The Kalamazoo center is approximately the area of Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the area of Kalamazoo Amtrak Station.
The best time to visit Kalamazoo is in April or May when temperatures hover between 40 and 70 degrees. Although you might need a jacket (and an umbrella for occasional rain showers), the weather will be perfect for experiencing Kalamazoo's many attractions. You can hop on a bike and ride along a scenic trail, pick up a golf club and hit a few balls, or catch a spring show at the symphony orchestra. You'll also be ahead of summertime tourists so will benefit from less crowding and lower hotel rates.
If you can't make it to Kalamazoo in the spring, visiting between September and October is just as great. Not only will you experience pleasant weather, but you'll also be in town for many of the city's best festivals, markets, and concerts. Also, because it'll be the back-to-school season, you'll have fewer crowds to contend with and lower hotel rates to take advantage of.
In the summer, expect large crowds, high hotel rates, and fewer hotel room vacancies than in the spring or fall. Because it's high season, you'll want to plan your trip well in advance. But though it'll cost you more, visiting Kalamazoo in the summer will be well worth it. The weather will be gorgeous, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s. And thanks to summer events like the Do-Dah Parade and Island Fest, you'll have no shortage of fun things to do.
If you're looking for very low hotel rates and few fellow tourists, visiting Kalamazoo between November and March might just work for you. You will need a heavy coat to brave the freezing temperatures and snowstorms, but there will still be plenty to do around the city. You can view American art at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, visit a nearby ski resort to hit the slopes, or enjoy dinner, drinks, and a movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
Discount lovers rejoice! You can enjoy major discounts at many Kalamazoo hotels. Comfort Inn Kalamazoo offers AAA member and AARP card holder discounts on many of its rooms. Plus, the hotel is minutes from museums, stadiums, and theaters, as well as unique attractions such as Bell's Brewery. You'll enjoy a room with free internet access, a flat-screen TV, work desk, and coffee maker. Some rooms even come complete with a refrigerator and microwave.
Before starting your day, take advantage of the hotel's free breakfast buffet and a weekly newspaper. Other conveniences include a fitness center and laundry facility.
Residence Inn by Marriott Kalamazoo East is a cozy hotel with many conveniences and offers great AAA and AARP discounts on a variety of rooms. The inn is located in the southeastern section of the city, near Milham Park Golf Club, Kalamazoo Air Zoo, and Crossroads Shopping Center. In one of 83 guest rooms you'll enjoy the perfect mix of comfort and function with a fully equipped kitchen that includes a refrigerator, stove, and microwave; cozy beds with down pillows; and a functional work area with free internet access.
You can save even more money by enjoying the hotel's free breakfast each morning. Additional amenities include an heated outdoor pool, sports court, evening hospitality hour for guests, and a complimentary shopping service to keep your kitchen stocked.
If you want more value for your money, Kalamazoo has plenty of great hotels that you'll love. Clarion Inn is a comfortable choice, located a few miles away from downtown Kalamazoo yet close to highly rated shopping, universities, and other attractions. Sports and outdoor enthusiasts will especially enjoy being near Milham Park Golf Club and Portage Creek Bicentennial Park. Although known for being affordable, Clarion Inn's rooms include a range of conveniences: a pillowtop mattress, free internet access, flat-screen TV, and more. You can even choose a premium room that features a sofa sleeper and whirlpool.
Other hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, lobby fireplace, free airport transportation, and free breakfast served each morning. Your pet is welcome to stay in the hotel and enjoy the many comforts, as well.
For another great value option, consider Staybridge Suites Kalamazoo. This award-winning hotel is conveniently located near Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, and Wings Event Center. Within each spacious room, you'll have access to many homelike comforts, such as a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and rangetop. You'll also have a flat-screen TV and DVD player for entertainment, as well as free internet access to stay connected. The hotel also boasts an indoor heated pool, on-site fitness center, free daily breakfast buffet, and an evening social hour for guests, Mondays through Wednesdays.
No matter where you decide to stay in Kalamazoo, you'll likely be close to one of the city's unique attractions. If your hotel is in the northeast section of the city, check out Gilmore Car Museum. This popular museum explores the history of the automobile through its classic car exhibits and old-fashioned gas station. If you're more of a beer aficionado and are staying downtown, the Kalamazoo Give a Craft Beer Trail is a must. The trail guides visitors along a walking route with stops at the city's trendiest craft beer breweries. If unique attractions interest you, Kalamazoo has plenty.
Whether you'd like to stay in a luxury hotel downtown or an affordable hotel in a quiet suburb, you can find the best option for your needs, and wallet, in Kalamazoo.
Below are reviews of the city of Kalamazoo, MI from an actual visitor's perspective.
The overall experience was exactly as it has always been! I live 20 minutes away but it is always been a retreat!
Nice restaurant choices and the shops are cool!
Very interesting history.
Traffic moved well.
We were there for a dog show.
Easy access to downtown and other places I needed to visit.
Kalamazoo is a treat! I honestly didn't know a city with this name actually existed. The people were welcoming and I found some very good places to dine.
Kalamazoo has a nice downtown area.
I went to Hickory Corners to a car show!
Area of MI is nice...large variety of food and store options across a bunch of price points. Fields/facility for games was excellent.
Went to compete in dog sports at UKC Premier event at Kzoo Fairgrounds.
Holiday Inn was wonderful and accommodating!
Very pleasant and clean!
In town for an event at Dabney & Co. across the street from the hotel. Location of hotel was spot on and so was Dabney & Co.
We were there for the hospital.
I've been to Kalamazoo many times. It is a cool town with old homes and an architecturally interesting downtown.
We had a wonderful day at Bittersweet Ski Resort! Everyone was pleasant and helpful. The food in the grill was far superior to what one normally gets in this kind of situation. And the place was packed…and the waitress pleasant and efficient.
Kalamazoo has a diversity of restaurants from which to choose.
Golf courses.
Kalamazoo is a nice place to visit!
Went to WMU. Love Kalamazoo!
I was in town for a graduation. Took a cab to WMU and the people at the cab company very nice and helpful. Great city and great people.
The expo center is a great place to hold a trade show. The parking is great and the venue lends itself to many different types of shows. Getting around Kalamazoo is a little difficult, but we did find a nice Mexican restaurant to eat at.
Friendly, helpful people. Didn't have time to visit since I was busy attending a course.
People in city were friendly. Downtown was quaint. Expo Center activities were fun and interesting.