Between Fort Wayne And Grand Rapids Is Michigan's Vibrant Artsy City With A Walkable Downtown And Tasty Eats

Located between Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a college town with a downtown that's easily accessible on foot. In the heart of downtown, the Kalamazoo Mall is the country's first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall (via WWMT), featuring several blocks packed with independent shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Plus, downtown Kalamazoo has more than two dozen restaurants and breweries, with plenty of choices from breakfast buffets to more upscale eateries to choose from between attractions. 

The area also has a vibrant arts scene, with galleries showcasing works by artists from around the world, and shops offering craft workshops and paint-and-sip classes. For more locally-made art, there are also monthly art walks held downtown, which offer another opportunity to admire the city's creative side.

Visitors flying into Kalamazoo's Battle Creek International Airport can take nonstop flights from Chicago or Detroit, with connecting flights available from other cities. The city's airport is located about 6 miles south of downtown. From there, you can take a taxi, rent a car, or use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. Public transportation is also available through Metro's Route 12 bus, which reaches the downtown area in about 35 minutes.

Downtown Kalamazoo is home to independent shops, hands-on creative activities, and art galleries that help make it one of Michigan's quirkiest college towns. To get acquainted with the downtown area, start at the Kalamazoo Mall, a shopping district that is one of the city's best-known local attractions. Spanning a few blocks, sections of the mall feature car-free zones lined with locally-owned businesses, many within walking distance of one another. Grab some local souvenirs at the Spirit of Kalamazoo, which also sells ice cream along with local merch.

For those interested in making their own souvenirs, at the Kalamazoo Candle Shop and a Mason Jar Plant Shop, you can make your own candles and miniature gardens to take home. Another activity is found at Aroma Labs, where you can create custom fragrances. Or, get creative at Colors and Cocktails, where you can choose from a variety of items to paint, including cocktail glasses and flower pots, during a paint-and-sip session.

In the downtown area, there are several places to admire art. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts features paintings, sculptures, and other art forms in its permanent and rotating collections. It's free to enter on Thursdays. Nearby at the Epic Center, there are two galleries. On the first floor, the Black Arts and Cultural Center's Gail Sydnor Gallery hosts changing art exhibitions throughout the year. Upstairs, the James C. Westin Gallery displays works ranging from photography to illustrations and other works. On the first Friday of every month, some businesses in the downtown area stay open late during Art Hop, giving visitors a chance to discover local artists and their work. For another downtown to explore, head about 30 minutes away to Allegan, a charming city near Grand Rapids with a walkable downtown.

There is no shortage of restaurants in the downtown area. Start your day with a coffee and a pastry from the independently owned Caffe Casa. Or, if you have more of an appetite, head to the Morning Dish, known for its quality breakfast buffet. Located inside the downtown Radisson Plaza Hotel, the restaurant offers everything from savory breakfast staples like a cook-to-order omelet station and an assortment of fresh fruit, along with a separate breakfast menu with more options.

For a hearty, sit-down brunch, head to Studio Grill, a no-frills diner with a 4.7-star rating on Google Maps from more than a thousand reviews, known for its made-from-scratch pancakes. Its menu includes classics like biscuits and gravy and loaded omelets, along with tasty pancake flavors such as cinnamon roll and apple. For dinner, Principle Food & Drink uses ingredients from local farms in its menu. Start with cheddar biscuits made with Michigan cheese and paired with bacon jam. For the main course, try their ravioli dish featuring locally grown mushrooms, spinach, and feta. The restaurant also holds a 4.7-star rating on Google Maps, with reviewers recommending the flank steak, served with crispy croquettes, onions slowly cooked in beer, and a horseradish sauce.

At night, check out Bell's Eccentric Cafe, which has more than 20 draft beers on tap, a beer garden, and a live-music venue. The brewpub serves Bell's own craft beers, including its popular Two Hearted IPA and Oberon Ale, along with a variety of specialty brews. Plus, its food menu features unique choices such as beer-braised pork tacos and a burger topped with chipotle cherry jam and goat cheese. To extend your Michigan trip, Grand Rapids is ranked among America's best classic beer cities and is roughly an hour's drive north.