“Living Like a Local” in Kalamazoo, Mi
At the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association, we want to take away all the guesswork about where to stay, dine, shop, and explore. And we want you to have all the information to plan the best Michigan getaway ever! Our blogs are packed full of information and some of the best-kept secrets- some shared by our innkeepers, who, after all, are the best ones to ask when you want to “Live like a Local.” Today’s blog brings you to the Southwest urban town of Kalamazoo, which lies along the Kalamazoo River, some 50 miles south of Grand Rapids. Follow along as we share all the information about the best places to dine, explore and shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. And the very best place to stay in Kalamazoo is aptly named – The Kalamazoo House B&B.
Kalamazoo is a fun name and rolls on the tongue. Here you will find a rich culture filled with world-class museums, theatres, and live music venues, making this vibrant city a fun place to visit. It’s also a foodie haven, craft beer scene, and live entertainment, attracting visitors from around the region. It’s also fun to remember that Kalamazoo was once the manufacturing domain for Checker cabs, Gibson guitars, Kalamazoo stoves, Shakespeare fishing rods and reels, and the Roamer automobile.
What makes the Kalamazoo House B&B Special
This Victorian beauty with Italianate and Eastlake influences was built-in 1878 for the Lilienfeldd family, who owned the D. Lilienfeld & Brothers Cigar Company. It became known as a social center for Kalamazoo society people. Over the years, like many large historic homes, it passed through several owners and eventually became a bed and breakfast, aptly named the Kalamazoo House B&B, after the first hotel in Kalamazoo. For a complete history, check out this article.
Amy is a formally trained pastry chef, so guests are assured of a quality stay and a fabulous breakfast. Amy is keen on bringing the freshest and most local ingredients to her breakfast table, with her menu changing seasonally. And when I asked what the guests’ favorite breakfasts were, she mentioned her breakfast enchilada and Pineapple Crisp (which changes seasonally to Michigan’s pears and apples). It includes baked fruit with oatmeal and brown sugar topping. After seeing some of Amy’s food shots, I am guessing there are many others, including this delicious French Toast topped with fresh fruit.
The inn is open year-round (only closed on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day). The couple has recently expanded their Special Occasion Offerings, including renting the entire inn or the common areas for a few hours to celebrate a special occasion such as a retirement or anniversary. With such elegant common areas, a luxurious guest room, and Amy’s culinary background, this makes for an intimate and special venue for any occasion.
New offerings include “Breakfast in your Room” option and a complimentary “Build Your Own Bloody Marys” for the holiday season. In addition, the beautiful home will be decked for the holidays to prepare for its annual house tour on December 13th, complete with a real-life Santa and entertainment. It’s always fun to take that last-minute getaway before the holidays to relax and enjoy the festive surroundings and local holiday events.
Tips from your innkeepers at the Kalamazoo House B&B
Amy and Jeff love everything Kalamazoo and are a wealth of information on what to do while visiting this vibrant town. Top on their list for dining is the Principle Food and Grill with Amy’s favorite- roasted red pepper pasta and pork chops – a current description from their menu-“Berkshire Pork Chop cherry chutney – buttermilk blue – pearl onion – pole bean” and Jeff’s favorite includes their smoked fish- “MI Trout smoked potato – chow chow – remoulade – caper” and of course the fabulous desserts including “Peanut Butter Banana Split palazollos gelato – sea salt – peanut crisp – honey drizzle” #yumyum They also love to recommend Brick & Brine, and a new favorite Roca, which is a fusion of flavors inspired by Latin American culture and cuisine. And for ridiculously good Greek food, order take-out or dine in at Theo & Stacy’s. Many vineyards and breweries surround Kalamazoo. One of the couples’ favorites is the Cody Kresta winery– named after their two dogs. All the grapes used in their wines are grown in the Lake Michigan Shore Appellation, with Amy’s favorite -2020 Peach- made from 100% Southwest Michigan peaches.
Exploring Kalamazoo
Favorite Dining in Kalamazoo
- Principle Food & Drink-serving locally sourced, contemporary twists on American comfort food;
- Confections with Convictions– gourmet chocolate shop with an endearing story
- Bell’s Brewery-For after-dinner drinks, head to Kalamazoo’s own Bell’s Brewery downtown. Founded in 1985, Bell’s ranks as Michigan’s oldest craft brewery with unique and popular offerings.
- Cody Kresta Vineyard and Winery
- Brick and Brine
- Rustica- fun dining in the mall area
Favorite Things to do in Kalamazoo
- Check out the Lillian Anderson Arboretum
- Explore the Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- Biking at Portage and Celery Flats
- Hike the Kalamazoo River Trail, 22 miles of trails that wind through downtown Kalamazoo before branching out into the surrounding countryside’s hills, rivers, and lakes.
- Check out the Kalamazoo Nature Center– 1,100 acres of nature, including ponds, prairies, forests, and wetlands.
- Enjoy a live performance at the Kalamazoo State Theatre-Built during the film boom in the 1920s, this icon still retains its vintage charm, including a massive pipe organ that used to be for silent movies.
- Have a refreshing swim in Marvin Glen County Park
- Art Hop is a tradition in Kalamazoo! It’s usually held on the first Friday of the month, and it involves dozens of local businesses coming together to provide food, art, music, and culture for guests who “hop” from one location to the next.
- With more than 25,000 plants, the Leila Arboretum is one of Michigan’s grandest destinations for flowers, trees, shrubs, and succulents.
- Learn about air and space flight at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum
- Enjoy wine tasting at the Lawton Ridge Winery–They have a vineyard, and their family has been tending to it for decades, harvesting grapes and bottling reds and whites.
- Visit the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts
- Al Sabo Preserve- hiking, biking, and cyclist haven.
- Rent some skates at the Lawson Ice Arena
- Visit the Gilmore Car Museum-Located a few miles northeast of Kalamazoo in Hickory Corners, Michigan, this great museum is one of the largest auto museums in the United States, with over 300 vintage and classic cars on display! Models include a 1927 Ford Model T, 1913 Rolls Royce, and 1958 Edsel Pacer Four Door Hardtop.
- Enjoy a show at Farmer’s Alley Theatre.
- Enjoy the flowers at the River Villa and Jan Schau Wildflower walk behind the Comstock Community Center; a true hidden gem!
Great Shopping in Kalamazoo
The historic Kalamazoo Mall remains a staple in Downtown Kalamazoo and features revitalized Art Deco buildings, specialty shops, chic restaurants, unique coffee shops, and lively brewpubs!- Kalamazoo Mall- Opened in 1959, this mall is the first outdoor pedestrian mall in the United States that covers several city blocks. Guests can enjoy shopping, dining, and drinking.
- Kalamazoo Antique Market
- Vintage in the Zoo- Vintage shops in the mal
