Location: Lansing
Top Things to do in Lansing
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What to do and see in Lansing, Michigan (MI): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
The birthplace of the Oldsmobile and Michigan's automotive center, Lansing offers visitors a number of car-related sites like plant tours and automobile museums, but there are other forces driving this capital city. On the political side, there's the award-winning State Capitol Building, completely restored in 1992, where tourists are wowed by the glass-floor rotunda and acres of decorative handpainted surfaces. The Michigan Historical Museum, which boasts a great collection of items from Michigan's past, including a recreated copper mine, will please history buffs. Children and families will enjoy taking a camel ride at the Potter Park Zoo or spending the day biking through Sleepy Hollow State Park. On the cultural side, the nearby campus of Michigan State University is a must-see for the Kresge Museum and for the beautiful campus itself. Entertaining and educational attractions, great shopping, fabulous restaurants and a variety of affordable accommodations make Lansing worth the ride.
Restaurants in Lansing
1. The Creole Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Small live theater offers performances that are all-ages appropriate, showcasing local and regional visual artists, musicians and performers.
2. Horrocks Farm Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 550 reviews
Reviewed By marierF4236WB
Horrocks has just about everything from soup to nuts, cheeses to deli meats, fresh fruits and veggies, fresh POPCORN, good dairy offerings, and beautiful fresh flowers and plants. A warm and inviting place to spend quality time especially right now when it's a tad cold outside.
3. Spare Time Entertainment Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
Spare Time Entertainment Center is a family entertainment center in Lansing whose sole purpose is to make everyone's Spare Time Fun Time! Since Spare Time is family owned and operated, we believe in providing all of our guests with the best opportunity to experience fun times and create happy memories in a safe and exciting environment.
Reviewed By 911kayceer
Spartan Axe at Spare Time was a really fun date night idea!! We had a great time with our guide Marissa, she did an awesome job of explaining the rules, giving us tips and making it an enjoyable experience!!
4. Absolute Gallery and Custom Framing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Absolute Gallery, located in the heart of Lansing's Old Town District, features an eclectic assortment of art for all tastes and budgets.
Reviewed By 325marguerited
Looking for a beautiful, unique, special gift? Absolute Gallery is the place to go. The owner is soooo nice, as is Ricky (the pup mascot). You'll find so many unique gifts and cards here; you'll be glad you discovered this little gem. (Reminds me of Sutton's Bay!)
5. Escapology Escape Rooms Lansing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
Lansing's original premium real life escape game experience! Located in a prime spot, up to 8 players will be challenged in this new attraction by working together to find clues, solve puzzles, and pick locks that will free them from the game room. Do you have what it takes to escape?
Reviewed By codysJ1987SX
Had a great time in the under pressure room, our host Natalie was amazing and set up a great game!!!
6. Michigan State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1992, this building has served as Michigan's seat of state government since its completion in 1879.
Reviewed By Disneybus - Pittsgrove, United States
We did a self tour of this magnificent capitol. You enter on the ground floor which is very much like a basement providing little hint of the splendors above. The capitol is done with Victorian elegance and opulence. There are magnificent chandeliers, and the rotunda and inner dome are beautifully decorated with elaborate hand-painted designs, as are the walls and ceilings throughout the Capitol. As a cost saving measure almost all the wood trim appears to be walnut but most of it is inexpensive woods, carefully hand painted to mimic walnut. The impressive grandiose House of Representatives and Senate Chambers are located on the third floor and are accessible to the public. We particularly liked the glass coats-of-arms for each state in the chamber ceiling. We've toured several state capitols, and this one is certainly impressive and well represents Michigan. Of note - there is no capitol parking lot - it's all street!
7. Michigan History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
***Due to the COVID-19 situation, the Archives of Michigan and the museums and historic sites in the Michigan History Museum System are closed to the public until further notice.*** The Michigan History Center fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan's stories. Home to both the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan History Museum, the Michigan History Center offers experiences for visitors of all ages and interests. There is no admission charge for the museum on Sundays. There is no admission charge for the Archives of Michigan. The Archives are open 1:00 - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, and 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday.
Reviewed By 350randyc - Austin, United States
One of the very best state museums in the country. We visited on a Sunday when admission is free and guests are few. Avoid during school trip visits. I recommend two hours. There is a rich history in Michigan.
8. The Peanut Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By flyonsweetangel - Grand Ledge, United States
The place you want to go for the freshest peanuts on earth! Love the smell as you walk by on a sunny day thanks Ladies.
9. Impression 5 Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Interactive museum engages all five senses in the exploration, understanding and appreciation of the wonders of physical science.
Reviewed By bunnyyoop - Bluffton, United States
My 3 yr old granddaughter was invited to a birthday party here and what a great time. So much to see and touch and interact with. It’s well run and clean and full of interesting exhibits. A great place to come with the family.
10. Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
This is the home of Michigan pioneers who helped develop the capital city and the state. They were progressive leaders, supporters of higher education for women, abolition, liquor control, the silver standard, Saginaw mill strikers (Knights of Labor), and the development of arts and culture. It is available for tours and rentals.
Reviewed By A6888ZQchTexNewMex
We visited the Turner-Dodge House today and it was a great experience. The house has been very nicely restored and it is especially good that in some of the rooms there are areas of the original construction and decoration that have been left visible. The house is on a beautiful site near the river and the garden has been restored and is very pretty. The curator was so knowledgeable about the house and the families who lived there--she really made the history come alive. We applaud her efforts to make James Turner's contributions to the founding of the city of Lansing and the state of Michigan more well known. She has written a very good synopsis of his professional life and the home was full of family pictures and furniture which depicted his personal life as well as that of succeeding generations. This home is a wonderful addition to the understanding of the history of Lansing.
