East of Kalamazoo, there are more than just farms. Head east from the city, and you will find a number of family-friendly communities.
Augusta, Galesburg, Hickory Corners, Richland, Gull Lake and others are all welcoming SWMI neighborhoods for families moving here for more land, good schools, and a watery beauty in Gull Lake.
HISTORY: The Barn Theater in Augusta was established in 1946 and is one of the finest professional equity summer stock theatres in the country. As the name implies, this theater began in a dairy barn.
FUN: Gull Meadow Farms has become the must-see fall destination for families, featuring pumpkin and apple picking, a petting zoo, zipline, corn maze and other seasonal activities.
FOOD: The Richland Farmers Market is open on Wednesday afternoons, offering yummy food, local crafts and live music.
OUTDOORS: Gull Lake is a major attraction here. Measuring over a mile wide and five miles long, this body of water delights boaters, scuba divers, and fishermen alike.
Why people love to live here:
It’s hard to ignore the very large and watery reason why Gull Lake and surrounding communities are special. This lake offers something for everyone: boating, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing are all fun options in these crystal clear waters.
While Gull Lake used to be a summer cottage destination, it has evolved to welcome residents year-round.
You should know:
Gull Lake’s name was likely inspired by the many seagulls that headed inland from Lake Michigan.
Historically, the lake was a popular destination for famous families, including the Upjohns (Kalamazoo) and the Kelloggs (Battle Creek).
Population: 1,158 (South Gull Lake population: Yorkville, Gull Lake, & Midland Park)
Why people love to live here:
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary sells buckets of corn for visitors to feed their waterfowl. They also care for injured raptors who cannot live safely in the wild.
The Sherman Lake YMCA is a popular camping destination for both summer camps and school field trips.
You should know:
In 1951, the neighboring community of Galesburg joined Augusta to form Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools. To this day, the primary school and high school reside in Galesburg, and the middle school is in Augusta.
Population: 900
Why people love to live here:
The Kalamazoo Balloon Fest attracts hot air balloon enthusiasts to Gull Meadow Farms annually. Stay late for their evening “glow” launches to light up the sky.
The Richland Area Community Center features 22 acres of mowed trails to explore, including canine family members.
You should know:
Richland was founded in 1830; its name, “rich land,” was chosen due to its fertile soil.
Population: 800
The communities east of Kalamazoo offer a fantastic lake, a large variety of mom-and-pop-style restaurants, and beautiful trails and parks.
Gull Meadow Farms
8544 Gull Rd, Richland, MI 49083
Gull Meadow Farms is a one-stop-shop for fall family fun: apple picking, petting zoo, zip lines, jumping pillow and corn maze are all at one farm. Add cider and melt-in-your-mouth donuts, and it’s easy to see why this local favorite is a must-do for families.
Beyond the fall activities, Gull Meadow also hosts a hot air balloon festival, Christmas visits with Santa, and has sunflower days in the summer.
Gilmore Car Museum
6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
Nestled in Hickory Corners, the Gilmore Car Museum is the largest auto museum in North America, featuring nearly 400 vehicles. After you visit your favorite cars and motorcycles, grab some food from the 1941 Silk City Diner (try the frozen custard).
The museum is open year-round. The grounds also include a recreated 1930s Shell gas station and a rustic campground.
NEDS on Gull Lake
15450 S M 43 Hwy, Hickory Corners, MI
NEDS is known for its food (pizza, grinders, burgers) and its location on Gull Lake (they deliver to the boat launch). They are also a local favorite for the latest food craze: the pickle pizza.
Fort Custer Recreation Area
5163 W Fort Custer Dr, State Highway M-96, Augusta, MI 49012
Families will find a vast recreation space at Fort Custer for camping. This area features three lakes, wetlands, forests and rolling meadows.
There are also 22 miles of trails for hiking and biking.
W.K. Kellogg Manor House
3700 E Gull Lake Dr, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
W.K. Kellogg Manor House is the former summer residence of breakfast cereal pioneer W.K. Kellogg and his wife, Dr. Carrie Staines Kellogg.
Located on Gull Lake, the grounds also include a carriage house with a chauffeur’s residence, a greenhouse with potting shed, a caretaker’s cottage, a boathouse, a lakeside pagoda and a windmill imported from Holland.
