Museums & Attractions

Museums & Attractions | Other Area Attractions

Nature, education and art are embodied in Kalamazoo’s numerous museums and attractions. You’re invited to experience priceless paintings and sculptures, learn about the evolution of aviation and automobiles, experience one-of-a-kind attractions, embrace the beauty of lush gardens and observe wildlife in their natural settings. Take time to browse through archives, explore the stars and sample fine wines. Even a simple stroll through downtown Kalamazoo can be an architectural education. Several commercial and public buildings, including City Hall, possess the crisp geometry and surface ornaments of Art Deco—an eclectic design style born during the Jazz Age. Kalamazoo is also home to a cooperative neighborhood designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the late ‘40s. The entire community is rich in history, culture and beauty. Come and Discover Kalamazoo.

Museums & Attractions

Air Zoo
6151 Portage Rd., Portage
(866) 5AIRZOO, (269) 382-6555;
www.airzoo.org

Sit down, strap in, hang on and get ready for a great time!  The Air Zoo offers something for all different ages and interests...

Adventure...
Elite fighter jets poised for action.  Awesome 360-degree full-motion flight simulators.  Indoor amusement park rides.  A breathtaking 4D theater that takes you on a World War II mission. Experience the weightlessness of walking on the moon.   Train like an astronaut and blast off to Mars.  We’re ready for you—the question is...  Are you ready for this adventure?  
History...
With more than 50 historical and rare aircraft in two buildings, your group will be amazed when they see the world’s only remaining SR-71B Blackbird, a Curtiss P-40N, one of the best-kept collections of Grumman Cats and more.  The Air Zoo is also home to the nationally-recognized Guadalcanal Memorial Museum, the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame and the Michigan Space Science Center, where you can train, live and work like an astronaut.

One of a kind experience...
With the Midwest’s first 4D theatre, some of the most high-tech flight simulators available to civilians, indoor amusement park rides surrounded by the Guinness World Record™ largest indoor mural and the Michigan Space Science Center, we guarantee you won’t find another place like it.  In fact, the Air Zoo is the first museum of its kind in the world.  So what are you waiting for?

Airway Lanes Fun Center
5626 Portage Rd., Portage
(269) 327-7061; www.airway-lanes.com
Bowling, laser tag, mini golf, video arcade, bumper cars, air hockey, go-kart race track, karaoke lounge, Alley Oops Bar & Grill, The Spitfire non-smoking lounge, billiards and shuffleboard.

Celery Flats Historical Area
7335 Garden Lane, Portage
(269) 329-4522
What was it like to work ankle-deep in the rich, black soil of the Kalamazoo area when it was known as the Celery City? Stalk the answers in Portage, where tours help visitors understand the era. The park is bisected by the Portage Creek and the linear 2-1/2 mile Bicentennial Trail, perfect for canoeing, bikers and walkers. Seasonal festivals and cultural events take place throughout the year.

Fort Custer National Cemetery
15501 Dickman Rd. on M-96, Augusta
(269) 731-4164
Part of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Fort Custer is an official burial ground for America’s veterans, their spouses and children. It contains the graves of 26 German soldiers held as prisoners of war during World War II.

Gilmore Car Museum
M-43, at Hickory Road, Hickory Corners
(269) 671-5089; www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org
Rated as one of the 10 best automobile museums in the United States. On 90 landscaped acres in restored historic barns you will find more than 175 extraordinary vehicles spanning more than 100 years of automotive heritage. Visitors will find exhibits ranging from an 1899 Locomobile to the classic Duesenberg, the elusive Tucker, the Model T and the muscle cars of the ‘60s. Enjoy lunch at the George and Sally Blue Moon Diner, a 1941 Silk City Diner, the newest addition to the Gilmore Car Museum. Open from May through October.

Kalamazoo’s Historic District
Walking Tour
The City of Kalamazoo has many historic districts and individual sites on the national, state and local historic registers. We invite you to walk around these districts and learn more about Kalamazoo’s historical and architectural heritage. Visit the Kalamazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau ’s information center for a brochure or call (269) 381-4003.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA)
Park St., at South St., Kalamazoo
(269) 349-7775; www.kiarts.org
The KIA continues to bring art to West Michigan with first-rate traveling exhibitions (i.e. Millet to Matisse and Chihuly), a stunning variety of permanent collection works in rotating shows, an Interactive Gallery, a new community cultural center auditorium, an expanded art school for all ages and a truly unique gallery shop.

Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
(269) 381-1574; www.NatureCenter.org
The Nature Center was voted the number one nature center in the nation by other nature centers. Featuring indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, the Nature Center’s Interpretive Center features the award-winning “Nature Up Close” exhibit hall. Also, visit the state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, three-story tropical rainforest, Bug House and seasonal butterfly and hummingbird garden. The Nature Center contains more than 1,100 acres of nature, an 11-acre arboretum; 11 nature trails filled with wildlife for hiking and cross-country skiing, and the DeLano pioneer homestead. Golf cart trail tours are available for people with limited mobility.

