Visiting Southern Michigan

Spring and summer have arrived in southern Michigan – no more ice skating, and snowball fights. From cities like Kalamazoo, as fun to visit as it is to say, and Battle Creek, to Hartland and Howell – southern Michigan features the charm of rural America, while maintaining a sense of modernity and hospitality. Enjoy the advantageous spring and summer conditions with a visit to River Bluff Park – just one of the many sights and attractions in Saugatuck. Cities like Romulus, and Livonia straddle the line between southern Michigan and the Detroit metro area, but are still premier spring and summer destinations.

Battle Creek, an hour southwest of Lansing and just half an hour east of Kalamazoo, is home to Binder Park Zoo, a wonderful spring and summertime destination set to open for the season on April 20. Guests of the Best Western Battle Creek hotel are in prime position to explore the nearby Leila Arboretum, and then take a stroll around Kolb Park. Traveling with the kids? You’ll want to head to Nottke’s Family Fun Center for bowling, food, and games.

On May 13, plan to visit Kellogg Arena which hosts the Tran-Siberian Orchestra, as they perform Beethoven’s Last Night 2012.

East of Battle Creek is the city of Howell. Accessed easily from I-96, Howell is a quaint city that hosts the annual Howell Melon Festival. Explore the city during the fine spring and summer seasons – don’t miss out on the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts, or the Community Theatre of Howell. Many guests of the Best Western Howell hotel make time to visit the Howell Nature Center, where on April 7 you and the kids can have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, a yearly event.

Endearingly known as the “Mall City,” Kalamazoo yields great fun during the spring and into the summer. Whether it’s a stroll around Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, or an exploration of the Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo can’t be beat when it comes to southern Michigan hospitality and amusement.

Look for some local insights to the past with a visit to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, or enjoy local art and culture with tour of the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts. On April 7, head to the State Theatre for a night of comedy as Kalamazoo welcomes Paula Poundstone.

Set just inland of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck is an affable city, and home to River Bluff Park set on Kalamazoo Lake. For an aquatic adventure, Saugatuck Boat Cruises will take you and family on a nice tour down the Kalamazoo River. May 5-7, don’t miss the charming Tulip Time Festival, held in nearby Holland.

Anglers and boating enthusiast love the spring and summer in southern Michigan while exploring Whitmore Lake.

Southern Michigan Hotel Map