1. Living In Localvore Paradise
The Lansing City Market is a year-round market that fosters a unique, family-friendly shopping experience. I mean, even the Food Network had to get in on the action with a filming of an episode of “Food Court Wars” here in 2014.
2. Getting The Blues (In A Good Way)
Old Town BluesFest brings in nearly 20,000 attendees to hear the national, regional and local acts over the weekend of the free festival. To create a truly historic festival, they ask each artist to play an original composition at the festival that hasn’t been played before (at any other festival).
3. The Rebirth Of REO Town
Not only is this neighborhood named after an automobile company (REO Motor Car Company), it is also said to be the birthplace of the automobile in the United States and the oldest settlement in Lansing.
Now this historical neighborhood flourishes in providing a vibrant art community as well as diverse restaurants, retail shops and professional services. REO Town is undergoing a dramatic rebirth. But with events like Art Attack!, a celebration of the arts in the community, it’s easy to see why.
4. Rolling Hard
That’s right–the Capital City is home to two awesome Roller Derby teams. The Lansing Derby Vixens are one of the top-ranked teams in the world, members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, have three teams and a junior league, and bring in 800+ people per bout.
And the Lansing Mitten Mavens not only kick butt on the track but also dedicate themselves to bettering the Lansing community by giving back and working with like-minded organizations.
5. The Nightlife, Baby
Lansing is full of vibrant nightlife with plenty of activities for all (well, those who don’t have an early bedtime) and they couldn’t be happier about it. From nationally recognized music venues like Mac’s Bar to more eclectic, dive bars with live music like the Unicorn Tavern (also, they have quite the array of unicorns behind the bar) to dance clubs like Spiral, the options are endless.
6. A Bunch Of Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are the a-class minor league baseball team of Lansing. It’s well known that when there are fireworks, the Lugnuts have won.
7. Celebrating The Solstice, The Sun And The Moon
The people of Lansing get together every summer to celebrate the summer solstice in two festivals: The Festival of The Moon and The Festival of The Sun. It’s a jam-packed event full of Mid-Michigan’s craft-brewed beer (it is sponsored by Bell’s after all), fine wines and gourmet food. To top that off (as if you could), they also have live music for each respective festival as well as a 5K. No paganism rituals here, just a great time.
8. Knowing That Silver Bells In The City Is The Best Way To Spend The Holiday
Thousands of people gather to see the millions of light at Lansing’s premiere holiday event. The entire city shimmers and twinkles during and after the parade as onlookers head to watch the tree lighting ceremony.
9. Finding Common Ground
The Common Ground Music Festival has been around since 2000 and has had 1 million guests since. It might be safe to say it’s well liked by the community. This festival is not only committed to bringing you big acts (like the Violent Femmes and MGMT) but they also contribute to numerous non-profit, social, educational and sports educations throughout their existence.
10. Jumpin’ Around At Jumpin’ Jax
Jumpin’ Jax, is a 10,000 square foot facility full of inflatables, seven large ones to be exact, obstacle courses and slides. They have an Open Bounce (aka walk-ins) five days of the week.
Unfortunately for me, its intended for children ages 2 to 12.
11. Knowing The Peppermint Creek Theatre Is Always Fresh
Peppermint Creek Theatre was founded in 1995 and has been bringing contemporary and classic theatre to the Lansing area ever since. With critically acclaimed performances and the finest actors in the Midwest, this theatre is the refreshing the after-dinner mint to the arts community of Lansing.
12. Jumping And Jiving At Lansing JazzFest
Fun Fact: The Lansing JazzFest is the only festival in mid-Michigan to increase attendance consistently every year since its beginning. But with 20 hours of live music and the addition of children’s activities, clinics and workshops, it’s easy to see why Lansing continually loves JazzFest.
13. Representing Local Artists Since 1965
Initially a cooperative, Lansing Art Gallery was formed in 1965 by a group of artists who were determined to ensure art had a place in Lansing. Centered on Michigan art, this gallery works to provide exhibits and educational programs and opportunities that foster the arts and culturally benefit the community.
14. Getting Strung Along By The Lansing Symphony Orchestra
For 84 seasons, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra has presented a wide range of musical performances. With an array of musical series to their educational programs for the community, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra is recognized as one of mid-Michigan’s cultural gems.
15. Going A Little Bit Country With The Contra Dance
The contra dance (partnered folk dances that have couples facing in a line or square) has gained popularity recently and Lansing has definitely caught the contra fever. Mainly hosted by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association, the square dances tend to take place in the Central United Methodist Church or the Creole Gallery.
These dances are a hootin’ good time, complete with callers (and teachers, for those of us dancers who are a bit, shall we say, less experienced) and live, local music. So put on your boots and get ready to dance the night away.
16. But They Also Go Classical Too
Home to two ballet companies, Greater Lansing Ballet Company and the Children’s Ballet Theatre of Michigan, Inc. (CBT), Lansing is no stranger to classical and contemporary dance. CBT has been captivating audiences for 25 years with classical performances like the Nutcracker as well as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
The Greater Lansing Ballet Company works with all ages and talent levels to perform full length and contemporary ballet as well as offer practical experiences and dance art education.
17. Getting Scrappy At The Old Town Scrapfest
Picture this: 10,000 pounds of metal, two weeks, one scrap facility and up to twenty teams working to build sculptures entirely out of scrap metal material. The finished sculptures are then put on display at the Festival of the Moon the auctioned off at the Festival of the Sun.
18. Rivers Deep, Trails So Wide
The Lansing River Trail provides 13 miles of scenic beauty along the Grand River and hits some of Lansing’s favorite hot spots. Picture riding past the Brenke Fish Ladder and watching the fish swim upstream during mating season, stopping by the Lansing City Market to recharge with some locally made snacks or resting your weary legs at the Hawk Island Park.
19. Eating Well At Golden Harvest, Soup Spoon And Many More
Lansing is home to some delectable dining experiences. Everyone knows that the best breakfast is served at the Golden Harvest and Soup Spoon is a great place to dine and drink. Their meat, particularly barbeque, cravings are quelled by Meat Southern BBQ & Carnivore Cuisine.
There are too many restaurants to list, but honestly its best to just go out there and eat your way through the city.
20. Putzing Around At The Potter Park Zoo
Potter Park Zoo offers 20 acres of 500 animals with a range of 160 different species hailing from all over the world. Where else can Lansing get up close and personal with the golden lion tamarins, waddle with the magellanic penguins or slither with the Burmese python.
21. Seeing A Topographic Map Larger Than Their House
With five levels and more than 25 galleries of permanent and changing exhibits, Michigan Historical Museum tells the Michigan’s history through use of hands-on elements like interactive computers, audio-visual presentations and more. They even have a four-story atrium as well as a three-story-high topographical map of the state.
22. Letting Impression 5 Challenge First Impressions About Science
For 40 years the Impression 5 Science Center has been an interactive space for families to create, play and challenge their understanding of science. Walk into a 7-foot tall model of an eye (see picture above), experiment with buoyancy in the Water Room, and explore the concept of mechanics in the Simple Machines Room.
23. Floating On By The City And Soaking Up The Views
From the Lansing Metro Marina, offering scenic tours of Lansing from the river, to the J & K Steamboat Company, which provide river cruises on Michigan’s only triple deck riverboat, the Michigan Princess, to the usual canoeing and kayaking, there is no shortage of river recreation here.
What do you love about living in Lansing? Tell us in the comments below! 
