MSU, East Lansing and the full Greater Lansing area offer a variety of activities and events throughout the summer months. For anyone around campus this summer, let this be your Greater Lansing bucket list!
HIKING AND EXERCISE
Fenner Nature Center
With 134 acres of public green space, a visitor center and a monarch butterfly house during the summer months, Fenner Nature Center is great for a walk and to learn about wildlife.
The Ledges in Fitzgerald Park
Located just outside of Lansing in Grand Ledge, Fitzgerald Park is home to 300-million-year-old rock formations and 76 acres of parks to explore, along with a frisbee golf course, fishing, pavilion rentals and more.
Woldumar Nature Center
Woldumar Nature Center offers environmental education programs for children and adults, with over five miles of trails to explore 1.6 miles of trails. Woldumar is a community organization and has 1.25 miles of accessible Grand River shoreline.
Veteran's Memorial Gardens
The Veterans Memorial Gardens are a peaceful outdoor space honoring those who have served in the military. Featuring walking paths, memorials and beautifully maintained landscaping, it’s a quiet place to reflect, relax and enjoy a scenic stroll during the summer months.
Valhalla Park
Valhalla Park is a scenic riverside park perfect for spending time outdoors during the summer. With walking trails, open green space, picnic areas and access to the Grand River, it’s a relaxing spot for everything from casual walks to family outings.
MSU OFFERINGS
MSU Diary Store
If you need something cold on a hot day this summer, the Dairy Store is your place. The flavors are everchanging, but the MSU-themed flavors remain some of the best ice cream money can buy.
Abrams Planetarium
Abrams Planetarium has public shows throughout the summer on a variety of topics. Feature shows are Fridays and Saturdays, at 8 p.m., as well as Sundays, at 4 p.m., while family shows take place Sundays, at 2:30 p.m.
Wharton Center
The Wharton Center schedule extends into the summer. Shows run throughout May and June, including the World Ballet Company’s “Cinderella,” Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s “Pines of Rome” and more.
MSU Sailing Center
Located on Lake Lansing in Haslett, the MSU Sailing Center offers instruction and rentals for sailing, stand up paddleboarding and kayaking.
Forest Akers Golf Course and Driving Range
Featuring two 18-hole courses, a full practice facility and two full-service pro shops, Forest Akers Golf Course is perfect whether you’re a seasoned pro or just want to practice at the driving range.
Demmer Center
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at archery, the Demmer Center is your place. It offers classes, leagues, programs and more for all skill levels as well as programs designed specifically for youth shooters.
MSU Tennis Center
With eight indoor courts, tournaments, private instructors and classes for beginners, you’ll love the MSU Tennis Center.
Broad Art Museum
Another campus staple, the Broad Art Museum will be open all summer. Admission to all exhibits is free as always as are the variety of family events and workshops throughout the summer.
MSU Museum
The MSU Museum reopened in January after an extensive renovation and will remain open throughout the summer. With free admission, look through the featured exhibits and discover new pieces of MSU history.
MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center
The MSU Surplus Store collects items from the MSU community and sells reusable items. If you’re looking for just about anything, there’s a good chance the Surplus Store has it. Open to the public every Friday, take a stroll through the isles of the Surplus Store and help the MSU community as well as the environment while you do.
W. J. Beal Botanical Garden
The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden is a five-acre green space and the oldest continually maintained university botanical garden in the U.S. It features over 1,800 plant species, is free to explore year-round and will offer guided tours throughout the summer for visitors to learn more about its diverse plant life.
The MSU Horticulture Gardens
The MSU Horticulture Gardens are a colorful and relaxing destination on campus. With annual and perennial gardens, a rose garden with hundreds of varieties, a landscape arboretum and the interactive Michigan 4-H Children's Garden, it’s a fun (and free!) place to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
4-H Children's Gardens
The 4-H Children's Gardens hosts a variety of fun, family-friendly summer events, including hands-on activities, themed garden programs and educational experiences designed for kids of all ages. These seasonal events make it an engaging place to explore, learn and play throughout the summer — completely free to attend.
