Watch fish climb up steps, visit Michigan’s oldest public zoo, or stroll through a virtual reality garden at these unique Lansing destinations.
As a lifelong Michigander, I have always held the city of Lansing up in my head as the “serious” town. After all, it’s where our state’s capital is, meaning it has to be full of politicians and work all the time, right?
Well, not necessarily. As it turns out, Lansing is full of unexpected surprises and tucked-away eateries and entertainment that are not exactly on the everyday path. We talked to locals, scoured the threads, and did some digging to uncover some fun things to do in Lansing that are off the beaten path. Here are suggestions for things to do in Lansing a bit out of the ordinary.
1. Hike 300-million-year-old sandstone at The Ledges
Location: 133 Fitzgerald Park Drive, Grand Ledge
Lansing resident Matt J. explains that The Ledges hiking trails are among his favorite parts of the area. Located in Fitzgerald Park, the Ledges are ancient, 300-million-year-old sandstone formations that have formed over time and offer a truly off-the-beaten-path hiking experience. There are several hiking trails for various skill levels and routes, but each takes you through the formations and offers dazzling views.
The rocks are so steep and high in some areas that they actually provide the only climbing experience in the Lower Peninsula, but in others, climbing is strictly prohibited to maintain the integrity of the rocks.
2. Pick up a vintage find at Thrift Witch
Location: 329 E. Cesar E. Chavez
Thrifters and those who enjoy the out-of-the-ordinary will want to add a stop at Thrift Witch to their Lansing itinerary. The resale shop specializes in unique items, novelties, antique items, and “curiosities.” You can find everything from vintage Doc Martens to a slightly creepy talking “Beetlejuice” doll within their walls.
3. Visit Lansing’s only island at Hawk Island
Location: 1601 E. Cavanaugh Road
An island in Lansing? Yup, it’s true. Hawk Island in Lansing was once an operating gravel pit that, over time, filled with water and accumulated byproducts, including calcium carbonate, forming a small island. Eventually, the surrounding waters established an ecosystem for itself, and a new area was born.
Today, Hawk Island is a beautiful park with swimming, a small beach, a splash pad, walking trails, picnic areas, and year-round recreation, like snow tubing. Visitors to the island will have to pay a small entrance fee of $5 to $7 per vehicle (based on residency).
4. Take in overhead views of MSU at Graduate Rock Bar
Location: 133 Evergreen Ave.
For spectacular views of the MSU campus, head over to the Graduate Rock Bar, a rooftop bar at the Hilton that offers classic American food like burgers and brews, along with all the views.
The bar has both an indoor bar and an outdoor patio, but no matter where you sit, you’ll be able to take in views of East Lansing and the MSU campus. The decor is also homey and comforting, themed with MSU gear, so you will feel right at home if you’re an alumnus.
5. Visit virtual reality plants at Beal Botanical Garden
Location: W Circle Dr., East Lansing
The Beal Botanical Garden on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) may be known for being a beautiful place of respite, but did you know you can also immerse yourself in a full virtual reality garden on the grounds? In the physical garden, look for the augmented reality (AR) stations that prompt you to point your phone at the garden to see a virtual version of an endangered plant in “live” beauty. The AR program lets visitors learn more about endangered and rare plants and flowers while bringing them to “life.”
6. Nourish nostalgia at Shock Treatment Toys
Location: 1236 Turner St., Suite A
There is a special type of shock and excitement you get from seeing familiar childhood toys from your past, and that is exactly the type of feeling you will find at Shock Treatment Toys, a collector shop specializing in vintage toys from the past. They have everything from complete collections of the 90s Halloween McDonald’s buckets we all remember to VHS tapes of the classics, comic books, and those weird 90s troll toys. Stop in to be “shocked” by what you find!
7. Go vinyl at the Record Lounge
Location: 1027 S. Washington Ave.
Visit Lansing’s only all-women-owned, all-vinyl record store, the Record Lounge, to stock up or start your vinyl collection. The store specializes in used vinyl, but you will also find some new items stocked as well. They also host special events, like listening parties of new artists and releases.
