Anything to do in Kalamazoo?
May 27th, 2008, 03:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anything to do in Kalamazoo?
On my way from Mackinac City to Indianapolis. Looking for some place to stay for 1 night in between. Is there anything to do in Kalamazoo? Or do you suggest another city to spend the night?
May 27th, 2008, 07:05 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you take Battle Creek rather than Kalmazoo you could go to a nice Kellogs cereal vistor's center. Marshall is loaded with antique shops and a couple of historic homes. Holland has everything Dutch. Drive a couple hours futher south and there is a nice state park in Angola, IN and a auto museum in Auburn, IN.
May 28th, 2008, 06:19 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kalamazoo has something called an Airzoo that is FABULOUS. My grandkids and SIL are addicted to it. They have flight simulators you can use and tons to do there.
Kalamazoo is surrounded by lakes, and at this time of year, I would stay on one of those that are on the outskirts. Spring fed lake experience is worth 20 days at any museum, IMHO.
If you google Kalamazoo lake B& B
or something like that, your mind will probably be boogled at all the possibilities.
In Grand Rapids I like the sculptor park the best.
Kalamazoo is surrounded by lakes, and at this time of year, I would stay on one of those that are on the outskirts. Spring fed lake experience is worth 20 days at any museum, IMHO.
If you google Kalamazoo lake B& B
or something like that, your mind will probably be boogled at all the possibilities.
In Grand Rapids I like the sculptor park the best.
May 28th, 2008, 06:56 AM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All of MI (Central, SW, South Central) except for the Lake Michigan tourist towns and some wine towns like Paw Paw are depressed.
Housing and quality of life are great despite the economy, I must say. Too many reasons to list here.
They also have something called "the Kalamazoo Promise" which guarantees that your child has free tuition to any public college in Michigan (Ann Arbor, West Michigan, Michigan State etc. all included) if you attend their grammar and high school systems. It's even pro-rated if you come in after soph. year in h.s. Any time before that totally free.
24 millionaires have funded it for close to infinity. NO SMALL PERK.
Most beautiful countryside lakes: Cass, St. Joseph, VanBuren Counties all the way up to G. Rapids and surrounding Kalamazoo.
Rolling hills, spring fed lakes and fabulous mixture of people!
Housing and quality of life are great despite the economy, I must say. Too many reasons to list here.
They also have something called "the Kalamazoo Promise" which guarantees that your child has free tuition to any public college in Michigan (Ann Arbor, West Michigan, Michigan State etc. all included) if you attend their grammar and high school systems. It's even pro-rated if you come in after soph. year in h.s. Any time before that totally free.
24 millionaires have funded it for close to infinity. NO SMALL PERK.
Most beautiful countryside lakes: Cass, St. Joseph, VanBuren Counties all the way up to G. Rapids and surrounding Kalamazoo.
Rolling hills, spring fed lakes and fabulous mixture of people!
Jun 5th, 2008, 11:34 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amere- can you provide any information about what you'd like to do on your way through? I lived in Kalamazoo for 6 years and have come to think of it as a second home. Its a fantastic place to stop for a day or a weekend. Let us know and maybe we can find a fit.
Jun 5th, 2008, 11:48 AM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love Kalamazoo - but I grew up there. Unfortunately, I haven't visited in years so don't know what's what anymore. I love the countryside and wineries near paw paw (and the orchards!!!). There used to be a nature center that was nice. Western Michigan always has things going on...
I wish I were up there right now!
I wish I were up there right now!
Jun 5th, 2008, 11:52 AM
#9
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll be there within 48 hours, zelphicat, and it is much the same now. You'd love it. I think there is a wine tasting weekend in Paw Paw June 21-22 too.
You made me want to leave right now and go lay on my pier to watch the fish, heron, swans.
You made me want to leave right now and go lay on my pier to watch the fish, heron, swans.
Jun 5th, 2008, 01:01 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are starting out in Door County, WI for a few days and then heading to Mackinac Island before going to down to Indy. We are not much on touristy places - we enjoy scenic vistas, off-the-beathen- path places and eating where the locals eat. We also enjoy theatre. Hope this helps s9frey. Sounds like it is a beautiful area.
Jun 6th, 2008, 06:28 AM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hardings are still around, but I think that one is renamed.
But yes, I do agree that Fall can be the best time of all. My one friend doesn't agree because she is bee and yellow jacket phobic and they can be heavy then, but other than that- the entire- is just beyong description.
At my lake my fall photos really look better than Northern Maine ones that I have seen as best in USA.
And I have 1000 acres of bird sanctuary wetlands that is totally uninhabited on the other side of my lake.
Kalamazoo and much of S and S central to Western MI is depressed economically- there are so house buys not to be believed. Return.
But yes, I do agree that Fall can be the best time of all. My one friend doesn't agree because she is bee and yellow jacket phobic and they can be heavy then, but other than that- the entire- is just beyong description.
At my lake my fall photos really look better than Northern Maine ones that I have seen as best in USA.
And I have 1000 acres of bird sanctuary wetlands that is totally uninhabited on the other side of my lake.
Kalamazoo and much of S and S central to Western MI is depressed economically- there are so house buys not to be believed. Return.
May 4th, 2009, 07:55 AM
#14
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No facebook. No time. I'm like a one handed wallpaper hanger, and less time on computer itself, period, all told too- right now besides.
Spring has sprung. Pier is in.
Gardens going in this week.
Spring has sprung. Pier is in.
Gardens going in this week.
May 4th, 2009, 10:13 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When we have been back in the St Joseph, MI Area we have enjoyed going to several wineries which also had lovely dining rooms. Wish I could think of them to recommend them. Possibly someone in the area can name some. We also enjoy having dinner at Schuler's in Marshall.
May 4th, 2009, 10:21 PM
#16
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Paw Paw, Cali?
There's St. Julians Winery http://www.stjulian.com/ among others. Haven't been in years, but there are alot of nice ones. Orchards too!
There's St. Julians Winery http://www.stjulian.com/ among others. Haven't been in years, but there are alot of nice ones. Orchards too!
May 5th, 2009, 10:48 AM
#19
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kevin's at Warners Wineries is in Paw Paw and a nicer end place for dinner. swalter (old and long gone Fodorite) has been there fairly often, too. There are numerous good restaurants, and many places for various kinds of fruit picking in season.
Sorry to say that last night, my SO's van went head on with a deer who popped out of a ravine and ran right into him. He didn't even have time to brake. NO MORE VAN. No one hurt, but the deer had to be destroyed. Poor SO, is on a string of bad luck. Two friend fishermen are getting a ride home to IL and he will follow somehow with all the fishing tackle, luggage, sick bird, etc. by the end of the week.
One of the real negatives of this beautiful part of MI is this kind of occurance. You see more deer and wildlife than you see cars. I have a wild muskrat that is happily destroying my sea wall too.
The price you pay for beauty! LOL!
Sorry to say that last night, my SO's van went head on with a deer who popped out of a ravine and ran right into him. He didn't even have time to brake. NO MORE VAN. No one hurt, but the deer had to be destroyed. Poor SO, is on a string of bad luck. Two friend fishermen are getting a ride home to IL and he will follow somehow with all the fishing tackle, luggage, sick bird, etc. by the end of the week.
One of the real negatives of this beautiful part of MI is this kind of occurance. You see more deer and wildlife than you see cars. I have a wild muskrat that is happily destroying my sea wall too.
The price you pay for beauty! LOL!
