Lansing is Michigan’s capital city, and it is known for its historic shopping district downtown, gardens and parks and for being near Michigan State University. This city has fun things to do all over, from its museums to the shopping areas surrounding city center. Keep reading to find the best things to do in Lansing.
One of the best things to do is visiting the Michigan State University Campus. MSU is home to a stunning art center, and it has a science and culture museum. Old Town is another place to visit, as the area has now transformed into a cultural and creative hub.
Some of the best tourist attractions are in downtown Lansing. The Michigan State Capitol is a must-see. The building dates back to 1879 and it has free tours. The Turner-Dodge House is another good place to visit. The home is one of the oldest in the city, and it has been perfectly restored on the interior.
Lansing has plenty of fun things to do during the day, like catching a Michigan Wolverines football game or seeing a show at Abrams Planetarium. Visitors will also like the MSU Hidden Lake Gardens too. While it is easy to walk through the city, people can do their own tour on bicycle or take a foodie tour of the city.
This city has tons of things to do at night. The Wharton Center hosts the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, which performs 17 concerts a year for free. There’s also the Peppermint Creek Theatre Company, a group that has already won awards in its short existence. Spiral Video & Dance is the place to be for dancing in the city.
Families will find plenty of things to do with kids in Lansing. To start, there’s the Potter Park Zoo that has train rides and pony rides. MSU has a 4-H Children's Garden which lets children taste and smell some of the ingredients to their favorite dishes.
Family-Friendly things to do near Lansing include:
Playing with the animals at Preuss Pets
Grabbing a burger at Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shoppe
Trying gourmet popcorn at Cravings
Exploring the Impression 5 Science Center’s interactive exhibits
It’s easy to spend a day just doing indoor activities in Lansing. The city has several museums, such as the Michigan Women's Historical Center. There’s also the Michigan State Capitol, which has guided tours year round.
Lansing things to do indoors include:
Visiting the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Walking through the Lansing Art Gallery
Touring the Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center mansion
As far as outdoor activities go, Lansing has several city parks, gardens and it’s close to the golf courses. River Town adventures offers kayaking and canoeing down the Grand River. The Fenner Nature Center covers 134 acres, and it has hands-on exhibits at the visitor’s center.
