My daughter took a new job early in 2021, moving to central Michigan between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. I‘ve visited many times since then, for a few days here, a week there, a month around the holidays last year and finally decided to write up some activities and places I’ve visited and enjoyed across several towns in the area. I’ll probably update this post each time I visit if I find new activities unlike separate posts for other destinations.

Augusta

• Chipman Preserve, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has nice trails.

Battle Creek

Parks and Gardens

There are many great parks in the city, I enjoyed all the ones within walking distance of my AirBNB or my daughter’s house.

• Battle Creek Linear Park
• We spent Mother’s Day at the Binder Park Zoo. We got there right when it opened and enjoyed the train, Africa, feeding giraffes, and much more.
• A yearly festival, but also lot of great murals, Color the Creek.
• The site of most my morning walks, Friendship Park, connected to Linear Park, is a lovely place for a walk.
• Leila Arboretum has some lovely trails through the park plus the Fantasy Sculpture Garden and Kaleidoscope Garden.
• Mill Race Park
• WK Kellogg House Park

History

• Historic Adventist Village There are exhibits on Dr. John Kellogg’s sanitarium, his inventions, from strange exercise machines to corn flakes, and the home of Ellen White, considered a leader and prophet in the early Seventh Day Adventist. Her book, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 165 languages. The Smithsonian Magazine named White as one of 100 Most Significant Americans of All Time. Free tours, donations requested.
• On earlier visits to the area, Boo and I found the Historic Park Bridge. Multiple metal truss bridges have been moved here; it’s a great place for a walk.
• Sojourner Truth Memorial and Park
• I did not know Michigan or Battle Creek specifically was an important waystation on the Underground Railroad. There is a large Underground Railroad Memorial down by the Kellogg House just off the trail about their history.

Other

• Farmer’s Market, Wednesday mornings and Friday evenings at Kellogg Arena

Kalamazoo

• Art Hop local artists showcasing their work, in downtown Kalamazoo. First Fridays of some months.
• The historic Kalamazoo Mall, the first outdoor pedestrian mall in the United States, features revitalized Art Deco buildings and specialty shops.
• Kalamazoo Nature Center nice trails but no dogs allowed.
• Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Marshall

• Governor’s Mansion Museum Not much to see, definitely no furnishings, but interesting history discussion from the volunteers. Free.
• Marshall Riverwalk Trail
• Lots of good reviews on google for American Museum of Magic, but I wasn’t impressed at all; mostly just a lot of show posters. Not worth the $7 entry cost.
• Both the Honolulu House and Marshall History Museum are run by the Marshall Historical Society. One ticket, $10, for both venues.

Portage

• Air Zoo or the Aerospace & Science Experience, is an interesting air and space museum. Lots of aircraft, hands on exhibits, even rides for kids, very family friendly. They had a WWII room, on D-Day and South Pacific battles.
• The Celery Flats area of town has some great trails. Boo and I enjoyed the walks here. There are multiple parking areas and trailheads.

South Haven

• Michigan Maritime Museum, interesting exhibits on the steam ships and tourism on the Great Lakes, seeing their workshop where they maintained their historic ships, and a coast guard exhibit with specialized life saving boats.
• South Haven Lighthouse, there has been a lighthouse here since 1872. This is the second lighthouse at this location on Lake Michigan. It was built in 1903.

Restaurants and Breweries

• Presidential Brewery, Portage. Good selection of beer and food, nice outside seating with mini golf.
• Handmap Brewery, Battle Creek, good selection of beer and great pizza. Nice outdoor patio.
• Bell‘s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo
• Latitude 42 Brewing Company, Portage
• Dark Horse Brewing, Marshall. More great pizza and great patio and barn for outside seating.
• Bangkok Flavor, Kalamazoo. Excellent Thai, I’ve liked everything here, great Tom Yum.
• Ciao Bella Chocolat, Battle Creek. I picked up their chocolates at the farmer’s market. Delicious.
• Continental Pastries & Deli, Battle Creek, saw this by the Aldi when I was grocery shopping so stopped over for an amazing piece of “Chocolate Chocolate”. Went back on a later visit to try their great deli sandwiches, too. I’ve been in several times since to pick up a cookie or other delicious bakery treat.
• The Crow’s Nest, Kalamazoo. Excellent breakfasts and huge selection from special Benedicts to lots of French Toast.
• The Fire Hub, Battle Creek. Had a great Mexican Corn Pizza. Interesting menu.
• Serious Dogs & Brews, Battle Creek. Great selection of hots dogs, obviously, sandwiches, wraps, and plenty more. Homemade chips, fries, tots, for sides.
• Torti Taco Bar and Grille Downtown location, Battle Creek, good variety on the menu, lots of selections of meat for tacos, burritos, tortas and more.  Love their creamy avocado salsa.
• Unami Ramen, Battle Creek. Great ramen, lots of choices for noodles, broth, protein and toppings.  Their Korean Burrito is unique.

Road Trips

Monroe

The only NPS battlefield from the War of 1812, there isn’t much to see at River Raisin National Battlefield Park, but they do have a new visitor center. Site of an old abandoned paper mill, it just became part of the NPS in 2009, and 30 acres were donated in 2010.

There are two good videos and some exhibits about the British, Indian, French and US armies. There are trails on the battlefield with informational signs. The town of Monroe also has some nice trails. It wasn’t worth the drive from Battle Creek but definitely worth a stop if closer and I am trying to see all the NPS managed battlefields. I stopped to see the Custer statue that many in the town want to pull down because of Custer’s genocide of Native Americans.

** All photos property of Lisa, not to be copied or reproduced **