For the final stop in this year’s Travel Guide series, we’re heading to Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Paw Paw.
Each city offers its own distinct flavor, from Kalamazoo’s youthful, artsy, beer-loving vibe to Battle Creek’s distinct history and Paw Paw’s wine-country charm. Here are just a few suggestions of where to head for a day, a weekend or an impromptu afternoon road trip.
KALAMAZOO
Start at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, where rotating exhibitions complement an impressive permanent collection. For something a little more interactive, the free Kalamazoo Valley Museum, offering science, technology and local-history exhibits, along with a planetarium. Don’t forget the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, full of aircraft, spacecraft, hands-on exhibits and flight simulators.
From there, stroll the Kalamazoo Mall, the pedestrian-friendly heart of downtown, popping into independent shops, cafés and galleries along the way. And if you’re sticking around into the evening, check the calendar at venues including Bell’s, the Gilmore and the Kalamazoo Civic.
There’s plenty to do outdoors, too. The Kalamazoo Nature Center offers miles of trails through forests, wetlands and meadows just north of the city, while Kleinstuck Preserve provides a quick dose of nature within the urban area. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is another great option for walking or biking, and adventurous visitors can get out on the Kalamazoo River by kayak.
Of course, you’ll need fuel. Factory Coffee is a favorite for serious coffee drinkers, while Water Street Coffee Joint is a Kalamazoo institution. For a cozy stop downtown, grab a table at Caffè Casa.
When it’s time for a real meal, Principle Food and Drink is a standout for creative New American cooking and cocktails in a dark, intimate setting. Rustica offers a more upscale, European-influenced experience. For something considerably more eccentric, head to Louie’s Trophy House Grill, an old-school bar where the taxidermy-covered walls are almost as memorable as the food. And don’t overlook Crow’s Nest, a Kalamazoo breakfast classic.
Then there’s the beer. Kalamazoo’s brewing reputation is legendary, and Bell’s Eccentric Cafe remains an essential stop. But don’t stop there. Stamped Robin is a stylish choice for cocktails and wine, while Dabney & Co. combines cocktails, food and live music. Old Dog Tavern offers a scruffier, more casual downtown experience, and Latitude 42 Brewing is a good pick when a beer garden, fire pit and shuffleboard sound like the right way to end the day.
BATTLE CREEK
Start by embracing the town’s history: The Cereal History Exhibit at the Welcome Center explores how Battle Creek became synonymous with the breakfast industry.
Then, head to Fantasy Forest at Leila Arboretum, where giant whimsical wooden sculptures emerge from the landscape. The surrounding arboretum is worth exploring in its own right, with gardens, trees and walking paths.
History buffs should make time for the Kimball House Museum, a beautifully preserved Victorian home with connections to Battle Creek’s history, medicine and Sojourner Truth. Meanwhile, the Linear Park Trail provides an easy way to explore the outdoors, following the river through town. For a quieter hike and wildlife-watching opportunity, try the Ott Biological Preserve.
Battle Creek also has plenty of reasons to stay for a meal. Lux Cafe delivers the classic old-school diner experience, while Barista Blues Cafe offers coffee, breakfast and lunch with an Italian influence. Long Island Cafe is another local favorite for a casual breakfast or lunch—excellent food with large portions and fast service.
For dinner, Kitchen Proper is a standout, with seasonal, scratch-made food in an intimate downtown setting. Lucky Rooster Kitchen & Cocktails brings Italian-influenced comfort food and cocktails to the table, while Clara’s on the River pairs its menu with a memorable setting inside a converted railroad station overlooking the river.
And then there’s the bar scene. Handmap Brewing is a natural stop for local beer and pizza downtown, while New Holland Brewing’s Battle Creek Brewpub offers beer, cocktails, food and a covered beer garden. Just outside town, Territorial Brewing Company in Springfield brings German-inspired food and beer to the mix.
For something with a little more altitude, head to 50 Beacon, a 16th-floor cocktail lounge with skyline views that provides a surprisingly metropolitan ending to a Battle Creek evening. And if you’re looking for entertainment beyond breweries and bars, FireKeepers Casino offers gaming, restaurants and live entertainment.
PAW PAW
Paw Paw is a laid-back, wine-country getaway.
The village is small enough to explore without much of a plan. Wander downtown Paw Paw, where independent businesses, restaurants and historic buildings cluster around the river, then make your way to one of the area’s wineries.
St. Julian Winery & Distillery is the obvious starting point. Michigan’s oldest winery has its production facility and tasting room here, offering wine, spirits and tours. For a more eclectic experience, Warner Vineyards combines wine and beer with food, live music and a riverside amphitheater.
When hunger strikes, few places are as nostalgic as Red’s Root Beer, an old-school drive-in eatery serving frosty mugs of root beer alongside coneys, burgers and fries.
For something a little more grown-up, 120 Taphouse & Bistro offers craft beer, cocktails and elevated bar food downtown. And Brewster’s Food and Spirits, housed in the historic Dyckman House, combines a pub experience with a dose of local history.
