18 Best Things to Do in Lansing, Michigan

Lansing is known as the best place to live in Michigan. It is a fact known across homeowners at every stage of life. But if you can’t make the Capital City your home, then at least you can enjoy many activities before you go.

Michigan’s capital region has something for everyone – whether you are visiting for pure business or simple pleasure. Here are the best things to do in Lansing: 

1. Experience Endless Fun at Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel

If you’re traveling with kids, then you probably know that their definition of fun is something that makes them scream excitedly. The Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel in Mount Pleasant is just in the city center so you and your family can enjoy 317 gallons of fun!

Some of their most famous attractions include:

• Acorn PassBiish (Water) Falls
• Loon’s Loop
• Cyberquest Arcade
• Little Beaver’s Bend
• Hotel Pool
• Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park

You can also reenergize by snacking up on treats from Gizi’s Snack Shop or eating pizza, hotdogs, or ice cream.

2. Read a Book at Shigematsu Memorial Garden

Think about your ideal spot for reading. Do you have a picture in mind?

The Shigematsu Memorial Garden is Lansing Community College’s Japanese garden that offers a haven for book lovers. It is peaceful and quiet, and a place many people regard as a jewel hidden in plain sight.

If you’re done with your book, you can stroll around and explore the place. It has dry gravel gardens, and water gardens with traditional walking paths.

3. Enjoy Live Music Nights at Arcadia Smokehouse

For days when you feel like music is the answer, come to Arcadia Smokehouse! The place is always open, smokin’ and brewin’ on Lansing’s Michigan Avenue Corridor. It is near East Lansing, Downtown Lansing, and MSU.

Local Tip: Barbecue may be the house specialty, but the puller pork is tasty beyond compare that you have to try it as well! Partner it with macaroni or cornbread before chugging down a beer or two.

4. Be a Guest During the Winter Glow Event

The Winter Glow Event is a popular outdoor event held annually. You can expect many winter-inspired traditions as well as fun-filled activities, rain or shine!

Some of the activities and attractions during this festival include ice carving, a special holiday farmers market, winter photo scenes, marshmallow roasting, community art projects, and more.

You can also volunteer if you want to contribute your time and ideas to this event.

5. Learn and Play at Impression 5 Science Center

This popular science museum in downtown Lansing will definitely appeal to your five senses with its awesome exhibits. You can visit solo or with a group as they offer experiences and workshops, big science lessons, and school/science center partnership programs. They also have overnight and evening adventures, and even outreach.

• Science Center Schedule
  Monday CLOSED
  Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  Sunday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission Fees
  Admission Fees:
  $8.50 Adults, Children 2 and older
  $7.00 Seniors, Military members (including their immediate family)
  FREE Members, Children 1 & younger

6. Discover Michigan’s Past at Michigan History Center

Check out the interactive exhibits and artifacts that tell the stories of old Michigan. Aside from the archival collections, this 5-level center also allows its visitors to tour historical markers and heritage trails.

Address: 702 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing

7. Attend a Concert at Adado Riverfront Park

The Adado Riverfront Park is a downtown park that is frequented for festivals, riverside boardwalks, as well as its trail. The River Trail System is known as a walkway that connects the parks to historic sites and urban activity centers. When you happen to be around the area, go attend a concert at Adado Riverfront Park!

8. Fill Your Buckets as You Fish at Crego Park

Go fishing at this 200-acre wooded park on a nice summer day, then spend the next hour kayaking or canoeing.

Crego Park gives you access to stunning scenery and walkable pathways.

9. Explore Bharatiya Temple

The Hindu families in Lansing had no official place of worship back in the days. It wasn’t until the Three Lansing Hindu men named Shrikumar Poddar, Sudhakar Kulkarni, and Prakash Kapoor came together to spearhead building a temple in 1980.

The place is also home to a temple library with more than 900 books. You can find works such as Hindu scriptures, devotional literature, and other spiritual writings. The library is open every time the Temple is open.

10. Try the Activities at Capital Area Sportsmen’s League

Check out the club’s shooting facilities deemed the finest in the state. The Capital Area Sportsmen’s League offers a beautiful 15 station sporting clays course, 3-D archery course, indoor archery range, and even a rifle range.

Furthermore, their skeet and trap fields are all well-lit for night shooting.

11. Learn About Endangered Animals at Potter Park Zoo

The 102-acre Zoo in Lansing is not just known for being the oldest public zoo in Michigan. It also inspires people to conserve animals in the natural world.

12. Visit Valhalla Park

The township’s largest and most highly developed park, “Valhalla Park,” is home to open fields, wooded areas, pond, and lake. Many people frequent this place during the summer months because of swimming activities. On the other hand, winter is not a bad time for a visit too, because of the cross country ski trails throughout the park.

What you can expect at the park:

• Baseball / Softball
• Fishing
• Pavilion
• Picnic
• Playground
• Trails

13. Check out the Goetsch-Winkler House

The Goetsch–Winckler House is a wonderful example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work, which is considered by many to be the greatest American architect of all time.

This house located on a 1.7-acre, triangular-shaped, wooded lot in Okemos, Michigan, carries a Usonian architectural style that experts consider elegant and classy. You’ll be in awe of the free-flowing interplay of the building and nature.

14. Discover the Finest in Orchestral Performances by Listening to Lansing Symphony Orchestra

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra is a famous American symphony orchestra founded under the leadership of its first Music Director, Izler Solomon.

Some of their performances for 2020 include:

• Music for Piano Quartet
• Bowed and Plucked
• The Music of ABBA: Mamma Mia! & More
• Jazz Band Concert 02
• Brahms Symphony No. 2

15. Celebrate Ukelele During Mighty Uke Day

If you are a musician, or more particularly a ukelele lover, then you’d appreciate this great celebration of the instrument in Lansing.

There are workshops, group strums, concerts, and even children’s activities during the Mighty Uke Day!

16. Watch an Astronomical Show at Abrams Planetarium

The astronomy and space science education resource center for central Michigan is located on the Michigan State University campus. You can find their astronomical shows truly mesmerizing and interesting.

Address: Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University, 755 Science Road, East Lansing

17. Shop for the Best Deals at Old Town Lansing

Enjoy a unique experience in Old Town Lansing where you’ll meet incredible people and learn about the place’s rich history as you shop for the best deals. This place is home to everything you might need and want, such as salons, health and fitness centers, creative services, and travel and lodge.

18. Dine-in a French-Inspired Bistro

Take your partner out for a romantic date night in this modern French bistro that offers a rotating menu and bespoke cocktails. EnVie offers food that is both exciting and familiar, making sure you have a memorable date night.

Note: Reservation for big groups is also available, but is subject to a deposit of $100 which is refundable up until 24 hours before the reservation.

Are you ready to love Lansing like a local?