No matter where life takes us, we will always have a special place in our life for the places we've lived. No matter where life takes me, I will always miss Kalamazoo. I will always be proud to say I'm from Kalamazoo and here are just a few reasons why...
1. Yes, it is a real place.
We've all heard it, "Kalamazoo? That's a place?". Yes, it is a real place. Yes, people actually live there. It is NOT from a Dr. Seuss book; the city gets it's name from a Potawatomi word.
2. Donuts.
If your standard of donuts starts with Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kremes, you will be blown out of the water by Sweetwater Donuts. Open 24 hrs with a plethora of gourmet options, you can't turn these donuts down, ask anyone from Kalamazoo.
3. Kwings.
If you're from Kalamazoo, the odds are you've been to a few Kalamazoo Wings (K Wings) games. From the St Patty's day green ice game or their mascot, Slappy, everyone knows the K Wings.
4. Beer and Bell's.
There's no denying the brewery culture in Kalamazoo. From Bell's to other local breweries, there is no shortage of a good beer in Kalamazoo, and we aren't afraid to brag about it!
5. The beaches.
Unfortunately, Kalamazoo itself doesn't offer much in the way of beaches, an hour's drive can bring you to some of Michigan's most popular beaches (ex: South Haven, St. Joe). Whether you're visiting in the summer or winter, the beaches have beautiful scenery for every season.
6. Our athletes.
From Derek Jeter, Greg Jennings and Lindsay Tarpley, Kalamazoo was once home to some of the world's best athletes.
7. Binder Park Zoo and Kalamazoo Nature Center.
Whether you're looking to visit an eclectic zoo or immerse yourself in the local beauty, Binder Park Zoo and The Kalamazoo Nature Center are two of the most popular attractions in the area. There's nothing like a trolley ride to "Wild Africa" to feed the giraffes!
8. An Artist's Paradise.
Whether you're looking to explore the KIA (Kalamazoo Institute of Art) or attend "Art Hop" (free art event held on the first Friday of every month), Kalamazoo's eclectic culture can be seen on display all over the city.
9. Our community.
Regardless if you're a current resident or past, we can all agree, there is something special about the community of Kalamazoo. Having lived in Kalamazoo, I will always have a special place in my heart for Kalamazoo.
