Avenue Inn (Stuart Area Historic District). A guest house and events center. 
• Kara's Kottages, 837 W. Main St, ☏ +1 269 491-0765, karaskottages@gmail.com. (updated Dec 2019)

Hotels

• 3 Four Points By Sheraton Kalamazoo, 3600 E. Cork St (on I-94 at exit 80), ☏ +1 269 385-3922, fax: +1 269 385-2747. Upscale six-story facility with 149 deluxe rooms. Secure online reservations available at website. 
• 4 Quality Inn, 3820 Sprinkle Rd (off I-94 @ exit 80 - 1/4 mile south of I-94 on Sprinkle Road next to McDonald's), fax: +1 269 381-5334. Near several restaurants, malls, museums, etc. 
• 5 Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center, 100 West Michigan Ave (Downtown), ☏ +1 269 343-3333. Features a variety of shops and restaurants onsite. (updated Aug 2015)
• 6 Delta Hotels Kalamazoo Conference Center, 2747 South 11th St, ☏ +1 269 375-6000, toll-free: +1 888-890-3222. (updated Dec 2019)
• 7 Hampton Inn & Suites Kalamazoo-Oshtemo, 5059 South 9th St, ☏ +1 269 372-1010. (updated Dec 2019)
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kalamazoo West, 1315 Westgate Dr. (updated Dec 2019)
• Holiday Inn & Suites Kalamazoo West, 1247 Westgate Dr, ☏ +1 269 888-4800. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Dec 2019)
• 8 Residence Inn Kalamazoo East, 1500 East Kilgore Rd, ☏ +1 269 349-0855, toll-free: +1 800-697-1489. (updated Dec 2019)
• 9 TownePlace Suites Kalamazoo, 5683 S. 9th St, ☏ +1 269 353-1500, toll-free: +1 800-257-3000. (updated Dec 2019)
• 10 Best Western Plus Kalamazoo Suites, 2575 S 11th St, ☏ +1 269 350-5522, toll-free: +1 800 780-7234. (updated Dec 2019)
• 11 Fairfield Inn Kalamazoo West, 6420 Cracker Barrel Dr, ☏ +1 269 353-6400. (updated Dec 2019)

Connect

• 1 Kalamazoo Public Library Central Library (Central Library), 315 S. Rose St, ☏ +1 269 553-7800. (updated Dec 2019)
• 2 Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch (Alma Powell Branch), 1000 West. Paterson St, ☏ +1 269 553-7800. (updated Dec 2019)
• 3 Kalamazoo Public Library Eastwood Branch (Eastwood Branch Library), 1112 Gayle Ave, ☏ +1 269 553-7800. (updated Dec 2019)
• 4 Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch (Oshtemo Branch Library), 7265 W. Main St, ☏ +1 269 553-7800. (updated Dec 2019)
• 5 Kalamazoo Public Library Washington Square Branch (Washington Square Branch Library), 1244 Portage St, ☏ +1 269 553-7800. (updated Dec 2019)

Stay safe

Generally safe, Kalamazoo has some crime, mostly in the north- and eastside sections of town. Downtown could also be dangerous after dark, stay in a group and be aware.

Go next

The Lake Michigan resort towns of South Haven and Saugatuck-Douglas are about an hour west of Kalamazoo. Gull Lake (NE) and Gun Lake (North) are clear, spring-fed lakes of over 1000 acres each. Each offers boating and water-sports opportunities. Gull Lake has sailboat races on weekends.

Routes through Kalamazoo

Chicago ← Niles ←	W  E	→ Battle Creek → Port Huron
Chicago ← Niles ←	W  E	→ Battle Creek → Detroit
Michigan City ← Coloma ←	W  E	→ Battle Creek → Ann Arbor
Grand Rapids ← Wyoming ←	N  S	→ Ends at
END ← South Haven ←	W  E	→ Jct N S → Lansing