Things to do in Kalamazoo
Actors & Playwright’s Initiative Theatre
This experimental theater offers performances at the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo. The theater is known for its presentations of many original works by local playwrights. Call 269-343-8090 for more information.
Bittersweet Ski Area
Enjoy the highest vertical in SW Michigan. The runs are serviced by our new high-speed quad chair lift, the ‘SWEET EXPRESS’. We also have 16 runs, 6 chair lifts, 6 rope tows, night skiing, full service Ski Shop, cafeteria, lounge, 2 snack bars and an outdoor grill. Group rates are available. Call 269-694-2820 for more information.
600 River Road, Kalamazoo, MI
Black River Carriage Company
Horse drawn carriage rides by reservation and one horse open sleigh rides on the farm - 5 people at a time. Call 269-372-8900 for more information.
Cold Brook County Park
This is a non groomed cross-country ski trail Park that also offers ice fishing, ice skating and disc golf. Located at MN Avenue near Climax. Call 269-383-8778 for more information.
Echo Valley
Tobogganing & ice-skating can be enjoyed at this resort. Take one of the eight 60 mph toboggan runs; toboggans are free. For ice skating you will find a 43,000 sq. ft. outdoor skating rink. Also available are inner tubing hills, skate rentals, clubhouse with fireplace & snack bar. Excellent for groups and families. Located just 4 miles NE of Kalamazoo. Call 269-349-3291 for more information.
8495 E. "H" Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI
Gilmore Car Museum
This museum is rated as one of the 10 best large automobile museums in the United States. 130 cars trace the history of the American automobile. Packard's, Cadillac's, Corvettes, Rolls Royce's, and sports cars are among those on display. Located on M-43, 15 miles northeast of Kalamazoo. Open May - October 10am – 5pm daily. Admission is charged. Call 269-671-5089 for more information.
Irving S. Gilmore Theatre Complex
Enjoy main stage productions of musicals, comedies and dramas, October through April. Located on the Western Michigan University campus. Season tickets are available. Call 269-387-6222 for more information.
Kal-Haven Trail State Park
The trail is open 8am - 10pm, 7 days a week. Snowmobiling is allowed the entire length of trail with some reduced speed areas; 4" of snow is required for snowmobiling. The trail is a shared use with X-country skiing for the full length of the trail. Trail pass required for X-country skiing. Free admission. Call 269-637-2788 for more information.
23960 Ruggles, Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Air Zoo
The Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum features World War II Warbirds including four Grumman Cats, A Flying Tiger and the Gooney Bird. Take a virtual reality ride in a flight simulator. Visit the Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans Museum. Located on Milham Road at the southwest corner of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. Open daily 9am – 5pm; Sunday noon – 5pm. Extended hours are offered June - August. Closed holidays. Admission is charged. Call 269-382-6555 for more information.
Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum
The Air Zoo's mission is to collect, restore, preserve and display vintage World War II aircraft. Call 616-382-6555 for more information.
3101 East Milham Road, Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
Discover an exciting array of dramatic and musical presentations. There are also performances by the Civic Arena Theatre and the Kalamazoo Civic Youth and Summer Theatre groups. Call -343-1313 for more information.
329 S. Park, Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
This is a newly renovated and expanded facility that includes temporary exhibitions and galleries exhibiting works drawn from a permanent collection of over 3,000 pieces; with an emphasis on 20th Century American, German Expressionist, and graphic arts. Among the outstanding artists represented: Pablo Picasso; Richard Diebenkorn; Andrew Wyeth; Mary Cassatt and Alexander Calder. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 5pm; Thursday 10am –8pm; Sunday noon – 5pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Call 269-349-7775 for more information.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Eleven nature trails are available here for hiking and cross-country skiing. The trails are ungroomed; no rentals on site. Come in out of the cold and visit our Interpretive Center. Excellent for kids of all ages. Public programs are offered every Sunday at 2pm. Group rates are available. You will find us from U.S. 131, east on D Avenue, south on Westnedge Avenue. Open 9am - 5pm Monday - Saturday; 1pm - 5pm Sunday; the grounds are open until 6pm. Call 269-381-1574 for more information.