8. Watch fish “climb” stairs at Brenke Fish Ladder
Location: 216 E Grand River Ave.
I never thought I would add “watch some fish climb up stairs” to my bucket list, but here we are. The Brenke Fish Ladder is a unique in-water stair structure specifically designed to help fish in the Grand River get past the dam without harm. Instead of forcing fish to battle a giant upstream obstacle, the fish ladder provides staggered steps that let the fish navigate each level one at a time. They can rest on each “step” and gather energy before tackling the next level up. You can visit and enjoy the park around the fish ladder year-round, but the fish are most active in early fall.
9. Gather friends for game night at Homebrew Tabletop Game Lounge
Location: 219 1/2 N. Bridge St., Grand Ledge
Remember physical, in-person board games? What a concept! Homebrew Tabletop Game Lounge is bringing back game night in a big way, inviting visitors, friends, and even strangers to gather around to enjoy some good old-fashioned board game fun. For just $5 a person, you can hang out for hours, enjoying the lounge’s library of seemingly unlimited games or even bring in your own game.
The vibe is friendly and welcoming, with special characters on tables indicating newbies can join in. Attendants are also available on hand to help you learn how to play any game they have. They also have special ongoing game nights and events for even more fun, along with unique packages like date nights and, of course, plenty of food and drinks.
10. Scout the next secret location of the Jolly Llama
Location: Shifting locations
According to the good people of Reddit, the Jolly Llama is a “secret” rotating music organization that visitors follow from location to location throughout Lansing. They host rock and metal music groups and only post locations as they become available, so you have to follow their Instagram page for updates to find the next secret concert. The hunt is half the fun!
11. Find a new read at Schuler Books
Location: 1982 W Grand River Ave
We love supporting independent bookstores, and Schuler Books in Okemos is standing tall as one of the remaining 3,200 independent bookstores in the country. However, Schuler Books is so much more than “just” a bookstore—it is a community organizer, a print-on-demand hub, a cafe, an author-support launch pad, and a used- and new-book and game store. My advice to explore all that Schuler Books offers is to browse their website or simply stop in to enjoy the vibes and, of course, the reads.
12. Get lost at the massive Mega Mall
Location: 5487 Old U.S. 27
Described as “Michigan’s most unique shopping experience,” the Mega Mall is a massive antiques and collectibles store where you can shop for everything from vintage finds to furniture to knick-knacks to goods from local businesses and vendors. The mall is open seven days a week and features over 40,000 square feet to explore and find your newest treasure to bring home.
13. Get hooked at Hooked
Location: 3142 E. Michigan Ave.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting hooked by a new author, book, or hobby, and that is exactly the vibe that Hooked, a community gathering space, bookstore, and cafe, cultivates. The venue has a full cafe with coffee, hot chocolate, tea, as well as a wine bar for your tasting pleasures, along with a full community space for your gathering fun. Unlike some coffee shops that install hard chairs and tables and discourage mingling, Hooked is a purposeful “third space” that invites people to get together to discuss books, crafts, hobbies, or just enjoy time together.
14. Go cashless at Pinball Pete’s
Location: 220 Albert Ave.
Gather up your spare change for a night of old-fashioned fun at Pinball Pete’s, where the venue is cashless, and the memories are priceless. The entire arcade runs on quarters, just like the olden days, but you can convert cash or use the on-site ATM if you are running low on the Washingtons. You will find classic arcade games at Pinball Pete’s, including pinball machines, billiards, and redemption options. The vibe is bright, nostalgic, and focused on a fun experience- no phones needed.
15. Release some stress in a Rage Room
Location: 1982 W Grand River Ave #800
We may all have those days when we just want to break something, but the Rage Room at High Caliber Karting and Entertainment not only allows it, it actively encourages it. The fully stocked rage room comes complete with purely smashable items like plates, cups, bottles, jars, even some old electronics for your rage release.
You get decked in full safety gear and can choose your smashing tools as well as your very own rage playlist before you get started. A one-person 15-minute session costs $40, and you can add more items to destroy, or up to 3 more people to join you on a rage rampage.