Kalamazoo Public Library
315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo
(269) 342-9837; www.kpl.gov
Selected National Library of the Year for 2002, Kalamazoo Public Library is a visual masterpiece with rainbows flooding the library on sunny days, refracted by a holographic-colored skylight crowning the 80-foot high rotunda. Visitors especially enjoy the internet access and Children’s Room, decorated with murals, soft sculpture and stained glass windows with storybook themes, and there are books too!

Kalamazoo Valley Museum
230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo
(269) 373-7990; www.kalamazoomuseum.org
The Museum was voted the top small museum in Michigan by readers of Michigan Living Magazine. The Museum offers “Adventure You Can Touch”, celebrating history, science and technology in a highly interactive, hands-on way. It features a Digistar Theatre and planetarium; simulated missions to space via the Challenger Learning Center; a 2,300 year-old mummy; an interactive history gallery and the Science in Motion gallery.

Kellogg Biological Station
(Michigan State University)

• Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
  12685 East C Ave., Augusta
  (269) 671-2510 www.kbs.msu.edu/Bird_Sanctuary
  The Sanctuary offers protected land for native waterfowl and birds of prey along Wintergreen Lake with self-guided tours 365 days a year.
  
• W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest
  42nd St., Augusta
  (269) 731-4597
  A Michigan State University experimental forest with a national reputation for being one of the premier research forests. There are acres available for hiking, picnicking and cross-country skiing. Admission is free.
  
• Kellogg Dairy Center
  10461 North 40th St., Hickory Corners
  (269) 671-2356
  A state-of-the-art research, teaching and demonstration facility for Michigan State University emphasizing production and agriculture in harmony with a quality environment. The exhibits show the dairy cycle from crops to cows, including a computerized milking parlor. Visitors walk a self-guided trail.

MotorCities Automotive National Heritage Area
www.ExperienceEverythingAutomotive.com
Kalamazoo County is part of the MotorCities Automotive National Heritage Area which is dedicated to preserving and promoting Michigan’s rich automotive and labor heritage through tourism, education and revitalization. The Gilmore Car Museum and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum are the founding partners in Kalamazoo ’s MotorCities Automotive Heritage exhibits.

Pirates Island Aquatic Center
5053 Sports Drive, Kalamazoo
(269) 544.1000; www.piratesisland.com
Pirates Island Aquatic Center is located in the S.W.A.T. Fitness Club. Pirates Island is a 14,000 sq. ft. aquatic center and offers a three lane lap pool, warm water pool, wading area within interactive pirate ship, two 200 ft. slides, two jacuzzis and a lazy river.

W.K. Kellogg Manor House
3700 Gull Lake Dr., Hickory Corners
(269) 671-2416 www.kbs.msu.edu/Manor_House
This newly restored estate of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg is open for tours year-round, along with special teas and holiday events.

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery
Visitor Center
M-43 at Fish Hatchery Rd., 8 mi. W. of Kalamazoo
(269) 668-2876
Learn about fish life cycles and habitats and the history of Great Lakes hatcheries with guided hatchery tours, walking trails and a display pond with Michigan fish. Admission is free.

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Other Area Attractions

Battle Creek Riding Club
8482 N. 43rd St., Augusta
(269) 731-4410
One of the area's finest facilities offering two outdoor sand rings, 80x200' indoor arena with heated viewing area, a 25 acre cross country course and miles of groomed trails with jumps. Services offered include: private lessons, guided trail rides, training, children birthday parties and more.

Binder Park Zoo
7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek
(269) 979-1351; www.binderparkzoo.org
An African adventure awaits you with the award winning Wild Africa, ride the railroad, see the animals down-under, and visit the gift shops/ restaurants. Open end of April through October.

Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
18935 15-1/2 Mile Rd., Marshall
(800) 228-4315; www.turkeyville.com
Nestled on a 400-acre farm where turkey is king, Cornwell’s has been serving turkey many different ways for 35 years. Cornwell’s also features a full calendar of events and shows.

Full Blast Family
Entertainment Center
35 Hamblin Avenue, Battle Creek
(269) 966-3667; www.fullblast.org
Indoor/Outdoor water parks, video arcade, rock climbing and food court.

Lake Michigan Beaches
A trip to southwestern Michigan is not complete without a short drive to Lake Michigan for breathtaking views in any season of the year, with destinations like North Beach in South Haven, Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Van Buren State Park, south of South Haven, and Warren Dunes, south of St. Joseph.

Leila Arboretum
928 W. Michigan Ave. at 20th St., Battle Creek
(269) 969-0270; www.LASgarden.org
Nestled within the 72 acres of beautiful Leila Arboretum is the new Children’s Garden where kids experience sensory exploration of the great outdoors. Leila Arboretum Society always has something fun to do for the young and young-at-heart.

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