The Mega Holiday Guide to Kalamazoo Shopping & Experiences
The holiday season is upon us and if your children are like mine, that means wish lists are already in process.
Whether it’s toys, music, or stuffed animals, the sky is the limit with their imaginations.
Shopping for loved ones is definitely one of our favorite Christmas events of the holidays.
We’ve rounded up suggestions for kids and parents from right here in Southwest Michigan. And if you’re looking for less “stuff,” consider experiences like tickets to events or memberships to a local museum.
Tell Santa to give the elves a night off: the best gifts and experiences are in Kalamazoo. Happy shopping!
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In this Guide
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These experiences and shops all offer amazing gifts to consider this holiday season:
This HO-HO-Holiday season is more EPIC at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center!
The mini builders in your life will LOVE gift tickets or membership to Michigan’s ONLY indoor LEGO® playground.
They’ll enjoy two interactive LEGO rides, the 4D cinema showing different movie shorts, MINILAND Detroit—where dozens of local landmarks are built entirely out of LEGO bricks, the Creative workshop where they can take a class from an expert builder, Build & Test play zones, and more.
This attraction is best suited for groups with children ages 4-10. Adults must be accompanied by a child in order to enter.
The mini builders in your life will LOVE gift tickets or membership to Michigan’s ONLY indoor LEGO® playground.
They’ll enjoy two interactive LEGO rides, the 4D cinema showing different movie shorts, MINILAND Detroit—where dozens of local landmarks are built entirely out of LEGO bricks, the Creative workshop where they can take a class from an expert builder, Build & Test play zones, and more.
This attraction is best suited for groups with children ages 4-10. Adults must be accompanied by a child in order to enter.
I took my grandchildren here. It is a cute place and they really enjoyed it. They spent 5 hours there and were disappointed when we had to leave. -Joann B.
Give the gift of fishy fun this holiday season!
Gift tickets or membership to SEA LIFE, Michigan’s largest aquarium, are a FIN-tastic present for the underwater explorers in your life.
They’ll come face to flipper with over 250 species of marine creatures including sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles and more as they journey through the freshwater lakes of Michigan all the way to the depths of the ocean.
They’ll even have the chance to pet sea anemones and sea stars at the Interactive Touchpool exhibit and stroll through Michigan’s ONLY underwater Ocean Tunnel!
Gift tickets or membership to SEA LIFE, Michigan’s largest aquarium, are a FIN-tastic present for the underwater explorers in your life.
They’ll come face to flipper with over 250 species of marine creatures including sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles and more as they journey through the freshwater lakes of Michigan all the way to the depths of the ocean.
They’ll even have the chance to pet sea anemones and sea stars at the Interactive Touchpool exhibit and stroll through Michigan’s ONLY underwater Ocean Tunnel!
Had the best time! It has so much to see and see it UP CLOSE. Definitely worth the trip for both adults and children 👍🏽🌊 -Marena G. (Facebook)
Give the gift of guaranteed snorts & giggles at Peppa Pig World of Play!
Your little piggies will enjoy exploring (and playing in!) more than a dozen free-roaming play areas, all lovingly inspired by the cherished TV series.
They'll discover Peppa's Treehouse, Rebecca Rabbit's Underground Adventure, George's Fort, Granddad Dog's Garage, Madame Gazelle's School Bus, and more!
This indoor attraction is designed for children ages 1-8 years old.
Your little piggies will enjoy exploring (and playing in!) more than a dozen free-roaming play areas, all lovingly inspired by the cherished TV series.
They'll discover Peppa's Treehouse, Rebecca Rabbit's Underground Adventure, George's Fort, Granddad Dog's Garage, Madame Gazelle's School Bus, and more!
This indoor attraction is designed for children ages 1-8 years old.
Great place to visit with your little ones who love Peppa Pig! Totally immersive world that lets them act out Peppa's adventure. -Jennifer B. (Google)
Join us for our Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 3rd from 10 AM - 6 PM for storewide sales and refreshments.
Take a picture with Santa from Noon - 3 PM!
Shop our 10,000 sq ft mall for the best in vintage/antique furniture and decor, new home and seasonal decor, Swan Creek candles & melts, handmade soap, bath bombs, shower steamers, jewelry, books, new purses and gently used designer clothing.
We also have houseplants & topiaries.
Come and find a unique gift for friends and family. The sale continues thru Sunday, December 4th!
**mention this ad for a FREE GIFT**
Take a picture with Santa from Noon - 3 PM!
Shop our 10,000 sq ft mall for the best in vintage/antique furniture and decor, new home and seasonal decor, Swan Creek candles & melts, handmade soap, bath bombs, shower steamers, jewelry, books, new purses and gently used designer clothing.
We also have houseplants & topiaries.
Come and find a unique gift for friends and family. The sale continues thru Sunday, December 4th!
**mention this ad for a FREE GIFT**
It’s a wonderful time of year for a gift that will last a lifetime — future college credits at today’s prices through the Michigan Education Trust (MET).
MET is Michigan’s 529 prepaid college tuition savings program.
With open enrollment beginning Dec. 1, there’s no better time than the holidays for contributing to a MET plan.
And investing in MET offers a tax advantage. To qualify for a deduction on this year’s Michigan tax return, purchases or contributions must be made by Dec. 31.
The Michigan Education Trust: Because while you can’t predict the future, you sure can prepare for it.
