Looking for a night out or a quick weekend getaway in Kalamazoo with the family? Homer Stryker Field, home of the Kalamazoo Growlers, wants to host YOU this summer. We went to a Growlers game last week and had an absolute blast. Here are FIVE reasons you should too!    Did we mention we’re giving away 4 TICKETS to the Kalamazoo Growler’s game in the Home Plate Club on Wednesday, July 6th at 6:35pm? Don’t miss out on your chance to win. Enter here!   1. Interact with the team     Upon entry to the park, you’re greeted by some of the Kalamazoo Growlers players themselv ..read more

If there’s one thing we know about Kalamazoo, it’s that people that live here and visit here love being outside and they love drinking beer—which, combined, is the kind of love affair we can get behind. Luckily, Kalamazoo is home to some of the best beer and a variety of trails for bikers and hikers alike, which we’ve paired here for you! While you’re at it, don’t forget to sign up for a Give a Craft Beer Trail passport, a free program that makes experiencing the beer scene in Southwest Michigan even more of a fun adventure.         Portage Bicentennial Trail    ..read more

If hunting for vintage treasures and thrifting local gems is your jam, Kalamazoo is the perfect destination to find carefully curated, unique and rare finds from times gone by. We reached out to our friends at Vintage in the Zoo for their expertise on vintage and thrift shopping in Kalamazoo County, so read on to learn more!     From our humble beginnings in 2017 with 18 authentic vintage vendors to now throwing monthly, single-day, outdoor, true vintage & handmade market events in the middle of Downtown Kalamazoo that features 70+ vendors – our family owned a run business, Vint ..read more

John McGivern’s Main Streets visited the Kalamazoo to film an episode of their travel show about the main streets of Midwestern communities.   Watch the full episode below to discover why out-of-towners tell us that Kalamazoo is nothing like they imagined it to be and yet everything they wanted and needed. You’ll walk into our locally owned shops and restaurants as a stranger and walk out feeling right at home.   We encourage you to visit the places Main Streets visited yourself!         Gilmore Car Museum     The largest car museum in North Ameri ..read more

Whatever your kids are into (science, animals, the great outdoors), there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kalamazoo! Add these activities to your bucket list this warm season.     Dinosaur Park at Western Michigan University’s Main Campus     The dinosaur park at WMU results from a vision of the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. It’s located behind Lee Honors College, on the northeast side of Rood Hall. It currently features favorites like a stegosaurus, triceratops, parasaurolophus, spinosaurus, a pair of utahraptors, and ferns ..read more

  Discover Kalamazoo Sports reports hosting a total of 40+ sports events in 2021, which resulted in $15.4 million in estimated direct visitor spending.   More than 20,000 youth, amateur, college and professional athletes competed in various sports events and tournaments held throughout the Kalamazoo area, contributing to the region’s local economy by discovering Kalamazoo through a combination of activities such as lodging, transportation, food & beverage, retail, recreation, space rental, and other business services.   The following notable sports events were held in Kalam ..read more

Birding is a popular pastime for residents and visitors alike, who according to the Michigan Audubon Society, can find more than 450 bird species on Michigan’s many birding trails, state parks and recreation areas and more.   One of the best attributes of being in a Great Lakes State is that Kalamazoo offers spectacular and unique birding experiences for all four seasons.   The Kalamazoo Audubon Society recommends Kleinstuck Nature Preserve for spring birding, with the peak time being late April and early May, before the trees leaf out. In 31 of spring surveys, they have apparently ..read more

Kalamazoo’s freshwater lakes and rivers make it a paradise for fishers, boaters, and adventure-seekers! The various bodies of water and the surrounding waters will provide plenty of fish to catch and even more memories to bring back long after you leave.     Austin Lake      View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Brittney Wesson (@bwesson2420)   Austin Lake is located in Portage, Michigan. This lake is 1,090 acres in size. It is approximately 11 feet deep at its deepest point. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including ..read more

Founder of The Roché Collection, Nicole Triplett opened Twine Urban Winery in the Washington Square neighborhood of Kalamazoo in spring 2021. Nicole is by all well known accounts the first Black Female Licensed Wine maker in Michigan!       In an industry that struggles with diversity and inclusion, Twine’s urban location makes it accessible to those looking for a wine tasting experience without leaving the city, and the menu offers fun and fruit forward blends that are an approachable and inclusive take on traditional old style wine.       At Twine Urban Wi ..read more

Right in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo is Tempo Vino Winery, the only winery in the area where you can actually taste and make your own wine from grapes grown in France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and California.     Whether you’re an amateur sommeliers or a first time taster, one of the most unique experiences at Tempo Vino is the opportunity to make your own wine. You start off at the tasting bar where you sample wines to decide which varietal you would like to make. Then the staff at the winery will put together a recipe for your wine based on your tastes.     ..read more