5 Things to Know if You’re New to Kalamazoo

If you're new to Kalamazoo here are some things you might not know.

As someone who is brand new to the area, I had no idea what to expect. There's only so much you can learn by googling a place before you visit! Thankfully, the locals are here to help!

There are breweries galore

In downtown Kalamazoo alone there are four different breweries each offering their own take on the craft beverage. In fact, there are walking tours offered where you can visit each one in a single afternoon!

There are plenty of opportunities to get in touch with nature

On Facebook, Monica commented:

We have great parks and nature trails.

And she's not wrong! Western Michigan has a wide variety of nature preserves, parks and trails for hiking, biking, or having an afternoon picnic.

The Kalamazoo Promise

Julie and Dan shared on Facebook:

There is this thing called the Kalamazoo promise if you have kids. Certain school districts have free tuition.

If you're a parent or even if you've been through the process of going to college you know...it's expensive. The Kalamazoo Promise is pledge by a group of anonymous donors to pay up to 100% of tuition at any of Michigan State's colleges or Universities for graduates of the public high schools of Kalamazoo. How incredible is that?

The Pizza

There is a Bimbo's AND a Bilbo's pizza in Kalamazoo. Even Dana didn't know that! We made the mistake of assuming one was a typo and Kristy set us straight! She commented:

Dana- Bimbos and Bilbos are NOT the same place and shame on you if you have not tried them. go... go now and eat them both!

An excuse to eat at multiple local pizza places? Count me in! 😂

It snows here

It was the first thing everyone in my life told me when I declared I was moving to Michigan and I have a feeling I'm going to be getting constant reminders. According to Fawn's Facebook comment:

Winter in Kalamazoo is not for the weak! Good luck!

I was born and raised in Michigan but lived in the south for many of years (military wife). My first winter back from Florida was the year that the polar vortex hit I almost forgot how to drive.

Winter coat, snow brush and a shovle should be purchased asap. Also snow brush should never leave the car because winter can be anytime.