Travel Guide: Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Paw Paw
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 unique history and Paw Paw’s wine-country charm. Here are just a few suggestions 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 more interactive, visit the free Kalamazoo Valley Museum, which offers 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. If you’re sticking around into the evening, check the calendar at venues like 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 kayak on the Kalamazoo River.
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 an upscale, European-influenced experience. For something eccentric, head to Louie’s Trophy House Grill, an old-school bar with taxidermy-covered walls. 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. Additionally, 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 perfect for those looking for a beer garden and fire pit.
BATTLE CREEK
Start by embracing the town’s history at the Cereal History Exhibit at the Welcome Center, which 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, with gardens, trees, and walking paths.
History buffs should visit the Kimball House Museum, a beautifully preserved Victorian home connected to Battle Creek’s history. 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 dining options. Lux Cafe offers a classic old-school diner experience, while Barista Blues Cafe features coffee, breakfast, and lunch with an Italian influence. Long Island Cafe is a local favorite for casual breakfast or lunch, known for its large portions and fast service.
For dinner, Kitchen Proper shines with seasonal, scratch-made food in an intimate setting. Lucky Rooster Kitchen & Cocktails offers Italian-inspired comfort food, and Clara’s on the River pairs its menu with a scenic view inside a converted railroad station overlooking the river.
When it comes to 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, and a covered beer garden. Just outside town, Territorial Brewing Company in Springfield brings German-inspired food and beer into the mix.
For something with a view, visit 50 Beacon, a 16th-floor cocktail lounge with skyline views, and 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 gather around the river, before heading to one of the area’s wineries.
Start with St. Julian Winery & Distillery, Michigan’s oldest winery, which has its production facility and tasting room here. For a more eclectic experience, Warner Vineyards combines wine and beer with food, live music, and a riverside amphitheater.
If you’re feeling hungry, few places are as nostalgic as Red’s Root Beer, an old-school drive-in serving frosty mugs of root beer alongside coneys, burgers, and fries.
For something more grown-up, 120 Taphouse & Bistro offers craft beer, cocktails, and elevated bar food downtown. Brewster’s Food and Spirits, housed in the historic Dyckman House, combines a pub experience with a dose of local history.
