The pathway between the Capitol and the Michigan Hall of Justice is a safe and fun way to let the kids play and practice biking or skating with a great view.

It’s just over a half-mile long and will take you from 10-20 minutes to walk.

Access this path anywhere between these two buildings between Allegan and Ottawa streets.

Take a self or guided tour of both of these beautiful buildings! It’s surprisingly fun for both adults and kids.

Many don’t realize that you are welcome to visit the Capitol most anytime!

Pick one or all of these five ways to tour the Capitol.

Going to I5 is like a rite of passage for kids and rediscovery for adults. The staff’s goal is to create play areas for all ages. This means 0 – 60 and beyond!

They prove that science is fun, and they continue pushing the envelope as they are constantly creating new exhibits.

Read the parent’s guide before you go for great tips.

Every portion of the Michigan History Museum is designed to learn in a hands-on way. You’ll be able to sit in an old schoolroom, pretend you’re pulling lumber, look waaaay up as if you’re in a coal mine, and so much more.

Kids know right away this place is for them as they walk into the children’s area stocked with art supplies, a performing stage, and fun hands-on projects.

Both parents and kids love to be greeted by a huge tree in the center of the building with a beautiful water structure wrapped around.

Head upstairs for an entire day’s worth of fun or just stay for an hour – either way, this is guaranteed fun for all.

The best part for parents with little kids is that it keeps you moving in one direction so little runners stay corralled.

Read, play, explore, go to special events and see movies at the Capital Area District Library in Downtown Lansing.

During the warmer months, you can also enjoy their Zen Garden located just off of the children’s play and book area.

See the city in a new way with a kayak trip along the river.

River Town Adventures offers tandem or single kayaks for families, one-hour on-site trips, and special site-drop adventures.

It’s such a special experience we have here in Lansing and a must-do bucket list adventure at least once a year…but I’ll warn you, you’ll want to go back.

You don’t have to wait for a field trip before you take kids to meet this amazing brave team. Call 517-483-4200 to set up a trip through the downtown fire station.

We love visiting the Brenke Fish ladder for the tranquility of the water rolling down the dam. Climb the fish ladder stairs and view the water from new angles.

It’s a fun spot to stop before you hit the park a couple of feet/walking distance on the Lansing River Trail or on your way to the cute shops of Old Town.

Cheer on the local baseball team with the family! The grounds have a play area and lots of food choices.

They’ve taken extra care to make sure all ages have a great time during every game plus plan lots of special games geared toward kids. Here’s a helpful guide to planning for your next trip.

Into cars? R.E. Olds Transportation Museum is a great place to see beautiful vehicles and tour through history.

The building may be small, but you’ll be surprised at how much there is to see and how much fun it is to visit!

Drop in to REACH Studio Art Center for a Wednesday walk-in class or sign up for a class, walk through their beautiful art gallery, and take advantage of the array of creative processes offered.

Treasure hunting, memory making, and supporting local!

St. Vincent De Paul Society & Thrift Store
1020 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910

Thriftique
1137 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910

Vintage Junkies
1133 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910

Deadtime Stories is a chilling haven for true crime enthusiasts, where spine-tingling narratives and gruesome mysteries fill every shelf. Pick up a book and see if you can solve a mystery!

The REO Town Marketplace offers a unique shopping experience, featuring a blend of independently-owned boutique-style stores.

Stop into the Clean Refillery and find out how to help the environment by purchasing common cleaning supplies in refillable containers. The friendly staff is knowledgeable and ready to help you transition to a greener lifestyle.

Stop by Soulful Earth Herbals for personal care items such as tonics, rubs, lip balms, soaps, and much more. Everything is crafted without chemicals, using organic herbs and responsibly obtained ingredients.

You can tour this beautiful old house or attend one of its events throughout the year. Honestly, anything happening at Turner Dodge House is just so cool.

You’ll love seeing every inch from the ballroom up on the top level to the outdoor architecture.

Afterward, walk the river trail through Old Town to find fun treats and sites.

This hidden gem is a must-see, must-go, enjoyable spot!

You’ll love to feed the fish in their multiple ponds, say hi to the talking parrots and birds, see tons of exotic fish and animals, and more. Preuss Pets is not your typical pet store: you could easily spend an entire afternoon here.

Go for the shopping and stay for the vibe. Old Town is known for its shops but the events, river trail, and good vibe bring people back as well.

You’ll find over 25 vintage shops, boutiques, art supply shops, art galleries, restaurants, and more. Too many to name, but some of our favorites include Bradly’s HG, Cravings Gourmet Popcorn, and Old Town General Store.

The Lansing River Trail connects most of Greater Lansing and will take you from Old Town Lansing to Downtown Lansing to REO Town Lansing and beyond, if you’d like.

The 16 miles of paved trail goes North to South, East to West, and many places in-between.

If you start downtown, you can head in all four directions. A nice easy access place to start is the Brenke Fish Ladder and Old Town parking lot.

You’ll pass a playground where you can let the kids burn off some energy while you relax at Rotary Park then and end up at Impression 5.

This route is about a 2-mile distance from the Fish Ladder to Impression 5.

ArtPath kicks off in early summer. Some pieces, such as murals and sculptures, will only be up for the warmer months, while others will continue year-round.

Take a walk on the riverfront, focusing on the art that spans from Turner-Dodge House to just before the Potter Park Zoo.

ArtPath’s first year started with a bang, and it has continued each year to add lovely pieces for the community to enjoy on the Lansing River Trail.

The Shigematsu Memorial Garden is a unique Japanese garden nestled into Downtown Lansing.

We love the urban feel of downtown but there’s something awesome about being in the midst of nature in the heart of our downtown. You’ll love the Japanese garden for its koi pond and relaxing vibe.

Downtown Lansing, REO Town, and Old Town streets are filled with art! From the sculpture tour on LCC Campus to the mural art peppered throughout the city, you could spend a whole day just finding all of it!

No matter what you do in Downtown Lansing, you’re going to see art, so don’t worry. Even if you don’t exactly do the mural crawl, you’ll get to experience it.

But keeping your eye out for the pieces is really fun and a great way to learn more about each artist and project.

Art definitely enhances our beautiful downtown and we love every inch of it!

We just had to add Potter Park Zoo to the list because although it’s not right in downtown Lansing, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from the city center.

Plus, you can reach their grounds on the river trail and has a nice playground just outside the entrance.