Lansing, MI Road Trips

Its suburb—East Lansing—is the home of Michigan State University, a Big Ten school and one of the United States' largest and most distinguished public universities with three medical schools and a law school. General Motors has a major presence in the area. The Lansing metro area has a population of about 464,000 (2010). Greater Lansing tourism website

Lansing is the state capital of Michigan and the regional center of Mid-Michigan. The city's population is under 115,000 and the metropolitan is under 500,000. Do not expect the big city lights and action of a metropolitan of millions. But there are still many great things to do in and around Lansing. Yes, it snows in Michigan. So, embrace the beauty of the seasons, and plan your activities accordingly. 1 The Michigan Historic Center and Library. This building houses the State Library in one wing and museum in the other. In the center is a live White Pine, the state tree. The museum is appropriate for all ages. (updated Aug 2016) 2 Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Dr, ☏ +1 517-485-8116. A great museum geared toward exposing younger children to the world of science. (updated Aug 2016) 3 R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, 240 Museum Dr, ☏ +1 517-372-0529. A museum dedicated to the founder of Oldsmobile, which was later bought by GM and was for years a popular US auto brand. Many traces of R.E. Olds remain in Lansing. The tallest building in the city, the Boji Tower (noted for its large red clock), was built as the Olds Tower, after its major financier, R.E. Olds. The area near the location of an old Olds factory is now called REO Town, after R.E. Olds. The Lansing Lugnuts, a minor league baseball team plays in a stadium formerly known as Oldsmobile Park near downtown Lansing. (updated Aug 2016) 4 The Michigan Women's Historical Center & Hall of Fame, 105 W Allegan St. The museum details the accomplishments of women in Michigan.

The Michigan Princess (Michigan's only triple decker riverboat offers stunning views of the Grand River in Lansing). Over 100 community gardens/urban farms 1 Groesbeck Golf Course, 1523 E. Cesar Chavez Ave, ☏ +1 517 483-4333. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Lansing Lugnuts (Cooley Law School Stadium), 505 E. Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 517 485-8500. The Lansing Lugnuts are the city's Class A Minor League Baseball team, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They play at Cooley Law School Stadium (the local law school bought the naming rights). East Lansing Film Festival (largest film festival in Michigan). East Lansing Arts Festival (one of the largest in Michigan). Silver Bells (watch the decorating and lighting of the state tree during the holiday season. Around 80,000 come to watch). The Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra(17 free shows each year at the Wharton Center at MSU). 3 Riverwalk Theater, 228 Museum Drive. Small production theater in downtown Lansing. (updated Mar 2026) 4 Peppermint Creek Theater Company, 2200 Lake Lansing Rd (Stage One Performing Arts Center), ☏ +1 517-927-3016. A non-profit theater group performing classic and contemporary shows. (updated Sep 2024) The 5 Dart Auditorium of Lansing Community College The Lansing Lugnuts play at 6 Cooley Law School Stadium near downtown Lansing in the Stadium District, which is quickly becoming a trendy area of Lansing.

The Lansing area lacks the dining options of the State's other major college town, Ann Arbor. But there are a number of excellent hidden gems. But no matter the appetite, the Lansing-area offers at least one gem for everyone. Michigan State University has a large number of South Korean students, and also many Korean dining options. 1 Pablo's Old Town, 311 E Cesar E. Chavez Ave (in the historic Old Town off Grand River on the north side of Lansing), ☏ +1 517 372-0887. Great Mexican food at reasonable prices. The homemade chips and salsa are complimentary (as well as complementary). Check out the three varieties of tortas. The restaurant is popular with locals who know where to find a good meal. This is a hidden gem in one of the trendiest area of the city. (updated Mar 2026) 2 Golden Harvest, 1625 Turner St, Lansing, Michigan 48906, ☏ +1 517-483-2257. Every Day 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Breakfast Party! (updated Jul 2019) 3 Jerusalem Bakery, 1456 E Michigan Ave, ☏ +1 517-485-9975. Offers traditional Mediterranean food, and is home to one of the best Falafel sandwiches you'll find in the greater Lansing area. (updated Aug 2016) 4 Mitchell's Seafood House, 2975 Preyde Blvd (In Eastwood Towne Centre on the north end of town), ☏ +1 517 482-3474. Mitchell's is the best fish restaurant in town. The Sharkfin Pie dessert is huge and feeds several people. In the summer, enjoy alfresco and oysters on the half shell with your drink. (updated Mar 2026) 5 Bravo, 2970 Town Centre Blvd (Eastwood Towne Center, across from Mitchell's Fish Market), ☏ +1 517 485-3779.

