Steeped in Native American history, Kalamazoo is an eclectic city with a memorable name. The name Kalamazoo comes from the Potawatomi language, meaning “boiling water”, most likely a reference to the fog which often hangs over the Kalamazoo River.
Things to do in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo prides itself on its cultural scene, with the local Arts Council hosting a regular programme of events. During the monthly Art Hop, you can bounce from venue to venue and enjoy live music and work by local artists. Numerous music festivals and competitions are hosted in Kalamazoo, as you can catch high-quality performances at the Wings Event Center and the Miller Auditorium.
Perfect for art enthusiasts, head to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to find a large collection of 20th-century American artworks plus a series of temporary exhibitions. If you’re interested in planes, trains and automobiles, check out the Gilmore Car Museum to see vehicles used in the Disney movie Cars and the dozens of aircraft at Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
Sports lovers will find action packed events throughout the year. The Kalamazoo Growlers play baseball in the Northwood League and every summer you can watch the National Tennis Championships for U18s. Past competitors here include Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Andy Roddick, so it’s the ideal opportunity to rub shoulders with tennis stars.
Getting around Kalamazoo
The Kalamazoo Trolley and Metro Transit provides bus services throughout Kalamazoo. You can easily hail a taxi in the downtown area, and there are popular walking and cycling trails to the west of the town.