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Kalamazoo is a city in Southwestern Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 77,145, with a metropolitan area of 452,851, 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"

Get in

By plane

Kalamazoo and the surrounding area are served by the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, which offers multiple daily flights to Chicago (on American Eagle) and Detroit (on Delta Connection). Delta also offers two daily flights to and from Minneapolis during the summer.

By car

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

By train

Amtrak offers service to Chicago and Ann Arbor/Detroit several times daily on the Wolverine Service as well as to East Lansing, Flint, and Port Huron on the Blue Water Service.

By bus

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

Get around

Metro Transit provides bus service throughout Kalamazoo and its neighboring towns. However, service can be infrequent, and does not operate on Sundays. As of February 2013, the cash fare on the bus is $1.50 for adults and $0.75 for children.

See

Do

Kalamazoo is full of great events, featuring everything from Hot Rods [1] to Pianos [2]. Discover Kalamazoo [3] has a fairly comprehensive list of annual happenings, but don't miss Super Saturday [4] in June, New Year's Fest [5] or the USTA Boys National Championship [6] in August.

For a small city, Kalamazoo also offers an interesting and walkable Downtown [7], with one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and the free Kalamazoo Valley Museum [8].

Nearby, you will find the Kalamazoo Air Zoo [9], Binder Park Zoo [10], and the Gilmore Car Museum [11].

Buy

  • 1 Crossroads Mall, 6650 S. Westnedge (Take I-94 to Exit 78 Southbound. Continue down Westnedge, go through many sets of lights, turn right when you see signs for THE CROSSROADS). A 100+ store, 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. 
  • 2 Southland Mall, Corner of Westnedge and Milham (From I-94, take exit 78 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. Reailers include Old Navy, Kohls, TJMaxx, Charter One Bank, Tuesday Morning, Barnes & Noble, ULTA, OfficeMax, MC Sports, Petco, Hallmark, and numerous bars/ restaurants. 
  • 3 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 78 off I-94). Starting at Cork Street in Kalamazoo all the way through Shaver Road, one can find almost anything they need along Westnedge. With 1000+ retailers located in numerous strip malls, Westnedge has it all. From big box retailers to specialty shops, including restaurants, bars, and bakeries, you can get it all here. 

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. 
  • West Main Shopping District, West Main St (West Main Exit, US-131). A mini version of the Westnedge district, the major chains usually have a location around here. 
  • 1 Food Dance, 401 East Michigan Avenue, ☏ +1 269 382-1888. 7AM-10PM. Authentic, eclectic new American cuisine, featuring locally grown produce. 
  • Saffron, 1710, Suite D, West Main St, ☏ +1 269 381-9898. M-Sa 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-9:15PM. Indian cuisine, in a relaxed atmosphere. 
  • 2 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)

Drink

  • 2 Gonzo's Bigg Dogg Brewing, 140 South Westnedge Avenue, ☏ +1-269 382-2739. Mon-Fri 3-1, Sat: 11-1, Sun: 12-11. A relatively new local pub featuring excellent food and featuring beer made with local hops. 

Sleep

  • 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. 
  • 1 Henderson Castle. One of Kalamazoo's most notable landmarks. 
  • 2 Kalamazoo House Bed and Breakfast, 447 W South St (Downtown), ☏ +1 269 382-0880, . Bed and breakfast in a beautifully restored Victorian showplace. Free high-speed WiFi, in-room HDTV/DVD, free parking. Romantic rooms with fireplace and double whirlpool, or rooms for the business traveler. $109-169. 
  • Quality Inn, 3820 Sprinkle Rd (Off of 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. 
  • Stuart Avenue Inn (Stuart Area Historic District). A guest house and events center. 

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  → Lansing → Webberville




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