EVENTS, MARKETS AND FESTIVALS
Lansing Lugnuts
Lansing’s minor league baseball team plays games at Jackson Field in downtown Lansing all summer long. With special game packages and giveaways, Jackson Field is a must visit during the summer. Stay for the fireworks after most Friday and Saturday games!
Lansing Common FC
A nonprofit soccer club run by supporters and focused on community inclusion through soccer, Lansing Common FC competes in the Midwest Premier League against like-minded clubs. Matches are played at Eastern Stadium in Lansing.
Lansing Pride
This year’s Lansing Pride will take place June 27, from 1 to 9 p.m., in Old Town. With free attendance, Mid-Michigan’s largest LGBTQ+ festival brings together tens of thousands of people for a day of celebration.
East Lansing Pride
In addition to Lansing’s Pride Celebration, East Lansing will have its own June 13. East Lansing Pride will feature live music, free giveaways, community art activities and more.
Meridian Farmers Market
A little way from campus in Okemos, Meridian Farmers Market runs twice weekly throughout summer. The market is open every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., from May until November, and Wednesdays, from 3 to 7 p.m., starting June 3 and continuing through October.
East Lansing Farmers Market
Starting May 17 and then weekly Saturdays from June 7 until Oct. 25, the East Lansing Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Valley Court Park. Every item sold at the market is 100% homegrown by each vendor.
Lansing Old Town
Overlooking the Grand River on the northern side of Lansing, the historic Old Town offers special events, unique shops and restaurants with art and culture to explore.
REO Town Lansing
REO Town is Lansing’s oldest neighborhood and is home to the city’s towering smokestacks. See a show at Robin Theatre, browse the REO Town Marketplace or take a stroll through Lansing’s most historic district.
Lansing Festivals
Lansing itself is a hub for festivals of all kinds. From the aforementioned Lansing pride to 517 Juneteenth weekend, there are dozens of miscellaneous events happening throughout the summer.
Greater Lansing Area Drummers
The Weekly Drum Circle at Lake Lansing Park North is a lively community gathering where people come together to enjoy music, rhythm and the outdoors. Held throughout the summer, the event welcomes all skill levels — whether you want to drum, dance or simply relax and listen by the lake.
Holt Farmers Market
The Holt Farmers Market is a great summertime stop for fresh produce, baked goods, handmade items and local vendors. Held weekly in Holt, the market offers a fun community atmosphere and an easy way to support local businesses while enjoying the outdoors.
EDUCATIONAL FUN
Impression 5
Located in Downtown Lansing, Impression 5 Science Center is a space for families to create, discover and learn. Impression 5 features interactive exabits covering a variety of topics with rotating featured exhibits and fun for all ages.
Michigan History Museum
Also in Downtown Lansing and two blocks away from the Capitol building, the Michigan History Museum is a unique historical collection of artifacts and a center for learning about the state’s history.
R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Preserving and promoting Lansing’s transportation and automotive history, the R.E. Olds transportation museum houses thousands of pieces of records and artifacts significant to the transportation history of Mid-Michigan.
Potter Park Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in Michigan, Potter Park Zoo houses over 250 animals from all over the world. Potter Park Zoo is open all summer long with events throughout the season and free admission Sundays.
SEE A SHOW
Robin Theatre
Located in Lansing’s oldest neighborhood, The Robin Theatre is a 60-seat performance hall that plays host to a variety of local and touring musicians, comedy shows, films, plays and poetry open mics.
Summer Circle Theatre
On MSU’s campus and hosted by the Department of Theatre, the Summer Circle Theatre is located in the courtyard in front of the Kresge Art Building. Put on by students, admission to every performance is free and open to the community.
Riverwalk Theatre
With shows performed and staffed primarily by volunteers within the community, Riverwalk Theatre runs a variety of musicals and films throughout the summer months, including “Seussical the Musical” and “The Shark is Broken.”
Grewal Hall
Grewal Hall is a flexible event space with shows of all sorts. From comedy and concerts to pop-artist-inspired dance parties and a Name-that-Song trivia, Grewal Hall has shows for all ages as well as age-restricted shows.
*
There’s so much fun to be had in the Greater Lansing area this summer, and this list is by no means exhaustive! Dive into summer with any of the above and dig in even deeper with events listings like 517 Living’s regularly updated calendar.
Author: Zachary Phelps