Below are some local gems that you should take a moment to explore during your time here.

Natural areas: Lansing River Trail and Hawk Island County Park

One of the longest trails in the area, the Lansing River Trail, is accessible by car just a few minutes off campus. The paved trail stretches 20 miles from Waverly Road to Old Town in Lansing and passes through multiple parks and natural areas. There are also several parking lots and entrances along the trail, which can be found on lansingrivertrail.org.

Locally beloved for its swimming beach, picnic and recreational amenities, Hawk Island County Park is about a 10-minute drive South of campus. The family park also offers rowboat and pedal boat rentals, fishing docks and beach sports. When the weather is nice, this is a great spot to gather your friends for a beach day.

Indoor spots: Barnes & Noble and Hooked

Recently opened and accessible by bus 15 is the Frandor Barnes & Noble bookstore and café. Situated in the Frandor Shopping Center, the café inside this bookstore is the perfect off-campus study spot to mix things up. When you’re done, you could also shop around for books, games, trinkets and physical music, or stop by any of the nearby crafts and home goods stores, or grab a bite to eat before heading back to campus.

Further into Lansing in Old Town is Hooked, a bookstore, café and wine bar – great for those looking for a smaller space with a niche menu. This bookstore offers a unique drink and food selection with options like coffee flights, gourmet boards, and a variety of unique sandwiches and baked goods. The shop hosts events and book clubs regularly, such as student Fridays, when students get $1 off coffee, cocktails, or wine flights.

Events & entertainment: UrbanBeat and Lansing Shuffle

Also in Old Town Lansing, UrbanBeat is a popular restaurant, bar and event venue accessible by bus one. This venue offers open-mic nights, musical performances, poetry nights and more. 

In downtown Lansing, the Lansing Shuffle restaurant and bar is a lively place for unique events and entertainment and is also accessible by Bus 1. The riverfront venue offers six restaurants in a full-service food court, two full-service bars, a lounge, a patio, and, of course, shuffleboard on an enclosed outdoor patio. Events hosted here include musical performances, trivia nights, couples and singles dance nights, Wine & Canvas collaboration events, Sunday makers markets and more.

Sports entertainment: Jackson Field and High Caliber Karting & Entertainment

Home to the Lansing Lugnuts Minor League Baseball team, Jackson Field in downtown Lansing hosts soccer, kickball, field hockey and lacrosse as well as other special events such as festivals and concerts. The field is accessible by bus one and is a great option for an off-campus sports outing.

A great place to experience unique sporting activities is High Caliber Karting & Entertainment, in Okemos near the Meridian Mall. This indoor entertainment center is also accessible by Bus 1 and offers go-kart racing, axe-throwing, rage rooms, gelly-ball battles, throw-bowling, archery tag, pocket soccer and a full arcade. They also offer full food and drink menus.