From campgrounds to hotels, orchards to dog parks, and coffee shops to restaurants, there are so many pet-friendly and unique adventures in Kalamazoo! Check out how to plan a weekend getaway with your dog in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Day 1
Coffee - Water Street Coffee Joint (Portage)
Just a few minutes from the pet-friendly Days Inn & Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott is the Water Street Coffee, where you can get your morning fix with your pup in the form of fresh house roasted coffee, full espresso bar, loose-leaf teas, shakes, smoothies, and more. There’re breakfast items including a chorizo & chihuahua cheese burrito and a spicy bacon, egg & guacamole sandwich, too!
Morning - Prairie View Dog Park
After coffee, your dog will love playing with their new friends and galloping across open fields inside the 7 acres of fenced area at Prairie View Dog Park. Although, what’s really special about this park is the acres of enclosed woods that your dog can run through while you walk alongside on a shaded trail.
Lunch – Root Beer Stand
The Root Beer Stand boasts hot dogs, burgers, corn dogs and most importantly, home made root beer. Roll all the windows down and let your furry friends enjoy the fresh air, while you both take in the nostalgia of the drive-in experience!
Afternoon - Husted’s Farm Market & Cider Mill
Since your furry friend has got their playtime in, why not do something for you? Husted’s Farm Market & Cider Mill has U-Pick strawberries, raspberries, peaches and tart cherries, and you can bring your dog along with you on your visit (just leash them if they can’t control fruit cravings). You can also grab a pie or one of their, other delicious homemade treats.
Dinner - HopCat
Satisfy your appetite and your taste buds after a long day of activities with dinner at HopCat! Located in downtown Kalamazoo, HopCat offers a relaxed and upbeat atmosphere with a huge offering of beers on tap, as well as unique entrees and menu items that provide a fun twist on your typical American-style brewpub grub. Their outdoor patio is completely fenced in and is dog-friendly too!
Evening - The Spirit of Kalamazoo
Finish up your day by walking around and exploring beautiful downtown Kalamazoo. While you’re at it, be sure to get some ice cream on the enclosed outdoor patio of The Spirit of Kalamazoo.
Day 2
Coffee -Factory Coffee
Just a little over a mile away from the pet-friendly Kara's Kottages is the coffeeshop recommended by locals: Factory Coffee. Sip on their Wild Child Espresso, refreshing non-cocktails from Corner Store Cocktails, or an iced latte in their outdoor patio with seating for you and your dog.
Morning - Meadow Run Dog Park
As the name suggests, Meadow Run Dog Park has 24 acres of completely fenced-in, rolling meadows, but it’s much more than just that. There’s a pond for swimming (with a deck your dogs can leap off of!), an agility area, a small dogs’ area, and even a place to rinse your dog off after the pond. They plow areas in winter and members can even host dog birthday parties! Just be aware that dogs must demonstrate suitable temperament before being allowed in.
Lunch - NEDS on Gull Lake
NEDS is a pizza, grinders and burger joint in Hickory Corners that also serves liquor and beer! They offer barbecue on Sundays, take-out beer and wine, and they even deliver to the boat launch on Gull Lake! Hope for some sunshine so that you can bring your pup along and enjoy lunch on the deck or patio!
Afternoon - Al Sabo Nature Preserve
Al Sabo Nature Preserve is truly a wonderful place for both you and your pet. It holds miles and miles of nature trails through gorgeous fields, forests, and wetlands. It makes for a great, long walks with your best friends and you probably won’t want to leave. Just double check your dog is tick-protected before you go!
Dinner - The Thirsty Hound
At its heart, The Thirsty Hound is a place for dogs and dog-owners to mingle and make friends over food and drink. So, what better place for your final weekend meal than this dog-friendly tavern? Dogs are allowed inside the establishment that offers local craft beers on tap, along with wine, cider, canned cocktails, and more.
The Thirsty Hound declined its food license to allow dogs inside and outside, so be sure to bring your own food! You can order delivery/pick-up, buy from food trucks, or get some pre-packaged snacks!
Evening - Treat Street
With your new friends in tow, round out your night with some tasty ice cream and hot dogs from Treat Street. Your four-legged friend will probably stare at you the whole time you eat.
Lodging
Before you go on your vacation with your best friend, it’s good idea to find a place to stay! Kalamazoo has a plethora of pet-friendly hotels – 36 in all. You can also explore their campgrounds which allow dogs, such as Cold Brook County Park, Oak Shore Campground, and Markin Glen County Park.
Parks & Rec
There are plenty of pet-friendly parks in Kalamazoo and the surrounding area, along with other recreation opportunities, such as the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Fairmont Dog Park, The Bark Park, Tails ‘n’ Trails Dog Park, and South Haven Bark Park.
Kalamazoo is the perfect place to take your furry best friend(s) for a weekend of fun. Be sure to check out this dog-filled weekend itinerary that our friends at the Traveling Newlyweds recommend while you're here!
Be sure to request one of our great guides – especially the Kalamazoo Brewery Map!
