Gull Lake: A Wonderful
Destination for a Day Trip

  It’s 11:00 on a spring morning. It’s just too beautiful to stay inside, and it feels like the family needs an adventure. Where can we go to have a fun day that’s not too far away? Half hour’s drive from Kalamazoo, Gull Lake is a wonderful destination for a day trip. Here is a list of great things to do to make an adventurous trip:

W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

  The W.K. Kellogg Biological Station is one of North America’s premier inland field stations. It includes the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, the Kellogg Farm, the Manor House and various educational and conference settings. The Biological Station is located off of M89 east of Richland Michigan.
   The Bird Sanctuary offers 180 acres of diverse habitats on the 40-acre Wintergreen Lake that are open daily for hiking and bird watching. Visitors will find hundreds of waterfowl in their natural habitats, birds of prey in enclosures, and an upland game bird display. The tours are selfguided and well marked. Visitors can expect to see Trumpeter Swans, grouse, ducks, eagles and hawks, as well as other many other varieties of birds.
  The farm is a working dairy farm used by Michigan State University for teaching and research. It is open to the public daily for selfguided tours. Visitors can expect to see calves, heifers, a milking parlor, a feed center, and an active environmental experimental station.
   The Manor House is located on the highest point overlooking Gull Lake. It is a Tudor style home built in 1926 and restored to its original glory in 1998.Visitors will find leaded glass bay windows, quarter-sawn oak coffered ceilings, a hand-carved stairway, and beautiful Rookwood tile fireplaces and bathrooms.
  The estate sits regally looking over the lake and includes a carriage house, a chauffeur’s cottage, a boathouse, an authentic Dutch windmill, a lakeside pagoda and several beautiful gardens. The house is open for tour Monday through Friday at 1:30 pm.

Directions to the Kellogg Biological Station can be found at www.kbs.msu.edu or by calling 269-671-5115.

Gilmore Classic Car Museum

  Dreams of finding an “old car in a barn” are a daily reality here. Nestled on 90 landscaped acres in restored historic barns are nearly 200 extraordinary vehicles spanning more than 100 years of automotive heritage. Here you will find exhibits ranging from a 1899 Locomobile, to the classic Duesenberg or the elusive Tucker ‘48, and from the Model T to the muscle cars of the 60s and 70s.
  Visiting the car museum is a multi-generational experience. The grounds include an old gas station and an authentic diner that was moved to the grounds from its home in Connecticut. The museum is open daily during the summer, and there are special events all summer long. Every Wednesday evening, there is a “cruise in” at the Blue Moon Diner. The first special event of the year is a Cadillac show on June 3rd.

Check out directions to the museum and upcoming events at www.gilmorecarmuseum.org or by calling 269-671-5089.

Rent a boat on Gull Lake

  Gull Sports Rentals on D Ave. on Gull Lake has boats, wave runners and jet boats available for rental all summer long. Call ahead to make a reservation. 269-731-0200.

Have a picnic and take a swim

  The Ross Township Park is located at 3500 E. Gull Lake Drive which is right beside the Kellogg Biological Station. It is open daily in the summer for a charge of $5 per car. There are picnic grounds and a swimming beach.
  The Prairieville Township Park on M43 has parking and a boat launch as well as picnic grounds and bathrooms.

  There are so many other things to do around Gull Lake — golf, restaurants, theatre. Explore the area; you will have a delightful day.

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