Places to go and things to do
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5/7/2010
The greater Lansing area has a wonderful variety of activities for all ages and interests. From swimming classes for babies to senior citizens. Book clubs, craft classes, service groups, garden clubs and bus tours, no one person could possibly attend all the events they would like to.
Michigan State University has fabulous live theatre, music and sports activities year around. Top rated Broadway plays such as "Phantom of the Opera", "South Pacific", "Grease", "Lion King" and "Rent" are booked at the fabulous Wharton Center. National musical groups, such as Celtic dancers, and big bands appear at this location annually.
The city has athletic facilities for family, team and individual use. Just a couple of blocks from the State Capitol is a professional baseball stadium where the Lansing Lugnuts play. From there you can walk to one of several downtown restaurants, bars and taverns.
The Michigan Library is located in an area of State government buildings in the center of town. There are many displays and docents to help explain what some of them are about. You could easily spend half a day here.
Also downtown is Impression Five Museum, a hands on place that is especially good for families with children, the Michigan Woman's Historical Museum, and of course the State Capitol of Michigan, with tours.
Lansing has a restored early 1800's home, the Dodge-Turner House, which is open for tours. It depicts life at the time it was built, complete with parlors and a grand ballroom. They have planned activities during the summer, usually out of doors on the lawns.
In the summer there are free outdoor concerts in the river front parks and at several other public sites. Several taverns and bars have local bands and jam sessions with local people just dropping by and the audiences are encouraged to sing along.
There are many public parks with playgrounds, softball fields, and some have peddle bike tracks and jumps. Iron grills are installed in some parks.
There are three major malls in the area, each with major anchor stores and a multi- screen motion picture theatre. There are bike paths and walking trails throughout the area.
Greater Lansing includes Lansing, East Lansing, DeWitt Township, Holt, Delta Township, Grand Ledge, Haslett, Okemos and a few other communities in the Tri-County area of Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties.
Neatly groomed golf courses are in every area of Greater Lansing. There are gun shooting facilities, archery clubs, and paint ball parks, miniture indoor and outdoor golf courses and driving ranges.
Lansing and it's suburbs have many religious centers that welcome new people. The fine hospitals are first class and in addition to world class care provide an opportunity for volunteer work.
The area has many senior citizen nursing, assisted living, and group housing varities. Some schools and churches operate licensed child care facilities, as do many state licensed individuals.
Fairly new to the region are dog parks. We are blessed with the finest veterinary medical training facility at MSU, and many dedicated animal doctors in the area. There are doggie day care centers and grooming salons to suit the most descriminate canines and felines.
Public transportation is available through the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) and taxi cabs are just a telephone call away. We have a National Port of Entry level airport at Lansing. There is also nation wide bus service from Lansing.
There are many places you can go to just enjoy the nice summer weather. Picnic on the beautiful MSU campus, or along the river, perhaps near the fish ladder at Old Town. Ride bikes along the trails as far as you like. If you like to just explore on your own, Lansing offers many opportunities. There are second hand shops, auctions, barn sales, garage sales, estate sales, especially on the weekends.
Marjorie | Waverly, MI