Ah, May. It’s that time of the year when Kalamazoo County starts to come alive with outdoor activities. As the official destination marketing organization for Kalamazoo County, we know of the many ways to get out and get some fresh air (and fresh food) while enjoying the warmer days of late spring. Here are our favorite ways to celebrate spring:
Find fresh food
With summer starting to creep up on us, we can hardly wait to take advantage of the abundance of freshly picked produce and locally sourced goodies and to reconnect with our friends and neighbors at one of the local farmers’ markets. With 10 farmers’ markets in the county, finding locally sourced produce and goodies is easy, no matter what day it is.
Flowers, flowers, flowers
Kalamazoo was once known as the bedding plant capital of the world and when our local greenhouses are bursting with a riot of colors in the spring, it’s easy to see how we earned that title. From choosing the perfect flat for our gardens to taking part in Kalamazoo in Bloom’s planting day in and around Bronson Park in early May to watching the installation of dozens of topiaries throughout the county, nothing signals the coming of summer better than the sight of Kalamazoo awash with color from thousands of flowers in bloom.
Take a nature hike
Got wanderlust after a long winter? We don’t blame you, so when you get the urge to bask in the sunshine, observe wildlife or roam along the prairies, lace up your boots and go! There’s a park or trail around every corner in Kalamazoo County, and all of them offer the perfect escape to nature. Where can you go to find a list or map of these trails?
Check out DiscoverKalamazoo.com for a list of local parks and hiking trails. Want to really get off the beaten path? Head to our blog and read about eight lesser-known parks and trails in Kalamazoo County.
Bust out those bikes
From the Kal-Haven Trail to the Portage Bikeway to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Kalamazoo offers a wide variety of bicycle trails for riders of any level. From scenic trails that meander through meadows and overlook the Kalamazoo River to the challenging single tracks at Fort Custer State Recreation Area or the new Maple Hill Trail at Markin Glen Park, riders of any surface and skill will find their perfect path. Need to refresh, relax and rehydrate after a long ride? The KRVT’s connector trail provides easy access to the restaurants and breweries that call downtown Kalamazoo home.
Start swinging (clubs that is)
When the weather breaks and the lilacs bloom, golfers can tee up at an any of the nearly two dozen courses located within an hour of downtown Kalamazoo. The natural topography of the area and the quality of our greens lend themselves to some of the most beautiful courses in the state. Prices vary depending on your age, time of day, and whether you are walking or riding in a cart, but there’s most likely a course in your price range.
