Five things to do in Lansing

LANSING — If you're in town this month for high school basketball games at Michigan State University's Breslin Center or MSU's Jenison Fieldhouse for Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championships, there's plenty to do once competition is over.

Here are five can't-miss things to keep you busy and happy in Lansing, when you're not watching your champions compete:

Live music

If your ears need more than Saturday's whistles, bouncing basketballs and squeaking sneakers, Sunday is Patrick's Day, and many local bars and venues will have live music performances throughout the weekend.

If you want to relax after March 23's gymnastics competition, Gimme Gimme Disco, a dance party celebrating disco, will happen that night at Grewal Hall with tickets starting at $17 with a $6 service fee.

Erin Coburn also will be performing that night at the Lansing Brewing Company, 518 E. Shiawassee St.

Museums

Michigan History Museum, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., in Lansing has five stories of state history dating from the first known inhabitants, the Anishinaabe. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 17 with free admission on Sundays.

Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Drive, caters to children's senses and imaginations. Current exhibits let children solve a Scooby Doo mystery, take a deep look at the human mouth and step inside of soapy bubbles. Admission is $12 for adults or children. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and closes an hour earlier Tuesdays through Fridays.

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, 240 Museum Drive, pays homage to the area's auto industry history and pioneer R.E. Olds. The museum has more than 80 vehicles, from 1886 steam carriage replica to a 2004 Alero Final 500, one of the last Oldsmobiles produced. Kids under 12 get free admission. Older children are $7 and general admission is $10. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

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Lansing River Trail

Get those steps in by walking part of the Lansing River Trail, a 20-mile paved trail system that covers downtown and crosses several local parks, over bridges and near neighborhoods.

The trails connect to the Potter Park Zoo, Hawk Island Park, Fenner Nature Center and several museums and historic sites. A few spots to check out include the Fish Ladder on the edge of Old Town and a spot near the César E. Chávez bridge, where the sound of water over buoys and a waterfall helps to overpower the sound of the city. 

If you're staying in Greater Lansing longer than most and you're an avid photographer, Lansing should have an exceptional sunset view around Tuesday, when the sun will set around 7:50 p.m., for a "Lansinghenge" celebration.

A spin-off of Manhattanhenge, Chicagohenge and other cities where photographers mimic the sundown effect of Stonehenge with evening light streaming through tall downtown buildings, the sun's evening cast will be visible for about a week before or after Tuesday, said James Lenon, who has been photographing "Lansinghenge" since 2016.

Potter Park Zoo

The Potter Park Zoo, more than a century old, draws more than 180,000 visitors a year and has around 350 animals, including a critically endangered Amur tiger named Vikanti, critically endangered black rhinos, African lions, a reptile house, penguins and plenty of new animals, including three recently-born North American river otter pups.

The zoo, which is open 364 days, is in its winter hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at1301 S. Pennsylvania and admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children 3 to 12.

Check out some of Lansing's unique shops

The city has the typical downtown shopping options - including a stationary shop/bookstore and several boutiques - but there are a few oddballs.

Let's start with Bad Annie's Old Town Sweary Goods at 1209 Turner St. As the name warns, the shop is chock-full of profane gifts and novelties, enough cussin' to make a sailor blush.

The Peanut Shop, 117 S. Washington Square, is a downtown staple that was once a Planters nut shop and has operated since 1937. A classic candy store, they sell all kinds of nostalgic treats, candies and nuts.

Pick up some Lansing swag to show off where you've been by visiting Metro Malik 517, 513 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., a clothing store packed with hats, shirts and more featuring various Lansing logos.

Did I miss the perfect thing to do? Let me know, I'm Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415