You’re thinking about living right in the downtown area of Lansing but you’re not sure what it offers? If you’re someone who loves the idea of walking downtown to grab a coffee, catch a baseball game, or have dinner out, Downtown Lansing is for you. It’s city life on a small scale that makes it manageable and wonderful, check out our Guide to Downtown Lansing living.
Lansing Mom’s Family Favorites in Downtown Lansing
Things to Do:
- Potter Park Zoo | While the zoo technically is not right downtown it is just a quick drive for access to all the animals and everything the zoo has to offer.
- Impression 5 | Lansing’s STEAM Museum is perfect for your littles looking to learn and have fun.
- CADL Book Burrow | One of the largest library bookstores in Michigan, located in the basement of the Downtown Branch.
- Hunter Park | Hunter Park is a large park located in Lansing offering a splash pad, pool, basketball, tennis, trails and more.
- Skating Rink at City Hall | In the winter months strap on your skates and hit the skating rink at City Hall Plaza.
- River Trail | The Lansing River Trail stretches over 20 miles of the city and can be accessed from multiple places.
- Tour the Capitol Building | Check the website on how to plan your visit to the capitol building today!
- Jackson Field | Home to the Lansing Lugnuts is located conveniently downtown and is the perfect spot for some summer fun.
- Michigan History Museum | Come learn about Michigan’s past with a visit to the Michigan History Museum.
- River Town Adventures | Check out the city by kayak or canoe with River Town Adventures and one of their many fun tours!
- Brenke Fish Ladder | Take a trip to Brenke fish ladder for a relaxing afternoon. Come in the fall to see the salmon heading up-stream!
- ReOlds Transportation Museum | Come check out Lansing’s transportation history, it’s the perfect spot for all your little car lovers.
Groceries and Food Shopping
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
- Soup Spoon Cafe
- People’s Kitchen
- Strange Matter Coffee
- Midtown Brewing Company
- Lansing Brewing Company
- Social Sloth Cafe
- EnVie
- Troppo
- Kewpee’s Sandwich Shop
Schools and Daycares
Lansing Mom does not partner with, support or endorse any of the following schools, we have pulled these as a resource to you and encourage you to look at all options before making a decision on a school for your child.
K-12 Schools
Public Schools
- The District is home to Lansing Public Schools servicing kids grades K-12
Private Schools
- Lansing Christian School
- Resurrections School
- Immaculate Heart of Mary School
- New Covenant Christian School
- Lansing Catholic High School
- Montessori Children’s House
- Lansing Baptist School
- Our Savior Lutheran Church & School-Lansing
- Windemere Park Charter Academy
- Lansing Charter Academy
- Greater Lansing Adventist School
- Woodcreek Montessori
Daycares and Pre-Schools
- Pam’s Academy of Champions
- Lansing Saginaw KinderCare
- Stars Daycare & Preschool LLC
- Educational Child Care Center
- Small Folks Development Center Inc
- Scribbles & Giggles Child Care Center
- Oak Park YMCA Early Learning Center
- Little Scholars Preparatory
- Pine Street Head Start
- Happy Elephant Child Care
- CAACS Head Start
- Trinity Lutheran Child Care Center
- Little Blessings Learning Centers
Want to check out a different Neighborhood? Head back to The Neighborhood Guide here.
