Summer Fun in Kalamazoo

Pride Month may be behind us, but the summer fun is just getting started in Kalamazoo, Michigan's eclectic and highly drivable destination, less than two and a half hours from Chicago and even closer to Detroit. Whether you come for the glory of Southwest Michigan nature or for the city's countless cultural or culinary offerings, Kalamazoo is sure to please.

Culture

In honor of its 101st birthday, Kalamazoo's acclaimed Kalamazoo Institute of Arts will be free to visitors all month throughout this July. On show at the museum through September 21 is "Leo Villareal: Interstellar," which invites viewers into the immersive digital worlds of artist Leo Villareal, where humanity, celestial bodies, and code converge into a fusion of art and technology. Opening July 12 is "Ink Rhapsody: The Art of Lingnan Masters in Hong Kong," a collaboration between the KIA and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco consisting of Chinese paintings in two sections.

Meanwhile, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum will be keeping the rainbow going through the end of August with "Colorful Collections of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum," which features items from the permanent collection displayed in a rainbow of hues. Also on show through the end of August is "The Art of Advertising," which highlights nostalgic signs and advertisements from local businesses now in the museum's permanent artifact collection.

Coming to Kalamazoo on July 12 is the annual Black Arts Festival, which brings together artists of all genres and locals for a day of vibrant live performances, DJ sets, and a diverse mix of retail, food, and information vendors, all with the goal of uplifting Black artistry and showcasing Black history within the community.

Food & Drink

From brunch to breweries, Kalamazoo is a smorgasbord of culinary creativity. A divine dining day could start with a delicious brunch at Crow's Nest that will make you question everything you thought you knew about French toast. Come afternoon, head to Nonla Burger for an all-American staple with Vietnamese-inspired flavors, then end your day of indulgence with artisanal dishes at Brick and Brine or Rustica that look like they belong in a food museum. If you still have room for dessert, head to Cherri's ChocolArt or Confections With Convictions.

If you're lucky enough to be in Kalamazoo on a Saturday morning, don't miss the Kalamazoo Farmer's Market, the city's biggest market with over 100 local farmers, food businesses, and artisans offering up their wares every week. Fridays are also chock full of edible fun, including Lunchtime Live in Bronson Park, Friday at the Flats in Portage, and Festival Fridays at Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Centered around food trucks, these events also mix in other local merchants and live entertainment.

For beer lovers, Kalamazoo is loaded with excellent options, including Bell's Brewery and Eccentric Cafe, arguably Kalamazoo's most iconic and eccentric brewery. One Well Brewing appeals to both the kid-friendly and the kid at heart with fantastic local beers, ice cream floats, fun pinball and arcade games, and even a unique beer made with coffee and donuts. In nearby Portage, relax and unwind at the expansive beer gardens at Latitude 42 or Presidential Brewing. On the outskirts of Kalamazoo, and offering a reprieve from the bustling city, is Texas Corners Brewing Co., situated within a converted chapel and offering expertly-crafted beers and ciders, plus an amazing food menu.

Nature

Kalamazoo's great outdoors is like an HD version of nature – everything is just a little more vibrant and exhilarating. Consider a day boating on the crystal clear waters of Gull Lake or a lazy afternoon at one of our public beaches. For bikers, the county's many trails offer numerous ways to whiz through Southwest Michigan's natural beauty – you can even bike from Kalamazoo to South Haven by connecting from the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail to the Kal-Haven Trail. Meanwhile, for the aquatic-minded, Kalamazoo is packed with possibilities for getting on and in the water. Or if it's just a lovely greenspace you're after, Kalamazoo's parks offer a multitude of alfresco options.

For an amazing one-stop nature destination, head to the Kalamazoo Nature Center, home to over 14 miles of hiking trails winding through woods, wetlands, and prairies. With trails ranging from easy to difficult, the center offers all sorts of scenic adventures, including a hummingbird/butterfly garden and scenic views for miles. Fans of our feathered friends can't miss the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, with three miles of trails and a variety of habitats surrounding Wintergreen Lake at the heart of the grounds. Delight in the variety of birds that call the sanctuary home, including resident waterfowl, game birds, and raptors.

So this summer, whether you want to soak up the sun, dive into culture, treat yourself to excellent dining and drinking, or maybe a little of all of the above, Kalamazoo is within easy reach and more than ready to welcome you.