Western Michigan University and its surroundings are a hub for world-class attractions, outdoor recreation, lake activities, and festivals. Insider tips can come in handy when exploring Kalamazoo.
To visit this large campus, home to a combined undergraduate and graduate student population of 25,000, the easiest way to get there is to drive. The school is close to I-94. Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is about an hour's drive away, while the airports in Chicago and Detroit are both around a two-hour drive. Amtrak also stops in Kalamazoo.
Feel the sand on your toes along the magnificent shores of Lake Michigan, about a 45-minute drive away. In Kalamazoo itself you'll find plentiful parks and trails for biking, horseback riding, hiking, or holding a family picnic. In winter, you can easily downhill ski at nearby ski resorts or go cross-country skiing along the trails.
Observe wildlife in their natural habitat and even feed the giraffes at the Binder Park Zoo, a 35-minute drive away. Discover beautiful paintings and sculptures at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Celebrate history, science, and technology at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Learn about the evolution of automobiles at the Gilmore Car Museum.
