Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo is a city in West Central Michigan. The city is home to more than 198,200 people (2020), with 355,000 in the metropolitan area, which includes neighboring Battle Creek. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County.

The city has a strong higher education presence, being home to Western Michigan University (with 17,334 students in Fall 2022), Kalamazoo College (a private, liberal arts institution), and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Because of the first downtown pedestrian mall in America, Kalamazoo got the nickname the "Mall City" in 1959. Kalamazoo also offers an interesting and walkable Downtown, with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.

By car
Kalamazoo lies on the I-94 roughly mid-way between Chicago and Detroit. US Highway 131 connects the city with Grand Rapids and resort areas further north.

By train

 * Routes serving Kalamazoo:
 * Wolverine Service operates several times daily between Pontiac and Chicago including stops along the way in Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and].
 * Blue Water operates daily between Port Huron and Chicago including stops in Flint, East Lansing, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and New Buffalo.
 * Blue Water operates daily between Port Huron and Chicago including stops in Flint, East Lansing, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and New Buffalo.

By bus

 * The downtown train station also acts as a bus station for local and regional destinations. Major destinations include Grand Rapids, Chicago and Detroit.
 * Amtrak Thruway, Greyhound, Indian Trails, Metro Transit, and Miller Transportation.

Nearby Kalamazoo
Nearby, you will find additional attractions.

Do
Kalamazoo is full of great events, featuring everything from hot rods to pianos. Discover Kalamazoo has a fairly comprehensive list of annual happenings, but don't miss Super Saturday in June, New Year's Fest or the USTA Boys National Championship in August.



Theater




Drink




Nightlife and clubs

 * gimora, 314 E Michigan Ave #201. Live music bar. +1 269-290-1900

Stay safe
Generally safe, Kalamazoo has some crime, mostly in the north- and eastside sections of town. Downtown could also be dangerous after dark, stay in a group and be aware.

Go next
The Lake Michigan resort towns of South Haven and Saugatuck-Douglas are about an hour west of Kalamazoo. Gull Lake (NE) and Gun Lake (North) are clear, spring-fed lakes of over 1000 acres each. Each offers boating and water-sports opportunities. Gull Lake has sailboat races on weekends.