By Jacob Sailor
Students, look to the west where Grand River Avenue fades into Michigan Avenue. Focus your eyes beyond that fine border known as the Frandor Shopping Center. You can see your state Capitol standing tall and proud in the distance and all around it is a whole city to explore.
Yet many just pass it by.
Lansing and East Lansing are unquestionably two separate cities, but they blend so seamlessly together that a casual observer might mistake them for one. Each has its own police force, post office, city council and subcultures that both define and separate them from each other. Having distinct identities is as important to the two cities as it is in a romantic relationship. But neither that, nor a clear city limit has to restrict people from experiencing them both.
Of course, the concept of the comfort zone is at play here. East Lansing residents are happy in East Lansing, and the same is true for Lansing residents. East Lansing’s culture is very familiar and safe, and crime rates are considerably lower in East Lansing than in Lansing. But don’t let that fool you into thinking Lansing is a dangerous place. It just has its bad eggs like any other city.
Lansing has some great draws. Let’s start with the bars. Whether you’re into clubs with loud music and dancing, or quiet dives where the conversations are enough to make the open mic singer all but invisible, Lansing has a place for you, and it’s likely on Michigan Avenue. Just hop on the CATA bus headed downtown and you’ll be outside any of these places within 10 minutes, or maybe slightly longer on heavy traffic days.
With great bars come great food, and Lansing definitely isn’t short of restaurants. If you’re looking for breakfast, check out Golden Harvest, Fleetwood Diner, Theio’s Restaurant and The Soup Spoon Cafe. El Oasis, a small Tex-Mex taco truck, and Dagwood’s Tavern and Grill burgers and fries are other culinary highlights.
Food and drink aside, what makes Lansing really worth the attention is the people. You’ll find a wonderful culture of men and women looking to get the most out of life and to share it with good company.
Though there’s plenty to entertain you in East Lansing, take a step outside sometimes. Two cities that are side-by-side and open for exploration is something to take advantage of.
Jacob Sailor is a guest columnist and a longtime East Lansing resident. Reach him at jacobdsailor@gmail.com.