Built in 1926, this property was fully restored in 2000 and serves as a host for many private events and weddings. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided walking tour of the grounds.
The RACC features 22 acres of mowed trails through forest and open grassy areas, plus a quarter-mile paved loop path. This area also features benches and a gazebo. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Opened in 2020, Chicken House serves (not surprisingly) chicken sandwiches. Featuring Crystal Hot Sauce and Duke’s Mayonnaise, these dishes blend some southern flavor with Michigan-made ingredients.
The restaurant also serves burgers, tacos and Plainwell ice cream.
W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
12685 E C Ave, Augusta, MI 49060
Three miles of trails surround Wintergreen Lake at the bird sanctuary, where families can visit the waterfowl (geese, ducks, and swans).
Be sure to tour their rescued raptors area featuring owls, hawks and eagles. Families will also enjoy the stroller-friendly paved walking path.
Opened in 2020, GLDC is a locally sourced craft distillery, brewery, and winery.
Their outdoor space is massive and includes family-friendly picnic table seating and regularly scheduled activities, including trivia nights and live music.
The Front Porch of Galesburg
55 E Battle Creek Street Galesburg, MI 49053
The Front Porch of Galesburg welcomes diners to an All-American traditional drive-in hot dog stand experience, complete with draft-pulled root bear and hand-dipped ice cream.
The Front Porch reopened in 2023 with new owners and serves Mooville ice cream.
Richland Township Park offers 48 acres of space to run and play including lacrosse fields, baseball/softball fields, basketball courts and a playground. Families can reserve two pavilions and a gazebo for gatherings.
The park also features 1.75 miles of paved trails for walking, rolling or pushing a stroller.
For those unfamiliar, a “pasty” (rhymes with “nasty”) is a widely popular Yooper food from the Upper Peninsula. This portable meat pie dates back to the 1800s when English copper miners came to the UP- and brought their portable, protein-packed pastries with them.
As the name implies, this shop sells plenty of pasties including frozen varieties to warm up at home (take and bake). Make sure to grab a Monster Cookie with your meal (trust us).
While Lake Michigan is undoubtedly a fantastic beach destination, Gull Lake is tops for inland lakes in the area.
Spanning over 2,000 acres, Gull Lake is a local beauty and favorite for boating, fishing and scuba diving. The majority of it resides in Kalamazoo County, with the northern tip extending into Barry County.
Locals love the clear, deep water with some areas reaching depths of 110 feet.
Fishermen typically fish for bluegill and bass in the spring, and lake trout in the fall. Scuba divers can explore the lake year-round; there are hidden underwater artifacts for them to find including a phone booth, car and motorcycle.
River Oaks County Park
9202 E Michigan Ave, Galesburg, MI 49053
River Oaks County Park in Galesburg is well-known for its large splash pad (open Memorial Day-Labor Day). The park also includes a playground, 20 soccer fields, dog park, and a model airplane field.
All county parks have an admission fee. Daily and annual passes are available for purchase.
Chipman Preserve
8395 E Main St, Galesburg, MI 49053
Chipman Preserve offers six miles of scenic trails through forest and grassland. The Preserve is part of the HOP (Hike Our Preserves) Program.
This trail is also popular in the winter for cross-country skiing.
The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training in Augusta has been a local performing arts favorite for over 75 years. Snag some tickets to an upcoming show on their website.
Compass + Cleaver
12454 E D Ave, Richland, MI 49083
Inspired by coastal Italian cuisine and situated on Gull Lake, Compass + Cleaver provides an impressive experience. You’ll feel welcome with attentive service and an enjoy a meal to remember in a comfortable atmosphere.
Sherman Lake YMCA
6225 N 39th St., Augusta, MI 49012
365 acres of beautiful woodlands and lakefront await campers as they experience all nature has to offer. Summer campers flock to Sherman Lake for the experience of a lifetime.
The Dock at Bayview
12504 E D Ave., Richland, MI 49083
No matter the weather, The Dock at Bayview delights. Enjoy views of the sunset over Gull Lake or cozy up to a warm fire in the chilly months. Everyone will find something to enjoy in this prime location.
An enjoyable meal with reasonable prices? Yes, please. The menu of options will satisfy everyone in your family plus, kids eat free on Wednesday with an adult purchase. Who said you can’t have Taco Tuesday on a Wednesday?
