Kalamazoo Attractions
The city of Kalamazoo began as a gift to the United States. The land, which today is Kalamazoo, served as a fur trading post in the late 1700s. The area was deeded to the U.S. by the Potawatomi Indians in 1827, and in 1829 permanent settlers began arriving. The name is derived from a Potawatomi Indian expression, "Kikalamazoo," meaning "the rapids at the river crossing," or "boiling water."
The fertile soil on which Kalamazoo is built has led the area to most recently be called the "Bedding Plant Capital of the World," as the county is home to the largest bedding plant cooperative in the U.S.
The fertile soil on which Kalamazoo is built has led the area to most recently be called the "Bedding Plant Capital of the World," as the county is home to the largest bedding plant cooperative in the U.S.
Air Zoo
Air Zoo features indoor amusement rides, flight simulators, a 4D theatre, live character actors and over 80 rare aircraft. Exhibits highlight the history of flight to the inner workings of aircraft. Air Zoo is also home to National Guadalcanal Memorial Museum and the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum
The Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, better known as the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, has restored many aircraft that served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the battle over the Persian Gulf. A collection of original photographs, dioramas scale models and original oil paintings are on display to help illustrate wartime, peacetime, military life and the allure of aviation.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has provided visual arts experiences to people throughout West Michigan since 1924.
KIA offers temporary exhibitions (most of them free of charge), receptions and special events, educational programs, Art School classes and a fine arts library.
KIA offers temporary exhibitions (most of them free of charge), receptions and special events, educational programs, Art School classes and a fine arts library.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 South Park Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5102
United States
314 South Park Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5102
United States
Phone 1 (269) 349-7775
Fax 1 (269) 349-9313
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Gift shop
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Interactive exhibits illustrate the area's natural history at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Nature trails, an 11-acre arboretum, hummingbird and butterfly garden and a restored pioneer homestead are all features of the center.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 North Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49004-9309
United States
7000 North Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49004-9309
United States
Phone 1 (269) 381-1574
Fax 1 (269) 381-2557
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo Valley Museum features science and history galleries with interactive exhibits, photographs, and artifacts. The Digistar II Planetarium Theater and the Challenger Learning Center, which provides simulated mini-missions to the moon, are also available.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
230 North Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3824
United States
230 North Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3824
United States
Phone 1 (269) 373-7990
Fax 1 (269) 373-7997
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
