Michigan’s state capital isn’t all business—here are fun, free things to do in Lansing, from museum tours to hiking.
The city of Lansing, Mich., has come a long way from its humble beginnings as essentially one of the world’s first major scams. Lansing got its start when two New York brothers and businessmen “discovered” a largely underwater area in Michigan and sold plots back home to Lansing, New York, residents. The only problem is that the brothers lied about what the land looked like: instead of disclosing the swampland it was, they claimed it was a fully operational town, complete with a church and an academic square.
You can imagine the New Yorkers’ surprise—and disappointment—when they arrived in the marshy, tree-dense area. Nevertheless, they named the new land after their hometown of Lansing, and the town that would go on to become the state capital was born. You could say that determined and practical attitude reflects what Lansing is today. In that spirit, we wanted to bring you 24 things to do in Lansing, all for completely free.
1. Admire some art
The Michigan State University (MSU) Broad Art Museum on campus offers always-free admission during its open hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum has permanent and ongoing exhibits, as well as special events, like Family Days, where families can enjoy making special art projects and learning more about techniques and the stories behind the displays.
2. Bop through the botanical gardens
You may identify a theme as we move through the list, but the MSU campus is a treasure trove of free things to do in Lansing, including a full five-acre botanical garden. The Beal Botanical Garden is free to visit from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year, making it a must-see destination year-round.
Use the campus’s digital garden guide to learn more or enhance your visit, and be sure to check for ongoing and seasonal events for even more fun. The garden hosts ongoing programs, such as meditation, wellness, and movement classes, as well as tea parties.
3. Take a tour of the State Capitol
Get an up-close and personal look at our state capitol and its inner workings with a free tour. You can catch a guided tour of the Capitol every hour, on the hour, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to hop into a tour, but if you have a group of more than 10, it is recommended to call ahead for availability.
If you can’t make it during the week, the Capitol also offers free guided tours every first Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Same format: tours run every hour on the hour.) You can also take a free self-guided tour or listen to a specialty tour topic to guide your exploration of the Capitol.
4. Sit in on a legislative session
Make your voice heard on the political level by sitting in on a state legislative session. The Michigan Senate and House of Representatives public sessions take place at the State Capitol every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Visitors are welcome to sit in the third-floor viewing area and will have to undergo a weapons screening before entering the building. You can check updated dates and times on the sessions calendar.
5. Visit the Michigan History Museum
Our family is big on visiting museums, and the Michigan History Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the state, starting from the indigenous people who fished and hunted the land, to the geological changes that shaped Michigan, to the wars and trading business that built the economy.
The museum had plenty of hands-on activities and displays my younger children enjoyed, like guess-the-animal pelts, walk-through Indigenous habitats, and even a historical “wagon” to ride. At the same time, the historical displays and four levels kept teens and adults engaged as well.
And the best part? Admission to the Michigan History Museum is free every Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. We took full advantage of the free admission day, and parking is waived that day, too. And if you’re up for another museum in your itinerary, the MSU Museum is always free during its open hours from Tuesday through Saturday.
6. Get up close and personal with bugs
The Bug House (Room 147) at Michigan State University is part of the university’s Natural Sciences building, where students can study and observe live insects and arachnids, along with preserved specimens.
The Bug House typically charges money for interactive tours, but opens for free public open houses every second Monday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. No reservation is required, and anyone can stop in during the public open hours. Just be warned: there will be beetles afoot!
7. Join a tour of the judicial branch
Government work isn’t for everyone, but the judicially inclined—or anyone interested in learning more about the judicial branch of our government—can get involved at the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center. The center offers free, guided, and interactive tours every weekday that walk visitors through the step-by-step processes of the judicial system in Michigan.
Many schools use the Learning Center for field trips, but anyone can request a reservation to visit. The center also offers free online resources to prepare for the visit; you can use them for educational purposes or for a homeschool or co-op group.
8. Stroll the Lansing River Trail
Over 20 miles of paved trail connects Lansing’s Old Town to the New Town (fun fact: I had to look up what “Old Town” was, and it is quite literally the old town of the original waterfront Lansing). The trail winds through MSU, Potter Park, and even downtown Lansing, offering plenty of room to take in nature and explore the city.
9. Zoom on down to the zoo
If you’re lucky enough to be an Ingham County resident, you can gain totally free entry into the famous Potter Park Zoo every Monday (provided it’s not a holiday) from 9 a.m. until noon. While admission is completely free, there is still a $3 parking fee, so you can’t come quite empty-handed.
10. Hunt for names you know at the Michigan Walk of Fame
Did you know Michigan had a Walk of Fame? Well, now you do! Head over to Lansing’s downtown area, grab a map, and see if you can recognize any of the names on Michigan’s Walk of Fame. There are a total of 23 bronze plaques in the sidewalk that honor notable Michigan figures like Rosa Parks and Gordie Howe.
Bonus tip: if you have kids, make a scavenger hunt before you visit so they can have fun hunting down the names they know!
11. Spot some sports stars
Speaking of fame, you can spot the athletic version at the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame. The sports hall of fame is located inside the Lansing Center and displays sports memorabilia and facts about great Lansing-area athletes.
