Michigan is known for its serenely beautiful lakes and incredibly warm and hospitable people. Lansing is the state capital, colloquially known as Mid-Michigan or Central Michigan, where not only trade thrives, but also governmental, educational, and cultural activities. As of the 2010 census, the city population is a little over 100,000. Small as it may seem in terms of population size, Lansing does offer unique attractions without the usual overwhelming crowds found in big cities. Visiting museums, zoos, and parks will be as intimate and enjoyable with your loved ones. Check out the best things to do in Lansing, Michigan, that you shouldn’t miss.
1. Experience friendly animal encounters at Potter Park Zoo
Lansing, Michigan, is a fun place for families. One of the kid-friendly attractions you must not miss is Potter Park Zoo. This 20-acre (8-hectare) zoo is located within a 50-acre (20-hectare) land area. It has a total of 500 animal residents and 150 species, including the endangered ones such as red pandas, Amur tigers, and snow leopards. This massive facility likewise offers programs, themed talks, guided walking tours, and special events. It’s not surprising why visiting Potter Park Zoo is regarded one of the best places to go in Lansing.
Potter Park Zoo
Address: 1301 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, Michigan, United States
Website: Potter Park Zoo
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm
Price: 4 USD
2. Feast your eyes on a thousand vintage automobiles at R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Are you a big fan of vintage cars? Lansing is the rightful place to be. R.E. Olds Transportation Museum houses a thousand-strong collection of old automobiles, including the precious 1953 NASCAR race car and several past models of lawnmowers. Car enthusiasts are sure to have a blast here. You can drool over the technical details provided along with the car displays. You can hop from car to car, from an 1886 steam carriage to a 1903 curved dash automobile, the first mass-produced automobile ever.
R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Address: 240 Museum Dr, Lansing, Michigan, United States
Website: R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 7 USD
3. Polish your golf skills at Forest Akers West Golf Course
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Golfers of varying skill levels are welcome at Forest Akers West Golf Course that offers different rental golf baskets and state-of-the-art practice facilities. Have a great time swinging clubs and hitting those 18 holes right on target. After all, playing golf does bring a host of benefits, including mental alertness, relaxation, improved coordination, and weight loss.
Forest Akers West Golf Course
Address: 3535 Forest Road, Lansing, Michigan, United States
Website: Forest Akers West Golf Course
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: From 15 USD
4. Join the festivities at Adado Riverfront Park
Adado Riverfront Park is designed to be an outdoor festival park. It looks incredible even during winter, too. Apart from its beautiful open spaces, it boasts of historical sites, restaurants, and modern activity centers - all linked to become part of the greater River Trail System. There are plenty of activity options for friends and families at Adado Riverfront Park. You can take afternoon strolls, bike through the woods, paddle through waters, or take side trips to Potter Park Zoo. The park’s list of best things to do seems to go on. Keep updated with their events calendar to know which festival suits your available time.
Adado Riverfront Park
Address: 201 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing, Michigan, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
5. Experience exciting interactive museum displays at Michigan History Center
Historical tours are made fun and interesting at Michigan History Center, which is why it rightfully takes up a space in Lansing’s list of best things to do. This five-level museum offers an informative walk-through the past events, from the 1847 early settlement up to the city’s present state. Exhibits vary in form to include hands-on elements, interactive displays, and audio visual presentations. Surely, both kids and adults will be happily occupied with unique mental and sensory experiences provided by these platforms.
Michigan History Center
Address: 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, Michigan, United States
Website: Michigan History Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4:30pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm
Price: 6 USD
6. Imagine and create amazing inventions at Impression 5 Science Center
Impression 5 Science Center is an amazing playground for children and also one of the best things to do in Lansing. It showcases different hands-on exhibits for children to learn, play, and create things they normally cannot do in ordinary settings. The goal is to provide a holistic science museum experience to visitors. Impression 5 aims to stimulate the five human senses, after all. Science exhibits on fluid dynamics, static electricity, and engineering are made friendly and fun for children. They will hardly notice the passage of time as they learn and play.
Impression 5 Science Center
Address: 200 Museum Drive, Lansing, Michigan
Website: Impression 5 Science Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Moni)
Price: 8.5 USD
7. Play with the butterflies at Fenner Nature Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Fenner Nature Center on Friday, December 13, 2019
Spending time in nature free and it’s therapeutic. So ready your legs for a refreshing hike through Fenner Nature Center trails. The Monarch House, filled with beautiful butterflies, is a haven to visitors wanting to interact with nature in a uniquely intimate way. What’s more, at Fenner Nature Center, you can host events and join never-been-heard-before festivals, such as Maple Syrup Festival and Apple Butter Festival. You can also volunteer for tree planting and help save the environment in your own little way.
Fenner Nature Center
Address: 2020 E. Mount Hope Avenue, Michigan
Website: Fenner Nature Center
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: Free
8. Tour around the legislative chambers at Michigan State Capitol
You often see your government leaders in television and print media. Experiencing a day in their lives is one of the best things to do in Lansing for both locals and visitors. In some ways, seeing the work chambers for yourself connects you to the city leaders who are maybe just distant names to you before the tour. Also, booking a tour at Michigan State Capitol not only expands one’s learning about history and governance but also deepens one’s appreciation about architectural designs. This is one of the few state capitols to be first endowed with a majestic cast-iron dome in the country.
Michigan State Captiol
Address: 100 N. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, Michigan
Website: Michigan State Capitol
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
9. Fish and enjoy your first catch at Crego Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Crego Park is a 200-acre (81-hectare) wooded park that offers refuge to visitors and locals wanting to seek relaxing outdoor activities for free - fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. One of the best things to do on a holiday is to connect with nature. Even just sitting by the river, taking in all the soothing energy is already a nice break from the hectic city life. Crego Park is connected to Aurelius Road in the east, as well as to Mt. Hope Avenue. Access to this bounty is easy. You can even take your dog and walk with it all day long.
Crego Park
Address: 1600 Fidelity Road,, Lansing, Michigan
Website: Crego Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Enjoy snowtube rides at Hawk Island Park during winter
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Tubing lanes are dialed in! We are open extended hours tomorrow (Presidents' Day) 12-8. Come out and enjoy the...
Posted by Hawk on Sunday, February 16, 2014
Southerners enjoy the benefits of convenient access to the 100-acre (4-hectare) Hawk Island Park, where you can swim, rent a boat, and fish. There are concession stands and sports facilities, too. Your friends and family will have an enjoyable time warming up under the sun. Even during winter, visiting Hawk Island Park remains to be a great activity in Lansing. Cyclists can run through snow-free trails. Families can enjoy snow tubing and snowboarding.
Hawk Island Park
Address: 1601 E Cavanaugh Rd, Lansing, MI 48910, United States
Website: Hawk Island Park
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD
Create wonderful moments with friends and family in Lansing, Michigan
More than the beautiful natural landscapes and interesting city tours, Lansing offers opportunities for families and friends to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and create lasting memories. Fostering relationships through fun activities is indeed part of the best things to do in Lansing, Michigan. You can cultivate learning in science museums or take walks in any of the spacious parks. Not only are the experiences satisfying, but these attractions are also easy on your pockets.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to