Lansing is full of working class bars. But there are also bars catering to Cooley Law students and young professionals downtown and in Old Town. 1 Midtown Brewing, 402 S Washington Square (downtown on Washington Ave), ☏ +1 517-977-1349. Great local Michigan brews in a comfortable atmosphere. Best place to get a quality beer in Lansing. 2 Kelly's Downtown Pub, 220 S Washington Sq, ☏ +1 517 708-2007. This Irish pub offers decent food and a lively atmosphere. A Lansing downtown fixture since 1985, with a fish and mac special on Friday and Saturday. (updated Mar 2026) 3 Nut House, 420 E Michigan Ave (opposite Cooley Law School Stadium), ☏ +1 517 484-6887. Sports bar perfect for a day at the game. (updated Mar 2026) 4 The Exchange, 314 E Michigan Ave (downtown Lansing). A nightclub. (updated Mar 2026) 5 The Green Door, 2005 E Michigan Ave (in the Eastside neighborhood on East Michigan Ave at the intersection with Clemens Avenue (more or less directly across from Emil's)). A local favorite outside downtown Lansing. With live music most nights, it is popular with a wide age group from mid twenties and up. (updated Mar 2026) 6 Moriarty's Pub, 802 E Michigan Ave (outside downtown). A local pub. (updated Mar 2026) 7 Dagwood's Tavern & Grill, 2803 East Kalamazoo, ☏ +1 517 374-0390. It is an institution in its own right. A cozy neighborhood sports bar with great burgers and lively open-mic sessions every Tuesday. (updated Mar 2026)

1 Quality Inn University Lansing Hotel, 3121 E. Grand River Ave, ☏ +1 517 351-1440, fax: +1 517 351-6220. Each stay includes two drinks at their poolside bar and complimentary full hot breakfast every morning. Check out their webpage. 2 Quality Suites Lansing Hotel, 901 Delta Commerce Dr, ☏ +1 517 886-0600, fax: +1 517 886-0103. A 117-Room all suites hotel offering in-room coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, iron ironing board and hairdryer. Secure Online Reservations. 3 Red Roof Inn Lansing East University, 3615 Dunckel Rd, toll-free: +1-800-733-7663. 4 Red Roof Inn Lansing West, 7412 W Saginaw Hwy. 5 DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing, 111 N. Grand Ave, ☏ +1 517-482-0188. A downtown hotel accommodating large conferences which adjoins the convention center. (updated Apr 2026) 6 Crowne Plaza Lansing West, 925 South Creyts Rd, ☏ +1 517-323-7100. Offers budget-friendly packages for family or romantic stays. Indoor pool, restaurant/bar. $121 (Oct 2022). 7 Candlewood East Lansing, 3545 Forest Rd, ☏ +1 517-351-8181. On MSU Campus, attached to James B. Henry Center for Executive Development and the University Club. (updated Aug 2016) 8 Courtyard Lansing, 2710 Lake Lansing Rd, ☏ +1 517-482-0500.

Lansing is easily accessible from Detroit and Chicago. Interstate 96 directly connects Lansing and East Lansing to Detroit and Grand Rapids. US-127 to Interstate 94 connects Lansing and East Lansing to Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. Interstate 69 connects Lansing and East Lansing to Flint and Fort Wayne. Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides local bus service. Greyhound Lines service Lansing and East Lansing, with direct connections to Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo (with transfers to Chicago). Owosso, Michigan-based Indian Trails Bus Lines provides daily service to Chicago. Michigan Flyer Motorcoach service provides multiple daily connections to Detroit Metropolitan Airport with stops in Jackson and Ann Arbor. Amtrak provides one daily train service via the Blue Water Service, which connects to Flint and Port Huron to the east and Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and Chicago to the west. There's also Amtrak Thruway Buses to the Wolverine line between Chicago and Detroit as well as the Capitol and Lake Shore Limited services via Toledo. All trains depart from East Lansing Station (+1 800-872-7245), located on 1240 S Harrison Rd next to the Michigan State University in East Lansing. CATA's route 20 provides service to the station for both departures and arrivals on weekdays, and for arrivals to East Lansing on Saturday. Connections to downtown Lansing are provided by route 1.

Lansing is served by a number of highways. Travel by car to any part of the city normally takes very little time. Traffic is generally light in the region. While there is some rush hour traffic, visitors driving in the region should not anticipate heavy congestion. The heaviest traffic is concentrated on the east and west sides of the city. The Lansing-area is served by the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) bus system. Visitors should find bus service to downtown Lansing, downtown East Lansing, and Michigan State University a convenient and affordable alternative to driving. Buses along the Michigan/Grand River Ave corridor (Route 1), which travel between downtown Lansing and East Lansing, run until 3AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, making it easy to avoid driving and parking fees. CATA recommends using the smartphone app Transit to plan trips, track buses in real time, and see up-to-date departure information. Many companies provide taxi service throughout the area. Taxi service is heavily concentrated in the downtown East Lansing-area, especially during evenings and weekends. There is no need to call ahead for taxis in downtown East Lansing, as an available taxi can always be found on Albert Street behind downtown East Lansing. In downtown Lansing, taxi service is not as frequent. Taxi service usually arrives in under 30 minutes. Visitors should expect longer delays on the weekends and during Michigan State University football games. One option is L Transportation Taxi, +1 517-402-3995.