1. You're Standing Where Greatness Began
John Hughes, Magic Johnson, Steven Seagal. Not exactly people you’d expect to find in the same place, but they were all born right here in Lansing.
2. Someone Knows How To Make The Lady(ies) Swoon
Stevie Wonder's classic love song “My Cherie Amour” was originally titled “Oh My Marsha” for his then-girlfriend when he was studying at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing. You have to wonder if it would have still been one of the most popular first-dance wedding songs if he'd kept the original title.
3. The Mopeds Have Invaded Lansing
Since the Lansing area is so flat, and filling a car up will set you back much more than other places, mopeds are a familiar sight on Michigan Avenue. They're especially popular with Michigan State University students, so keep your eyes peeled for people on scooters changing lanes—they're pretty zippy.
4. C'mon Babe, Take A Walk On The Wild Side
Potter Park Zoo has more than 160 species, many of which are threatened or endangered. Explore 20 acres of animals like Amur tigers, red pandas, snow leopards, black rhinoceros and African Lions. And the zoo doesn’t just house the animals—it actively helps them as a participant in the Species Survival Plan programs.
5. Make Sure To Look Down
The Michigan State Capitol is admittedly a stunning building, but the floors are the real star. Vermont granite and limestone, and a glass floor in the rotunda with 976 pieces in total. The 1992 restoration was so well done that it won the National Preservation Honor Award.
6. Loving The Team Is Mandatory In Lansing
Now that you live in Lansing, it's very important for you to realize that you are now, and forever, a Spartan fan. The college teams practically play in your back yard at MSU in East Lansing, so you will live, breathe and think of nothing but the Spartans. Just embrace it.
7. You Can Get The World’s Biggest Cup O’ Joe
Ok, not really. But the Cup of Dessert does have humongous cups of coffee and gourmet coffee drinks, along with salads, sandwiches, and of course, delectable desserts. They also keep it comfy with couches and local by serving coffee beans roasted over in Holt.
8. Feel The “Same Love”
Lansing is out and proud of it. The August Michigan Pride March and Festival celebrates same-sex love with a march on the capitol and a day of all-ages entertainment and drinks in Old Town.
9. All Five Senses Rock
Impression 5 Science Center is the definition of combining fun and learning. Don't miss the MI Nature exhibit where your little naturalists can learn about Michigan flora and fauna, or the bubble room where they’ll learn the chemistry of soap and step inside a giant bubble!
10. Have Fun With Lansing History
You really ought to get to know your new hometown. The Michigan Historical Museum features fascinating exhibits about the Civil War, the auto industry (duh), musicians and the Civil Rights Commission. If you want to blend in like a local, it wouldn't hurt to know who Stevens T. Mason was. You’re welcome.
11. A Day Of Lugnuts, Beer, And T-Shirt Cannons
If you’re addicted to America’s pastime, Cooley Law Stadium is your destination. The home sweet home of the Single-A Toronto Blue Jays affiliate the Lansing Lugnuts, it’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening. Grab a cold one from the beer garden and fill up on gourmet hot dogs—just don't get so full that you can't jump for a t-shirt fired into the stands.
12. Channel Your Inner Art Critic
And you thought you were stuck in the lowbrow Midwest. The Creole Gallery in Lansing's Old Town lets you feast your eyes on high art, and since the gallery also showcases local artists, poets and musicians, you’ll hear it too.
13. Mmmmm, Local Beer
With 14 Michigan brews on tap (including five of their own) Midtown Brewing Company is the only brew pub you’ll need in Lansing. The menu focuses on local ingredients—right down to the Michigan pickles—and stars heavenly house-smoked pulled pork.
14. You Can See Some Lansing-Built Beauties
At the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum car buffs might just faint at the sight of all the sweet rides on display, made by Oldsmobile from 1886 to 2003—including the 1893 steam carriage made by the Olds Motor Works founder, Ransom E. Olds.
15. Get Out Of The City
Only 20 minutes outside of the urban scene is Sleepy Hollow State Park, where you can breathe good clean air while hiking, boating, swimming, biking and playing in Lake Ovid. City life is great, but every once in a while a person needs to remember there’s more out there.
16. Old Town Lansing Rocks And Rolls On
Old Town overlooks the Grand River, and is the unofficial center of the city with galleries, festivals, restaurants and music venues. Old Town hit some hard economic times a few decades back, but fought back and is now stronger than ever. So come and celebrate!
17. You Have To Hide From The Cold Somehow
Lansing has three movie theaters: NGC Eastwood Cinemas, Celebration! Cinema and Lansing Mall Cinema. Yeah, this might not seem too exciting, but honestly, in a city (and state) where winter can feel like it lasts forever, having so many cinema choices is actually a blessing.
18. A Smoking Hole In The Wall
At Meat. Southern B.B.Q. & Carnivore Cuisine the only things listed under “Vegetarian Options” are brands of pop (or “soda”) and a suggestion to ask servers for alcoholic beverages. All righty then. If you do like meat (and lots of it), this is the place to fill your belly. All their meat is wood smoked for hours and basically perfect.
19. Their Religion’s Got Style, Yo
The Central Methodist Church is no ordinary house of worship. Rumor has it that it's the only church designed by Elijah E. Myers, the architectural genius behind that awesome state capitol building.
20. It's Grimy And You'll Love It
Almost any hilarious/horrible/debaucherous story about a night in Lansing starts with, “So, we were drinking in Mac's Bar...” The ambiance of this local watering hole has just a touch of danger with the strains of live music in the background. Perfect.
21. There’s More To Lansing Than Baseball
Like I said, this isn’t your ordinary Midwestern town. Embrace your inner Rodney Dangerfield at the 18-hole course Country Club of Lansing. Be warned: 15 of the holes are surrounded by water. Tee times are always available, but to be on the safe side, bring your galoshes.
22. You Can Soothe Your Soul
On those lazy Sunday afternoons, take a relaxing stroll alongside the Grand River and Red Cedar River. The trail runs for a good 13 miles and is perfect for enjoying the outdoors at a nice leisurely pace.
23. You’ll Eat (And Love) Your Greens
The Lansing City Market runs year-round with the best in fresh local produce, organic meat, poultry, natural health care products and artisan cheese. Bring lots of those cloth grocery bags, you’ll need them. Trust me.
24. They Are Michigan Women, Hear Them Roar
From Aretha Franklin to Serena Williams and Lily Tomlin, Michigan has a long and storied history of amazing women. And the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame gives them all the props they deserve. Check it out and be impressed.
25. Hang Out On Lansing’s Best Patio
If you venture just into East Lansing, you’ll be rewarded with The Peanut Barrel. Widely known by locals as the best patio in the area, it's the perfect place for a Bloody Mary and a burger after work. The restaurant was even called out by ESPN, which undoubtedly made Spartans fans a very happy bunch.
26. Get Your (Classy) Drink On
You’ll go for the pizza, but stay for the fantastic Malbecs, Rieslings, and Sauvignon at the House of Eden Rock. And if you go a little overboard there’s delicious hand-tossed pizza to soak up all that booze.
27. Slap That Bass
For two days in August, people travel from all over Michigan to Old Town Lansing for the annual Jazzfest. It’s your chance to dance in the street without getting laughed at, because all of Michigan will be out there with you.
