Photos by and blog written by Cheryl Eugenio
Check out Cheryl's blog: O The Places We Go
Our family found ourselves in Kalamazoo with just 24 hours to explore and quickly realized how much this city packs in for families. Even with limited time, we made the most of every moment. From scenic nature trails and hands-on museums to a walkable downtown filled with local finds and great eats, Kalamazoo surprised us in the best way possible. It’s easy to navigate, fun for all ages, and perfect for a quick getaway. These are the spots that made our visit so memorable and absolutely worth adding to your list.
Things to Do
Located in Downtown Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum dives into the story of what makes Kalamazoo….well Kalamazoo. After exploring all three floors of the museum, we couldn’t believe this was free. What a gem!
What really stood out about this museum were all the hands-on exhibits. My kids were completely hooked. From racing LEGO cars, building their own wind turbines, making music, and bouncing from one interactive station to the next, they had a blast and didn’t want to leave. Don’t miss the top floor, which features rotating exhibits (we caught a mummy display and a seriously cool guitar exhibit). This museum is an easy win for families and one I’d absolutely recommend.
Kalamazoo Mall
From the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, we took a short walk over to the Kalamazoo Mall, one of the first outdoor pedestrian malls in the nation. As we strolled down the mall, we noticed a great mix of local shops perfect for browsing and shopping.
A few stops quickly became favorites. Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash was a hit with the kids with shelves full of toys and games, as well as viral toys. IYKYK. For souvenirs, The Spirit of Kalamazoo was the spot for our obligatory postcards and stickers, plus they had tons of fun Kalamazoo-themed merch. If you’re in the mood for a treat (and when are we not?), you’ll find Plainwell ice cream served here.
And for something extra indulgent, Cherri’s Chocol’art is known for their handcrafted chocolates (ooh the smells!) and over-the-top Monster Milkshakes that definitely satisfy that sweet tooth. They have such a great assortment of chocolates, and so many of the sweets (even the marshmallows!) are made from scratch.
Gilmore Car Museum
Car lovers, this one’s for you.
The Gilmore Car Museum is an absolute must, especially if you’ve got anyone in your crew who’s into cars. (My husband and son were in heaven here.) As the largest auto museum in North America, it’s seriously impressive. One of our favorite stops was the Muscle Car Gallery, and I appreciated that they had car-themed driving games to keep the kids entertained while my son and husband took their time exploring.
What I loved most is how spread out it is. The campus is made up of historic barns, each one showcasing a different part of automotive history. There’s even a cool recreated Shell gas station that we all thought was fun throwback and photo op.
Pro tip: Make sure to give yourself time here. It’s much bigger than you think, and there’s a lot to take in.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
With over 15 miles of trails, you could easily spend the whole day hiking at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. We were looking for something that was not only easy but still scenic, and with help from the friendly staff, we landed on the Beech Maple Trail. It ended up being perfect for us. The trail winds through wooded paths, boardwalk sections, and even a fun tunnel, before opening up to a peaceful stretch along the river.
But what really makes the Kalamazoo Nature Center stand out is that it’s so much more than just hiking. Inside, there’s a beautiful atrium (love!), along with animals like birds, turtles, and a rabbit. Kids will absolutely adore the nature playscape, and I especially appreciated that you can borrow backpacks to make the experience even more interactive. The Kalamazoo Nature Center is truly a hidden gem.
Where to Eat
Paris Banh Mi
For a quick and flavorful meal, Paris Banh Mi is a great stop. The banh mi sandwiches were a hit with everyone. I went with the grilled pork on a croissant (highly recommend), and it was so good. The kids loved the Korean corn dog, especially the Hot Cheetos version, which added a fun twist.
It’s an easy, delicious option after a full day of exploring. Next time, I’m coming back for the Vietnamese coffee and boba.
Cherri's Chocol'Art
For a sweet treat, Cherri’s Chocol’art is the place to go. The smell of chocolate lured us in, and believe me those handcrafted chocolate treats were hard to resist, but we had one thing in mind: their famous Monster Milkshakes.
The kids shared the Samoas milkshake topped with Girl Scout cookies, and it disappeared fast. Over-the-top, messy, and super fun - don’t skip it!
Sweetwater's Donut Mill
We’ve all heard about Sweetwater’s Donut Mill, so of course we had to stop. Located on Sprinkle Road (how cute is that?), it was just minutes from our hotel, making it an easy and very tempting detour.
The hardest part? Choosing. There are so many options, and everything is pretty affordable too, which makes it even more dangerous in the best way. And yes, the donuts are as worth the hype and as good as they say.
Pro tip: If you already know what you want, hit the drive-thru.
Fiddle Leaf Cafe
Always on the hunt for coffee shops on vacation, we made our way to Fiddle Leaf Cafe. It had exactly the cozy vibe we’re always looking for, with comfy seating and bright natural light. Service was a bit on the slow side for us, but once our drinks were in hand, it was the perfect way to ease into the day and fuel up for our next adventure.
Where to Stay in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo Southeast
After a full day of exploring, we were more than ready to slow things down and this hotel more than delivered. We stayed at the newly built Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo Southeast, conveniently located near the airport and an easy home base for our adventures.
The vibe was perfect for families: plenty of seating in the lobby (even those egg chairs and fun nooks) plus games you could borrow. Our favorite by far was winding down and playing billiards. Breakfast was hot, easy, and a solid way to start the day.The only downside during our stay was that the pool wasn’t working, but honestly, the kids didn’t seem to mind with everything else available.
When it came time to recharge, Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo Southeast was a great home base for our stay.
A big thanks to the Discover Kalamazoo team for helping shape our visit. With limited time, their recommendations made it easy to focus on spots my family would truly enjoy and saved us so much time. Be sure to reach out to them if you have questions or need help planning your itinerary. They’re an incredible resource.
