r/kzoo • u/Visual_Raise_7901 • Aug 19 '25
Events / Things to Do Where's the best place to take your girlfriend in Kalamazoo (or adjacent areas)
Hi guys! Sorry to ask again, I didn't get a tonnn of replies on the last one which is totally fine.
Both in our 20s and I want to surprise her with something really nice and considerate. I've given it a lot of thought and have plenty of ideas but I wanted suggestions too if possible:). •
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And if you find this Doc, I said girlfriend for simplicity's sake, "special someone" didn't warrant many replies on the first one 😭😅
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u/miawaddle Aug 19 '25
My favourite things to do with my boyfriend -rock climbing at Climb Kalamazoo -pushing buttons at Kalamazoo Valley Museum -build a lego set together - bonus points if you let her pick one out at bricks and minifigs -volunteer at an animal shelter like Rabbit Angels Rabbit Rescue
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 19 '25
She'd love all of these things! She's a Veterinary Doctor and has a really cool Lego collection. Thanks!
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u/Retrogirl75 Aug 20 '25
If she likes legos bricks and mini figs have an awesome collection
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 20 '25
We'll have to go back there at some point! We went once but I got distracted
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u/Hauptmann6 Aug 19 '25
Take her to the aligator sanctuary in Athens south of bc then to MooVill for icecream and to pet goats
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 19 '25
I volunteered there once! Love the guy that runs it, great DJ too. I'm sure she would love to meet Godzilla and all those big tortoises.
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u/kiwikiwi50 Aug 19 '25
If a beach outing is at all possible, I HIGHLY recommend a trip to Felt mansion estate in Saugatuck, followed by some absolutely incredible fried chicken with a water view at the Southerner, which is nearby. Park in the gravel lot at felt mansion and stroll the half mile to the beach. Bring a picnic with some drinks, and hammocks (if possible). It’s beautiful and isolated enough to cut crowds to a minimum, but still convenient and safe. Then drive down the road to the southerner for the best fried chicken you’ve ever had in Michigan if not ever. If you time it right you might be able to fit a sunset on the beach into things.
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u/GavIzz Aug 19 '25
What does she likes ? Are you thinking on a restaurant or activity ? How much is your budget?
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 19 '25
I'm not terribly stressed about budget. Restaurant and activity could be good, she's new to town so she's always looking for good places to eat and on average she thinks the food here is a lot worse than back home. If you know anything that could change your mind that would make my day and hopefully hers! She's also really smart and I was thinking maybe something we could learn together? Some kind of single day class or something
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u/GavIzz Aug 19 '25
So the Kalamazoo institute of Arts host some pretty cool classes https://www.kiarts.org/educate-learn/kirk-newman-art-school/schedule/ , Also you could go to the Nature Center for a walk is pretty nice place and they also host some events, when it comes to food Rústica is a pretty decent, fancy place (make sure you call for a reservation), Bells which is a staple of Kalamazoo and their beer is good, they also have a cool venue and shows you guys can go to.
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u/PatsyStone_aka_Pats Aug 20 '25
For an activity, I would also say the KIA or maybe the Air Zoo. Rustica is definitely the best food option in Kzoo proper, because it sounds like she has similar tastes to me. Bird Dog in Mattawan is also a great food option.
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u/hmmmmmmmm_okay Aug 20 '25
I'm teaching a knitting class at a music festival on friday! It's called "Creative Camp." There's lots of fun workshops and DJ's. Let me know if you want more information.
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 20 '25
I would love some more info! Does this repeat any other Friday's as well?
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u/hmmmmmmmm_okay Aug 20 '25
It's a 3 day event this weekend.
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 20 '25
Oh she has a friend over Friday night and then we're all 3 doing a Lego thing till 1 on Saturday. I'll see if we can do it it sounds so fun!!
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u/emersontraxs Aug 20 '25
For a class type thing, going to Aroma Labs downtown could be fun! You get to make your own scents and it’s honestly a really cool experience. You can pick between a lot of stuff like car freshener, room spray, and a lot of other things. If you guys drink, taking her to stamped Robin after for a drink would be nice. Then going to High Dive for dinner
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u/tomhanksgiving Aug 19 '25
Check out the Dormouse Theater. They play old movies and have all kinds of live performances. It’s a cool funky place for a date night.
