Guidebook for Lansing
Parks & Nature
Hawk Island is a small park, but a good one. Connected up with the Lansing River Trail, it offers a beautiful walk around the lake, as well as access to winding nature walks that you'd never expect in the heart of Lansing.
23 locals recommend
Hawk Island Park
1601 E Cavanaugh RdHawk Island is a small park, but a good one. Connected up with the Lansing River Trail, it offers a beautiful walk around the lake, as well as access to winding nature walks that you'd never expect in the heart of Lansing.
Fenner Nature Center is a beautiful nature preserve with a great welcome center that has a friendly and helpful staff, as well as great trails. They have fun events as well, like the Maple festival, where they walk you through the whole process of making maple syrup (and sell what they make at the welcome center!).
8 locals recommend
Fenner Nature Center
2020 E Mt Hope AveFenner Nature Center is a beautiful nature preserve with a great welcome center that has a friendly and helpful staff, as well as great trails. They have fun events as well, like the Maple festival, where they walk you through the whole process of making maple syrup (and sell what they make at the welcome center!).
Arts & Culture
The Wharton center has everything from plays to symphonies to dance. What you can see depends on what day you're here (they're constantly updating their repertoire), but it's all excellent.
25 locals recommend
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
750 E Shaw LnThe Wharton center has everything from plays to symphonies to dance. What you can see depends on what day you're here (they're constantly updating their repertoire), but it's all excellent.
Free public tours on Saturday and Sunday! While they certainly have regularly updated art exhibits, that's only part of what you can do at the Broad. They have music, events for kids and families, and host talks by interesting and expert people from a diversity of fields.
36 locals recommend
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
547 E Circle DrFree public tours on Saturday and Sunday! While they certainly have regularly updated art exhibits, that's only part of what you can do at the Broad. They have music, events for kids and families, and host talks by interesting and expert people from a diversity of fields.
Shopping
The Meridian Mall is the THE mall for those who live in the area. It's got big stores and little ones, and my favorite--Schuler's Books and Music.
32 locals recommend
Meridian Mall
1982 W Grand River RdThe Meridian Mall is the THE mall for those who live in the area. It's got big stores and little ones, and my favorite--Schuler's Books and Music.
Eastwood is the perfect shopping spot for a nice day, since you walk outside to go between buildings, rather than being cooped up indoors. They've got a great variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a movie theater.
41 locals recommend
Eastwood Towne Center
3003 US-127Eastwood is the perfect shopping spot for a nice day, since you walk outside to go between buildings, rather than being cooped up indoors. They've got a great variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a movie theater.
Food Scene
You'll have to get there early to get in, but if you don't mind an early alarm clock, there simply is not a better breakfast place in all of Lansing. I never even look at the menu anymore--just order whatever they've put up on the special's board. The place is eclectic and odd, with stickers plastered over everything and old movies playing silently in the corner--all of which lends itself to a fun atmosphere aided by a friendly staff. Favorite!
33 locals recommend
Golden Harvest Restaurant
1625 Turner RdYou'll have to get there early to get in, but if you don't mind an early alarm clock, there simply is not a better breakfast place in all of Lansing. I never even look at the menu anymore--just order whatever they've put up on the special's board. The place is eclectic and odd, with stickers plastered over everything and old movies playing silently in the corner--all of which lends itself to a fun atmosphere aided by a friendly staff. Favorite!
You MAY have to make a reservation, but if you get in, it's some of the best food in town. The menu (particularly the soup!) is always changing, and no matter what you order it's excellent.
42 locals recommend
Soup Spoon Café
1419 E Michigan AveYou MAY have to make a reservation, but if you get in, it's some of the best food in town. The menu (particularly the soup!) is always changing, and no matter what you order it's excellent.
My absolute favorite coffee shop. Chapelure is a fascinating mix of French and Asian baking, with a case full of pasteries and cakes, as well as an extensive stock of drink options, from coffees to teas to smoothies. I particularly like it in the summer time, as it's pretty much the best place in town to get a cold drink on a hot day.
Chapelure
4750 Hagadorn RdMy absolute favorite coffee shop. Chapelure is a fascinating mix of French and Asian baking, with a case full of pasteries and cakes, as well as an extensive stock of drink options, from coffees to teas to smoothies. I particularly like it in the summer time, as it's pretty much the best place in town to get a cold drink on a hot day.
There is simply no better place to go for chocolate shakes in the entirety of the Great Lansing Area. Trust me. I've done the leg work.
16 locals recommend
MSU Dairy Store
474 S Shaw LnThere is simply no better place to go for chocolate shakes in the entirety of the Great Lansing Area. Trust me. I've done the leg work.
Drinks & Nightlife
Lansing Brewing Company is one of the funnest spots in Lansing, with great food and drinks, but also a huge back room with games like corn hole that you can play with friends. Also check out if they're holding events earlier in the evening--I went to a fantastic yoga session there!
31 locals recommend
Lansing Brewing Company
518 E Shiawassee StLansing Brewing Company is one of the funnest spots in Lansing, with great food and drinks, but also a huge back room with games like corn hole that you can play with friends. Also check out if they're holding events earlier in the evening--I went to a fantastic yoga session there!