Lansing Tourist Information and Tourism

(Lansing, Michigan - MI, USA)



An attractive and relatively small city with numerous government buildings, Lansing was settled in the 1830s, becoming the capital of Michigan towards the end of the following decade. Sunny, hot summers are followed by fairly mild and snowy winters, meaning that the capital's tourist attractions and activities are affected by the distinctive seasons.

The campus of the Michigan State University and downtown Lansing are connected by the lengthy River Trail, which comes highly recommended. This paved trail passes by many of the principal sights, such as the Cooley Gardens and Potter Park Zoo, as well as an unusual 'fish ladder', used annually by spawning salmon.

Getting around Lansing is easy, thanks to the Capital Area Transit Authority and its frequent buses. When you first arrive, it makes sense to call into the Greater Lansing Michigan Convention and Visitors Bureau on East Michigan Avenue, for the latest tourist information and to make sure that you don't overlook anything during your time in this unassuming capital city.





Lansing Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

Although Lansing may well be the capital of Michigan, it is actually only the state's fifth-biggest city, meaning that it doesn't really compare to the metropolis of Detroit when it comes to sightseeing. That said, most tourists will find more than enough attractions and distractions to comfortably fill a holiday of a few days or longer, particularly if you enjoy the outdoors and are here during the summer months. A walk along the Lansing River Trail can last almost as long as you'd like, with this lengthy path stretching for around 13 miles / 21 km and passing by numerous places of interest en route. Potter Park Zoo lies just off the trail and is always a big hit with families, with its wildlife presentations within the Exploration and Discovery Center for Education adding a further dimension to any visit. The Adado Riverfront Park, the Cooley Gardens and River Street Park are all also connected by the trail, with the Farmer's Market and the Museum District being within close proximity.

Further tourism offerings in the area come in the form of cycle trails around Michigan State University, in East Lansing, along with pathways and recreational activities surrounding Lake Lansing to the east, in neighboring Haslett. If you are feeling less energetic, then a cruise down the Grand River may be in order, with the old-fashioned Michigan Princess riverboat offering various packages, including evening dinner cruises. Sports fans may be able to catch an American football match at the Spartan Stadium on West Shaw Lane, or a baseball game at the central Jackson Field at Thomas M. Cooley Law School Stadium. For a spot of evening culture, look out for performances at the Peppermint Creek Theater Company, the Riverwalk Theater and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, amongst other venues. More information about Lansing Tourist Attractions.

Any sightseeing trip in Lansing can't really be called complete without first joining one of the frequent guided tours of the Michigan State Capitol, which run throughout the year, Monday to Friday, and are completely free of charge. Dating back to the 1870s and located on West Allegan Street, the Capitol itself is really very hard to miss, since it enjoys such a central location and its crowning dome is so large. A few blocks away is the stately Michigan Hall of Justice, which is also topped by a dome (of sorts) and resides on West Ottawa Street, where it is known to many locals as the Michigan Supreme Court Building. Further sites of note in Lansing include both the Ingham County Court House and the Turner Dodge House, while a number of stylish and historical buildings are dotted around the campus of the Michigan State University. These include the Beaumont Tower and the Cowles House, with the J. Beal Botanical Garden and the MSU Horticulture Gardens being further attractions based within the campus grounds. More information about Lansing Landmarks and Monuments.

Some of the top attractions in Lansing live on or around the aptly named Museum Drive. It is here where you will discover the Impression 5 Science Center, with its plentiful hands-on activities suiting all ages and including themed exhibits relating to building, electricity, magnetism, music and water. Just down the road is the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum, where vintage Oldsmobile vehicles date as far back as the end of the 19th century. For information relating to the evolution of the state and its capital, the Michigan Historical Center on West Kalamazoo Street is the place to come and this attraction occupies the same building as the State Library. The Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame enjoys healthy visitor numbers and its appeal is greatly enhanced by its attractive setting within the Cooley Gardens. For a spot of serious state art appreciation , the not-for-profit Lansing Art Gallery on North Washington Square showcases the works of over 100 different artists from throughout Michigan. More information about Lansing Museums and Lansing Art Galleries.

Lansing sits on the southern side of Indiana and is within reasonable reach of attractions across the border, with Indianapolis (IN) and Columbus (OH) both being around 250 miles / 402 km away and to the south. Somewhat closer and this time to the southeast is the metropolis of Detroit, Michigan's biggest city, which is in the region of 90 miles / 145 km away and is well connected by Amtrak trains. For an easy day trip from Lansing, reliable choices include the various state parks of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, the beaches of the Great Lakes, a number of outlying wineries and the small college town of Ann Arbor. The many highlights of Ann Arbor include the Leslie Science Center, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the Nichols Arboretum and the simply enormous Michigan Stadium, which dates from the late 1920s and with a capacity just short of 110,000 spectators, is currently the biggest of all the football stadiums in the United States. More information about Lansing Attractions Nearby.

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Lansing, USA - Information and Tourism - Last updated 7/9/2019 - gprofile - Google+

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