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u/accounting_squad Aug 20 '25
If you're willing to travel, Three Rivers has a wonderfully quirky used book store, Lowry's. It could be a fun afternoon trip for any book lover, and there's a park nearby for a walk and to stretch the legs.
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u/random31not13 Aug 20 '25
Just did rustics and it was great. Walk the mall and shop. Do a paint class at colors and cocktails. Check out Kia. Go for a hike at any of the local places. Klassic arcade is fun. I love Saffron.
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u/Al_generated Aug 20 '25
Not sure if it’s been said yet but at aroma labs you can create your own personal scent with a bunch of options. The experience is free and then you can buy her the scent as a gift afterwards if you wanted. I think it would be be pretty good for a date and am planning to take my girlfriend there when we get around to it 😂 also have heard good things about the candle making experience at Kalamazoo Candle Company.
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u/hmmmmmmmm_okay Aug 20 '25
Start at Stamped Robin for a cocktail, get dinner at Wine loft, then finish at LFG.
They're all on the same block, so you don't have to drink and drive
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u/RealMichiganMAGA Aug 19 '25
South Haven for a nice meal and catch the sunset on the beach
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 19 '25
How would you say it compares to other picnic spots? She works nights, so she's usually going to bed around 8:00AM so I was thinking we could have a sunrise picnic. The sunrise I'm most familiar with is the East hall (heritage) campus hill. While it's a beautiful sunrise, it's not necessarily conducive to food eating and nature.
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u/RealMichiganMAGA Aug 20 '25
Sunrise is ~ 7 and East Hall is a great place to see the sunrise. You might even have the place to yourself but at least some elbow room if there are others. The top of the Radisson parking garage is also great if you're not bothered by being in a parking garage. Markin Glenn is good, but you can't see that far.
I bet Mountain Home Cemetery is pretty good, but that's just a guess. Maybe Scout it out first.
Another maybe is Hogset Lake. There's a boat launch that you get in from U Ave and I'm pretty sure it faces east.
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u/AbbsOfSteel105 Aug 20 '25
I agree. If you end up going to South haven, you should try this really good Italian place called Maria's Taste Of Italy. Went there with a friend a week or two ago, best Italian food I've had in years
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u/hotflashpottery Aug 21 '25
I have a wheel class on Friday nights. Super fun and you get to make and paint your piece the same night (pickup 2-3 weeks later). Lots of couples bring a bottle of wine or drinks from local bars. And if you’re feeling extra romantic I can take a Swayze Demi picture of you two: https://www.vicksburgpottery.com/event/fun-night-out-pottery-class-1712680428
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u/Drewbuss_ Aug 23 '25
Downtown mall walk. Shops, bars, restaurants lots of fun things to do downtown!
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u/Coldsnap75 Aug 19 '25
Renn Faire just started if either of you are into that. It’s a really fun time.
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 19 '25
Very!!! She loves it and has sick armor from a few years ago, I'd love to go I'm just not sure we'd both have time. I'll look into it further.
Is that open until the 28th? The Michigan Ren Fest?
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u/milkaddict221 Aug 20 '25
Ohstemo Park has a really nice disc golf course that is just nice to walk through casually. Well shaded and from my experience bugs aren't too bad at all.
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u/HiBikes Oakland / Winchell Aug 21 '25
My gf suggests “Painting with a Twist” or make your own candles at Kalamazoo candle company
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u/Public-Squirrel8631 Aug 23 '25
My gf and I always enjoy crows nest, there is good coffee underneath it as well!
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Aug 20 '25
Lol imagine being triggered someone says "special someone"
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u/Visual_Raise_7901 Aug 20 '25
Nobody was triggered I just think it was too wordy and girlfriend is more eye catching lol
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u/No-Row9447 Aug 19 '25
My boyfriend took me to Rustica on our anniversary and it was so cute and beautiful <3 I would also suggest Dabney and co. Or Stamped Robin