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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.
 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?
- Group discounts are available for a group of 20 or more (when reservation made by phone
at least two weeks in advance)
-20% discount with Military ID (off individual ticket)
-15% off to AAA members
-Purchase tickets online for a 15% discount (if purchased at least 3 days in advance of visit)
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.
Portage District Library
300 Library Lane, Portage
(269) 329.4544; www.pdl.lib.mi.us
Within walking distance of Portage Community Bandshell, Celery Flats and the Bicentennial Park Trail. Discover a plethora of books and entertainment options for the family.
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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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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