Portage

City / town · Michigan

Portage

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Best timeMay–Sep
From you
Nearest airportAZO · 3 mi
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Overview

Portage is in Kalamazoo County in West Central Michigan. The population was 46,292 in the 2010 census. It is adjacent to Kalamazoo. Portage has miles of paths connecting its numerous parks.

Portage once known for its production of celery continues to be a producer of various goods sitting at the intersection of US 131 and I-94 roughly halfway between Chicago and Detroit and a short drive to Grand Rapids and South Bend.

20 sights · 3 things to do · 11 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Portage

Air Zoo

An Aerospace museum with a large collection of rare historical planes.

Bishop's Bog Preserve

Celery Flats Historic Area

Explore the history of Portage, Michigan. In this location a historical garden, small museum, house, Hayloft Theatre, barn, and church are available to tour. Free to walk around, check the City website for tour hours.

Central Park

Eliason Nature Reserve

Harbors West Park

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Grand Rapids)

Jan: 2.5 in rain2.5"Jan: high 31°F, low 19°F31°19°JanFeb: 2.1 in rain2.1"Feb: high 34°F, low 20°F34°20°FebMar: 2.4 in rain2.4"Mar: high 44°F, low 27°F44°27°MarApr: 4.0 in rain4"Apr: high 58°F, low 37°F58°37°AprMay: 4.0 in rain4"May: high 70°F, low 49°F70°49°MayJun: 3.9 in rain3.9"Jun: high 79°F, low 58°F79°58°JunJul: 3.9 in rain3.9"Jul: high 83°F, low 62°F83°62°JulAug: 3.6 in rain3.6"Aug: high 81°F, low 61°F81°61°AugSep: 3.4 in rain3.4"Sep: high 74°F, low 53°F74°53°SepOct: 4.0 in rain4"Oct: high 61°F, low 42°F61°42°OctNov: 3.1 in rain3.1"Nov: high 47°F, low 33°F47°33°NovDec: 2.5 in rain2.5"Dec: high 36°F, low 25°F36°25°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • AZO Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo — 3 mi away. Directions
  • GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 47 mi away (major hub). Directions

Portage lies on Interstate 94 roughly mid-way between Chicago and Detroit and along US Highway 131 just south of Kalamazoo.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 3-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Celebration Cinema Crossroads, Millennium Park, Ice Rink at Millennium Park
  • Lunch Harding's
  • Afternoon Celery Flats Historic Area, Liberty Park
  • Dinner Brann’s
  • Evening Latitude 42 Brewing Company

Day 2

  • Morning Air Zoo, Airway Fun Center, Portage Creek Bicentennial Park
  • Lunch Kitty Hawk Cafe
  • Afternoon Lexington Green Park, Escapology
  • Dinner Aldi
  • Evening Presidential Brewing Company

Day 3

  • Morning Lakeview Park
  • Lunch COVE Lakeside Bistro
  • Afternoon Ramona Park & Beach
  • Dinner West Lake Drive-In
  • Evening Centre Street Tap House

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Get in

    By plane

    Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport

    Go Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport (AZO)

    Serving Kalamazoo and the surrounding area, offers multiple daily flights to Chicago (on American Eagle) and Detroit (on Delta Connection).

    MapsWebsite

    By car

    Portage lies on Interstate 94 roughly mid-way between Chicago and Detroit and along US Highway 131 just south of Kalamazoo.

    By train

    Go Kalamazoo Transportation Center

    Amtrak offers service to Chicago and Ann Arbor/Detroit several times daily on the Wolverine Service as well as to East Lansing, Flint, and Port Huron on the Blue Water Service. You will need to catch a bus, taxi, or car to Portage from the train station.

    ⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    By bus

    The Kalamazoo downtown train station acts as the main regional bus station where you can change to the Kalamazoo Metro bus service to get to Portage.

    Get around

    Go Metro Transit

    Bus service is provided throughout Portage and its neighboring towns.

    ⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See

    See Air Zoo

    An Aerospace museum with a large collection of rare historical planes.

    📍 6151 Portage Rd☎ +1 269 382-6555⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Celebration Cinema Crossroads

    📍 6600 Ring Rd☎ +1 269 324-7469⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Parks

    See Bishop's Bog Preserve

    📍 9920 S Westnedge Ave⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Celery Flats Historic Area (Celery Flats)

    Explore the history of Portage, Michigan. In this location a historical garden, small museum, house, Hayloft Theatre, barn, and church are available to tour. Free to walk around, check the City website for tour hours.

    📍 7335 Garden Lane🕒 8AM-Dusk💲 $0.00⚠ Last checked Nov 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Central Park

    📍 7800 Shaver Rd⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Eliason Nature Reserve

    📍 1614 W Osterhout⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Harbors West Park

    📍 3458 Summersong Path⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Haverhill Park

    📍 6577 Hampton St⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Lakeview Park

    📍 9345 Portage Rd⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Lexington Green Park

    📍 4750 Pittsford St⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Liberty Park

    📍 7647 S Westnedge⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Millennium Park

    📍 280 Romence Rd⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Oakland Drive Park

    📍 7650 Oakland Dr⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Portage Creek Bicentennial Park

    📍 910 E Milham Ave⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Ramona Park & Beach

    📍 8600 S Sprinkle Rd⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Schrier Park

    📍 850 W Osterhout Rd⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See South Westnedge Park

    📍 9010 S Westnedge⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Veterans Memorial Park

    📍 300 Library Ln⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See West Lake Nature Preserve

    📍 9001 S Westnedge⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Westfield Park

    📍 4500 W Milham Ave⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Do Escapology

    A puzzle based escape room.

    📍 5600 Portage Rd☎ +1 269 488-3175⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Ice Rink at Millennium Park

    Go ice skating Between December and March, but check the website for changes.

    📍 280 Romence Rd⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Airway Fun Center

    Bowling, laser tag, go-carts, high ropes, arcade and more for all ages.

    📍 5626 Portage Rd☎ +1 269 327-7061⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Buy

    Shop Crossroads Mall

    📍 6650 South Westnedge AveTake I-94 to Exit 78 Southbound. Continue down Westnedge, go through many sets of lights, turn right when you see signs for THE CROSSROADS☎ +1 269 327-3500⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Shop Southland Mall

    📍 Corner of Westnedge and MilhamFrom I-94, take exit 78 southbound, head south until you hit Milham Ave., mall is on right.⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Shop Portage Farmers Market

    May to October at City Hall.

    📍 7900 South Westnedge Ave⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    Grocery

    Drink

    Sleep

    Stay Courtyard Kalamazoo Portage

    📍 400 Trade Center Way☎ +1 269 382-5808⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Homewood Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo-Portage

    📍 500 Trade Centre Way☎ +1 269 382-5817⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Holiday Motel

    📍 5540 S Westnedge Ave⚠ Last checked Dec 2019 — confirm before you go
    Maps

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    My experience

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