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If you’re looking for a fall weekend getaway for the whole family with tons to do and great options for local and seasonal cuisine, without missing the small-town charm, Kalamazoo has everything you need and more for a full weekend of fun and delicious food. It’s also conveniently located from large cities including Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Columbus, making it the perfect locale for your family this fall.
Family-friendly activities
We’re a family of five (almost six) with kids of varying ages, so we are always looking for family-friendly activities we can all enjoy when we travel. Fall in Kalamazoo means cool, crisp temps and the vibrant colors of changing leaves, which is the perfect excuse for enjoying all the outdoor activities the area has to offer. Kalamazoo has no shortage of parks and hiking trails. Some of our favorites include Kalamazoo Nature Center and Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery.
On this trip, we decided to check out Bow in the Clouds Preserve. It’s a one-mile loop that includes a viewing platform and a boardwalk trail through a large wetland. The trail is a very easy hike and had views of pretty flowers, cattails and birds – we even spotted a hawk in the trees.
Fishing is also a great family outdoor activity. We purchased a Michigan fishing license online for the day and stopped by a local market to buy some bait before heading to Lakeview Park in Portage. This park has two really nice fishing docks along Austin Lake and you can often find a wide variety of fish, including rock and largemouth bass, muskie, bluegill and more. There was also a pair of beautiful swans nearby enjoying the lake.
Apple picking in the fall in Michigan is an absolute must. Gull Meadow Farms is just the place if you strictly want to pick apples, but they have so much more to do if you want to make a full day of it. The farm has several different apple varieties available for u-pick throughout the season.
Our family spent several hours doing all the activities – the kids loved the giant slides, duck races, zipline and petting farm. My husband also got us through the corn maze in a record 18 minutes. Those without an Eagle Scout in their group can plan on it taking around 30-45 minutes to get through.
Make sure you also swing by the Farm Market for freshly-made donuts and apple cider.
Where to eat and drink
Brunch is my favorite meal and Kalamazoo has no shortage of great brunch spots. On previous visits, we’ve frequented Anna’s House for their candied pecan and banana French toast. It is absolutely worth the stop. We also love their giant cinnamon rolls and con Miel latte.
We found ourselves over in Portage after our hike, so we had brunch at Full City Cafe. The menu is eclectic in the best way, with a mix of typical American fare along with some internationally-inspired dishes including their Latke Benedict and Full-City Banh Mi. For the fall, they also had several Oktoberfest features.
We ordered the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Latke Benedict, Smokin’ Cubano, a Build-Your-Own Burger, and the Mickey (kid’s pancake). Everything was absolutely delicious, though the highlight for us was that burrito. If you like a little spice, get the Cajun and Cheddar Tater Tots too.
That evening, we were able to check out one of Kalamazoo’s newest restaurants – The Backyard of Kalamazoo. This is a year-round restaurant and event space with both indoor and outdoor seating, and indoor playroom and a 7-acre outdoor space full of games and activities for all ages. The “yard” is an additional (small) fee and includes the cutest neighborhood setup of playhouses for little ones, a soccer field, corn hole, outdoor pool and ping pong tables, and more. It was the best way to keep our kids entertained while we waited for our food.
Speaking of the food, most of our group ordered The Backyard’s popular Rodeo Burger and couldn’t stop talking about how good it was. I went with a lighter option with the Winter Harvest Salad, which was equally as delicious. For dessert we had their Caramel Molten Brownie with vanilla ice cream (a must-order, in my opinion), and two options from their rotating cheesecake selections. The Backyard also has a full bar and a great list of seasonal craft cocktails.
Our second night in Kalamazoo, we made it a date night (plus one child) and went to Eccentric Cafe, Bell’s Brewery’s beer garden, which is located downtown Kalamazoo. They have a stage for live music, which they utilized several times a week, a large garden area and a small patio space. We ordered the Poutine, Bell’s Smash Burger with dressed greens, Bell’s Beer-ria Tacos, and the Mac & Cheese. It’s such a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal on a beautiful fall evening.
The next afternoon, I popped over to ChocolaTea in Portage. It’s every tea-lover’s dream. In addition to what you’d expect to find at a local tea and coffee shop, they also have multiple flavors of hot chocolate including White Banana Foster, unique drinks such as their Turmeric Chai Latte, Boba teas, flavorful tea lattes, and a tea selection of over 250 different teas. Their baked goods are all made locally and even include some vegan and gluten free options. Don’t miss browsing the many jars of loose-leaf teas for sale in their shop!
I also stopped at Cravings Deli to get lunch to go. This is a small, but busy Pan-Asian restaurant located inside Pacific Rim Foods, an Asian grocery store. It’s such a great place to get ramen, stir fry, Banh Mi and more. I ordered the Canton Noodles Stir Fry with tofu and a Thai Tea with Coconut Boba. It was so good and we’ll definitely be stopping by again.
My family always loves visiting Kalamazoo. We have family there, but while we might be just a little biased, there’s no denying that Kalamazoo is a great city with so many different family-friendly activities, the cutest little shops and great restaurants to enjoy. Add in some cooler weather and pretty leaves and you have the makings for a fun-filled weekend getaway for the whole family!
Follow @discoverkzoo or visit here to learn more about events and activities in Kalamazoo!
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