Lansing, Michigan Travel Guide
Have you ever visited a place that you felt like you knew completely but when you go back this time it's a million times more than you could have expected. That was Lansing for me.
I grew up in Holt, which is about 15 miles south of Downtown Lansing so I thought I knew everything that this place had to offer. Boy, was I wrong. The capital of Michigan blew me away with it's growing neighborhoods and delicious places to eat and drink. But more than that, Lansing blew me away with it's pride. At every stop, the owners and managers were beyond excited to tell us about their company, how they got started, and what it meant to them to be a part of this community. Here are some of the incredible stops in the Lansing area that I definitely recommend checking out.
Downtown Lansing
Growing up, I just assumed downtown was for the grown-ups and politicians. Over the last few years some incredible new places have begun to pop up! From the ridiculously amazing homemade donuts served at Glazed and Confused, to the award-winning Lansing Brewery, downtown is officially becoming a foodie destination.
And once you need to walk off this amazing deliciousness, I highly recommend a tour of the capital. While the building is beautiful on the outside, nothing compares to the intricate detail and design inside. It’s free to walk around and you can even sit in on a legislative session!
The 15-mile river trail also makes this a great outdoor recreation area. From walking, to bike riding, to kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding with River Town Adventures, this trail makes so much of the city accessible to enjoy. River Town Adventures also does tours on both the Grand River through downtown as well as the Red Cedar river through Michigan State’s campus providing a unique way to see parts of the city only available by water.
Old Town
This beautiful old neighborhood has gotten quite the makeover! This area is the largest cluster of Victorian-style houses adding to it’s charm and is the home to some wonderful little shops and incredible places to eat. There’s also a large artist community in the this neighborhood making it the creative district full of galleries and music events.
The Old Town General Store has a huge selection of Michigan beer, wine, food, and souvenirs. Preuss’ Pet Store is unlike any other pet store I’ve ever been in! Rows and rows of unique fish, lizards, birds and more and a unique design that just makes the whole place fun to walk around in even if you’re not in the market for a new friend.
But what truly sold me on this area was the food!!! I knew after seeing Meat Southern BBQ on Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives, that was I was in for some good eats but I had no idea HOW good! The meat is slow-smoked for hours and has an incredibly rich flavor. To top it off, the giant sides of gourmet macaroni and cheese and local beers complete the meal!
Michigan State Campus
Ok, so I’m for sure a little biased here being a Spartan fan and all, but this campus is undeniably beautiful! Between the tree covered areas, the beautiful buildings, and the Red Cedar River running through it, the MSU campus is the epitome of Big 10 beauty.
And no stop to MSU is complete without visiting the amazing MSU Dairy Store. Michigan State is known worldwide for their College of Agriculture and Natural Resources so if you want fresh, this is the place to go! The dairy store does one better than farm-to-table, they’re farm to you! The ice cream is made on campus with a viewing area to watch. They also sell meats and cheeses and everything I sampled was incredible!
Nearby Towns and Attractions
The awesome thing about a capital in the middle of the state is that there is so much to see in it’s neighboring towns and with over 100 locals festivals and annual events there is always something to do. Because I visited in October, I had to stop at my favorite fall destination – Uncle John’s Cider Mill. This was an annual family outing growing up, but to see how much it has grown blew me away! What started, and still continues, to be a working cider mill with the best donuts and cider I’ve ever had, has expanded to include games and play areas for the kids, an amazing bakery, shops with Michigan and outdoor themed items, and a winery that’s open May-December. You can also pick your own pumpkins, take a hayride, shoot apples at targets, and enjoy live music with your free wine tasting.
I was also able to catch the annual Color Cruise and Island Festival in Grand Ledge. This park is known for it’s hikes and rock climbing but during the festival you can take a cruise down the river to check out the fall foliage. There was also an amazing opportunity to experience voyagers, wood carvers, fur traders, and folk music that educate about Michigan’s history. Throw in live entertainment, a variety of carnival foods, and plenty of autumn activities and this was a wonderful fall experience.
I have always been proud of my home state but to see the vast amount of growth over the past 10 years got me really excited about all that's happening around the capital city. I've traveled a lot with the show and Lansing had some of the best foods I've ever experienced. More than that, the pride and excitement that's buzzing around these new businesses was something to get pumped for! From food, to fun, to fall, Lansing is definitely a city to check out!
Watch the Fall Fun and Lansing episodes below!
To learn more check out these sites:
http://glazedandconfusedbakery.net