MET is Michigan’s 529 prepaid college tuition savings program.
With open enrollment beginning Dec. 1, there’s no better time than the holidays for contributing to a MET plan.
And investing in MET offers a tax advantage. To qualify for a deduction on this year’s Michigan tax return, purchases or contributions must be made by Dec. 31.
The Michigan Education Trust: Because while you can’t predict the future, you sure can prepare for it.
The Michigan Education Trust is the gift that keeps on giving for our family. It was the best gift I ever received. Now, we’re passing it on to our son.
Inspire imagination 360+ days with an Air Zoo family membership!
With more than 100+ air and spacecraft, hands-on learning stations, a world-renowned restoration center, and exciting flight-based rides, the opportunities are endless.
Members enjoy exclusive events, and discounts on camps and hundreds of items in the Fly Buy Gift Shop.
Family memberships are only $100/year. New members in December get a free copilot pass, too!
Imagine, explore, and discover at the Air Zoo and airzoostore.org
With more than 100+ air and spacecraft, hands-on learning stations, a world-renowned restoration center, and exciting flight-based rides, the opportunities are endless.
Members enjoy exclusive events, and discounts on camps and hundreds of items in the Fly Buy Gift Shop.
Family memberships are only $100/year. New members in December get a free copilot pass, too!
Imagine, explore, and discover at the Air Zoo and airzoostore.org
Experience Gifts
For gifts that won’t just take up more floor or shelf space, consider purchasing some local experiences.
Bowling, skiing, painting and climbing are just some of the fun options right here in Southwest Michigan:
A Dose of Sunshine Massage
Airway Fun Center
Allegan Event
Bittersweet Ski Resort
Climb Kalamazoo
Colors & Cocktails
Pinspiration Kalamazoo
Memberships
Some spots are worth multiple trips every year and memberships bring oodles of benefits like exclusive events and discounts on camps and classes.
Museums, zoos and other favorite attractions are perfect gift options for membership gifts in Kalamazoo:
Binder Park Zoo
Boulder Ridge Animal Park
Gilmore Car Museum
John Ball Zoo
W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Season Tickets
Theatre and sports fans agree that tickets are fantastic gift options.
These venues in Kalamazoo offer partial or full-season tickets for purchase:
Civic Theatre
Farmers Alley Theatre
Kalamazoo Growlers
Kalamazoo State Theatre
Kalamazoo Wings
Miller Auditorium
The package also enables you to snag discounted tickets to any other show in the Miller Season.
Apparel Shops
Whether outfitting mom, dad or the kids, Kalamazoo’s apparel shops have you covered from head to toe in fashionable options for all ages and styles.
Adrienne’s Boutique
Amy Zane
Lana’s Boutique
Little Chick Shoe Shop
Pink Lemonade
Spirit of Kalamazoo
Terrapin World Imports
The Waiting Room
And if Dad is looking to spiffy up for the holidays, send him here for a haircut- they are also a full service barbershop!
Art & Music Stores
Expand your music collection or upgrade your art supplies with these local stores:
Art Bayou
Colors & Cocktails
Green Light Music
MRC artWorks
MRC artWorks offers unique and affordable art created by individuals with disabilities, providing an outlet to achieve creative self‐expression in a way that promotes personal growth, dignity, and self-confidence.
Satellite Records
Books & Toys
Restock those bookshelves and toy boxes with these local stores:
Bookbug
Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo
Fanfare
Fortress of Solitude
Odyssey Games
Rocket Comics
This is a Bookstore
Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash
Pet Supplies
We know Fido is just as much a family member as his humans. Try these shops for ways you can pamper your pooch (or other pets) for the holidays.
Barks In the Zoo
Beowoof Provisions for Pets
Dog Daze Boutique
Oak Ridge Feed & Pet Salon
Wild Birds Unlimited
Other Retailers
Kalamazoo and its surrounding cities offer a variety of shops for every interest: try these retailers for rocks, jewelry, plants, and other unique gifts.
Bee Joyful Shop
Fly Buy Gift Shop (Air Zoo)
Geoscape Rock Shop
They are open 7 days/week.
Grayling Ceramics
Initial Attraction- Monograms, Gifts & More
Kates Korner Kupboard
Mason Jar Plant Shop
Quilts Plus
If you are ready to make your next project, they assist all skill levels (both by machine or by hand) in creating beautiful, original pieces.
Samson's Haircare + Barbershop
Try some shampoo, conditioner, pomade or beard oil, available for purchase at their shop or Lana’s Boutique.
The Aroma Labs
UniQ Jewelry Gallery
Their team offers repairs, appraisals and personalized designs. This fun store is located next door to Fieldstone Grill in Portage.
Food & Beverages
Need a delicious stocking stuffer or a unique, tasty gift? SW Michigan’s shops are up to the challenge with cocoa bombs, popcorn, cheeses and plenty of candy.
Berts Bakery
Berts offers locations in both Kalamazoo and Comstock.
Cherri’s Chocol’art
Chocolatea
MI Boba
Pop City Popcorn
Rocket Fizz
Schultz’s Treat Street
The Cheese Lady
Over 100 cheeses are available for purchase, along with accompaniments such as crackers, jams, nuts and pasta.
The Victorian Bakery
Kalamazoo Shopping Map
Where Are the Best Spots for Kalamazoo Shopping?
Leave us a comment with your favorite places to shop locally for the holidays- or anytime!
More to Explore
