Located just southwest of Lansing, and southeast of Grand Rapids, you'll find the city of Battle Creek, "Cereal Capital of the World". Battle Creek Michigan is the home of the Kellogg company, as well as the Post Cereal plant, and the Ralston Cereal plant. Battle Creek also serves as a base for steel production, as well as auto parts, medical electronics, and intelligence supplies manufacturers, all which helps to bolster this largest city of Calhoun County. The city of Battle Creek offers great Michigan biking and Michigan fishing along downtown rivers and parks, and is about an hour from top Michigan beaches and notable Michigan wineries.

The city of Battle Creek derives its name from a past battle over the territory, which took place in 1824, when an early surveying party headed by John Mullet encountered Indians on the banks of the Kalamazoo River. Although not much of a fight at all, the surveyors went on to label the spot as the "battle by the creek" on their maps. Subsequently, the label was shortened to form the city's current name. The first post office here opened in 1832, followed by incorporation as a village in 1850, with final registration as a city coming in 1859. It was an important stop for the Underground Railroad, and its historical past is part of its current day attraction for visitors.

In 1863, Seventh Day Adventists made Battle Creek the center of their new General Conference Headquarters. Their influence led to the city's labels of "Food City" and "Health City". In 1866, they established the Western Health Reform Institute, which in 1876 would change its name to the Battle Creek Sanitarium under its new superintendent, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. The diet and health regimens they developed gained them notoriety world wide, and people began coming to learn a more healthy way of living. Flaked cereal was part of the health foods developed and served at the Sanitarium. As a patient here in 1891, C.W. Post began to realize the commercial possibilities of such food and began marketing and selling Postum, a cereal beverage, and Post Toasties. Dr. Kellogg's brother, W.K., also started his own prepared food business, which would become the biggest company in the world. Today, visit the Dr. John Harvey Kellogg Discovery Center to experience the health practices that made it world famous over 100 years ago. You can also visit the Historic Adventist Village for re-enactments and restored and replicated structures that give you insight into the lives of the Adventist pioneers.

Michigan Map

For a more modern experience in Battle Creek Michigan, visit the Kellogg Arena, which is part of the McCamly Square complex. At the McCamly Square complex, you'll find the AAA Four Diamond Plaza Hotel. Rated among Michigan's top ten, you might consider making this your top choice for Battle Creek Michigan hotels. An indoor plaza connects the hotel with the Kellogg Arena, as well as an atrium mall with shops and national brand food options. The Kellogg Arena itself, offers a myriad of capabilities that rival bigger city venues. Primarily a convention center, it also holds concerts and sporting events, both large and small.

Battle Creek Michigan doesn't end here. Other popular attractions include the Leila Arboretum, a 72 acre setting focused on the enjoyment of nature, The Klingman Museum in Leila Arboretum, with hands on exhibits, tours and planetarium shows, and the Children's Garden at the Leila Arboretum, a learning garden ideal for families. At the Kimball Pines County Park, enjoy the 100 acres of plantation pines where you'll find scenic areas, hiking trails and facilities ideal for picnics. The Linear Park Pathway's beautiful surroundings link natural waterways and parks with an 18 mile pathway ideal for strolling, rollerblading, biking, picnicking, fishing and canoeing.