12. Find a (free) festival
When it comes to things to do in Lansing, free festivals are where it’s at. Some annual free festivals to look for include the Williamstown Township Harvest Festival with hayrides, face painting, and a petting zoo; the Grand Ledge Fall Festival with pony rides and photo booths; the East Lansing Film Festival; or the Fenner’s Annual Apple Butter Festival.
13. Pick up a new skill at the Apple Store
Want to learn to code? Learn how to take better photos on your iPhone? Get more out of your Apple Watch? The Apple Store at the Eastwood Town Center has daily and ongoing tech classes for all things Apple, from iPad to iPhone to Apple Watch, to help you gain new skills. You can browse the class calendar and book a spot online.
14. Frolic at a farmer’s market
It may come as no surprise that Lansing, home to the first agricultural college in the country (MSU), is a city ripe with farmers’ markets. But just in case you didn’t know, you can search for a farmer’s market closest to you or stop into the well-known East Lansing Farmers Market or the Allen Farmers Market.
15. Grow at the garden
From April through Halloween, you can stop into the MSU 4-H Children’s Garden to marvel over nature. In April, for two weeks only on weekends (aside from Easter Sunday), you can even catch a glimpse of the beautiful butterflies in the indoor Butterfly Garden. Keep your eyes peeled for ongoing events at the garden, like family days and themed events.
16. Find something nifty at a nature center
Nature centers are a literal trove of wonder and fun, and most are completely free, with ongoing and seasonal events to enjoy. Nature centers give families a safe place to learn, explore nature, and reset from busy schedules.
Plus, my favorite part about nature centers is how passionate their employees and volunteers usually are, so come prepared to ask lots of questions. Some free nature centers in Lansing include Harris Nature Center, Fenner Nature Center, and Woldumar Nature Center.
17. Learn at a library
I work as a library assistant at our small-town local library, so I will forever be a proponent of libraries. My experience is that most people simply don’t realize all that their library has to offer, so be sure to stop in and ask about book clubs, free events, classes, and even physical items to check out. Or, just stop in for some quiet time with a new book or pick up a craft.
Lansing is home to some spectacular libraries, such as the Capital Area Downtown Lansing Library, the East Lansing Public Library, or the Delta Township Library.
18. Find community at The Fledge
There is always something interesting and free going on at The Fledge in downtown Lansing. The Fledge operates as a social and community hub with the goal of growing and giving back to the community. You can gain new skills at a workshop, drop into a dance class, or flex your puzzle prowess at a jigsaw competition. The schedule is as diverse as the people you will meet along the way.
19. Opt for Old Town
Old Town Lansing can be a wonderful place to pass a weekday morning, Saturday afternoon, or a date-night evening. A simple walk can reveal the town’s 19th-century architecture as you imagine the hustle and bustle of Lansing’s founders while you window shop or enjoy the sights. There’s also plenty of free events, like live music at local restaurants or Tuesday trivia at Ozone’s Brewhouse.
20. Watch a fish climb a ladder
In early fall, the place to be in Lansing is the Brenke Fish Ladder, a unique step-stone structure built in 1991 specifically to help fish cross the Grand River dam safely. The stones serve as a “ladder” of sorts as the fish ascend each step, allowing them time to rest and gain energy before tackling the next “step.” It’s a unique site to see, and one that makes for a memorable experience.
21. Play at a park
Parks are a no-brainer for families with young kids, of course, but Lansing also has parks ideal for older kids. For instance, Stabenow Park has big-kid-friendly play elements, as well as a fitness court, walking paths, picnic pavilions, and even public art to enjoy. Fitzgerald Park is also a wonderful landmark in Lansing, with ancient ledge formations to hike—they are especially spectacular in the fall!
22. Pop into Preuss Pets
The family-run pet store, Preuss Pets, is famous in Lansing and beyond for its wide variety of household and exotic pets. The store welcomes visitors of all species, and even if purchasing a pet is not in your budget right now, you can still enjoy browsing.
23. Marvel at some model railroads
The Lansing Model Railroad Club is a treat to visit all on its own, because it’s housed in what used to be the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Millet Depot, built in the 1890s. Stepping into the past is always a treat, but kids and train enthusiasts will enjoy the club’s replica of miniature railroads running through Lansing’s cities, rail yards, mountains, and bridges. The club hosts free open houses regularly, as well as an annual model train and railroad show (that one is ticketed, however!).
24. Step back in time at a historic village
Speaking of stepping back in time, there is no better place to do that than at the Meridian Historic Village. The village consists of real, authentic historical buildings from between 1850 and 1890, some of which have been reconstructed and even moved from different locations. Some houses include the Plank Road Tollgate House, Michigan’s only known surviving example of its kind; an old schoolhouse; the first frame house built in Lansing; a log cabin; and a chapel built in the New England style.
School children may recognize the village as a popular field trip spot, but it’s also open to the public for free every Saturday, October through April, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The village is located in Lansing’s Central Park, so don’t forget to explore what the rest of the park has to offer when you’re done recreating history.