7000 N. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
This is an outstanding interactive museum offering hands-on science, history and technology exhibits including a Planetarium, Interactive Learning Hall and Challenger Learning Center. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10am – 6pm; Wednesday 10am – 9pm; Sunday 1 – 5pm. Closed holidays and no admission. Call 269-373-7990 for more information.
Kellog Bird Sanctuary, Dairy Center & Forest
Take yourself on a self-guided tour through a bird sanctuary, a working dairy farm, and an experimental forest with more than 150 species of trees. The Sanctuary and Dairy Center are located on C Avenue N of M-89. The forest is on 42nd Street S of M-89. Sanctuary hours are winter 9am – 5pm; summer 9am – 8pm. Closed Christmas. Dairy hours are 8am – sunset; forest hours are 8am - sunset. Closed holidays. Call 269-671-2510 for more information.
Lawson Arena
Lawson Arena offers public skating, group lessons and private lessons. Take in a WMU Bronco hockey games and youth hockey programs as well. Located on the campus at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Call 269-387-3050 for more information.
Martin Glen Park
Enjoy more than 5 miles of intermediate to expert cross-country ski trails. The trails are not groomed and we do not have rentals. Located at North Westnedge Avenue just south of the Nature Center. Call 269-383-8778 for more information.
Miller Auditorium
One of the finest performing arts auditoriums in America. 3,500 seats. It is host to such greats as Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen. A regular stop for touring Broadway shows. Located on the WMU campus in Kalamazoo.
Portage Creek Bicentennial Park
Featured attractions at this Park include over 4 miles of hiking and biking trails from the Portage Library to Kilgore Road, the Milham Avenue activity area, and the Celery Flats Interpretive Center and Historical Area. Most facilities are wheelchair accessible. Open 8am - sunset year-round. Free admission. Call 269-329-4522 for more information.
Prairie View Park
Enjoy our 5k cross-country ski trail, sledding, ice-skating, ice fishing, and a warming shelter. The trails are not groomed and we do not offer rentals. $4 per carload is charged. Please call for hours. Located at ‘U’ Avenue between Portage Road and Oakland Drive. Call 269-383-8778 for more information.
Schrier Park
Enjoy the excitement of learning a new sport, while surrounded by the beauty of Schrier Park. Call for information about cross-country ski classes for youths and adults. Call 269-329-4522 for more information.
7900 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI
Swiss Valley Ski Area
This is a multi-use terrain park. Here you will find 11 groomed ski runs; 2 quad chairlifts; 1 triple chairlift; 4 rope lifts on separate beginner area. Night skiing is offered every night on all slopes; 100% snow making coverage; Chalet cocktail lounge; Full line ski shop & service center; PSIA Ski School; Snow boarding w/sales, rental, & lessons; Children’s program; Race program; Group Discounts; Lodging nearby. Call 269-244-5635 for more information.
Timber Ridge Ski Area
You will find 15 groomed slopes, 100% snowmaking, 4 chair lifts, 5 surface tows, night skiing, ski & snowboard rental at Timber Ridge. Beginner through advanced lessons are offered with a special children’s program. Located 15 miles NW of Kalamazoo off D Avenue. Call 269-694-9449 for more information.
Wings Stadium Complex
This complex houses 3 NHL-sized ice sheets: Wings Stadium, the Annex and the Cube. It is home of the UHL league, the Kalamazoo Wings, as well as a youth hockey program, a figure skating program, a synchronized skating team and an adult hockey league. Wings offers public skating, open hockey, skating lessons, private ice rentals and birthday and skating parties. Call 269-345-1125 for more information.
3600 Van Rick Drive, Kalamazoo, MI
Wolf Lake Fisheries Interpretive Center
View displays of Michigan game species and feed Lake Sturgeon and Grayling in a show pond. Learn all about the history of fisheries in Michigan. Tours are offered hourly. Open Monday - Saturday 9am – 5pm; Sunday noon – 8pm. No admission is charged. Call 269-668-2876 for more information.
34270 CR 652, Kalamazoo, MI