16. Set your sights on a steam-powered clock
Location: 100 N. Grand Ave
The Rotary Steam Clock in downtown Lansing is a classic landmark in the town, but the clock becomes even more impressive when you realize that it is entirely powered by steam. Gifted to the city by the Rotary Club in 1997, the clock actually has a much more historic past, as part of a restored 1927 Seth Thomas Clock Company clock. Thomas was a renowned clockmaker from Plymouth, Connecticut, and his work is famous across the country.
Lansing’s clock features a Thomas 49-bell electronic carillon, along with the company’s original five tuned bronze steam whistles. Only a handful of steam-powered clocks still exist in the entire world, so Lansing’s very own steam-powered clock, still in operation, is an impressive wonder.
17. Bring a meteorite home
Location: 755 Science Rd.
If you are an educator or a homeschooling family, you can check out a full meteorite kit from Abrams Planetarium on MSU’s campus to bring home and explore. The kit includes full-sized and sliced meteorites for examination, along with information cards and other tools and resources to learn about outer space objects. Kits can be checked out for two weeks at a time.
18. Break out of a different type of escape room
Location: 2722 E Michigan Ave
You may have done an escape room before, but have you ever done an escape room with an in-character live host as part of the fun? At Breakout Escape Rooms, an in-character host is part of the experience and theme, with options ranging from tropical to zombie-led to shipwrecked pirate. Another perk of the escape rooms is that they cater to the late-night crowd, with some rooms starting as late as 11:45 p.m.
19. Smell the roses (literally) at Frances Park
Location: 2701 Moores River Dr.
Frances Park is an internationally recognized rose garden with over 155 varieties of roses for visitors to enjoy. There is a formal rose trail to stroll, as well as roses scattered through more casual parts of the park. The Frances Park gets its moniker from Mrs. Frances Moores, whose family land donations in the 1900s started what would become the Lansing Parks system. The rose garden is, for obvious reasons, a popular wedding and special event venue, so you may even catch a peek at a wedding while you visit.
20. Stroll through Michigan’s oldest public zoo
Location: 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Did you know that Potter Park Zoo is Michigan’s oldest public zoo? The zoo was formally opened in 1920 with animals in the park, and still retains the oldest building, constructed in 1921, now known as the Keepers’ Lounge. The zoo has also been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1986, a prestigious accreditation that recognizes zoos with exemplary standards for its animals.
That means that, in addition to well-cared-for animals and exhibits, you will find that the Potter Park Zoo takes part in many rehabilitation, animal wellness, and conservation projects. It is definitely a spot worth visiting during your time in Lansing.
21. Snap a selfie at the Lansing sign
Location: 201 E Shiawassee St.
It may not be Hollywood, but in our humble Michigander opinion, the famous Lansing sign is even better because each letter is a unique work of art. It features the individual work of local artists chosen to leave their imprint on the town. All the artists lived, worked, or studied in Lansing, and the entirely female-artist panel is one of Lansing’s most memorable creations.
The letters all tell a story significant to both the artist and the history of Lansing, such as bringing the city’s Hispanic heritage to life by Teresa Rosado, director of the Casa de Rosado Galería and Cultural Center, who painted the “N” on the sign. “A lot of people don’t know our Hispanic historical figures in Lansing…” Rosado told the Lansing City Pulse. “So, for me, this is a way of making sure we have our foot in the door.”
22. Find a scary thrill at Deadtime Stories
Location: 1134 S Washington Ave.
Instead of a relaxing bedtime story, can we interest you in a selection of Deadtime Stories that may or may not invoke a nightmare? The independent bookstore specializes in all things scary, from true crime to horror to the paranormal, and claims to be the only bookstore of its kind. And here is a fun fact: remember the Thrift Witch store we talked about way earlier in our list? Deadtime Stories actually got its start by renting a room in the store’s basement, before quickly outgrowing the space due to massive popularity, and finding its new home in the historic REO Town in downtown Lansing.
Next door, Deadtime Stories also operates the Screamatorium, a horror-themed novelty and gift shop, and both establishments are owned by Michigan’s very own Jenn Carpenter. Carpenter is the host of the Michigan Monsters podcast, author of several horror books, and the founder of A Festival of Oddities.
